Tada Falls

Ubbalamadugu Falls

Ubbalamadugu Falls (also called Tada Falls or Kambakam Falls) is a beautiful waterfall, located to the North of Sricity in the Chittoor district. Coming under the Buchinaidu kandriga & Varadaiahpalem mandals the falls are located 80 kilometres (50 mi) from Chennai and 35 kilometres (22 mi) from Srikalahasti.

The falls are located in a forest called the Kaambakam forest or Sidduliah Kona. The relation to Lord Shiva ensures that the festival of Maha Shivaratri is a common time for people to visit.

Tada is a relatively little known tourist destination. It is known for its waterfall (Locally called as Ubbalamadugu Falls), hillocks and greenery. It is ideal for hiking, trekking and picnics.

Access

To reach the falls one must go through the village Varadaiahpalem, about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) away, of which only 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) is paved. During Maha Shivaratri transport services are provided by APSRTC from the village Varadaiahpalem. SUVs or some vehicles with high ground clearance are best suited for the paved road. Small cars should be avoided. With limited accommodation available nearby, the best locations to stay are at Srikalahasti or Varadaiahpalem town. Staying in the forest beyond sun set is not advised. To reach the actual waterfall requires trekking. There is limited guidance, in the form of arrow marks, provided for the hike. It is accessible only by physically fit people.

Get in 

Tada is well connected to Chennai via local trains and mofussil buses that head to Chennai from Tirupathi and Nellore.

• By bus:

Buses are available from chennai(starting at Koyembedu bustand) SETC bus no.114 drops you till Varadayya palem(the last human sttelement on the way to TADA falls. Varadyya palem is approximately 8 km from the forest dept. ceck post, from their autos are available till the check post

• By Train

Trains from Chennai heading to Sullurpeta from Chennai Central pass via Tada. There is a train every two hours and the last train from Tada to Chennai leaves at 8:30 pm.

• By Car

To reach Tada, Cross the Padi junction in Chennai and take the redhills route and join NH-5. Drive for about 60Kms and you will reach Tada town. Before you reach Tada you will cross the AP checkpost. If you are taking taxis, then you will have to shell out permit tax here (Rs.250 for Indica and Ambassador) and it is pretty high for a Tata Sumo or Tempo Traveller. It might be cost effective to take 2 Indica's compared to a Tata Sumo.
Once you reach Tada, take the left which is right next to the bridge and you will reach Varadiah Palem. Ask the people for directions from here. You have to take a left turn to reach Tada falls and there are absolutely no indications at this point. You can reach this place from Kalahasti too.

Camping and Trekking
 

Camp fire and Cooking

Trekking in forest

Swimming in 2 pool

Tada final pool

Once you have reached Basecamp the trek begins. (Believe me, it is called Base Camp). The total trek distance would be about 10kms to and fro with nearly 4kms in real rocky conditions. From here the mud road begins and if you are on SUV or two wheelers, you can go for another 1km.
Just after 150mts or so, we reached the place where we had to cross a water body. It was just a small stream.
A small word of caution: Don't get excited on seeing the water and get into it with your shoes on. It will become really tough to trek with wet soles.
Once you cross this small stream the walk continues till you reach a mud-path. Just follow this mud-path and you will first go up the hill and then down the hill. It is quite tricky to follow the path as in some places only rocks are seen and there is absolutely nothing to indicate a path.
Keep walking along the mud-path and you will cross another stream. We sat for about 10mins here as it was really hot. Continue walking on the mud-path and around 30mins later you will reach a Siva Temple. This is the last place where you can sit comfortably and have food, if you haven't had any so far. You can call this BaseCamp 3, if you want to. If you don't reach the Siva temple within an hour and half of starting the trek, then you have lost your way. Use the time tested method of following the stream and proceed.
After this point there is no proper path and you have to rely on the direction shown people who are around the Siva Temple. You have to cross the stream and then look for a path. You will find a small clearing and this might help you on the way forward. From here on, the trek starts to become difficult. You encounter rocks and millipedes on those rocks on the way forward. (Remember to listen for the stream from this point on. This would be very helpful.)
Some of the rocks are pretty big and it would help if someone who is a good trekker is around. You have to climb nearly 10ft at times and some of the formations are also difficult. There should be two falls, but only one is found during peak summer before the rains have started.
The Day is incomplete without a Camera to click the Crystal clear Waters.

