On Our Toes

In Karnataka, monsoon is magnificent. The Western Ghats are carpeted in green, and covered with mist. The forests spring alive with seasonal waterfalls. The beaches are free of tourists and waterfalls are brimming, making them a vision of beauty.

It is a little tricky to plan a monsoon trip, because you have to avoid the heavy downpour and flooding. But our monsoon road trip, covering a range of landscapes in 4 days left us in awe!

GIST OF THE TRIP:

-No. of members: 7 adults and 2 toddlers

-Budget: Approx. Rs. 13000 per person

-No. of kilometres: 1050

-Duration: 3 nights and 4 days

-Short Itinerary

Day 1(Temples and Mountains): Bangalore – Sri Chennakeshava Temple Belur-Maidadi (Chikmagalur district)

Day 2(Forest, Beach and Temple): Maidadi-Kudremukh National Park – Murudeshwar -Baindur

Day 3(Forest and Waterfall): Baindur – Jog Falls through Shravathi Wildlife Sanctuary – Shivamogga

Day 4(Elephant Sanctuary and Return to Base): Shivamogga – Sakrebyle Elephant Camp- Bangalore

Here’s the detailed itinerary if you want to plan a similar trip.

DAY 1:

We started from Bangalore at roughly 7 AM. On the way we were greeted by lush green landscapes.

We stopped for breakfast at Anagha Grand on the Mangalore Highway, where we treated ourselves to a hearty South Indian breakfast.

Next Stop: Sri Chennakeshava Temple, Belur

Home to Belur: 207 km; 3 hr 50 min

Built in the 12th Century, this temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala Architecture.

Next Stop: Katikan Homestay, Kalasa

Belur to Katikan Homestay: 82 km; 2 hr 10 min

Our drive from Belur to Katikan Homestay took us through beautiful Western Ghats. It was drizzling slightly, and we passed small waterfalls, coffee and even tea estates in coffee land Chikmagalur!

Next Stop: Maidadi View Point

Katikan Homestay to Maidadi View Point: 0.5 km + short hike; 20 mins

After a rather late lunch, we proceeded to Maidadi View Point to talk to the clouds enveloping the Western Ghats.

Other places which can be visited en-route: Halebidu Hoysala Temples, Yagachi Dam, Shettihalli Church

Stay for the night: Katikan Homestay, Kalasa

DAY 2:

Drive through: Kudremukh National Park

Next day, after breakfast we proceeded to Murudeshwar via Kudremukh National Park.

The 1.5 hour drive was filled with spectacular sights. There is no phone signal in this area and it has to be covered within 1.5 hours (ensured through passes). But I’ll tell you that’s tough because you’ll want to get down and take pictures at every turn. This forest journey ends up in a coastal road, with the sea on one side and river on the other.

Next Stop: Murudeshwar

Katikan Homestay to Murudeshwar: 219 km; 5 hours

Murudeshwar is a small town surrounded by the sea on 3 sides. It is famous for the second highest Shiva statue in the world, which can be seen from practically anywhere once you enter here. The Murudeshwar temple is also famous for its huge Raj Gopuram. It also has an observation deck which can be reached via lift, to catch a bird’s eye view of the town and the massive Shiva statue.

We didn’t go inside the temple as it was really crowded when we reached. But we did go up to the Shiva statue (cars can be taken till there, and there’s a parking at the base of the statue). The views from the Shiva statue were awe inspiring! Our stay was in Baindur, 30 km from Murudeshwar.

Other places which can be visited en-route: Kalasa Hanging Bridge, Kyathanamakki View Point, Hornadu Annapoorneshwari Temple, Gomteshwara statue in Karkala. Near Murudeshwar there’s Netrani island for scuba diving and Mirjan Fort for a slice of history. From Baindur, Marvanthe beach is half an hour drive. It is bound by the sea on one side and by river on the other. Someshwar beach in Baindur is also scenic and famous for spectacular sunset views.

Stay for the night: Hotel Ambika International, Baindur.

DAY 3:

Drive through: Shravathi Wildlife Sanctuary

Next day, we set off to visit Jog Falls. Our route took us through Shravathi Wildlife Sanctuary, and the drive was filled with beautiful sights. However, there was no mobile network for much of the route and Google Maps also stopped working at some point. At a few places, we had to stop and ask for directions.

Next Stop: Jog Falls

Hotel Ambika to Jog Falls: 89 km; 2.5 hours

Jog falls is one of the highest plunge waterfalls in India. It is a sight to behold during monsoon. We stopped at the Jog Falls view point in the KSTDC Hotel Mayura campus. There are stairs to reach the bottom of the falls but it is closed during monsoon.

We had lunch at a small hole-in-the-wall place called Prakruti Lodge. The food was tasty and the top of the falls could be seen from here through mesh barricades. From here we proceeded to Shivamogga.

Other places to visit en-route: Shravathi Wildlife Sanctuary, Linganamakki Dam, Honnemaradu.

Stay for the night: Harsha the Fern, Shivamogga.(101 km from Jog Falls, 2 hr 15 min drive.

The reason behind choosing to stay in Shivamogga was that it is closer to Bangalore and next day we had to return. Also, Shivamogga being a larger town, has better accomodation options.

DAY 4:

Next Stop: Sakrebyle Elephant Camp

Hotel Harsha the Fern to Sakrebyle Elephant Camp: 18 km; 35 min

We wanted to take the Lion and Tiger safari at Shivamogga but it is closed on Tuesday. So we decided to visit the elephant camp which was half an hour away.

It is open till 1 PM. The officials told us that after 1, the elephants are left in the jungle everyday and brought back to the camp in the morning for bathing, feeding etc. We touched their trunk and they gave their blessings to us. We also saw elephants being fed. Ride was not available. Ticket was priced at Rs. 50 per adult. It is free for kids. To watch elephant bathing, one has to plan really early (around 8.30 AM.

Finally after a long journey covering more than 1000 km in 4 days, we were on our way back home. The road took us through Chitradurga district, and the hillocks of Tumkur. As far as we could see, there were green fields, brown hills and azure sky, asking a brilliant contrast.

If you are looking for a monsoon roadtrip, then Karnataka is the best place for you! It’s diversity and enhanced beauty in the monsoon really enamoured us, and inspired us to explore more of such monsoon wonders!