[procrj]

Reach not for the stars, for they shall fade away with dawn.
Like slowly fading embers, they will be washed away by rain.
Head down and resilient, walk ahead through the twisting trail.
Step following a step, come sunshine or hail.
Look back and smile, at the twisting narrow alleys
That you left behind.
Look ahead and rejoice, at the vast expanse of valleys
And the red rising sun.

Valley of the sun


Kyatanamakki has been on my to do list for a while as its quiet popular among bikers (even on a bike it's no cakewalk to get to the top). What started off as a random discussion on a whatsapp travel group turned into a full-fledged plan. We decided that a overnighter with family would be the best way to enjoy this hidden gem and thus started the earnest hunt for a place to stay. After a lot of search online and on Gmaps, we realized that we have just one option that is close to Kyatanamakki top. All other options were around Kalasa or horanadu, which was a no-no for us as we wanted to be as far away from the crowd as possible. After some additions and subtractions from the travel list, it was 6 cars (5 families + 1 bachelor - Creta, Duster, Punto, Rapid, Celerio and TUV)who decided to head to the hills.

Hornadu Heights is a 2 month old property and after a quick chat with Mr Praveen the owner, we decided to book the place as this seemed to be our only viable option. What did swing our vote was the view from the property. Located some distance above Horanadu town, this home-stay has a great view of the hills and is the perfect place to put your feet up and enjoy some quiet time soaking in the views. The property has 4 rooms of which 3 are dorm style and only 1 is a small room for 2. The cost of stay + food is a very economical Rs 1,500 per head per night and the food is very simple but sumptuous home cooked fare.

View from Hornadu heights


Decided on a relaxed start of 6.15 am from Nelamangala turnoff towards mangalore. We were able to get a move on by 6.45 am and stopped for breakfast at Halli mane at 7.30. After some vada, dosa and piping hot coffee, we decided to get a move on. We were back on the NH at 8.30 am and decided to dive via Belur - Chikmagalur - Aldur - Balehonnur - Magundi - Balehole - Hornadu. Roads are good all the way and it was a relaxed drive, which ensured that we reach Hornadu by 1.30 pm after a couple of coffee stops on the way.

Hornadu to Hornadu heights home-stay is ~6 kms of washed out road which needs some careful driving. The Rapid and Punto in our convoy managed to make it without any underbody hits. Hence the road is doable in any kind of vehicle as long as you drive carefully. Takes about 20-25 minutes to cover the 6 odd kms.

After some cold lemon juice and some hot food, we stretched out for a couple of hours and whiled away time talking about everything and anything. 5.30 pm is when our bolero arrived and we headed out to Kyatanamakki top. Hornadu heights to Kyatanamakki is about 4 kms of which 2 kms is pure off roading trail. We were travelling cattle class and it was an absolute joy sharing the experience with like-minded folks. The last stretch to the top of the hill is a real treat and the first sight of those rolling hills is something worth experiencing!

The good stretch on the way to K-Top


Balance and Focus - both the inner self and the phone camera


Neelakasham, paccha maram, chevandha bhumi
(blue sky, green trees, red earth)


Live young, Live Free!


A splash of orange


Let it roll, baby, roll
Let it roll, all night long








Adios amigos



After 90 minutes of posing, clicking, sitting, standing, jumping and what not, the sun decided to bid adieu and we also said goodbye to awesome Kyatanamakki. The drive back to the home-stay in fading/no light was exhilarating to put it mildly. Back at the home-stay we decided to end the evening in the company of some Scottish gentlemen and some lively banter.

The next morning we were in for another treat. The mist covered valley provided the perfect canvas for sunlight to create a wide array of paintings, each better than the last. Words and pictures cant capture the sense of wholesome quiet and tranquility one experiences in the instant.

Venus watching over the valley


Monet? No way


Swirling mists of malenadu


Hello world!


Post sunrise, everyone got busy finishing up their morning chores and getting ready to head back home. After a hearty breakfast of akki rotti and neer dose, we drove out at 10 am. The plan was to visit Amba teertha and spend some time. The last stretch to Amba Teertha is again high GC territory hence the rapid and punto stayed parked at Prince of Kalsa while the Duster, Creta and TUV ambled down to Amba Teertha with everyone on-board.

Quiet flows bhadra at amba teertha


Monkeying around


A team


After a lot of monkeying around amidst the rocks, we hit the road again and decided to drive up to Kanive viewpoint.The last stretch of the road from Kanive homestay to the view point is again in very bad shape and only doable by high GC vehicles. We decided not risk it and hence parked our steeds outside Kanive home-stay and walked up to the viewpoint. After a few minutes in the noon sun, everyone was ready to head back to the comfort of our cars.

Pano view - kanive viewpoint


We drove along the MDR to hit Sunkasale and then continued further downhill via Kelagur - Balur - Kottigehara. After a long lunch stop at Fresh Bean Café in Banakal, we hit the road again at 3.30 and headed home. The drive via Mudigere - Belur - Hassan - Kunigal - Nelamangala - Bangalore was uneventful except for a couple of tolls after Hassan, which were jam packed.

