Day 1: Bangalore to Bhagawathi nature camp
Started at 6 AM. Drive was smooth on awesome roads NH till Hassan. Had a quick breakfast break then continued to Kudremukh. Winding roads expect some puking. But roads are all in good condition. After Kalasa no mobile signal. Do download the maps offline.
Do
not forget to collect a yellow sheet with timestamp from forest check
post. No charges but this sheet is important to mark that you entered
and reached your stay. While returning get it stamped at camp and return
it at forest check post.
Bhagawathi
nature camp invites with a nice greenery and great food. Peacocks,
albino deer visit this place. There is constant bird chirping and
cricket chirping all day and night.
After a short rest and refresh a nature walk of 2KM. Nice scenery.
Back to room relax and dinner sleep. Night sky is beautiful.
Day 2: Trek to Kurinjal Peak
At this time due to forest fire Kudremukh trek is closed. Other Safari routes, Lakya dam, Ganapathi katte all are closed. Only trek to Kurinjal peak is available. This is 5KM one way trek. From Bagawathi nature camp it's 6-7KM one way. Carry water and some small snack.
It's a scenic trek. Loads of leeches beware. Carry salt. Apply odomos kind of thing seem to help well.
Don't stop to remove leech there are so many climbing at the same time. Be watchful.
Last stretch of trek gets steep. We go along and above clouds. One of the must do in Kudremukh. Drink water from stream it's super tasty. Water in entire Kudremukh tastes so rich. Air is super fresh too.
We started for trek around 10AM reached top at around 1PM returned back at 2:30PM.
Forest
department permission to trek and a guide is mandatory. Do take them,
it's kind of revenue generation and they understand the risks too.
Day 3: Safari aka Drive thru the meadows
 |
| All shades of brown and green. View from top |
 |
| View from top |
Safari is optional entire jeep costs 3000rs. Shared among people. we were the only folks in the camp, so we took it.
The scenery and drive made it all well worth. Great photo shoot place. Truly untouched.
Returned
to nature camp and entered the stream within camp. Water was cold but
refreshing. Most places are shallow some places are very deep. Take life
jacket or stay at shallow areas. Pure mineral water with tall trees all
around. It's a must do at Bhagawathi nature camp.
Checked out and headed to Kalasa. Our stay was at mudra homestay. It's in a shopping complex main area. Super luxurious rooms with great staff. Lunch was a full fledged malanad style meal. Awesome it is. Do try.
Visited Horanadu annapoornashwari temple and Kalasa Siva temple too. Both places are scenic and clean.
Day 4: Hanging bridge and Ambha Theertha
Google maps marking in Kalasa is incorrect for location of Soormanai falls, Ambha theertha.
Ask the locals and visit these places.
 |
| This is Ambha theertha |
But Ambha theertha is a very dangerous place 2018 - An engineering student slipped and fell when he was taking a selfie. Locals say this and tell us to get into a safe place which is not deep.
Water gushing thru the rocks is a site to see. Do visit this place and stay safe.
Overall very relaxed trip to untouched places in western ghats. The air and water is so pure we regain energy and reconnect.
