Atop the Peak !

Plans were made to go to Chikkamagalur, to trek the highest peak in Karnataka. The words highest peak had never sunk into us until we actually did the trek, rather guys were more than happy to have got together again. 10 of us together again to have fun had sidelined the facts of the trek.

Starting at around 10pm, on boarding guys on the way, we thought of reaching the home stay by early morning. Not many knew what kind of accommodation was it actually when we started and none of us even bothered to know the name and location of this home stay. The travel from Bangalore to Chikkamagalur is about 250kms. Travel time could be about 6 hours, after escaping out of Bangalore traffic.

We would have reached the home stay by around 4, if there would not have been a break in between. The driver was sleepy and so parked the vehicle aside and went to sleep. We had two choices to sleep or to get out of the vehicle and stretch. We stretched. Chatting for a while and then waking up all we reached Chikkamagalur at about 5 in the morning. Our tour guide was waiting for us at the Chikkamagalur main bus stop. He guided us to Woodways home stay. Surprisingly the home stay was nothing like we had expected. It was way more than what we had expected. Surrounded by huge coffee estates, it was an old bungalow turned to home stay. Apart from the bungalow, there was a dorm room with double berth cots where we all were to stay. Very clean and very well maintained.  We were all glad that we could all stay together and no would miss any of the funny & dirty pep talks. The best part that I liked was the open air dining hall right outside of our room. All settled down and had a quick nap. We were all woken up to our first dose of authentic Chikkamagalur filter coffee. WOW! No one could stop for one cup. After getting ready, even though many talked of having a light stomach as the trek was planned for the day, none of us could resist taking up the delicious soft idli & crispy vada’s with sambar and coconut chutney. Oh yes, one more round of coffee. All were determined to have coffee as many times as they could.

After the breakfast came the hard part. Trek to reach the highest peak in Karnataka. Mullayanagiri. Even though vehicles could reach a place upto almost the top of the hill we preferred not to do so. Starting from the bottom of the hill, we moved on and on and on… The route was not so bushy or thorny but quite steep. Leeches could be noticed here and there. Pradeep even got one on his leg and was feeling the itchy sensation for almost throughout the day even after removing the leech. The trek wasn’t too tough but was quite a lengthy one.  Having reached the place where vehicles could reach, we were treated with tender coconuts and pineapple. The speed at which the coconuts were emptied was proof enough that all boys were quite tired. Moving ahead from there meant taking stair way like steps. Reaching the top was childs play now. The cool breeze and the beautiful view relaxed us. The view definitely made you feel you were on the highest peak. Apart from murmur of the people around, all you could hear was sound of the wind. There was a cave with a small water source on one side which was said that it would connect to the city. But all we could see was pitch dark inside and a foul smell of the bats. The water at the source was freezing. Hand in it anytime longer than a minute could freeze it. The trek downhill was easier and quick We returned back being all tired and hungry again. The rotti with yenna gai (brinjal curry) on the menu for lunch delighted us all. A heavy lunch and the silent and cool place made way for a perfect siesta. Evening plan of visiting a coffee estate was canceled as it started raining. Confined to our room all we could do was to sit and play chess and carom for rest of the evening which turned out to be quite a fun thing. Guys teamed up and took turns to play carom. Cold rainy evening, hot filter coffee with snacks, surrounded by guys with witty one liners and pep talk – I could not ask for more.

The next day morning, we took a walk inside the coffee estates by ourselves. The best part was that we could see a peacock roaming around there. After the walk, yet another delightful thing for breakfast was awaiting us. Othhu shavige – a very native malnad dish served with chutney and sweet dish made of jaggery. The home stay hosts Mr. Shreedev Hulikere and Mrs. Sushmitha Shreedev joined us just before we were to leave for another short trek to a nearby hill. Very friendly and jovial people, they took us inside the bungalow which until then we had seen and admired from outside. After another cup of coffee with them, we were off for the short trek with a warning not to leave behind any plastic stuff during the trek. This short trek was a good one as well. We moved through more coffee estates and many other plantations. On our way back we were all tempted to pluck all the oranges and sweet limes that were in an arms reach or a stone throws reach. We plucked as many that by the end we all had a few sweet limes for each of us which later on turned out to be very juicy and of great taste.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having said this much, I am still left with so much to say. Okay.. just a few more lines.On way back to Bangalore we were treated at the Southern Star hotel. We all entered for an evening coffee, came out finishing our dinner.

OK.. So New Things done:

Trekking the highest peak – Mullayanagiri.

Visiting Chikkamagalur, the coffee heaven of Karnataka

Added a great home stay to the list of likeable getaways – Woodways – A big two thumbs up for this home stay. Highly recommend to all.

All in all a great memorable tour!

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~ by Vinay Simha on February 4, 2011.