Even this time, I asked my friends - Would you like to join??
Friends: Nahi yaar budget nahi hai, yaar next time pakka this time I'm going home, Rainy season me kaun jata hai ??
Since I was already a mad fan of solo travelling I decided not to wait for anyone and start my journey alone. Now, it was time for another solo trip, I searched for vacation spots near me and I found out Chikmangalur to be the next spot in my bucket list.
It's only when I started travelling alone, I realised I feel much more independent than ever before.
If you ask me hills?? or beaches?? I will always choose hills. Who doesn't want a frosty place in scorching summers??
I don't know you will believe this or not but my whole trip was planned in just 6k. Sounds unbelievable right but that's true.
A week before I made sudden plans for my excursion and started looking for vacation packages. I booked bus tickets round trip for Rs.1600 via redbus online booking. Being a committed fan of Zostel I booked my accomodation in Zostel Chikmangalur which I believe is the best out of the rest, thereby not searching for any particular travel agency. I booked a 4 bedroom dorm in just Rs.500 for a day. I took my luggage bag and went on my dream trip with some travel essentials.
At Zostel- Post reaching Chikmangalur I had a chit chat with few autowalaas and somehow I managed to crack a deal at Rs.1000 for the full day trip. I relaxed for a while as I checked-in to Zostel Chikmangalur, had the famous coffee for which it is well known. Then, it was time to kick start my day trip.
So, there are 3 famous hills and one has to cover them one by one to reach at the top.
Kemmangundi - Baba Bundangiri - Mullyanagiri
Kemmangundi - As I started, the sky was rough and there were a few lightning strikes. I could smell that it was about to rain.
It was a 2 hour drive, with lush green carpets of trees enveloped over the Kemmangundi hills on both the sides of the road.
Soon, I was on winding roads. The valley seemed soo.. surreal. I took time to sit,relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. Perhaps, this was the best time I could give to myself.
After spending an hour we moved on to another hill i.e Baba Bundangiri -Now the temperature was going down and it started to rain. We stopped in a local shop and I had the yummy vegetable Maggie as my breakfast.
I then took a jeep Safari for Hebbe falls followed by Z - Point visit. It takes INR 900/- for the jeep which you can share it with other groups as I did. I joined a group of 2 boys and 2 girls in the jeep ride.
Hebbe falls- is amongst the 35 well known waterfalls in Karnataka. This enchanted waterfall will give you the most stunning experience ever trust me !
"Hills without trekking is no fun".
Then, it was time to trek for a kilometre near the Z-point. We came back in 1.5 hours and took our auto to the next spot which was Mullayanagiri - the highest peak in Karnataka.
Mullayanagiri - Is well known for its serene ambience, verdant grassland and rugged rocks which makes it the most picturesque destination amongst adventure enthusiasts. Also, if possible try to cover this view during dusk which will gives spectacular view from the peak.
By standing at the top, I could fully enjoy the delicacy of Western Ghats spread all over.
Siri Cafe - As it was already 4pm, I decided to quickly have a good retreat at Siri cafe - well known amongst tourists for its coffee varieties. I took a sumptuous meal in just 300 bucks.
While browsing my phone I suddenly realised I haven't covered hirekolale lake. So, after the full day tiring trip I decided to end it at there.
Hirekolale lake - It's a beautiful man made lake that provides awe striking views to every nature lover. As I'm a photography lover it perhaps proved to be an idyllic sunset shot for my album. As the place wasn't crowded at all. I could spend some solitary time amidst the stream of lake in between the surrounded mountains.
Now, after this it was time to plan the next day itinerary.
As soon as I got up I sipped in coffee and had poori sabzi at the food counter in Zostel. As, I had covered almost everything a day before, I decided to relax in the Zostel premises and go on a shopping spree by the evening.
My full day was spent in interacting with the other backpackers and sharing each others experience. It was a sunny day which eventually turned out to be a heavily rainy one. In the evening, while taking my luggage back to the shopping area I took the famously known coffee powder and did shopping of 1000 bucks from the local vendors.
It was time to bid adieu to Chikmangalur.
I'm happy that I didn't wait for anyone,I didn't get stuck at my cubicle,instead I made this second solo trip worth adventurous. Chikmangalur you were indeed the best holiday destination and best travel experience.
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