A drive to Western Karnataka

In our over-decorated lives filled with commitments and responsibilities, we pretermit the elucidation of "Family Time". Utilising the holiday on the occasion of the birthday of our Father of our Nation,

we planned a short four day trip to the western part of Karnataka. Participants? Mom, Dad and my old friend.

The machine we chose for the trip was a Ford Figo Titanium (Petrol). The itinerary was to start the trip after my office hours and cover majority of the distance in the dark as always.

We hit the road at around 6:30PM after a diminutive packing session. Within a trivial duration, we managed to sheath a plenty of span. By 9 PM we stopped for a quick repast in an

embellished eatery. After the meal, resumed our voyage in the congruent direction. Miles passed by on the butter smooth highway, with occasional respites for indemnifying highway tolls.

We took a by-pass through Nandi hills to touch the Hassan highway. It was around 4AM when my incessantly working encephalon finally started to unveil the fatigue that had built up. I could

no more hold on to the steering wheel and I had to handover the wheel to my friend, while I occupied the co-driver seat and passed out. I was back in my senses after a trivial nap as we

stopped at a paltry snack bar for some early tea and snacks. The weather was chilling and visibility was low due to fog. Post the break, I got back on the driver seat.

Sunrise

Sunrise

Foggy morning

DAY 1

We reached Kushal Nagar (Coorg / Kodagu) in the early hours and managed to grab a good deal for our stay in "Hotel Maharaja". The room was very spruce and commodious. We quickly

freshened up and left for sight seeing. On our list, the first desination was "Namdrolling Monastry". The place gives an immediate feeling of landing on the land of Lamas. The "Namdroling

Nyingmapa Monastery" is the largest teaching center of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. The monastery is home to a sangha community of over five thousand lamas.

The structures are magnificent and prodigious, a must visit for tourists visiting Coorg.

Namdrolling Monastry

Chiklihole Dam

Add caption

Add caption

Elephant Camp Boating

Namdrolling Monastry 

Next, we headed for Chiklihole Dam which was a transient drive of around fifteen kilometres. Chiklihole Dam is a peculiar shaped dam encompassed by a beautiful serene lake. We spent sometime around the place after which we drove to Elephant Camp, another location worth visiting to enjoy boating, rafting etc. We were back at our pavilion post lunch for some rest. The day

ended with a delectable supper.

DAY 2

We set on our journey towards Udupi, a seaside town on the western part of Kartnataka. The first destination was Bhadra Coffee Shop. We had a toothsome brunch in the famous Bhadra Coffee shop, after which we continue our voyage towards Udupi.

Bhadra Coffee Shop

The route we chose was through Kudhremukh, one of the thirty four hotspots identified for bio-

diversity conservation in the world. The drive through the extravagant viridescent flora, is an escapade every tourer should orchestrate. The drive through the National Park left us inarticulate.

The abandoned town of KIOCL (Kudhremukh Iron Ore Corporation Limited) felt haunted.

Mirror Selfie

Figo Posing

Somewhere in the middle of Kudhremukh range

 We also witnessed the convergence of Tunga River & Bhadra River which is the origin of the river "Tunga Bhadra". The spot was no less than spectacular. The enchantress of nature was

aggrandized by the drops from the paradise. The sky grew dark with the clouds which came down to the ghat roads, a worthy experience. We traversed 350 kilometers to reach Udupi on the

western tip of India. Before entering the town, we visited the Kaup Beach. After spending some time listening to the waves watching the lighthouse, we started towards Udupi. A trivial exploration led us to a decent stay named "Panchatantra Paradise" in the heart of the city. An appetizing meal brought us to the end of the day.

Kudhremukh

Origin of TungaBhadra River

Heavy downpour

Kudremukh

Kudremukh

The rain just enhanced the beauty

Bridge railing that has survived seasons

Kaup Beach

DAY 3

Our day started a little late, checked out of our hotel and drove straight to the "Malpe Beach". The serene beach has always attracted me. A bijou ferry voyage led us to the unscathed "St

Mary's Island", also known as "Coconut Island". Spent some time absorbing the serenity and enchantress of the terra firma perimetered by the Arabian Sea.

Malpe Beach

Malpe Beach

Malpe Beach

St. Mary's Island

St. Mary's Island

After expending ample time at the Island and the beach, we had an appetizing lunch at a beach side eatery. Our journey inaugurated post the meal towards Bangaluru. Agumbe ghat was the

succeeding destination. The steep western populated by lush green woodland was spectacular and mystic. We continued our voyage in the congruent direction to reach "Srimane Falls",

another arresting waterfall. However, the visit was not very pleasant due to extravagant assemblage.

Srimane Waterfalls

Our journey continued through the magnificent Kudhremukh National Park. At the end of the National Park, we stopped to devour over some delectable "pakodas" and "coffee". I clicked some

sky shots utilizing the break time. The journey continued through remote places like Samse, Marasanige, Kelagur, Mudigere etc. At some places the visibility dropped to zero due to heavy fog.

We managed to reach Hassan by 12 in the night.

Night Sky shot

DAY 4

Our journey continued over the night and we made our way to Bangaluru. We continued towards Hyderabad on the NH44. After sunrise the fatigue levels got really high and we had take a

respite at a restaurant for freshening up and having our breakfast. After which my dad took over the steering wheel while my friend and I slept peacefully in the rear seat. We came back to our

senses when we were just 100 kms short of Hyderabad. Within no time I drove the last few kilometres home.