See

• Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish – water lake or lagoon in India
• Chengalamma Temple is in Sullurpeta. The temple don't have any doors. 

Eat

 Commercialization of this place hasn't begun as on date. So, it is still a nice spot for trekking without the usual buzz of people and shops surrounding you. There are small cantees and grocery stores at Tada, where you can buy snacks or water. Locally the falls is called "Ubbalamadugu falls". On the national highway their is Swathi restaurant(A/C) oppsite to SBI ATM and next to TADA police station, were you can find south, north indian and Chinese dishes 

Sleep

With limited accommodation available nearby, the nearest place is Sullurpeta, which has very good AC and Non-AC lodges. Staying in the forest beyond sun set is not advised. 

Total Cost

Total cost per person (approx) : 450/- (includes travelling, lunch, breakfast)

A few things to remember when you plan for a trip to Tada:

Leave early to escape the mad rush in the afternoon. Shorts and T-shirt are a must. You have to wade through water to reach the biotopes so you don’t want your trousers or jeans to get wet. A spare change of clothes is great if you plan to get wet. Wear footwear that do not slip in water (canvas shoes are great). Carry a shoulder bag so that your hands are free to hold and balance. Carry lots of water to drink. Cell phones do not work, Carry cameras in waterproof bags so that they are not spoilt if they fall into water. Hats are a must. The sun beats down hard and there is very little shade except in a few places. If someone has a leg related problem, it would be better that they do not go to the 5th biotope and the falls. The ideal season to go to Tada falls is between December and mid of February.

