"Planned trip never happens", in my case it is a big TRUE. I have planned the next two days for kabini but now i am boarded into Chikmagalur bus from Majestic bus stand,Bangalore with my friend siva. Plan got changed by afternoon to go Kemmangundi, a long pending destination in my bucket list but no clue about this place.
Only plan we have is to rent a bike on next day and explore as much as possible. Royalbrothers, wheelsStreet are providing bike rental service but already all bikes are booked when we checked out in their website. So we decided to reach Chikmagalur and decide about further plans.
Lets do this unplanned trip!!!
We reached Chikmagalur at early morning 4am. Then started looking for room & bike rental around bus stand. We talked to few local people about rooms and bike rentals. Around 4.30 am one cab person (nagaraj) contacted and informed about his sightseeing package. He is covering around 8 places in a day.
For two member he asked Rs.1800, we didn't showed much interest but we got his number. We started searching for room & bike but we didn't find any. Few people approached and share their contacts for bike but they charging Rs.1000 for Activa / Saluto / pulsar etc., Its bit costly when compared to royalbrothers. They saying this demand is due to weekends and it is same in case of rooms too.
Around 5am Nagaraj called us and said he will provide package for Rs.1600/-. We also not planned anything for the day, so again we bargained and opted for Rs.1400 for 2ppl and asked a room for refreshment. He taken us to his friend restaurant, its is closed when we reached there and he said it will open by 5.30 am. We used their toilet & refreshed. We changed our clothes & had tiffin @6am and started our day in omini car. He also added 5 other tourist with us. I guess total charge for omini to cover all those 8 place is Rs. 3000. He asked us Rs.1400(2 ppl) and for those 5ppl he charged Rs.1600( 5 ppl).
Siri Coffee has a wide space for chit chat with friends. Food, Snacks & Coffee are available. There is park kind of setup & a big women sculpture on their premises.
Then we started to Seethalayangiri. Its situated on the way between Chikmagalur and Mullayanagiri. The roads looks very greenish & its drizzling too. The ride turn to be romantic one, romance with nature.
Our morning looks very beautiful & we are sitting in the front seat with the driver, it adds much of excitement.
We want to do a small trek from Seethalayangiri to Mullayanagiri peak (around 4km one way). As we started very early the crowd was also less, so its enjoyable.
Entire place is covered with fog so we are not able to see the scenic views. We reached the Mullayangiri Peak Parking space after 3Km of trek and as soon as we found snacks shops ( Tea, Ice Cream, Bajji, Sugarcane Juice, Tender Coconut & Veg pulav) started to eat. For this chill weather, we had hot Chilli Bajji & Tea, this added fuel to our soul.
Its different experience to trek in this heavy Fog. Due to thickness of fog we cannot get visuals after 100 to 200m too. After crossing all those steps we reached Mullayangiri Peak (1,930m), the highest Peak of Karnataka.
The waterfall is situated at a distance of about 1 km from Baba Budangiri. An interesting fact about the waterfall is that it has never dried up till date. Even in the dry summer season the sparkling white water of the falls can be seen falling incessantly.
The water flowing from Honnammana Halla Waterfalls forms a another falls called Jhari or Dabdabe Falls. It is located in a private property. We have to took their Jeep service to reach this falls. They charging Rs.700 per Jeep for both ways.
We taken plenty of time in the falls PLAY / BATH/ SWIM /TEASE friends. After having bath we felt hungry and its 2 PM already, so we planned to have our Lunch on the way to Baba Budangiri.
It is a pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Muslims. There is a dargah where any religion people can go and do darshan. Dargah itself is situated in a cave with tombs of saints.
The day almost ended here, its about 4.30Pm and we started our return ride to Chikmagalur.
We booked our stay @Nandi Lodge (Double bed Room Rs.800 / night) near to Bus stand. Planned to start our next day with a bike ride towards Kemmangundi.
