Banjarumale – sought after trekker’s destination
Posted by Shiraadiz on Apr 25, 2012 in Travel | 0 comments
Banjarumale is one of the thick forest in Charmadi range and this unique feature of Banjarumale makes it one of the most sought after destination for the trekkers.
18 km from Kakkinje, the nearest village situated on the Mangalore-Chikmagalur Road, which could be reached by road. It takes over one hour to reach Banjarumale from Kakkinje by jeep.
One will find 11 hairpin curves while traveling from Mangalore-Chikmagalur, in the Charmadi and Banjarumale is located in the 9th hairpin curve. On a total, it is 110 kms away from Mangalore.
If one does not opt to go by road, then one has to get off a public transport at Ninth Cross on the Charmadi Ghat Road and walk for about 10 km inside the forests on the mud road.
However, since a private estate has fenced the route, there is a need for any trekker going on this route to take prior permission from the private estate managerial staff. Just an oral permission is not sufficient as the private estate party demands for written and sealed permission to pass through the route.
Elephant corridor: It takes over one hour to reach Banjarumale from Kakkinje by jeep. However, the journey to Banjarumale on road is not easy. One has to be careful about wild elephants that suddenly appear from the forests. The main highlight of the region is that is the home of pachyderms, which make appearances frequently.
Apart from being rich in vegetation, one more reason why the elephants make their way to Banjarumale is the fact that most of the elephants are shunned by the villagers from Ambattimale and Yilimale range. One can see herds of 13 or more elephants together during certain seasons.
Banjarumale’s topography is mainly valleys, painted with rivers and falls. Aniyur river, Vatehalla falls, Kallarbi falls are some of the must see in the region.
Kallarbi falls in specific is the most beautiful place in the range because water flows over a big rock and the intensity of water slightly varies during dry season and monsoon. This region has ‘Kallu Baale’ growing in abundance adding to the beauty of the area.
Banjarumale gets its name because the region was said to be hostile for human settlement because of density of forest. However, today it is home for over 21 Malekudiya tribal families.
Kumbakallu, Minchukallu, Barimale etc are some of the other hills worth seeing in the area.
Unfortuantely, nature’s bounty and abundance of water in the region has become a curse because scars of development are now being seen in the region in the form of hydel power projects.
Note: Banjarumale hills has been inhabited by members of the Malekudiya tribe. If you have romantic notions of the Malekudiyas, perish the thought: they have adapted themselves to modern life.
Why Trek and What you need?
Posted by Shiraadiz on Dec 10, 2011 in Travel | 0 comments
Trekking or hiking in the mountains is not always comfortable and sometimes it’s even hard. But still, it’s a favorite activity of hundreds of thousands of people around the world!
Being in the outdoors and experiencing the wild nature, far away from man-made civilization, is for many people the main reason for trekking. You will experience amazing landscapes that you would otherwise just read about in magazines or get told by others who were lucky enough to experience it. The first-hand experience is so rich that it can’t even be compared to viewing snapshots of places. Being there, the nature will presents itself to you in all its awe and grandeur. It is an experience of a lifetime.
It also throws up the unknown, unexpected at you. It requires a mindset to expect the unexpected and heart to take up the challenges. While there can be lot’s of do’s and don’t s here is short list of what you need in physical terms and in your back pack.
Important and Mandatory ***
1. Allergy related medicines, absolute must (please carry this in your top pocket or where ever you can quickly get your hands on).
2. Contact list of person, telephone no. and address (in case of emergency).
3. Those wearing spectacles, please carry an extra pair in strong spectacle box.
4. People using contacts – carry a bottle of lotion, an extra pair of spectacles.
5. Emergency alert system (whistle – may be).
Mandatory **
1. A strong Back-Pack (preferably water proof).
2. Water bottle (enough to carry at least 2 liters of water).
3. An extra pair of socks, under garments, T-Shirt.
4. A water-proof jacket/sweater (if it rains).
5. Bandanna ( keeps the sweat out of the eyes ) and/or Wide brimmed hat.
6. Toothbrush & toothpaste, towel, liquid soap.
7. Few old news papers ( may be 4 would be fine).
8. A torch with two new batteries and extra bulb.
9. Some strong adhesive tape and/or A small role of strong string.
10. A small pocket knife ( if you have a Victorinox -SWISS ARMY knife then great..).
11. One matchbox/ lighter.
12. Some tissue/toilet paper.
13. Insect repellant (ex. Odomos).
14. Basic First Aid & Medicine –
—-Anti-Dysentery Pills (Eldoper)
—-Some generic pills (Crocin, Imol, etc)
—-Anti Cold preparation (Coldact).