Goa Water Sports

Goa is the hottest destinations for those wanting to enjoy water sports. This write up gives a detailed information on the various exciting water sports along with the contact details of the operator. Goa, the most popular tourist destination in India offers host of water sports that invites adventure seekers from all over the world. Some of the most popular water adventure tourists can enjoy here includes Water Scootering, Para Sailing, Wind Surfing, Water Skiing and Scuba diving. Tourists and adventure enthusiasts visit the beaches of Goa in order to satisfy their adrenal rush in the most popular beach destination in India. Find below the details of the various water sports along with the details of beaches where these adventures can be enjoyed here. Parasailing  This is the best way to enjoy a microlite view of the beautiful Goa. Two options of para sailing can be enjoyed here. First is winch-boat para sailing where a person lands on a winch boat and the Beach Para sailing, wherein the person is made to land on the beach itself. Beach para sailing requires a lot of co-ordination and due to lack of good safety, it is now bring discouraged. Winch-boat para sailing however takes much higher into the sky and is more fun. The famous beaches of Goa where one can enjoy this adventure are - Sinquerim-Candolim-Calangute Stretch - Parasailing in this stretch of beaches will allow the tourists a beautiful overview of Fort Aguada and the grounded tanker River Princess. The view of Utroda stretch and Arossim-Cansaulim stretch is also very spectacular. Mobor beach is also a good option. The view of the juncture of River Sal and the Arabian sea, is simply breath taking. Another good stretch to sight some panoramic views during para sailing is the Grande and Bait islands. The bird’s eye view of the Mondovi meeting the Arabian sea at the Miramar is also a not to be missed sight.   The charges of enjoying this adventure sport can be anywhere between Rs 500 in off season to Rs 1,250 during the peak season (new years and Christmas) for a time span of 3 to 5 minutes.Also please note that the boat ride charges are not included in the above mentioned costs. Tow boat, tow rope, para sail, life jacket and wetsuits are some of the important gears required to enjoy this sport. Tourists indulging in this sport are advised to check all the gears before taking off. Operators can be found on the respective beaches and ensure that you take an experienced operator as landing on the beach is a tricky affair. This adventure can be enjoyed throughout the year except in monsoons as during this time the wind is strong and rain may cause hindrance. Jet Skiing This is the best adventure for all those who love speed. The 100-135 hp powered jet skis are used in this adventure, where the person is usually accompanied by an instructor as one can easily get carried away by the strong waves. Only when the instructor is completely confident with the skills of the adventurer, do they allow to indulge in solo run. The famous beaches where tourists can enjoy this water sports are Colva, Candolim, Calangute, Mobor, Rajbaga, Arossim, Benaulim and Utorda. Generally, the duration of these water sports can be anywhere between 2, 10 and 15 minutes. For a 2 minute round charges are Rs 400 while Rs 1,000 (during holiday season) for a 10 minute thrill. Charges for  trip of 15 minutes is Rs 1,500. For those looking to jet ski for longer duration, the Grand Resort at Rajbaga charges Rs 2,500 for a 30 minute ride. The basic gear for this sport is Wet Suits, Life Jackets and they can be easily taken from the operators located on the beach. Winter season (from November to February) are the ideal time to enjoy Jet Skiing as during this times the waves are much manageable. Water Skiing This is a very exciting sport that requires both strength and skills. Tourists are required to take up training lessons before indulging in this sport. The major beach destination where this sport can be enjoyed are Condolim, Arossim, Mobor, Calangute, Utorda and Rajbaga. The rates for enjoying this sport can range from Rs 400 to 1,200 depending upon the length of time, operators and the time of the year. Equipments and gears are available with the operators. Tourists are advised to enjoy this sport in winters as this time of the year, waves are much more manageable. It is very important that you learn and remember all the instructions and signals provided by the operator and implement them in need or whenever required. Wind Surfing Known to be the most exhaustive water sport, wind surfing also happens to be the most toughest sports to learn. Very inexpensive, this sport is all about good health, good will power and a good instructor. The major beaches where wind surfing can be enjoyed are Calangute, Colva, Pololem, Vagator, Baga, Dona Paula, Miramar and Bogmalo. There are training schools that conduct short courses on windsurfing and it is important that you learn the international distress signals. The best time to enjoy this sport is from January to March. The annual National Windsurfing Championship is held here in the months of August and November. Organised by the Board Sailing Association of India, this is a popular sports even, where one can participated by just paying an entrance fee of Rs 100. However, entry is restricted to national level wind surfers and they are required to bring their own gears. The rate of enjoying this sport is between Rs 300 to 600 per hour. 5 days training sessions are conducted and charge Rs 4,000 to 5,000 for the whole session. For the professional surfers, Goa now offers kite surfing as well. Training is conducted for five days and cost between Rs 8,000 to 12,000 during the peak holiday season. Knee and Wake - Boarding Knee and wake-boarding is another sport that is gaining immense popularity in Goa. While they are very similar to water skiing, in Knee boarding one needs to use the knee for skiing and in wake-boarding, the adventurer has one broad board instead of two narrow ones as used in water skiing, and needs to balance the body on the single board.   