[hummer]

Long vacations generally push me for leisurely drives towards beautiful country side. During 2017 Christmas vacation we (3 families with kids) decided to go for one such drive. Biggest challenge was to choose the right place considering the holiday rush in popular routes to Mysore, Coorg, Bandipur, Wayanad etc.

We finalized a place called Attigundi around 30 kms away from Chikkamagalur. Next challenge was booking good accommodation as we were a bit late in deciding. Fortunately, one my friend’s colleague who is a coffee estate manager in that region blocked a homestay for 3 families. We planned for 2 nights and 3 days trip.

Mode of transport: Nissan Terrano and Honda Amaze

Day – 1: Started from Bangalore at 5.30am, it was still dark.


Nelamangala road had full traffic due to long weekend. Sun rose as we took deviation to Mangalore highway after Nelamangala.


We crossed the first tollgate, roads were misty, view was blur and we could see only up to 10 feet. Many cars were driven with hazard lights. We drove carefully as many bikers were racing in high speeds inspite of the condition.


We reached Yediyur around 7.30am, took first break and visited Siddalingeshwara temple. It’s a very old and huge temple. There was not much crowd, we took darshan at peace and joined the highway.





Reached Hassan at 9.30am. My friends knew a hotel “HVR” where they serve special ghee masala dosas. It’s a small joint somewhere in Hassan, crowd was full, we had to wait a lot, but I can say it was worth waiting. Very tasty Ghee Roast Dosas and Idly + Vada. We took time and had full stomach ��.



After some distance, we took deviation towards Belur road from the Mangalore highway. We wanted to reach Attigundi early so we skipped Shravanabelagola, Belur, Halebid etc otherwise it would have been very late. We gave a quick visit to a small dam on the way and clicked few pictures.





Our drives resting in shade:


We reached Chikkamagalur around 1.00pm. It’s a small sleepy town in Malnad region. You can still witness the old world charm in Chikkamagalur, the town stands to it’s heritage. We took a small break, asked directions to Attigundi, we were out of Chikkamagalur within no time. Chikkamagalur to Attigundi is a narrow, hilly and picturesque drive, there were few hairpin curves as well.










Narrow roads:


Look at the gap between the vehicles:


We passed signboards showing way to Mullayyanagiri, Datta Peeta etc, reached a peak and started descending towards Kemmannugundi. After few kilometers from the peak we found our homestay “IBBANI” nestled inside a coffee estate visible from main road.


We took a right turn into the homestay, it was steep up and we were able to park two cars comfortably inside the compound.




It’s a beautifully built house with touch of traditional architecture, great taste and atmost attention to minor details. Red and white were the colors chosen for the building with natural greenery all around. We occupied 3 rooms, got freshen up and came out for lunch at the common dining area. Each item in the house was ancient and very ethnic, looks like selected with lot of care and interest.

Ground floor house:



Garden in front of dining house:


Dining house:


Entrance of Dining house:


Hot vegetarian food was ready, even sitting arrangement was old tradition, (may not be comfortable for all ages to sit down, so they have chairs & table also). Caretaker and his wife were nice. Food was tasty and we had full stomach again.

We rested for a while and drove to Datta Peeta (Baba Budan Giri). It’s about 4-5 kilometers from homestay. I used to hear a lot about this place, so finally visited this holy place. From there we went to Maanikyadhaara waterfalls. Here the water drops like Maanikya, so named after it.

On the way to Datta Peeta (Baba Budan Giri):




Datta Peeta (Baba Budan Giri):


Datta Peeta (Baba Budan Giri) from Maanikyadhaara:


Maanikyadhaara waterfalls:


Returning from the peaks:


As sunset nearing, it became cloudy, we started to feel the cold. We stopped at few view points and returned to IBBANI. Evening snacks with coffee/tea for us and milk for kids was ready. We played some games like anthyakshari, dumb charades etc till dinner. We had a light dinner and slept early as we planned to visit Mullayyanagiri next day.

To be continued...

[hummer]

Day – 2 : Due to tiredness, we couldn’t get up early. We had breakfast and started out to Mullayyanagiri just to find worse than Bangalore traffic on Attigundi-Mullayyanagiri route. Root cause was the “senseless parking” by few. People come all the way from Bangalore and other faraway places to such hill stations (which is kind of adventurous trip) and want to park right infront of the place that they want to visit. Some cars were parked right on the tight turns making it impossible for regular long KSRTC buses to pass through.