Interesting roads, stunning vistas, fabulous company - one can't ask for more. Thus ended a beautiful weekend.
Big shout out to Pradeep (laddz1121) for this stunning capture!

Rapid - The showstopper

[procrj]

Route and Road Conditions


Bangalore - Chikkmagalur - Balehonnur: Nothing new here. Roads are all good and easy to drive

Balehonnur - Magundi - Balehole - Haluvalli: Good to very good 2L roads. Makes me wish for a small fast car that I throw around
https://goo.gl/maps/KLb7prWdy5S2

Haluvalli - Hornadu: 1.5L road with some potholes and broken sections
https://goo.gl/maps/typCcNFqPfy

Hornadu - Hornadu Heights: Not really a road. Mix of gravel, stones, mud with some patches of tarmac. Doable in any car with some careful driving
https://goo.gl/maps/9Uk2nVNrtvL2

Hornadu - Prince of Kalasa: Good 2L road
https://goo.gl/maps/VkzwoBwYEAG2

Prince of Kalasa - Amba Teertha: Doable only in a SUV or a high GC car.
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-...ml#post4517628

Kalsa - Kanive Homestay: Good 2L roads
https://goo.gl/maps/XCDQrb1dgGP2

Kanive - Sunkasale: MDR road is narrow but otherwise very motorable. Not sure what the condition will be during monsoons as we did see a few sections which didn’t seem very stable and had mud and dirt strewn all over the road.
https://goo.gl/maps/MNmNy8oEEmE2

Sunkasale - Kottigehara: Very good 2L twisty tarmac
https://goo.gl/maps/ntFXwEeH3Ru

Kottigehara - Belur - Hassan - Bangalore: Good roads. Nothing new here.


Points to note:

• Mr. Praveen and his family at Hornadu heights go out of their way to make you comfortable and ensure that almost every ask is fulfilled. Big thank you to him and his family for making sure that we are taken care of well
• Do not expect resort or star level facilities at Hornadu heights, it’s a very basic homestay and hence they will ensure that you have a safe place to park your ride, hot tasty food, warm comfortable bed and clean modern loos. Everything else is nonexistent.
• The Bolero camper that we hired cost us Rs 1,500 for the trip up and down. 14-15 adults can easily be accommodated in 1 such camper and it’s a super fun way to enjoy the ride to the top of kyatanamakki. You also do have MM550s plying to the top, not sure of the cost though
• Sunrise and sunset would be the best time to visit
• October might be the sweet spot to visit here as you will get to see rolling green hills all around and will still have a high probability of catching a sunrise/sunset
• Road to Hornadu height is not great but any car can do it with some careful driving

[SmartCat]

Moving thread from Assembly Line to Travelogues forum. Thanks for sharing, Ravinder!

Any pics of Horanadu Heights homestay?

[procrj]

Originally Posted by SmartCat

Any pics of Horanadu Heights homestay?

Thanks SmartCat. Sharing the images that the owner shared with me. Frankly speaking, none of us bothered to take any pics of the homestay as the view outside was so much better

[ampere]

Beautiful snaps! Anything about Kalasa and Hornadu has this touch of a hidden gem. We were there 6 years back. Though we went till the temple, but were not aware of this point to be there early morning. But even other wise had awesome views across the board.

A couple from my side.

Let there be light


Looking through the window



PS: The Skoda snap is a keeper!

[Stryker]

Awesome colours in the photos, procrj. Love the processing on them. Now you have made me want to go there and take some photos!

I took a minute to figure out what "Oorsutoonaba" meant, until I "re-read" it in Kannada

Originally Posted by ampere

Let there be light

Wow! Nice shot, ampere!

[procrj]

Originally Posted by ampere

Looking through the window

Great capture ampere. Do you remember the exact location?

Originally Posted by Stryker

Now you have made me want to go there and take some photos!

Thanks Stryker. Do ensure that you go after the rains. The hills will be lush green and if you manage to get there on a relatively clear day, sunset + green will be amazing!

[ampere]

Originally Posted by procrj

Great capture ampere. Do you remember the exact location?

This was the Eleneru falls at Samse which falls on the way to Kudremukh when coming down from Kalasa.

[AutoIndian]

Originally Posted by procrj

Kyatanamakki has been on my to do list for a while as its quiet popular among bikers (even on a bike it's no cakewalk to get to the top).

Lovely travelogue there Ravinder, thanks for sharing . The colors of the hills, sky and trees are so amazing

After some additions and subtractions from the travel list, it was 6 cars (5 families + 1 bachelor - Creta, Duster, Punto, Rapid, Celerio and TUV)who decided to head to the hills.

A picture of all the cars lined up would have been just perfect. What I am missing in this travelogue are the pics of your Red Dwarf. Please do share those in case you have clicked any.