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Photo: K.R. Deepak

Refreshing sight A view of the Katiki Waterfalls

The route from Borra Caves is a difficult one. The only sign that the route has been traversed before is existence of the road itself. Only jeeps can take you to the foot of the 100 steps from where the two-kilometre trek begins.

The ideal time to start the trek is in the early morning. Though we start a bit late, the adventurous journey is nevertheless refreshing and we finally reach near the steep steps. From here commences a 2 km. trail which crosses a railway track and ascends along a series of steps to plunge into a jungle paradise.

The uphill trek can be a bit tiring. So, make sure to come armed with a bottle of water and your trekking shoes. Climb the steps and cross the railway tracks and there you get to see the grand view of the gushing waterfalls from a distance. Walking is an irresistible exercise, for the scene scrolling by is in turn arid and at times luxuriant. It prompts an outburst of clean-edged adjectives from our travel companions who describe the area as ‘remote, magnificent, pristine, hilly and verdant’. We stop many times, just to catch our breath. As we near the waterfalls, the gurgling splash of the waters sound manna to the ears and the garrulous twitter of birds invite us to Mother Nature’s home.

So what if the sun is beating down and the walk seems more than the stated two-km, with the surrounding scenery we don’t mind the exhaustion. There is a sense of quiet as we climb up the route, which cuts through natural forests of the Eastern Ghats. Photogenic ravines, serpentine streams falling and rising on Nature’s canvas and the misty lush greenery egg us on. Occasionally, the humidity and the heat make me wonder “how much more”. But the ample number of resting spots en route provides a break.

And the reward was generous! Amazingly, a narrow walkway takes us right to the edge of this awesome surge. Here, the roar of the water is deafening, and the spray obscures your view, allowing you to revel in the sheer force of the water, and get soaked in the process. It is a soul-cleansing experience to watch the tidal spray of water pearls cascading down from a height of more than 50 feet.

The perennial Katiki Waterfall has its source at the Gosthani River.There are three vantage points at the spot that offers a grand view of the fall. A breathless climb takes you to the summit of the falls surrounded by tall rocks - their stonewalls weather-beaten to a cool, silky smoothness. We are clearly in nature’s domain, amidst gravity-defying gorges and a canopy of green precipices, where she alone was in charge.

We climb down from the top into a green sun-filtered world where a foam-flecked waterfall cascade down to collect in a small jacuzzi-like pool.

You can spend hours lazing in the cool clear water that flows all around the year. But even as we get ready to soak in the exuberant beauty of nature, disappointment strikes. Groups of youngsters come trooping in, splashing and soaking in the water. Enough to disturb the calm and serene tranquillity of the place, though very soon they too get lost in the amazing beauty of nature in its full glory! For all those looking for some respite from the scorching summer heat, here’s a nature delight waiting to welcome you with open arms. The best place to lodge is at APTDC’s Jungle Bells cottages at Tyda from where Borra Caves is about an hour’s drive.

Jeeps are available from Borra Caves and will cost you between Rs.400 and Rs.500.

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