We could somehow reach the point where we had to take deviation towards Mullayyanagiri, but the route was closed due to heavy traffic and logjam. We had no choice but to return to homestay again thru the same mess. In addition to traffic, garbage and plastic was thrown all over the place. We could see this had clearly irked locals. Though the tourism has created some job opportunities, it has also brought hazardous effects on the nature.

We returned to IBBANI by lunch without achieving anything, halfday was just wasted in the traffic. We spent second half at the homestay playing cricket, walked around the coffee estate, did photo session and took complete rest from all plans.

HERE ARE SOME PICTURES TAKEN:

Me and thottimane:


Hall:


Dining Area:


Dining Area:


Places inside dining house:



Outside Dining House:


Kids at garden:


Few pictures of morning walk:








Sun rise in background:



Coffee Estate:


3 shadows:

[hummer]

Day – 3: We didn’t want to miss Mullayyanagiri this time, so we decided to visit before sunrise. It was the best decision, great drive through the misty mountains and it was a quick ride to the spot. We didn’t get stuck anywhere even though good crowd was there. We had to climb up to reach the peak where Swamy Mullayyanagiri Temple is located. It’s a beautiful place to see the sunrise. We spent sometime there and started the drive back as we didn’t want to get struck during return journey.

Few pictures of Mullayyanagiri:

"Amaze"ing misty morning:


Parking was already crowded:


Steps to the top:




Beautiful sunrise view:




Swamy Mullayyanagiri Temple:


Mullayyappa Swamy:




Parked at a safe place:





Reached homestay, finished breakfast and headed to a friend’s coffee estate. His Mahindra Scorpio 4X4 came to pick us from the homestay as the estate roads were really bad but I decided to drive my Terrano against the warnings ��.

I quietly followed king of the jungle Scorpio. Main road was just ok, time came to take the deviation into the real offroad, Scorpio driver stopped and came to me to check if I am ready to continue, I had confidence on Terrano, I said OK without a second thought, afterall what’s the fun driving the SUV on national highways. My sons were super excited and my wife too.

As we plunge into the roadless route, we were clearly going down the hill in the midst of coffee estate, we could hear only roaring sound of these two SUVs engines, dry leaves crushed under the tyres cruising over uneven land. At some places we could even smell our tyre rubber.

No other vehicles to our company as it was a private estate route, winding road was not ending, these large vehicles were tilting left and right shaking up all inside. I think it would be really tough during rainy season. We reached a flat area, where coffee beans were being dried on a large cemented field with an ancient British styled bungalow in the backdrop. Our friend met us there and all got into a 4X4 Mahindra Pick up and went down towards the water falls. It was an awesome view of beautiful water falls in the midst of the estate without garbage and plastic. We played in the water for some time and returned to friend’s bungalow. We spent some time with his family and returned to homestay again through the same treacherous offroad. Terrano took the test for the first time in 3 years and succeeded as well.

Follow the king of the jungle:






Got into Mahindra Pickup 4x4:



Coffee Beans:


Pure Beauty:


With entire crew:


Another falls:




Coffee bring dried:




Special thanks to Siri for capturing these pictures:






Resting after a successful offroading:


We started our journey to Bangalore around 5pm. We had coffee at Chikkamagalur town, bought coffee powder, fresh forest honey and some vegetables also. Since there was too much traffic we took Magadi road and reached Bangalore at late night.

It was a memorable trip to beautiful Chikkamagalur, we are planning to visit same homestay once again for our family get together.

Wear seat belts and have a safe driving.

[Eddy]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing.

[MaGosen]

Nice post, Chikmagalur looks like a nice place for quiet holiday. I guess only in off season

[ARAY]

Beautifully compiled vlog with some very scenic and mesmerizing shots. Thanks for sharing the experience.

[Romins]

I will be riding to Chikmagalur this weekend. How's the condition of the road? Planning to ride to Agumbe and Mullayanagri-Kemmangundi routes.

[hummer]

Originally Posted by MaGosen

Nice post, Chikmagalur looks like a nice place for quiet holiday. I guess only in off season

Thank you MaGosen. Yes it's more beautiful during monsoons but it's slowly becoming commercial, tourists may lose patience tacking other issues while touring around.

[hummer]

Originally Posted by Romins

I will be riding to Chikmagalur this weekend. How's the condition of the road? Planning to ride to Agumbe and Mullayanagri-Kemmangundi routes.

Excellent roads from Bangalore till Chikkamaglur. There are narrow stretches around Mullayyanagiri and other attractions.

I don't recommend bike ride to Agumbe in monsoons, recently there was a land slide.

Mullayanagri-Kemmangundi Route is also very bad, you can take risk during day time.

