Travel Blog: Kudremukha photos that will make you leave everything and connect with nature

A question I am consistently bombarded with is " Why do you blog your travels?".

Relentlessly I ensure not to give out the answer but to draw the answer from the "Seeker" of that profound question. I gently ask: " Would you ask a financial consultant or investment banker or an economist such a question as to why they write articles, blogs and investment advisories? ".

Unanimously the answer I get is : " Definitely not. They are advises which we constructively consider for our investments and they are very resourceful."

I chuckle and ask " How are travel bloggers any different? " for which though their peripheral response has been " On common! Travel is an expenditure…" but on conscientious contemplation I could read from their countenance a cognizance that " Travel is not expenditure but an investment for life".

Indeed the testimony from real life experiences of travelers of every age and kind has reverberated that Travel is one of the best investments we can make on ourselves and with reach travel we come out of enriched and more alive to life throbbing within us.

Hans Christian Anderson inspiring quoted that: "

“To travel is to live”

Let's look at one such investment that takes us to the elevated lands nestled in Western Ghats of Incredible India, Kudremukha. It is a treat to the trekkers, families, solo travelers, photographers and food lovers where the five senses are satiated with five elements coming together in perfect consonance.

Here is a 5 day itinerary based on our family vacation to Kudremukha, that allows ample time to blend into the beautiful land in Karnataka. Feel free to compact it into a weekend getaway too.

Nearest Airport: Mangalore (190 Kms)

Recommended place to stay: Thangaali Homestay in Gaaligandi 

Greenery around Thangaali homestay

Homestays accentuate the experience over hotels or resorts as the proximity to local culture, people, food and stories is superior. Here at Thangaali, the service, hospitality and food is par excellence.

The homestay is away from the hustle and bustle of city life surrounded by spectacular serenity that is breathtaking but you will soon see that this is where our lungs are happy breathing. Most importantly the hosts help arrange for all activities during the stay.

Day-1: Reach and Relax

We drove down from Bangalore and reached on time for a home cooked sumptuous Malnad lunch.

Teafields on the way to Kudremukha

An afternoon map was reflective with the digestive system pampered with warmth and taste in the food. Evening we took the sunset trek to the peak of hills behind the homestay. Its a complimentary guided trek by the hosts. The hues of the sunset was mesmerizing.

Sunset Hues

Campfire

It is said that the "A journey is best measured in friends than in miles...". Sometimes we are more open and candid to total strangers than people we live with or meet everyday. The "Unbound", "in the moment" and "no strings attached" nature of relationships with people we during travels liberates us from bondage giving an opportunity to build a beautiful relationship, share stories, laugh, sing and dance. At the homestay every evening, a campfire is lit to fuel these rendezvous amongst the guests at the homestay.

Day-2: Elaneer Falls

Elaneer falls

Woke up to a great spread of Malnad breakfast. After the breakfast, visit the Elaneer falls.

The homestay hosts can arrange a jeep to the base of water falls and after a short yet formidable hike, reach Elaneer falls. Other option is to hike all the way upto the Elaneer falls.

Elaneer means tender coconut water in local language - Kannada. The name will prove itself apt for its meaning the moment this mineral rich water is tasted. Bathe in the falls and it is said to be healing in nature. Return to homestay for lunch and they will advise a afternoon nap to maximize the effect of bathing in water falls.

Every evening the homestay servers a local herbal drink - Kashaya with snacks and coffee/tea. Kashaya is prepared boiling water with pepper, crystal sea salt and jaggery. The drink is ready when water is reduced to half its volume.Its a local drink with high medicinal value.

If interested in Kudremukha trek: Ensure to inform the Homestay hosts about the Kudremukha trek plan. They shall pack breakfast and lunch for the trek along with arranging transport and guide for the trek.

Day:3: Trek to Kudremukha Peak

Highly recommend the hike to Kudremukha Peak. The views are enthralling. It is about 22kms round trip from the base camp. Wear comfortable fitness gear and ensure to carrt insect repellent to keep away the leeches if any and SOS medication. Carry a small bottle of water that can be refilled with rich mineral flowing water from natural streams is available all through the forest trail. The drive from homestay to base camp is nearly an hour. Some amazing views of rice terraces along the way.

Rice terrace in Kudremukha

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.

In less than 30 minutes of starting the trek, we were surrounded all around by picturesque sights.

Sights during Kudremukha Peak

Onti Mara - Lone Tree

Sights during Kudremukha Peak

Views from Kudremukha Peak

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. A sight that will captivate you during the trek is that of “Onti Mara” meaning "lone tree".  This tree has a metaphoric profundity about the strength and solemnity in solitude.

Reaching the peak is a fulfilling and triumphant experience. The trek takes about 8 hours for someone with moderate fitness level.

Day:4: Horanadu and Kathanamakki

A day trip to visit  Horanadu temple of Goddess Annapoorneshwari - Mother earth who feeds one and all. The temple is an hour drive from the homestay and nestled in the beautiful valley. Then headout for some nutritious shopping in Kalasa to shop for local foods like colacasia leaves chutney(good for thyroid dysfunction) or curry leaves chutney(rich source of iron) and papadum made from jackfruit . Later head out to visit Kathanamakki peak for some amazing views in Western Ghats. Here too there is an option to hike for 5 kms or take a jeep all the way to the peak.

View from Kathanamakki Peak

Day-5: Return home revitalized

  

Wake up without an alarm. After a extravagant breakfast -- Walk around the homestay. Chase a butterfly. Meet the farmers. Immerse in the beauty of wild flowers. It is time to return home revitalized and fueled by the five elements in this sublime land.

Reflections:

One of the delightful experiences of travel is Food. The food was so tasty that I couldn’t stop myself from noting the recipes from the head chef who is called as “Bhattaru” in local language. Tried out every recipe at home and it Malnad food had made its grand entry to my kitchen

Here are the food in order from top left:

Don’t miss noting the recipes from Bhattaru.

Written and Photographed by Archana Sundareshan

Travel Blogger, SomedayNomadic.