—-Band aids.
—-Gauze roll & antiseptic lotion.
15. Energy Food ( Chocolate bars, Flavored milk, Electrolyte drinks – Glucon-D, etc ).
16. Garbage bag to collect any litter we may create (or other people have created).
Optional *
1. Compass & Terrain Map.
2. Camera.
3. Extra food.
4. Book and pen to keep trek-journal entries.
5. A walking staff.
6. Extra laces for your shoes.
But be warned. Trekking can be addictive!
Kumara Parvatha – Trekkers Paradise
Posted by Shiraadiz on Dec 5, 2011 in Travel | 0 comments
Kumara Parvatha is part of the Western Ghats mountains range and is very close to the famous pilgrimage center Shri Kukke Subramanya Kshetra in South Canara District of Karnataka. About 4000 feet above sea level and lies to the east of the temple.
Raw, rustic and true bliss in-midst of the nature..If you ever thought of getting lost…here is a good place to start. Cook your own food, have water from various water sources one can find all the way up to the peak. No Civilization, no nothing…absolutely fantastic.
If you are wanting to come back to tell the story to your family and friends make sure you take a local guide and some decent food and good protein supplements along with you..
Not to mention that you need all that you have ever needed for a trek. Ropes, Torches, Tents, good trekking shoes, jackets, good trek kit etc etc…
Nearest Towns: Somawarpet, Kukke Subramanya
Distances: ~ Bangalore 300+ kms, ~ Kukke Subramanya 15+kms
Kumara Parvatha Treakking Route Map:
Camping Sites: Forest check post, Bhattara Mane, Mantapa, if coming from the Subramanya side), the summit (Pushpagiri), if taking the Somavarpet route.
Route 1: Subramanya. You start from in front of the Subramanya temple; a tarmac road to the left of the temple, and 1 km later, on your left, you see a slight opening and a big house adjacent to the trail into the forest. The first stretch of some 4 km is through thick forest, so it is rather moderate though the stretch has some steep climbs. After the wooded area, some 2 km later, you reach Bhattara Mane. If you are planning a break at Bhattara Mane, it is a good idea to have lunch there at 1 PM, and start after a good nap at 4 PM or so. Right after Bhattara Mane, you will need to go to the Forest dept. check post and get permission for entering and camping. Camping permit comes at 115 per head. After this, you reach an old stone structure well known as Mantapa (1 hour from Bhattara Mane). The last usable water source is at Mantapa, near the wooded area. From there, it is almost 2.5 hours trek through hot, barren, steep hills.
Things to note:
1. After the wooded area cover in the first stretch, which is for some 3 km, the trail is absolutely barren, with sun beating down ferociously. If you are starting the trek early morning (6 AM from Subramanya), carry food for lunch, dinner, and next day breakfast, so that you can avoid the delay at Bhattara Mane.If you are carrying food for both the days, you can do the strenuous stretch before it becomes awfully hot. You can thus reach the peak by 3 PM, latest.
2. Streams and water sources dry up around November-end. The last usable water source is in the wooded area near Mantapa. You might find some water a little before the peak though, but it becomes stagnant after November, so dont use it for drinking.
MullayanaGiri – Experience Malnad Monsoon at its best
Posted by Shiraadiz on Jun 17, 2011 in Travel | 0 comments
MullayanaGiri – Experience Malnad Monsoon @ its best
Mullayanagiri:
It is the highest peak in Karnataka, India. Mullayanagiri is located at 13°23’26?N 75°43’18?E in the Baba Budan Giri Range of the Western Ghats. With a height of 1,930 metres (6,330 ft), it is the highest peak between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris after chembra peak (2100 m),banaura peak(2073m),and vellari mala(2339m) of wayanad district of kerala.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ9eIRcFnck-A
Dattagiri / Baba Budangiri:
It is a mountain in the Dattagiri Hill Range / Baba Budan Giri Range of the Western Ghats of India. Located in the Chikkamagaluru District of Karnataka, Dattagiri/ Baba Budangiri is known for its shrine which is a place of pilgrimage for both Hindus and Muslims.
Peaks in the Dattagiri / Baba Budan Giri Range are the Mullayanagiri and Dattagiri/Baba Budangiri (height 1895 m). Collectively, these peaks are known as ‘Chandradrona Parvatha Shreni’ (Chandradrona Mountain Range) as they naturally form the shape of a crescent moon.