9-July-2010: Friday
Seven (Kolt, Bala, Pras, Som, Haem, Ganes and me) of us started to Shimoga. We started from our place to railway station around 9:30PM to catch SHIMOGA EXPRESS train, which starts at 11:20PM. Luckily or unluckily, our Karnataka CM B.S.Yeddyurappa was also on the same train to Shimoga. Lucky because, we got to see him. Unlucky because, we had a delay of around 1 hr reaching Shimoga.
10-July-2010: Saturday
After having atleast 3-4 hrs good night sleep, we reached Shimoga at 7:30AM. A bus to Sagar was waiting right outside the railway station. It's 76 kms to Sagar with the bus fare of Rs45/-. We reached Sagar at 8:45AM and got into a small hotel room around 750m from Sagar to get freshen up. Once everyone got ready, we headed to the most important task of the morning, Sukh Sagar for the breakfast. We stuffed ourselves with heavy brunch since we were unsure of our next food stop.
We then caught a non-stop bus to Jog falls, which is around 30 km from Sagar, at 10:30 and the bus fare is Rs 19/-. We witnessed the absolutely amazing jog, highest waterfall in India at 11:15AM.
Its height is 253m and width is 472m. Its formed by the Sharavati river when it splits in to four parts and jumps from the Deccan plateau to the plains. The four parts are called Raja, Rocket, Roarer and Rani. Associated with the falls is the Lingamakki dam and hydroelectric power station visioned by Sri M Vishveshwarayya. During summers the waterfall will reduce to small narrow streams while during monsoon and winters it will be roaring with water.
We hired a Maruti Omni for Rs300/- to take us to Raja, Rani falls and to power generation point. We really had fun watching the downstream water from Raja Rani falls from a great height. It’s a bit scary place and one has to be really careful while being at few spots including Mungaru Male spot. After spending around 1 – 1.5hrs at the falls, we hired the same cab to take us to Kodachadri. After bargaining, he accepted for Rs1100/- to take us. The taxi guy was very friendly and gave us pit stops wherever we wanted. We had lunch at 4PM at a very small home cum hotel on the way. We finally reached the much awaiting destination, Kodachadri.
We started from the base of Kodachadri at 5:30 in the evening. It’s pretty late to start since it takes a minimum of 3 hrs to trek 10+ kms to reach the temple situated at the top of Kodachadri. We took the jeep route since it was late and less chances of getting lost. The other option was to take a shortcut through the forest, which is the actual trekking.
We were feeling very tired during the trekking since all of very carrying backpack with around 5kg each. As most of you know, it’s always better to carry as less as possible for any trekking. We were taking breaks in-between while trekking. We reached Mugilpete at 7:15PM and you don’t believe that it wasn’t dark yet. The light was so good that we could actually play cricket at that moment.
We took a break of 15 mins, took lots of photographs, actually few funny snaps, and then headed towards our destination and it was completely dark by then. We kept on trekking for one km in the dark and found no clue of humans or light or houses. Few of our trekkers really got scared seeing animals on the ways, which turned to be a buffalo, and hearing few creatures/insects sound was scary too. We got another life seeing a troop of 5 people heading back. They scared us by informing that they went for around 5km ahead and found nothing. They actually had taken a wrong route ahead. We continued our way towards the top and the other troop followed us. At 8:30PM, fortunately, a torch light was pointed towards us by the people at the temple. According to some, the scary part of spending the entire night in the jungle came to an end. The spot was the temple at Kodachadri. There were already lots of tourists have dinner at bhattara mane. Pras and Ganes directly sat on the dinner table as they were really starving and tired too. One other guy Kolt, headed toward the dinner table. Som, Bala, Haem and I had different plans, so planned to pack our food to have it later. Very soon Bala realized that he was a victim of a leech and it was really scary to look at his calf, completely blood. First time in the trip we took leeches seriously.
The day ended for us at around 1AM when we finally got back to bhattara mane for sleep. Do not expect bed sheets, pillows at this place.
11-July-2010: Sunday
We had a plan to get up at 4 in the morning and to reach sunrise spot. None of us could actually make it and even if we had made it, the clouds would not have allowed us to watch the rising sun. Pras and Ganes got up early at 5, finished their morning duties and then woke us up at 6. We got up with half opened eyes, took our towels, tooth brush, etc to trek to Shankaracharya mat. Just after 10 mins of trek, we found a sunrise spot towards our left. We went to top of it and the clouds were along with us. One other troop were already enjoying the beauty of Kodachadri at the sunrise point. It was an amazing view from the top. We could see the dense forest between the clouds, greenery all around, chilling breeze, and one could not ask for more. At that moment, I felt that it’s the best part of the entire trip.
After spending around 20mins, we came back and headed towards Shankaracharya mat. Ganes decided to stay back as he was totally drained because of previous trek. Six of us headed forward. We found a Ganesha temple on the right.
Spending 5 mins there, we headed forward and way were not so good, rocks way, slippery due to drizzle. We reached Shankaracharya mat at 9 in the morning.
It normally takes around 1 hr to reach from the temple at Kodachari. Since, we were totally drained out, Bala, Som and I just relaxed lying down in front of the mat for 10-15 mins. Pras, Kolt and Haem were busy taking pics all around.
After that we headed back to the temple at Kodachadri, brushed on the way, freshened up quickly and were ready for breakfast. Ganes, who did not accompany us to Mat, had already batted his part of breakfast. All of us had heavy breakfast as we knew that our lunch would be at snacks time ;). We paid the food and stay bill to the bhat sir, which was Rs50/- per head for accommodation, 40 for lunch and 30 for breakfast. As per our plan, the next destination was towards Arishina Gundi. After hearing about Hidlamane falls, even though not as good as Arishina Gundi that is tough to reach, we headed towards it with a guide agreeing to pay Rs200/- for the guide to take us to the falls and then to Nittur bus stop.
The guide took some salt in a covered cloth for protection against the deadly looking leeches. We applied salt water to legs, shoes so that leeches won’t get to it. After the last salute to the temple at Kodachadri, we headed towards Hidlamane falls, which is around 4km form the temple. It was a jolly ride for initial hour with beautiful scenarios, climbing uphill and then downhill, murdering few leeches that attacked us.
As we were nearing the falls, the population of leeches started increasing. Ganes became the second victim. The way to reach to the falls became tougher and it’s almost impossible for few of those who never have any physical activities. After spotting the falls, all our thirst and fatigue came to an end. It was around 12:30PM, and we unclothed ourselves quickly and got into the chilling water.
Spending around 40 mins in water took out all our tiredness and we were actually fresh and energetic enough to start any new trek ;) The way back from there was worse, actually deadly. We headed for 10-15 mins and had to come back as there was no way ahead, like a totally slippery, dangerous way.
We came back to the falls and walked through the water and after 20 mins, we found a walkable way and everyone had a sigh of relief. We had to walk for 4-5km before reaching the Nittur main road.
We saw a KSRTC bus going to Kollur and stopped it in the middle. Everyone got into the bus at 5PM, I paid guide Rs30/- extra for his cool, energetic and un-cunning nature that had helped us to enjoy the trek better. Reaching hidlemane falls without a guide would be a nightmare.
We reached Kollur and booked Durgamba to Bangalore for 8PM. After snacks and then visiting Kollur Mookambika temple, we got into the bus and reached back Bangalore at 6:30AM on Monday morning. Everyone with the sigh of relief, feeling proud to have achieved something and at the same time understanding the fact that the couple of days trip had come to an end and back to the routine life :(
Things to carry
Torch, Match box
Sweaters/jackets
Shoes with cotton socks
Sandal
Umbrella
Glucose or some quick energy stuffs like chocolates, etc.
Petrol / Kerosene incase if you plan for campfire
