Karnataka " One State. Many Worlds" In a True Sense

Our first destination was Murudeshwar. On the way to our destination we have visited INS Chapal Warship Museum & take a view of very nice, less crowded and secluded beach at Karwar. We had taken our lunch at another mesmerising place , Sunset Cafe, Main beach at Gokarna. Absolute amazing place to enjoy food along with cool sea breeze & beach view. Very nice taste of food & hospitality. We missed the visit of Om Beach , Kudle Beach and Half Moon beach ( must see places ) & Famous Ganesha temple in Gokarna due to tight schedule . Finally Going through the very nice roads in hilly areas and few coastal roads we reached at RNS Golf Resort, Murudeshwar. Another wonderful place for beach lover. The resort is on the beach with only 14 spacious rooms and lush green surrounding. Enjoyed the beach in evening & mesmerising sunset. Visited famous Murudeshwar temple , Known to be the second-highest statue of Sri Anantadrishti, another name for Lord Shiva, the huge structure can be seen from afar. Finally The hectic & enjoyable first day came to end with dinner at resort ( Not so good !!!)

We have actually planned for Famous scuba diving at Netrani Island on second day of our stay at murudeshwar. But unfortunately due to some state festival & it require previous booking we could not make it possible. (ADV: Make Advance planning with few agencies like Netrani adventures, west coast adventures) . To spend whole day we decided to visit Udupi ( approx 90-100 Km from Murudeshwar). After coastal journey on smooth roads with in between areas of backwater on one side and sea on another side we reached at Malpe beach, Udupi. We had taken ferry boat from Malpe beach for St Mary's island ( 300 per adult & 150 for child in Govt Approved Ferry , Some private options available from Malpe beach) & reached on the island after 20-25 minute journey on boat with music & dance. St. Mary's Islands are a set of four small islands in the Arabian Sea are known for their distinctive geological formation of columnar rhyolitic lava. The northernmost island has a basaltic rock formation in a hexagonal form, the only one of its type in India such as Malpe and others. On the way back to Murudeshwar , did shopping of sarees from Bramavara & Visited Kodi beach. Surrounded by water on three sides, Kodi Beach is a perfect attraction for beach lovers. With the Suvarna River draining into the Arabian Sea, it forms a delta and hence it gets its name as Delta Beach and is also known as a 'sangama' point. Well spent evening with different colors of nature & long walk on pathway along the meeting point of river with sea. On the way you can visit Maravanthe beach. On the way to resort we have searched for food options in Bhatkal and took delicious dinner at AUZ cafe, Bhatkal (mixed Veg & Non Veg with major Non Veg option !!! very less option for vegetarian in the area).

After having lots of fun on coastal side of Karnataka Its time to enter in to dense lush green forest areas of Karnataka ( less explored places for people outside Karnataka). Our first destinations was Sharavathi Adventure Camp, Jog-Jungle lodges , Kargal, Taluk, Jog Falls. On the way to resort we stopped for Sharavathi valley view point. We were in little doubt for the resort as it is undertaking of Karnataka Government (!!! due to our mindset for government properties). But after reaching to the resort there was only one word from the all people in group for the absolutely amazing. It is like absolutely cut off from our very hectic day to day life & only nature...nature & nature around you. All the cottages are river facing with surrounding dense forest. They have their own itinerary after check in which include all meals, boating, water activities & jog falls visit( Per person price includes all) . Must say about Cleanliness and food quality which was excellent. Staff was very courteous & helping. Rooms were spacious, clean and all basic facilities(!!! you may find few insects & lizards etc...but its real forest). Main part of resort is water activities. We enjoyed thoroughly kayaking, swimming in dam water, Trampoline etc. Our visit to jog falls planned on next day morning.

