Monday, July 28, 2008

Trekking in Karnataka

Karnataka provides paradise for trekkers on the Western Ghats section. There are many more places with numerous waterfalls, rocky terrains, national park reserves along the Kaveri basin, Bandipur and Nagarhole reserves etc.
Aagumbe (Narasimha Parvata)Aagumbe provides the best sunset scenery. This peak is situated in the South Kanara in Western Karnataka. It belongs to the Kudremukh National Park. Look out for the Barkana falls and the View point offers us splendid view of the Western Ghats.Jogigundi a good camping area, brings the view of the stream forming a waterfall.
Getting Here
From Bangalore, taking a bus to Sringeri , you need to get down at a place called Kigga.There are two ways to reach the peak, one from Sirimane Waterfalls and the other is from Narasimha Parvatha. The other interesting location is the Koodlu Teertha.
350Kms for Bangalore in Shimoga district in North West Karnataka.
16+ kms from Shringeri
Best Time to Visit : December, January Climate : Sunny with showers through out.
Tourist Information : Since Aagumbe belongs to Kudremukh National Park reserve you will be asked to pay the entry fee and need permission to stay here. Prepare for a rainy and sunny weather, with enough drinking water supplies.

Edakumeri
This is situated in the dense green forest rightfully called as the Green Route from Sakalesh Pura to the Subramanya Railway station. The railway track stretches through the think forest for about 52+kms with 50 odd tunnels and bridges along. Trek route takes to Edaku’meri for one night stay. Another night at Donigal. Places to visit near by are Kukke Subramanya, Kumar Parvatha, Sakalesh Pura.
Getting Here
300+kms from Bangalore.
30+ kms from Subramanya.
20+ kms from Sakalesh Pura.
Best time to visit : End of September to Early March.Climate : Sunny with showers.Tourist Information :To avoid odd hours to track on the rail route, begin trek from Subramanya or Donigal.
Kudremukh in Chikamangalur District
Kudremukh as the name suggest it has a face of a horse, boasts of very rich biodiversity and wildlife.Trek starts from Samse, Lobo mane, Shola. . Kaikamba is a place between beLtangaDi and Navoor, Killur. This route converges with the other at Lobo house.this is another route. Jamalabad fort, a fort built by Tipu Sultan near Navoor is 1700kms from sealevel is another landmark.
Getting Here
300kms from Bangalore.Best time to visit : End of September to Early MarchClimate : Sunny with showers.Tourist Information : This whole area is inside the Kudremukh National Park so no one allowed to camp inside the National Park and will have to follow the guidelines of the authoritiesResources :
From Nearest Town Kudremukh Colony
Nearest Hotel: Samse.
Kurinjal in South Kanara District
This peak in 20kms from Kudremukh colony. The trek route takes us to Bhagavati forest check post, Village called Mala. Deep into the jungle typical to Western Ghats. One will find an old Receiver Station which is abandoned. Watch out for wild bisons.Nature camp, Bhagavati, Hanman Gundi, Kudremukh Sutanabbe falls are some of the land marks.
Getting Here:
300kms from Bangalore.Best time to visit : End of September to Early March.Climate : Sunny with showersTourist Information : This whole area is inside the Kudremukh National Park so no one allowed to camp inside the National Park and will have to follow the guidelines of the authorities. Resources :
From Nearest Town Kudremukh Colony
Nearest Hotel: Samse
Kodachadri Hosa Nagar taluq in Shimoga District
It is believed that 'Shankaracharya' did meditation at this peak and a 'Sarvajna Peetha' at the top. Agastya teertha , a waterfall is enroute to the peak. You can also have a golden glimpse of the Arabian sea for a moment.
Getting Here
300kms from Bangalore.
20+kms from Kollur
Best time to visit : October to Early March.Climate : Sunny with showers.Tourist Information : The route will take you inside dense forest it is advisable to take help from locals and not to venture at night.
Resources:
From Nearest Town Kollur 20kms
Tadiyandamol in Virrajpet taluk in Coorg
The peak is the highest in Madikeri district adjacent to Makutta forest. ‘Nalku Naadu Aramane” an old palace is situated here. This is an one day trek. Bhagamandala, Madikeri, Abbey falls, Nagara hole are the landmarks on this trek.
Getting Here
250kms from Bangalore.
30+kms from Virrajpet town
Best time to visit: Early winterClimate :Misty showersTourist Information: Though the place boasts of thick forest, caution on trekking routes. Be prepared to encounter leeches at the marshy soils.
Resources:
From Nearest Petrol Bunk: 20kms (Napoklu)
Nearest Medical Help: ~20kms (Kakkabbe)
Nearest Hotel: ~50kms(Vir raj pet)
Tour Operators
Outrigor618, Ansal Forte, Rupena AgraharaHosur Road, Bangalore - 560 068 Phone +91-80-4120 2831 , 2573 7232Mobile +91-98441 15315
Email:outrigor@airtelmail.in

Summiters Outdoors Private Limited #24, "Belaku", 1st Cross, APC Layout, Thindlu, Vidyaranyapura post, Bangalore - 560097Telephone: +(91)-80-2364-7529 Mobile: +(91)-98456-30364 , 99456-48287, 98800-42096
Email :info@summiters.net

They also conduct trekking tours which cover bird watching, rock climbing, river rafting, nature walks, skywatching, aero sports, water sports, homestays.
Adventure Clubs
Bangalore Mountaineering Club Gokulam, #1310, 6th Cross, 10th main, HAL 3rd Stage ext, Bangalore - 560008. Phone: +91-80-2527-1045
team@bmcindia.org

GETHNAAGeneral Thimmayya National Academy of AdventureState Youth Center, Nrupatunga Road, Bangalore 01.Ph:91-80-2210454.
Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI)Guru Nanak Bhavan Jasma Bhavan Road, Bangalore.
Karnataka Mountaineering Association 6, Guru Nanak BhavanJasma Bhavan Road, Bangalore 52.Ph: 91-80-2269053EMail:kmacamps@yahoo.co.in

Karnataka Mountaineering Association (KMA)No. 307, 3rd Cross, 5th Main,Gandhinagar, Bangalore-560 009.A pioneer organization in south India dedicated to the cause of promoting adventure activities among the youth in the State of Karnataka.

One Day Treks
Honnemaradu
Talaguppa to Honnemaradu:Honnemaradu, the village, having been engulfed in the mid-1960s by the Liganamakki dam, , is in the Shimoga District in north-west Karnataka about 25 km from Sagar town on the way to Jog Falls. It is also the headquarters for Western Ghats Restoration Project. Mupane, a wildlife sanctuary, Jog Falls (26 km), Dabbe Falls (30 km from Jog falls), Tyavarekoppa Tiger and Lion Safari (9 km out of Shimoga), Sagar (a cultural centre), Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and Kaanur Kote, a fort (75 km by road). are worth visiting .
Anatargange
IT is situated about sixty kilometers from Bengaluru, Anthargange is in Kolar. Thorny shrubs cover the hill, while there is dense plantation forest at the base. Flight of steps, halfway the hill leads to an ancient temple. The spring at this temple is claimed to wash off your sins. The forty-five minutes hill climbing will keep you panting for breath and opens up for an extensive and beautiful green plateau on the top. Anthargange is an ideal location for light trek, rock climbing and camping.
Other places for one day trekking : Nandi Hills, BR Hills, Pearl Valley, Mekedhatu, Kemmanagundi, Bandipur, Nagarahole, Murkal.

No comments: