I was visiting Bangalore for some work(on a Friday) and thought it would be a great idea if we(me and a couple of friends) could go for a trek over the weekend.(As everybody would know that Banglore has umteen number of treks to offer!).So,its been decided that 3 of us would be going to Kudremukh trek!We booked our trip through GetBeyondLimits.(Its my 2nd one with them,the first one was Kodachadri)
Friday evening at around 6.15pm(we were running late and they had to wait for us for 10 mins),our journey started.Bangalore to Kudremukh is about 330 Kms,but it was a small bus(I think there were about 20 of us+2 guides),so we were supposed to reach Kudremukh by around 6am,freshen up and start the trek by 8-8.30am.
The bus was stopped at a roadside stall on the way, so that we could grab something for dinner.The hot idlis the stall had were so delicious! (especially in the chilly weather)
The organisers booked a homestay for our stay where all of us freshened up,had our breakfast and waited for the forest officials so that we could get the permission(Every day only few people are allowed to make the climb).Unfortunately,that day we could not get the permission,so instead our guides(Arun and Jolly) suggested that we could do a small hike of about 8kms.
So instead of being dejected, all of us were in high spirits that we would get to do 2 hikes instead of 1(more than what we asked for).That day was all about chilling,walking,listening to music(Jolly also played his instrument,Ukelele),eating maggi,playing games by the campfire.During the evening we also went to see a nearby waterfall.All the while it was drizzling and was perfect for a stay out!
The next day,after having our breakfast,taking our packed lunches(Tamarind rice) and power pack(a chocolate,a snmall oreo biscuit packet and mazza) all of us ready for the trek,walked towards the forest check point.Here,our bags were checked for any plastic(We even wrapped the choclates in tissues,put our biscuits in paper wraps) and finally after all the bags were checked,we were set to go.All the while we were trekking it was drizzling and sometimes it even poured very heavily!(This was our first monsoon trek and for one of us, it was her first outdoor trek)
The trek is of around 22 kms(up and down) and the peak is at an elevation of 1890m.We started the trek around 9 am and reached the peak by 12.30-1pm,had our lunch,took some mandatory pictures and returned to the base by 5-6pm.
The whole trek was so picturesque that one would be in awe of nature.Even though it was raining nobody was bothered by it but instead had lot of fun.Apart from the nature,the company we had more than made up for the weather.Each one of them being from different walks of life had something to share, could enjoy each other's company.Even though we met just a day back,the whole group had bonded well and we all had a great time together.I think this is the best part about group tours.(Even if you go solo or in a group,you return with more friends and more memories than you bargained for!)
After freshening up at the homestay,we started our journey back,had some maggi and snacks on our way in the town.At the end with some leech bites(not harmful, just doesn't feel great to flick them) and no cold or fever, we returned back home feeling proud of ourselves.
Precautions to be taken during monsoon treks:
Take a raincoat, long track pants and 2-3 pairs of long socks(to avoid leeches)