Monsoon special Dream Trek
The dream start
Mulliyangiri one of the dream place to visit in my list located in Chikmagalur. The place which is famous for coffee and is known as the 'coffee land' of Karnataka, one of the largest coffee producer’s districts of the country. Mullyanagiri is the highest peak in Karnataka, with a height of 1,930 metres (6,330 ft), it is the highest peak between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris. Friday night as planned everyone assembled around 10:30 PM at the pickup point near majestic. At 11:15 PM we started from Bangalore with the fear of rain play in our plan. With fun filled night journey we reached our homestay by 4:00 AM.
Homestay: The Wildernest
It was a muddy road of 1.3 Kms stretch towards homestay. Few of us decided to walk instead of going in TT. So we got down and started with early morning walk and reached homestay “The Wildernest”. Our homestay was in the center of greenery, covered with beautiful flowers, cloudy peaks and coffee estates. We can see the peaks covered in the mist, the view which will prompt you to start trekking then and there itself, but we controlled our wild thoughts and everyone went to get fresh up.
Our Homestay!! |
Day 1 Trek
Enjoying at Kalhatti Falls |
Our first day trek started late credit goes to the breakfast, so we decided to have next day breakfast outside. We took a guide from the homestay and started our first day trek to Kalhatti Falls. Walking in the midst of greenery, route which is fully covered with coffee plantations, tall trees, we first reached at the small stream of Kalhatti Falls. After couple of photo sessions, covered the small bridge then moved towards Kalhatti Falls. After a prolonged discussion finally guide took us closest to the falls. The trail was more of uphill, sleepery and full of leeches. When we reached atop the pain had complete meaning. Kalhatti falls drops off an overhanging ledge which allows visitors to walk underneath and can have showers. It was just pure, refreshing and worth climbing. Everyone started giving their best possess and few got into the water. “Aaaaahooooo, Yahooooo, wohhhhh hoooooo, haaaahaaaahaaaa” were the screams who got into the falls. :D After spending chilling time at the falls we came back to homestay for lunch by 1:30 PM along with Chaku, our intelligent guide through out our trek and would run and join us whenever we take any group pic. He followed us to the top and guided us like a human. I just loved him, he was so adorable without tail but the other dog was always coming in front of the photo with his tail. :P
In the clouds 'Z view point' |
Kallathigiri Temple |
Next we visited Kallathigiri Temple. At Kallathigiri, pilgrims love to witness a small temple that is sandwiched between the waterfalls and rocks. Being a quint essential Indian temple, it retain idols and stone sculptures of the predominant God and Goddesses that turns this place into a pilgrimage destination worth a visit. Here someone in group realized that he has got a leech stick to his tummy and the funniest discussion was “Leech trekked from top or bottom to reach to your tummy” :D. Our plaster boy donated lots of blood which scared everyone in the group, and after tea we rushed to our home-stay for which everyone was eagerly waiting to check themselves because of leech attack. After that everyone got fresh up, started with introduction, spending fun time discussing whole day trek moments and after having finger licking dinner everyone retired for the day.
Day 2 Trek – Mullyanagiri
Day two as planned started early. All packed their bags and started after saying bye to our hosts. We had our breakfast on the way itself while playing dum charades. Lets see next time how can you enact for Kismat Connection and Chandaal, the funniest part of acting Sant(h)osh would be cursing his Kismat on this. :D With fun on high we reached at a small village had tea and started checking for route to the base of the peak. We got mixed responses from the villagers. Few said not to go at this time, few said you can. We were in dilemma because after this trek we won’t be going to home stay to check where we got leech bite; we have to wait till we reach Bangalore. Finally we decided lets reach the base point and then decide.
Team 1 at Sarpadhari before start of Mullayangiri climb |
The starting point of Mullayanagiri trek is called Sarpadhari. From Sarpadhari, there is a steep trek of 5 km till Mullayanagiri peak which is moderately difficult. There is also a concrete road that goes till Mullayanagiri peak via Sitalayanagiri. We reached Sarpadari at 09:00 AM and divided the group in 2 teams. Team 1 of 6 people, including me took the trek route via Sarpadari and Team 2 took the concrete road. After preparing ourselves we started to climb. Best prevention I came across to deal with leeches during this trek is ‘Salt and lemon.’
Slips, steep an awesome climb to the peak |
Team rocking at the Peak |
With the Temple on the top surroundings covered with mist, temperature varying between 15 degree to 16 degree, wind force at its best, we were celebrating our climb. After 15 minutes Team 2 joined via step route and to their surprise we reached before them. After taking couple of good shots and bit of exploration around we started descending. The step route was also not so easy. One wind force is enough to make any skinny person fly. Well our organizer was with the group and we all reached the base safely.
At Bababudhan Giri datta Peetha |
Memory to take forward
The long wait for Monsoon trek finally worth waiting the moment I trekked the highest peak of Karnataka ‘Mullyanagiri’. In spite of heavy downpour at most parts we were able to complete our trek as planned and even more than that. The weather was just awesome and it supported us like anything. The mist, cloud, wind, greenery, food, and the group were just perfect. Trekking is one way of meeting wonderful people and I am glad to bug them with my sardar jokes. :P Osssuuummmm experience without a SINGLE leech bite. Rain treks are not easy but it is not that difficult too when you have strong will to do it, so just push yourself. I achieved what I dreamt of now looking forward to climb next in to-do list..!!!
Panoramic view from the peak |