Candolim beach, Mobor beach and Rajbaga beach are the few hot spots for enjoying this sport. Operators are available at the beach and beside them an observer is also required for those enjoying this sport. The charges for this sport is from Rs 700 to 1,200 for 15 minutes. Please note that the price may vary during the peak season. Scuba Diving Goa is among the few places in the world that have excellent opportunity for scuba divers. Grande islands, St. George island, Devagh island and Pigeon island are the most popular places to enjoy this sport. For the beginners, Bogmalo beach is the ideal place where this sport is taught and even licence is provided. through this sport one can enjoy a beautiful sneak peak into the charismatic aquatic life. The view of the coral reef inside the water is an attractions you will cherish all your life.   Best time to enjoy this sport is during the months from November to April. Please note that this sport requires a valid license and tourists without a license cannot enjoy this. PADI-certified scuba diving course from the Barracuda Diving at Goa Mariott Hotel in Panaji is good place to learn this sport at around Rs 3,000. Snorkel needs to be handled very carefully and all the instructions should be followed. Speed Boat Rides Very similar to jet skiing, Speed boat rides is a much powerful and exciting sport. This is a perfect group activity as boats have a capacity of 3 to 6 persons. Lasting from 10 minutes to an hour, speed boat rides are the best and the most enthralling way to explore the coastline of Goa. Speedboats cab be hired from Condolim, Calangute Arossim, Utroda, Colva and Mobor beaches and they cost a minimum of Rs 800 to a maximum of 1,200 for a 10 minute ride. Catarman Sailing This sport is also referred as Hobie Cats and includes twin hulll with trampolines and a mast joined together for sailing. having a seating capacity of 4 person, the cost of this ride can be somewhere, depending upon the season, between Rs 600 to 1,500 for an hour.   Candolim beach, Calangute beach, Arossim beach, Dona Paula beach, Mobor beach, Benaulim and Colva beach are the ideal places to enjoy Catarman sailing. Deep Sea Fishing and Dolphin Spotting Deep Sea Fishing is yet it its nascent stage in Goa. For this sport, tourists are taken way too far in the sea on a special motor boats and one gets a chance to fish for tunas, kingfish and jackfish. However, this sport requires great skill and it is not only to find a catch. The only place in Goa where fishing can be enjoyed is the Bait and Butterfly island. Adults are only allowed and motorboats charge Rs 500 for an hour. Dolphin spotting on the other hand is an interesting adventure option wherein tourists are taken to the stretch between Mandovi River to the Zuari River and here tourists can sight dolphins and even crocodiles. The best time to enjoy is from October to May. Other Popular Water Sports Beside the above mentioned water sports in Goa, there are many sports that are still not very known. The Banana, Bump and Ringo Rides are for kids and their cost is Rs 200 per head for a 15 minutes ride on a six sitter banana shaped contraption. Various trekking and hiking adventures can also be enjoyed near the beaches. Famous Water Sports Operators in Goa The panoramic state of Goa has many adventure operators that help the tourists to learn the sports and enjoy it to the maximum. These operators are located on the beaches itself and often provide with gears and equipments. Following are the list of well known operators divided according to their location -  Arambol Beach - Arambol Paragliding School for Paragliding (Rs1,200) (Contact - 09822867570) and Kite Surfing School (Rs 8,000) (Contact - 09850475241) Candolim Beach - Allison Water Sports (Rs 700 for para sailing, Rs 400 for water skiing)(09422063504), Arabian Water Sports(09890217734, arabian_sports1999@yahoo.com) Calangute Beach - Atlantis Water Sports (Rs 1,000 for jet skiing, Rs 350 each for Water skiing and wind surfing)(Contact - 09890047272), Calangute Beach Water Sports (Contact - 09822151002) Dona Paula Beach - Cidade de Goa (Rs 1,000 for windsurfing, Rs 850 for jet skiing, Rs 950 for wind surfing)(Contact - 0832-2454545), SPM National Institute of Water Sports (Contact - 0832-2436550, 2436400) (website : niws.nic.in) Colva Beach - Chris Water Sports (Rs 800 for parasailing, Rs 150 for speed boat rides)(Contact - 09822142110) Benaulim Beach - Goa Coastal Water Sports (Rs 1,500 for Jet Skiing, Rs 1,000 for water skiing, Rs 6,000 for fishing trip for 6 people) (Contact - 0832-2771234).  Famous Diving Operators are Barracuda Diving India on Calangute Beach (09823012025, website : www.barracudadiving.com) and Goa Diving Pvt Ltd on Bogmalo Beach (0832-2538204, website : www.goadiving.com) Tips to Remember 1. Most of the beaches have trained security guards, therefore minimising the risk of accidents. 2. Age limit is more than 10 years for all the sports barring the ones which specify the required age. 3. All the adventurer need to sign a legal disclaimer stating that they are aware of the risk involved in the water sports and absolve the operator of any responsibility. 4. Almost all the operators provide gears and equipments 5. The rates and fee may varying during the peak holiday season. 6. A government approved licence is required for scuba diving, therefore it is important that you either came with your licence or procure one in Goa after intensive training.