kodachadri : Day 2

We had our plans to get up at 0530 to see the sunrise, we were woken up by 330 itself by the gung-ho NCC students who started getting ready 2 hours before.. somehow we tried to rest until its 0530.

At 0545 when we started our another trek, it was pitch dark and had no visibility. Fortunately, torches showed us the way forward.  We started climbing as did the 45 students, they parted ways after a while and we took a different rather dangerous route to the top of the hill. It was about 6 when we reached there and no sign of Sun yet.
we chatted for quite sometime &  meanwhile cameras were set up and waited for sun After a while, we could see some light and as it brightened a bit more, we saw mesmerizing hill tops covered with clouds. It appeared as creamy layer of snow flowing down the valley. It was beautiful ! Sun rose and golden color had spread all around ! cameras clicked hundred times

We descended down the hill and had a nice heavy breakfast at Bhatta’s house. By 9 am, we checked out of the Bhatta’s place.

It took us about 45 mins to 1 hour to descend down 5kms n reach Kaka’s hotel. It is slippery during monsoon season. ( We had taken more than 2 hours to reach the top )

ARISHINAGUNDI FALLS >

We had lemon juice at Kaka’s place n asked for route to Arshinagundi falls, the guy didn give us the complete route rather marketed a guide costing 300 INR. We took half info from him and started towards the directed route. On reaching about 2 kms away from Kaka’s hotel, you get a collapsed or rather absent Transformer ( Two electric poles on the left side of the road ), we took a left. Remember, there is no direction there . After walking, climbing, skidding, slipping through ups n downs we reached a stream which was blocked by a tree. We lost the direction there ! We wandered here n there for 15 – 20 mins, exploring all directions . A while later, a group came in who had a guide along and gave us the right direction.

It was close to 1330 hrs when we reached the falls. Its about 5 kms from Kaka’s hotel. The falls is amazing ! Water falls from nearly 100 feet and directly falls on pile of rocks and flows down smoothly. Water density is not so much during this season, however you cannot reach the falls during the monsoon time Ajay & Vatsa took a swim while myself n Madha enjoyed the water fall and Mr Shivakumar took a nice nap . I took some snaps n we packed bags. Our next destination, Kollur, 6 kms more . We had to take bus from Kollur to reach Udupi before 2100.

Last bit of trek, which was to climb uphill for nearly 0.6 kms, we felt the toughest. It was at an inclination of 60 – 70 degrees and had no plain land whatsoever. we struggled a lot. With empty stomach, with no water on board, all of us were drained out completely. We finally reached Kollur at 1715 with a lot of struggle n pain.

TREK HIGHLIGHTS & LESSONS LEARNT >

a. Get yourself fit n healthy before you even think of trekking in Kodachadri

b. Kodachadri trek is simpler compared to trek to Arishinagundi falls

c. During Monsoon, its doubtful to reach Arishinagundi falls

d. Inform Seetharama Bhatta well before you plan your trip

e. Carry less luggage

f. Dont ever miss Sunrise ! its a wonder !

g. Plan to camp there, as it seems to be good.

h. Millions of leeches during monsoon

i. Love Kodachadri, keep it clean & tidy

j. Witnessed forest snakes, so better be with proper shoes n trousers

k. Kollur – Karikatte gate : 12 kms by road,

Karikatte gate – Kaka’s hotel : 4 kms by road

Kaka’s hotel – Kodachadri top : 5kms by air

Kaka’s hotel – Arishinagundi : 2kms towards Karikatte gate, take a left diversion, trek through the forest for 4 kms.

Arishinagundi falls – Kollur : 6 kms through forest & 1.5 kms by road

l. Charges / Expenses @ Bhatta’s place : 30 per meal, 25 for stay , 10 for breakfast & 5 for coffee/tea.

m. Guide is not very much necessary, ofcourse go ahead if you can afford one.

n. Jeeps do take you to the top but with a hefty price tag of 175 INR per head.

kodachadri : Day 1

I called up Ajay, who had reached Manipal a day before in his bike along with his cousin Vatsa. We reached Manipal and we head to Kollur after having heavy Idlis at Vatsa’s place. It was 10 am when the bus took off to Kollur, it took 3 hours to reach Kollur.

GETTING THERE :

Our plan was to start either through Karakatti or Marakutaka. Since it was late we opted to trek from Karakatti, the closest from Kollur.

You can trek via Karakatti ( From kollur, you can take bus / jeep / auto (expensive). Buses are at an interval of 2 hours) which is about 12 kms from Kollur.
Also via Marakutaka, which is close to Nittur. From Nittur, you can either walk or travel to Marakutaka Bus stop from where you can trek through Hindlumane Falls and then reach the foot hills of Kodachadri. It is one of the toughest and takes a toll on your stamina.

5 of us started via Karakatti, it was 1330, we had to reach the top before 5 to make it before sunset. As we started, we were feeling hungry already Idlis we had in the morning were nowhere found in our stomach . Hotel Santosh ( famously known as Kaka’s hotel), the only place in the entire area which can serve food but not at nominal price we reached the hotel by1445 and had Idlis again we also had Puttus, ( Idli like item made from coconut n urid dal with sambar ) and litres of lemon juice..

Its 1530 hours. Its another 5 kms from Kaka’s hotel to reach the top and we had 2 hours to make it. Those 5 kms were the toughest and steepest. Though we started off in josh, we were drained out within half a kilometer. It was about 1600 when we had reached just 1.5 kms. Then we started briskly and the next 45 mins to 1 hour was quite fruitful. We had almost reached the top. The final peak which is at an inclination of 60 – 70 degrees, a real toughy !

We reached by about 1710, we reached Seetharama Bhatta’s house. It would be better if you call up Seetharama Bhatta a couple of days earlier otherwise you may not get accommodation. It was close to sunset time, so we hurried up to go to top of another hill which has the best view of sunset. Its another uphill task, we shredded unwanted backpack at Bhatta’s house and took just cameras & torch as it would be dark on return. We could make it only ten minutes before the actual sunset. It was misty and most part of the hill was not visible. Its heard that you can actually see the sun and its reflection on the sea, but it wasn clear this time. we could hardly see anything else but for the glowing Sun. Sun set and we chatted there until it was completely dark. By about 1915, we started descending down the hill to reach Bhatta’s house. It was dark & adventurous !

By about 2030 we had good dinner, we had rice, sambar n curd rice. we had it as if it was our meal after a weeks’ hunger By 2100, we hit the bed ! There were about 45 students who had come from NCC and were accommodated in the same hall as we were. They weren in a mood to sleep rather sing songs all night !

kodachadri : Day 0

‘ Kaise mujhe tum mil gayee, kismat pe aaye na yakeen….’ Aamir Khan sitting on a hill top, gazing at the beautiful locales in front him, sent a gentle reminder to me saying ‘buddy, you have planned for Kodachadri which is more picturesque than this one.. !’ I was quite engrossed in the movie that I totally forgot that I have to catch a bus at 2200. It was 1900 when movie got over, I had several missed calls from Ajay n Shiva.

Driving back home I carried the aggression Aamir had induced into me.., watching Aamir khan’s movie is a passion in itself !

It was about 8, when I reached home and quickly packed my luggage and called up other friends to get ready. Madhavi, myself and Shiva reached bus stand by about 2130. Airavat bus ( Bangalore – Kundapur ) started at 2200 as scheduled. By the time we reached Udupi, it was abt 0740 and neither me nor Shiva had got right sleep Felt like traveled in normal bus and nothing like a Volvo..

Guess where is this :)

Guess where is this , originally uploaded by deepinside.