A silent streak on Karnataka’s highest mountain peak-by Sonal Jain

The year 2020 was not a pleasant year and the whole time in this lockdown, we probably waited to travel. My mind, body, and soul urged me to feel free and go closer to nature. All I knew was, when the next time I get to visit nature’s hidden beauty, it is going to be different. 

Then came the day when I got a chance to interact with nature post the lockdown. Read further to know what this encounter with nature meant to me and my soul.

A blessing in disguise

In November 2020, there was a partial unlock in the country and we opted for this opportunity to go back to our hometown. Going back to your hometown brings back utmost joy because you are constantly surrounded by family and little kids always around you to add a little fun to life. 

Every year when we visited our hometown, a quick pan to travel somewhere was always at the rim of the bucket. But this year due to covid I felt our yearly plan would not work.

That is when someone came up with a plan of just one day stay in Chikkamagalur, a hill station in Karnataka. This was going to be a short road trip to a small hill station to relax and spend time with family. 

Little did I know that this trip is going to unfold so many new things and experiences for me on the personal front.

Western ghats

Beginning of the road trip-

After being locked up for almost a year, I was overwhelmed by the fact that we are traveling somewhere even if it is for just a day. 

The drive felt very surreal, and it seemed like something of this sort was surely missing in ours lives.

Traveling with family is always fun especially with kids around but just as we reached there, I already felt lost in that little wonderland. 

It was the beginning of the month of January, the slight winter and mist welcomed us, the pure and natural air all around and the smell of coffee plants set the Staycation mood right.

Chose a Homestay for a Staycation-

We reached early in the morning, had traveled overnight for 7 hours. Everyone in the family wanted to nap before we start the day but the excitement in me did not let me rest. They all slept while I quickly got ready and took a walk all around our homestay and also clicked some pictures with the coffee plants. 

Speaking of homestay, it was the best decision to stay here.

The warmth, comfort, and food in homestays are amazing and they make you feel at home. We stayed in the Coffee Aroma Home Stay, and I can vouch for an amazing experience.

Coffee seeds

The unreal experience on the mountain peak-

Before visiting this place, I did not have any idea about the Chikkamagaluru and its places. This was the most unplanned trip we all decided to go overnight and being around kids, I did not find time to search about the tourist places and gain information.

In the morning, the first tourist stop we went to was Mullayanagiri Mountain Peak. It was love at first sight. I could feel the magnificent views, the beauty, and its vividness. 

While I was enjoying the serene of the place, my cousin came to me and said this is Karnataka’s highest mountain peak. That brought me so much joy and climbing was worth it. 

Misty Hair flips

There were not many people around, the world was at a standstill and irrespective of my family was always around, I got time for myself and indulged in nature and its welcoming gestures. 

Best feeling 

A trip worth remembering-Read to know why-

Apart from taking away some time for myself, this was the first trip where I wholeheartedly got my own pictures clicked. It was the first step towards overcoming some irrational fears about coming in front of the camera. 

I have been on many trips before this, but never did I concentrate on getting my own pictures clicked and look like a traveler. 

Here, something felt different. I probably wanted to see how happy I looked coming here. I was different here and I do not regret it. Here is how on the first day itself I took over everyone’s head to click my pictures. 

The peak with mesmerizing views

Well, how can I not show the ultimate photographer’s delight? Clicking these beautiful pictures was nothing less than dreamy. It graced my camera so well and gave me memories of a lifetime. 

Finding such hidden gems makes me realize that Indian tourism is so un-explored. India has so much tourism to offer and the beauty of it is here to stay.

Stunning views 

Water-Water Everywhere.

I am back talking about my favorite habitat and here in Chikkamagalur, we found a waterfall, named HEBBE WATERFALL. It is a beautiful and gushing waterfall and to reach here a small safari ride is arranged who take you there through the woods. 

I would definitely recommend taking this safari as it is worth the wait and money that you shall pay to reach the falls. 

Hebbe waterfalls

Safari ride till the waterfall

For a water lover and potential photographer like me, this was an eye-catching experience. While my brothers enjoyed getting wet in the falls, I took a good one hour to spend alone clicking its pictures and then getting mine clicked too. 

  

Lost into the water land

  

                           

Honestly speaking, I haven't been so excited before unlike on this day to get my pictures clicked after my first-day experience on the peak. These pictures near the water body, made me feel like going through a wonderland.

My heart was happy. These pictures to me look very dreamy and now I cannot wait for more such trips to come. 

Zipline adventure-

I have always been super adventurous, and I am never afraid of any adventure on land or water. While we were inching down from the peak, we saw a zip line board, and bang on, we went ahead to get one. This was one of the best ziplines ever because it was super long and a two-way ride. 

It went through the trees and was very steep. Just as much as we were excited, our elders were scared. Honestly speaking, this zip line will always remain in my memories as one of the best. 

Zipline adventure

Interacting with the coffee plantation workers

In our homestay, there were areas where coffee making process took place. In the evening, we saw many coffee plantation workers coming with hand-picked coffee seeds. 

We came back to have our evening tea and then got a chance to see the whole process and interact with them to gain knowledge about coffee.

Handpicking good coffee seeds

Coffee seeds drying area

 

This video shows each person weighing how many seeds they have collected for the day. 

The overall experience has been super good. Things felt different because we went for a vacation after long and all of us were there to experience calm and silence. This is one hill station you must visit, and the best time would be December-January. 

Love the Ghats 

Thank you for reading!