[Romins]

Had been to Chikmagalur last weekend. The nature is at its best with that super-saturated green color around. Rode to Mullayanagiri and Kemmangundi from Chikmagalur. Up to the check-post of Bhadra WLS (after Mahal) roads are very good. 13km inside the WLS is bad and lots of streams to cross. The forest guards at the check-post didn't let many people to go through. Roads to Agumbe are good as well.

[Romins]

Here are couple of pictures from last week. The after-effects of rains are visible.


On our way to Mahal


Many streams to cross inside Bhadra WLS- between Mahal and Kemmangundi

[hummer]

Wow super combination of green and redsoil (kemmannu). I can clearly see the difference in colours now.

I am planning a trip to Jog Falls in Aug/Sep.

[Romins]

Originally Posted by hummer

I am planning a trip to Jog Falls in Aug/Sep.

Ideal time to visit Jog, but expect lots of crowd.

Most of the waterfalls in KA are are full, two months earlier than expected.

[Full_Minchingu]

Wonderfully written travelogue with every details captured. Loved every part of it, especially the Mullayyanagiri part, beautiful sunrise and misty roads! An experience of a lifetime.

Originally Posted by Romins

Here are couple of pictures from last week. The after-effects of rains are visible.


On our way to Mahal


Many streams to cross inside Bhadra WLS- between Mahal and Kemmangundi

What a contrasting image compared to others in the thread, some more details on your trip would be more interesting (like the rides, places visited and more and more pics)

REgards,
-Badri

[Romins]

Here we go...



Starting at 6.30am from NICE toll at ECity, we were going past many hordes of bullet groups and orange groups on a fine overcast Saturday morning. Western Ghats welcome you with its glory after Hassan and you feel like making many stops to enjoy the breath-taking landscapes. After breakfast, refuelling and photo-stops, we reached Zostel at 11.30am. 8km away from town, it is on Agumbe road just 500m from The Serai on the right side of the road. Zostel is an excellent choice for real travellers Rs 500 for a bed in mixed dormitory. Mostly young crowd, so not recommended for families with tiny tots.



We resumed our ride towards Lingadahalli, after offloading a bit of our luggage. We took a left turn at Kaimara towards Baba Budangiri Road. After paying the entry fee Rs 10, we enjoyed the surprises at each corner. We skipped the turn towards Mullayanagiri because there was not enough time.

The vivid colour of rolling hills, the bluish hue of rain clouds, the deep red soil - the sights at every turn is mesmerising. We couldn't help it, but stop many a times to soak in the beauty around. Roads are in excellent condition and that takes the pain off dealing with potholes. The best part was the road leading up to Baba Budangiri Peak or Manikyadhara waterfalls. "This is better than Scotland" was Oswin's comment. No offense meant, I know Scotland is far more beautiful, just a respite for less immortals who can't afford a vacation in Scotland.



We continued our ride after a stop at Hotel Sharanam at Mahal. The owner lady was happy to see me again after 5months since my last ride in Feb 2018. Black tea and hot omelettes energized us.

"The forest guards stopped us. They won't let anyone go through the forest route to Kemmangundi" - The couple on a motorcycle told us on our way to Kemmangundi from Mahal.

"What did they say?"

"They said they don't let anyone after 4pm"

"Let's try our luck, if not, we will return "


The major goal of riding to Chikmagalur was to ride through the 13km forest route inside Bhadra WLS from Mahal to Kemmangundi. I was a bit sceptical if the guards will let us ride as it was already 3:45pm.

At the check post, the guards asked us our details and warned us about the knee-deep streams to cross. It could be the local parlance or our confidence, they let us go further. 7th time I was riding through this route since 2008 and I still want do it again. The enchanting beauty of green hills and thick forest with rivulets are calling me again and again.




We took almost 40min to cross the 13km treacherous route filled with potholes and deep streams. Crossing many streams without getting stuck was pure luck and skill. But it was worth the effort. We didn't ride back through the same route, instead we continued to Lingadahalli and rode back to Chikmagalur town in the evening.

After dinner at Siri Café and a hot shower, we crashed at the hostel bunk beds and slept like babies. 430km and almost 14hrs.

Next day, we headed towards Agumbe, but didn't go until there. Instead we took a turn at Balehonnur and continued to Magundi-Balur-Kottigehara-Mudigere-Sakleshpura. On these roads, the lush dark green forest was really cool. We stopped at Malnad Café at Mudigere for lunch; akki roti at this place is delicious.



Reached Hassan around 2pm and the ride to Bangalore was smooth until Nelamangala junction on Tumkur road. The traffic was at a standstill here. I took a long 20min break to cool down myself and overheated 200cc engine.