Travelling and trekking are surely addictive things. Travelling enables us to explore new places and get a break from the daily hustle and bustle of the urban life. There is a certain level of solace that we get while travelling.
Trekking is a very popular activity these days. Along with the young people, today people across all age groups take part in trekking expeditions. India is blessed with numerous picturesque spots and landscapes which serve as perfect trekking destinations. While most major popular treks are present in the Northern part of the country. There are also a huge number of unique treks that are present in the southern part of the country as well.
Kodachadri Trek is one such trek offering of adventure and fun. Situated in the Western Ghats in the district of Shimoga in Karnataka, Kodachadri is the tenth highest peak in this state.
It is home to a number of lush green trails which pass through dense forests with beautiful waterfalls and landscapes. It is located within the limits of the Mookamabika Wildlife Sanctuary. The Moola Mookambika Temple which is believed to be the place of origin of Goddess Mookambika is also situated in the backdrop of this peak.
The sight of the sun setting into the horizon of the Arabian Sea from its peak is another enchanting thing that you can witness from this place. The trek offers a combination so many things together like mountains and sea that can be seen and experienced from one single place. All these things make Kodachadri trek a superb trek that you cannot miss.
Karnataka is blessed with a number of beautiful and memorable treks. The Kodachadri Trek is one of them. It is also one of the most popular treks among people from Bangalore who keep visiting this place. It has numerous waterfalls and mountain peaks as well.
It is one of the most ideal nature getaways close to Bangalore that one can embark on. The destination rests peacefully on the banks of the Tunga River which adds onto the beauty of this place.
It has been declared as a natural heritage sight by the Government of Karnataka as well. Kodachadri is situated in the Western Ghats and is 1343 metres above sea level. The trekking trail has dense lush green forests, waterfalls and stunning landscapes.
The name of Kodachadri is derived from the words from the local language Kodacha and Adri, which translates to the home of the hill jasmine flowers. The trail passes through the Mookambika Wildlife sanctuary where you can also witness a number of wild animals that live in this place. It is also home to a number of rare flora.
Kodachadri can be easily reached by road from Bangalore. It is located at a distance of around 400 kilometres from Bangalore. You would have to take any bus from Bangalore to Kollur. Kollur is the nearest prominent town along this route.
From Kollur and head to Karekette along the Nittur-Kollur road from where the trek starts. Another route is through the Hidlumane falls from Sampekatte. The nearest railway station is at Kundapura while the nearest airport is at Mangalore.
The best time to visit this place is from September to February. The weather conditions are perfect during this time to do the trek. Monsoons should be generally avoided as the terrain becomes full of mud and the region experiences torrential rainfall during this monsoon. However, the whole area turns green during monsoons which is a spectacular sight.
The ideal itinerary of this trek would stretch over 2 days. Here are the details-
Day 0
We will take an overnight from Bangalore bound for Kollur. The approximate distance between these two places is around 400 kilometres. We will also arrange an interactive session where you can know and interact with your fellow co-passengers who will be going with you on this trip.
Day 1
We will reach Kollur in the morning and then head over to our homestay near to Sampekatte which is conveniently located near the starting point of our trek. The homestay serves authentic vegetarian food and is run by an elderly couple who are extremely friendly and can tell you loads of stories about this place. After some quick breakfast, we will gear up for your trekking journey.
There are meadows, thick forest trails, paddy field and streams in the first part of the trek. Then the trek passes through the place where you can witness the Hidlumane Falls which is a combination of seven waterfalls. You can take a dip here. The feeling of the being under this waterfall which falls from a height of around 60 feet is absolutely magical.
The next part of the trek is challenging with a vertical climb over tree roots and slippery rocks from the Kodachadri Falls which leads to a portion with lush green meadows. This is a good place to rest and we will also have your lunch here.
Day 2
Today, we will be heading back and would visit the Nagara Fort on the way. This fort had been built in the 16th Century and the ruins of this fort still hold on to its old world charm.
We will spend some time here exploring the fort and the surroundings nearby. Post this, we would head back to the bus stand by a jeep from where we would be heading back to Bangalore. A beautiful trek, therefore, comes to end here.
The Kodachadri Trek is a trek of moderate to difficult level of difficulty. The terrain is steep at some portions and challenging at some points but the rest was pretty easy terrain.
The trek passes through tropical forests and therefore has a tropical climate. Temperatures can reach at maximum reach 30 degrees Celsius. Weather is generally pleasant.
Accommodation costs are included under the package. We will stay at local homestay where only vegetarian local food would be served.
