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
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| 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.
Day-1: Reach and Relax
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| Teafields on the way to Kudremukha |
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| Sunset Hues |
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| 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.
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 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.
…after the formalities at the forest department office. A local guide will be appointed to guide you through the forest trail to the Kudremukh peak.
In less than 30 minutes of starting the trek, you will be surrounded all around by picturesque sights.
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Kudremukha National park is a chain of hills with lush green grasslands and intermittent sections of dense greenwoods with natural flowing streams of water.
You will be 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.
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| View from Kathanamakki Peak
Day-5: Return home revitalized
It is time to return home revitalized and fueled by the five elements in this sublime land.
One of the delightful experiences of travel is Food. Cooked by the head chef who is called as “Bhattaru” in local language.
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