Edmuri Falls

Posting an entry after a long time!!!

Take-Off:This time we have choosen "Edmuri Falls" as our destination, as we want to keep our trip short. We have taken-off at around 7:30 AM from David's home, picking up Sateesh and Srini and gearing towards Edmuri Falls. The carrier this time is Srini's Baleno, which he had bought recently !!!! We had our breakfast at Kadu-Mane and then we reached edmuri falls by 11 AM, (we had two Pit-stops in between!).

@ The Place: We played in the water for a good time and had some jacuzzi-kind of effect from the falling water!!!! I witnessed some somer-saults and stunts from David, as he is a pro-swimmer. Then,we headed towards a hotel to have some lunch and managed to get some in a Dhaba, on the way to Srirangapatnam. After lunch, we then proceeded to Rangantettu Bird sanctaury. It is a good place for its topography and pleasant climate You can see some migratory birds there (if there any!!!)

Reaching the Place:: Edmuri falls is on the way to KRS dam and around 15 – 20 km from Mysore. Follow the sinage boards to reach there. Also, one can take right diversion on the Bangalore – Mysore highway after Srirangapatnam.

About the Place:As it is not a true waterfall and so do not expect gushing water falling from greater peaks. It is a good picnic sport and an ideal place to spend a day there. . The Ranganathittu Bird Scantury is nearby(approx.10-15 Kms). One can plan like going to Edmuri falls in the morning and then to Ranganathittu Bird Scantury  (If possible, lastly to Brindavan garden in the evening.)

Masinagudi Trip

This time, we decided to take-off to Masinagudi, on the eve of Pongal.

We started on the night (as usual!!) of 13th Jan in our mate Satish's Esteem from Bangalore, around 10 PM.
We are four of us this time. We took the route of Bangalore > Mysore Road > Mysore > Bandipur Forest > Gundulpet > Masinagudi. We reached off the destination around 530 to 6 AM in the morning. In brief, Masinagudi is a place which is in the foot-hills of Ooty. Masinagudi is surrounded by the Ooty hills, Reserve forest areas of Mudumalai and Bandipur. Both the forests are rich in wild-life.

We checked into a hotel called "The Monarch" (Which is owned by the popular film-star Mithun Chakravarthy). It is a double-bedded room (with extra 2-beds) and it was decent and clean. They charged around Rs.2500/- per day.

Wayanad trip

This time, we planned to celebrate the New Year's eve at Wayanad, Kerela.

So, We started off to Wayanad from Bangalore on Dec 29th, at around 11:30 PM. We were total of 5 guys and we drove by road in a Maruti Esteem. The total drive was about 265 Kms from Bangalore and the route we took was Bangalore > Mysore Road > Mysore > Gundlupet > Sultan Bathery > Wayanad. The drive was fantastic, especially when we were passing through the roads of Bandipur Forest in the early hours of the day.

On the way to Wayanad, we encountered with a Forest called MUTHANGI forest and there was a safari drive provided by the government authorities. So, without any hestitation, we bought the tickets for a Safari drive for 5 of us. The forest authorities provided a Mahindra jeep and we took off inside the forest. The Safari ride was about 7 Kms, but do not expect any Wild animals in your view. We have encountered some Tusker Elephants, Bisons, Spotted deers, Antelope etc. Since we took the Safari drive around 6 AM, we experienced a fantastic view of the trees covered with mist, clear paths etc.

Next, we checked into a hotel by name"CHANDRAGIRI INN", in a town called "KALPETTA". We booked a 5-bedded room, and the rates are very nominal. They charged around Rs.1300/- for 5 people per day. There is an Udipi hotel, very near to the Hotel where we stayed in, for Veggie people who wants to have food. For Non-Veggies, we recommend,a  Hotel by name "HOTEL KALPANA", for dishes like Parota, Fish Curry, Chicken Curry and Red-meat. (The dishes are served with Refined oil only).

We then proceeded to experience the view of the tea estates on the Hill Slopes, and with the help of our friend's uncle, we could manage to get an entry into a Tea Factory (operated by the RPG Group, who owns a vast area of Tea estates in Wayanad). I should say, this was a superb experience, in the whole trip, as we managed to watch the entire end-to-end process of manufacturing the tea powder.
A very special thanks to my friend's Uncle and to the technical personnel in the factory, from the team!!!!

We then moved to PUKAT LAKE and VIEW POINT. Both are good places, the lake is a very calm area. People can go for a boating trip around the lake and from the View point, one can have a clear-cut view of the valley and the ghat road.

Next day, i.e on Dec.31st, we moved to SUCHIPARA FALLS. There is a 1 Km walk, to go near the falls, from the point where we park the vehicles. We could not manage to go near the falls, as the path-way leading to the falls is damn slippery. So, we played in the water current which is near to the falls. The only disappointment this time is , we could not visit the EDIKKAL CAVES, as there was some renovation work 
being done. According to the local information, the Caves might reopen around 3rd week of January.

After visiting the spots, and completed our outings, we then checked-out from the hotel and started to Bangalore. On the way, we stopped near a Military Hotel ,for our dinner. I should say, this hotel served us very delicious food (especially the mutton dishes). The Hotel name is JAI BHUNESWARI Military Hotel and it comes on the Right -side of the high-way, after crossing Srirangapatna.

Re: Chikmangalur Trip - 4th & 5th Dec 2010

After reaching Chikmangalur, we started off to Mullayangiri, which happens to be the highest peak in the Karanataka region. The drive, mostly in the Ghat section,  is little rough one, with many speed-brakers, pot-holes and ditches. Do not be surprised if you come across any cows, calfs etc onto the middle of the road!! So, check for them...

There is a police check-post on the way to the Mullayangiri (When the Ghat section is about to start), where they will check the complete vehicle including the luggage. So, visitors who are carrying ITEM bottles, make sure that they do not catch you!!!

The Ghat roads are too narrow at places, with no railings or barricades etc. on the edges of the roads. Since it is a two-way road, check for the vehicles coming in the opposite direction. After reacing the peak of Mullayangiri, there we found some steps to reach the top-most point of the Hill. There is a Hindu shrine on the peak, and the view from there is absolutely splendid. Clouds will be passing-by and surrounded by beautiful greenery, You will have an amazing experience there....Take care of the steps, sometimes you will find them slippery!!!

So, Back to Chikmangalur, we checked in a Hotel called "Vasanth Vihar" which is on the RG Road. The rates are reasonable and they charged Rs. 750/- for a 4-bedded room. (Note that the Hot water facility is available only betweeb 630 to 830 AM, so need to wake-up early!!).

Chikmangalur Trip - 4th & 5th Dec 2010

Chikmangalur has always been in our minds, which was supposed to be explored a long time ago. Because of our own work schedules we could not make it earlier, But the 1st week of Dec really made a difference, when me and Dav decided to go out somewhere and the place happened to be Chimangalur one of our Hot spots in our trip schedule.

We decided on the headcount and finalized as 4 people which includes (Me, Dav, Srini(my collegue) and offcourse Krishna).

So all set for the much awaited Trip kick starts at 11:00pm on 3rd Dec 10.

Our Ride : Esteem

Distance to be covered : 236kms

Route : Bangalore -> Tumkur -> Solur -> Anchepalya -> Kunigal -> Yadiyur -> Belur Cross -> Hirisave -> Channrayanapatna -> Hassan -> Final Destination : Chikmangalur