After a beautiful & mesmerising views of Jog falls and taking delicious breakfast in morning. We moved towards our next another awesome destination Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary/Tiger reserve having our stay at The River Tern Lodge - Junglelodges, Tarikere, Lakkavalli. It was like more adventurous stay as compared to previous stay at jog falls having wildlife around and stay on river island connected by cable suspension bridge. Itinerary includes all meals, Jeep safari, boat safari & water activities. We took jeep safari in evening & enjoyed our ride through dense forest having rain in between which probably reduced chances for spotting wild animal. We spotted deer, bison and few exotic birds. Little disheartened for not spotting wild animals. ( !!! Few points for stay at this resort 1. If you are on island cottages than it will take around 7-10 mins walk for reaching dining area and reception & at night it is little bit scary. take guidance from staff 2. As Cottages were very close to river and forest, we should be little extra-cautious ( like do not move here & there and open door unnecessarily). All meals during stay were superb with proper cleanliness and hygiene. We were taken on boat safari next day early morning (!!! wake up call 5: 30 AM and Safari around 6: 30 AM). It was absolutely amazing experience of having boat safari in early morning having dense surrounding colourful forests, hills , few islands and many wonderful birds ( like osprey, kingfisher & darter etc ). Its our luck to find the leopard during boat safari and all delighted with such experience. It is actually not right time to spot wild animals due to post monsoon dense forest and high water levels. The island is known for river tern birds for which you have to visit in march or April.

After enjoying morning boat safari and water activities at River tern lodge we further moved towards the last destination of our memorable journey Chikmagalur - famous for coffee plantation and surrounded by lush green hills & misty atmosphere. On the way we decided to visit Hebbe Waterfall. You can visit water fall by tracking or have to take jeep ride from forest check post ( 500 per person ). It is very adventurous bumpy ride in jeep through coffee estates on muddy & stony paths. There were around 900 m to 1 km walk after jeep dropped us at one point. This track was in dense forest with scenic beauty & full Of Leeches in between ( !! Be little bit cautious & wear proper clothes & Shoes you can take salt & some anti-leeches spray). After reaching near the waterfall you will feel freezing drizzle and fog everywhere near the falls which is mind blowing experience.After visiting water fall we went little bit higher to visit Kemmangundi where you can enjoy picturesque valley views from Krishnarajendra Botanical Park. Afterwards we left for the our night stay At Hotel Aadrika, Chikmagalur. ( Few options available at Kemmangundi if you want to stay on hills). It was centrally located and very descent & family friendly hotel with nice ambience and proper cleanliness. We checked in hotel and taken delicious dinner in the same hotel.

After having breakfast we left for the visit for Mullayyanagiri, which is the highest peak ( approx 1930 mtr from sea level) in Baba Budangiri Range of mountains in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. If your are travelling by bus or tempo-traveller you have to leave the vehicle at one point and take local jeep( which costs around 50 rs per person one way). Small personal vehicle can go near base of peak. From the base you have to climb 400-450 steps to reach the peak. After reaching the peak you just feel like heaven. Clouds are around you & can take beautiful view of valley. There is a temple at the peak. After enjoying the atmosphere went to visit another peak known as Dattagiri/Baba Budan Giri (height 1895 m). There is Dargah & Dattapeeta (Baba Budangiri shrine named after the Sufi saint Baba Budan, who is revered by both Muslims and Hindus. You can visit Zhari waterfall on the way ( same track like Habbe waterfall). After enjoying lots of memorable view of lush green and misty western ghats we returned to the city area and did shopping of spices , coffee etc. It was unforgettable experience of having filter coffee at Rise Up Coffee shop.

Finally the last day of journey !!!! After having delicious breakfast & coffee at hotel Aadrika we left for Bangalore from where our flight to Ahmadabad was scheduled at late evening. Few from the group could not resist themselves for having cup of Filter coffee from Rise Up Coffee shop. It was long journey of approx 5-6 hours for Bangalore. On the way visited Belur (renowned for its Chennakeshava Temple dedicated to Vishnu, one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture and the largest Hindu temple complex that has survived from pre-14th-century Karnata-Dravida tradition ) & Halebidu ( home to some of the best examples of Hindu and Jain temples with Hoysala architecture ).The Hoysala monuments at Belur and Halebidu have been proposed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.