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Why my trek to Kodachadri was Awesome. A perfect place, a perfect sky, a perfect weather, and a perfect team that’s the ingredient needed to call your trek a perfect one. Rather then pointing out how was our trekking trip to Kodachadri, this time I will write about how can you make it a memorable one.
What's Kodachadri ?
Kodachadri is a mountain peak (altitude - 1343 m above sea level) in the Western Ghats in South India (Karnataka State). [ map here]
Where is Kodachadri ?
Nearly 160 Km from Mangalore, towards Kollur. Kollur is a place famous for its Mookambika temple and Kodachadri is considered to be the peak where 'Shankaracharya' did meditation.
How to reach there ?
Take a bus from Mangalore to Kollur (2 hrs journey). And for the people coming from Bangalore, the best way will be getting a bus from Bangalore to Kundapur (a night journey) and from there getting a bus to Kollur (45 minutes).
What to carry and what not to ?
Enough water for two days to survive, Packaged Food item, Torch, salt to get ride of leeches, and also a good pair of jacket/sweater. Avoid heavy luggage .
My Experience ?
Day I:
10:00 am
The most ideal time to reach Kollur will be 10:00 am. After getting down at Kollur, Give a visit to Kollur Mookambika temple and also if possible to have a meal from the temple itself. As we reached Kollur it was nearly 11:30 am.
01:00 pm
Take a bus(Hanuman travels) which goes towards Shimoga. Make sure you don't miss this bus. Just a 30 mins journey and you are at the start of your journey. Get down at Kodachadri Gate, the starting point.
2:00 pm
The awesome trekking experience starts now. On the right side of the road you can find a mud/stone road which is the path which leads to your destination. After trekking for around 4 - 5 kms we reached a small school and a village surrounding it. This initial trekking is very mild and can be easily completed in 1 -2 hrs. From here starts the actual trekking. As we reach there the sight of the peak got cleared and the road leading to it became harder. Make sure you ask the route and also fill your water at the Santhosh hotel at the village. The Most breath-taking scenes of the trekking starts from here. As we walked up through the narrow route the sky stared clearing and the clouds started moving so close to us that we stopped many times to take snaps. And as we moved from one peak to the other the destination became clear, the Kodachadri guest house becomes visible.
5:00 pm
After an overall 8 kms trekking we reached the Kodachadri guest house, build by government for the trekkers and devotees who comes here. Also there are 2-3 other shops which cater food. We had our evening snacks from one of the shop beside the guest house, and set for another round of trekking towards the ultimate peak, Sarvajna Peetha, Where Sakaracharya did meditation. This last 1 km trek was really great picture perfect path. Through out this 1 km, we felt like we are walking towards the sky and clouds are all below us. The sunset was really amazing. With the sky turning redish and sun slowly setting into the Arabian sea.
7:00 pm
After 45 mins of mild trekking, we reached the very top most place on the peak, the Sarvajna Peetha, a small temple like structure build of stone, a best place to spend rest of the night. After the sunset, its time for a campfire. We collected some fire wood and setup a very small camp fire. With the wind blowing it was really a great work.
09:00 pm
After hours of hard work on setting up campfire and lots of singing exercise, its time for some appetite pooja. The water was boiled and the noodles was more delicious then ever. The night was chilling cold with wind blowing from all the direction. For me atleast the sleep came fast, as soon as l moved inside the sleeping bags.
Day II :
8:00 am
Even though the clock says 8, the sun was not at all in the sight. The whole environment was surrounded by Cloud and mist. After a hour of hide and seek with sun, we decided to trek back. The trekking back to the guest house was very much refreshing and really great with the morning mild wind lashing the face with fresh monsoon smell. At the guest house there are places to get fresh also the cook at the guest house prepares some breakfast snacks.
9:00 am
After a good breakfast and refilling our water bottles, we decided to descend down the Kodachadri to wards the place we started, After a walk for 2-3 hrs we reached the same road where we had got down from the bus yesterday. It all went as per the plan, We reached the road by around 12:00, and after a wait, here it is the bus to Kollur. And the end of a lovely and perfect trekking.
Note: For the people who want to avoid staying on the peak in the night, can book the guest house in advance and plan to come down to the guest house after the sunset.
** Updated :Mr.Rajendran is the person who looks after the guest house, So in case more info needed the weather and other details regarding Kodachadri you can contact him at 9242892299 and 9242647805. Also on my blog
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