Each destination goes through its cycle of getting explored, then popular and eventually being discarded as ‘too frequented’, as the allure runs out. Tourism often exhausts the charm of a place unless it refreshes itself! Locals in Coorg or Kodagu have seen a torrent of tourists since decades, given that it’s just a 6 hours drive from Bangalore. It has rapidly changed in perception – from a regular hill station for respite during the summers, Coorg also donned the cap as one of the pioneers of home-stay cultures in tourism and then moving onto more glamorous plantation stay holidays. Its latest avataar of an adventure destination is testified by activities like white water rafting, trekking, camping, angling and hiking amongst the lush mountains. There are a number of trekking circuits here, the leading ones being Tadiyandamol, the highest peak of Coorg, the Brahmagiri ranges and the Pushpagiri trail. Apart from these, there are number of easier hikes in the lower regions of these mountains and along the Iruppu and Abbi falls.
Tadiyandamol peak stands at an impressive 5729 feet, towering above the others in the region and is categorised from moderate to difficult in level of severity. There are about three routes to climb it, though the Kakkabe route one is most frequently used. If not trekking with an expert, this one is safe to tackle on your own. Virajpet is the closest town from which one must take a bus to Kakkabe. If a local jeep can be made available, see if you can be dropped till Nalaknad Palace, about 4 kms from the Kakkabe stop. Over the years, due to some irresponsible trekkers, there has been consistent littering and hindrance to animal movement in the area. Due to this, the villagers are concerned and suggest staying after permission from the unofficially authorized local ahead of Nalaknad Palace. A sum of Rs 100/- per head gets you a bonfire and a designated place to camp without any disturbance from the locals.
The trek starts with an easy hike through coffee plantations, till the trail changes with a view of mountains carelessly stacked behind each other. October to February is a great time as the weather is pleasant and botheration of leeches minimal. A large rock defines the first stopping point from where a marked trail heads towards the peak. The inclination of the climb is quite steep but can be manoeuvred in about 2 hours easily. A grassy walk towards the peak is pleasantly interrupted by a shady tree-line much needed on a sunny day! Roots of trees make natural but high steps till the sun shines again for the last stretch. The view from the summit is breathtaking, though awfully windy. It is not recommended to camp on top of the mountain as there is elephant movement in the region and also the modern tents often cannot hold up to the strong winds.
Enjoy the remarkable view for some time and then walk down to get back before sunset. Ideally one can camp another night here or return towards Kushalnagar for an exclusive camp stay in the backwaters of the Harangi Reservoir. Elusively tucked away 15 kms from Chikbettagere (before Kushalnagar), a private property offers an isolated spot to camp for the night. It can only be reached by a jeep (see contact of Eco Habitat). The misty waters are a great backdrop to wake up against. As the sun comes up, locals retrieve their coracles from the banks and head out to fish. A few hours in the morning are great to spot birds before you can make your way back to Bangalore from Kushalnagar.
Location: Coorg is spread over 4000 sq kms on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats of Karnataka. It is located at a distance of about 260 kms from Bangalore or 6 hours driving time, depending on which part of Coorg you want to visit.
Weather: Coorg is pleasant for most of the year, making it conducive to travel in almost all months. December and January are moderately chilly in the evenings. If you are not a fan of the monsoons, avoid the period of July – September, even though the countryside is cathartically washed by the rains, making the lush topography even more verdant. Also, this period is good for white water rafting in the Barpole and Cauvery.
Your adventure fix at Eco Habitat: Som and Chethana’s labour of love, Eco Habitat is a perfect getaway, which welcomes you to experience the outdoors in a multiple ways. You can take a luxurious break in their villa homestay or get in touch with your adventurous side, camping outdoors. Som’s own discoveries of unique trekking and camping spots bear evidence of his passion of the outdoors.
Get in touch with the couple for camping by the magnificent backwaters of the Harangi Reservoir or treks into the Brahmagiri range.
Eco Habitat
Sri Balaji Farm
Chikbettagere Village,
Guddehosur Post, Kushalnagar-571234.
Coorg Dist. Karnataka State,
Tel: +91 08276-279283,
0-9448127245 / 9945364006.
Email – som@ecohabitat.in
Packing Essentials:
– Torch
– Easy Tents with Mats and Sleeping Bags
– Plenty of Water, energy bars and biscuits
– Sunscreen, hats and sun glasses to protect from the harsh sun
– Spare bags to collect wrappers, bottles etc, to dispose later