Recently a dear friend and mentor referred me to John Muir’s quote ” The mountains are calling and I have to go..”. Reflecting deeply, this is a coherent description of way the energies within us function. A Weekend getaway, Vacation, Adventurous trip, Nomadic travel are all manifestations at varied levels of what I call as “Obeying the Functions of life energy”, where one simply goes to the prominent gas station, the nature itself to fuel oneself. At one end of the spectrum we have some who fuel and return back to the 9-5 grind of city life to expend the fuel and on the other end we have some who like to stay full tank all the time where whilst expending the fuel, they stay fueled all the time. The spectrum is not a morality canvas of holding one end right over the other, but simply choices we make.
One such best Natrure’s fuel station is hidden is the western ghats of Incredible India, Kudremukh. It is a popular destination in “Karu Nadu”(Etymogical meaning : Elevated Land) viz Karnataka state in India, among the trekkers, photographers, nature lovers and food lovers where the five elements come together in perfect harmony to rejuvenate one’s spirits.
Below is a 5 day itinerary that allows to enough time to blend into the fibre of the land.
Nearest airport: Mangalore (190 Kms)
Nearest International airport: Bangalore (295 Kms)
Day-1: Start early and its is a 6 hour drive from Bangalore and reach Kudremukh right in time for lunch to feast on mouthwatering Malnad cuisine.
Recommended place to stay: Choose home stay over hotels for enriched experience of local culture, food and people. One of the best places to stay is at Thangaali Homestay in Gaaligandi Village.
http://thangaali.co.in/
The homestay is surrounded by greenery, serene and away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The service, hospitality and food is par excellence.
The homestay serves homecooked Malnad food that stimulates and quenches your taste buds. After a relaxing lunch and afternoon nap, go for a sunset trek to the surrounding peaks.
One of the best travel experiences is meeting total strangers in a new place and experience the beauty of unbound relationships that is “in the moment” but yet leaves you with great lessons about life, culture, heritage, people and teaches us to be open to life. Across the world, irrespective of people’s geographical, gender, grade and godly identities, they all have stories to tell. The fact that these relationships with complete strangers are just “in the moment” liberates you from being opinionated and judgmental about people, their choices and their stories, turning you into a empathetic listener of these stories with curiosity. “No strings attached” to any identities leaves us with the luxury to be kind and exchange warmth with people who never met or will never cross paths again in future.That’s exactly what I recommend here to engage with people staying at the homestay over a camp fire served with some local healthy herbal drink and snacks.
Day-2: Wake up to a sumptuous Malnad breakfast. Visit the Elaneer falls. Bathe in the falls and do not miss drinking the mineral rich sweet water from the falls. Bring alive the child in you that likes to play in water. Visit to the falls can be arranged by the homestay with pick up and drop from the homestay.
Day-3: Its the day for some adventure. Go for the Kudremukh trek. Pre-book the trek with the homestay and they will manage the logistics including packing your breakfast, lunch for the trek, arranging pick up and drop and a guide for the trek.
Prepare for the trek with right fitness gear, insect repellent to keep away the leeches and SOS medication. There is no need to carry any water as rich mineral water flowing through the natural streams is available all through the forest trail. Just carry a empty bottle. We reached the trek’s base camp by 8am and started our trek by 8-15am after the formalities at the forest department office. The guide who is a local farmer was arranged by the homestay, to guide us through the forest trail to the Kudremukh peak. Do not miss amazing views of the rice terraces on the drive to Kudremukh trek base camp
We started the trek and within few meters, we were amidst unbelievably picturesque sights. Kudremukha National park is a chain of hills with lush green grasslands and intermittent sections of dense greenwoods with natural flowing streams of water. We were flabbergasted by the bio-diversity in the forest and consumed by its idyllic realm.Reaching the peak is a fulfilling and triumphant experience. The views are breathtaking. Have the lunch carried here and spend sometime in solitude sinking yourself into the scenic summit of Kudremukh.
A sight not to be missed is that of “Onti Mara” meaning lone tree during the trek. A picture of the tree is shown below. This tree has a metaphoric profundity about the strength and solemnity in solitude.
Start the return trek back to base camp. The whole trek takes about 8 hours with essential breaks for those with moderate fitness levels.
Day-4: Optional visit to Horanadu temple of Goddess Annapoorneshwari, goddess – a mother, a feeding one for all. The temple is the beautiful valleys of western ghats. It is an hour drive from Kudremukh. Other options are to visit Kalasa to shop for local foods like colacasia leaves chutney(good for thyroid dysfunction) or curry leaves chutney(rich source of iron), papadum made from jackfruit that makes a papadum highly nutritious. Visit Kathanamakki – another picturesque peak where you could even touch clouds.
Day-5: Rest day, visit to nearby tea plantations and visit sunset point. Spend sometime with the “bhattaru” or head chef in the homestay to learn from recipes you have been relishing in last 5 days. Go back home and integrate them into your daily diet.
Malnad food in order from top left:
- Mangalooru bajji – batter fried dumplings
- Godhi payasa – cooked broken wheat and jaggery simmered to perfection and tempered with dry fruits
- Neer dose – a form of rice pancake
- Paper avalakki – thin beaten rice tempered with indian herbs and spices
- Tambuli – Yogurt mixed with Indian borage chutney and tempered with indian spices and herbs.
All the trips and local visits were well arranged by the homestay.
These 5 days are a great way to come in touch with the 5 elements to energize and rejuvenate yourself.
Written by Archana Sundareshan – Editor and Chief of Someday Nomadic
Nice pics and narration as always. The greenery of Western Ghats is so breathtaking. Hope to go there and do nothing during peak monsoon.
Thanks Archana for your kind and appreciating words about Thangaali.We are really honoured.I read the article on pinkvilla also.It is always a pleasure to host you wonderful family.
Thank you