Morning we planned to start @5 am to kemmangundi. The bike was said to be delivered by 4.30 am but the person didn't show up and not answered our calls to. The day was started with little disappointment. We were ready by 5 am and went into street to get some bikes from locals. Then we met nagaraj (yesterday's cab driver) in a tea shop, while having tea we inquired ab0ut bike rental. Through him we got a contact for bike rental and we spoken to him.
To be in a positive side we got a bike (Saluto) for Rs.1000 at 7.30 am, its costly but we need it now. Immediately fueled up both our tummy & bike then started our day.
Kemmannugundi is around 65Km. we had a plan to cover kalhatti falls & veerabadraswamy Temple, Hebbe Falls & Z-view Point in Kemmangundi.
Falls providing cascading water from the Chandra Drona Hill from 122 meters (400 ft) above in front of the Veerabhadreshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is with three stone carvings of three elephants at the entrance. Water cascade water over these elephants and devotees believes that these waters have the power to cure diseases.
From kalhatti Falls started towards Kemmangundi. These includes passage of Badra wildlife Sanctuary, they have a checkpost just before few KM of kemmangundi.
From the checkpost they running Jeeps to Hebbe Falls (Only option to Go) @Rs.400/person. Spotted few Deer, birds and wild deer passage on the Jeep path. Ride was wroth for the amount spent.
Safari ride about 12Km then we have to walk another one KM to reach the falls
Hebbe Falls gushes down from a height of 551 ft in two stages to form Dodda Hebbe (Big Falls) and Chikka Hebbe (Small Falls). The water of Hebbe falls comprises medicinal herbs offering healing qualities, thus attracting a large number of tourists to come and have a dip in it. Apart from being one of the most picturesque tourist attractions in South India, the medicinal herbs also attract biologists and scientists.
It is 1434m above sea level. This was the summer retreat of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV and as a mark of respect to the king, it is also known as Sri Krishnarajendra Hill Station
Department of Horticulture running guest houses & Restaurant there,
For enquiries related to Kemmangundi Guest house, contact below
Horticulture Department, Lalbagh, Bangalore-560004
Telephone: 080-26579231
Krishnarajendra Hill Station, Kemmannagundi Post,
Tarikere Taluk, Chickmagalur district.
Telephone: 08261-237126
Have to drive another 5km approx. from here to reach the base place of Kemmangundi View point. We parked our vehicle and started our trek
The path in the above pic takes us towards the Z-Point. From the parking place have to walk a 1km to reach Shanti falls.
The water flows from the top of a hill and reaches down to the valley below. The cascading waterfall forms a stunning view against the backdrop of luxurious green cover. Even the road leading to the waterfall winds through deep valleys on one side and woody hills on the other side. The waterfall cascades down to create a natural pool that is believed to have remarkable medicinal qualities.
The waterfall is in remote place and its free from all kinds of disturbances. The only sound that can be heard at the place is that of the water gushing down the rocks and the occasional bird cooing somewhere in the wide forest stretch.
From here, we have to trek for another 4 km to reach the z point. The trek path itself holds many beautiful views.
It is one of the short treks in Karnataka with beautiful views of nature and valleys. Its an another place to view the sunrise & Sunset.
We went almost to the peak but still few km are there. Due to time constraint we found a spot to enjoy the view. Finally we played music from our phone and simply sat in the lap of mountain to enjoy its beauty.
"Relaxed , enjoyed & bite by bite witnessing beauty of nature"
This was the last STOP, returned to Siri coffee shop in Chikmagalur and had a Strong COFFEE. Now we are ready to Pack up & return to Bangalore.
Got a Window seat in KARNATAKA SARIGE, plugged my headset in ear.. looking out all the pics taken on the trips and flashing the Visuals on my eyes & memories on my heart.
Bike Rental Contacts :
Raju = 83173 24887 (Kannada) , Better to book online in Royalbrothers.
Sighseeing package (1 day of tour in chikmagalur):
nagaraj = 9141682366 (Kannada / English)
Stay options :
Flora Residency(Family) & also rental bikes are available here, Woodland & Nandhini Lodge(Not Recommend for Family). All are available near bus stand and Room fare Starts from Rs.600/- on weekday & Rs.800 - 1000 on weekdays.
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