My Blog

Get Firefox! XMEC Home

Icewind Dale

Wednesday, July 28, 2004

The Kudremukh Experience

I went on this trip a week before I joined the blogger community, but it was so memorable that I felt the need to mention this somewhere. Besides, I can always refer to the post in case i forgot the route map to kudremukh.

There were 5 of us, Ajay, Anant and myself from my office (ADI), Srik (Srikant from Intel), Sarf ( Sarfarash - Anant's friend ), Manoj (Ajay's friend).

We had BIG plans for kudremukh, which, if had succeeded would have had us 'resting in peace'.
  1. Trekking to kudremukh in the rain - Like in a suicide mission.
  2. Camping at the top of the mountain - Where the chances of lightning striking you would be a little high (only around 100 %).
Fortunately, the weather cleared on that day, and the forest officials caught us trekking towards the peak in the evening and asked us to go back.

The Trip map - bangalore to Kudremukh and back:
  • Bangalore to Kalsa -> Government Bus
  • Kalsa to Samsa -> Private bus
  • Samsa to Somawathy Falls -> Trek 5Km
  • Somawathy Falls to Lobos House -> Trek 8Km
  • Lobos House to Kudremukh Peak -> Trek 8Km
  • Kudremukh Peak to Lobos House -> Trek 8Km
  • Lobos House to Somawathy Falls -> Trek 8Km
  • Somawathy Falls to Samsa -> Trek 5Km
  • Samsa to Kudremukh Town -> Private bus
  • Kudremukh Town to Bangalore -> Government Bus
That's 42Km of trek, if you dont get lost. Fortunately we didnt ....

We didnt see many animals around, just us, two deers, a chameleon and a lot of leeches. But we have heard of others having seen bisons at the peak.

Kudremukh is mostly grasslands, with a little bit of forest. This is what you do:
Step 1) You trek through the grasslands
Step 2) Gather your breath at the beginning of the forest
Step 3) RUN as fast as you can
Step 4) Stop at the end of the forest
Step 5) Scrape off the leeches from your legs/shoes
Step 6) Goto Step 1

At lobos house, you can lead a nomadic life if you like mangos, gauva, jackfriut and oranges. We had also brought rotis, pickles, bread, jam , and noodles ( we got a kettle from the guy who takes care of Lobos house, and made our noodles in it).

Water was never a problem. We had taken empty water bottles from bangalore, which we filled from the many streams that we passd by on our way to the peak.

Some pics from my trip:


Lobos House : Not much of a house though. We had brought sleeping bags along with us anyways.


We had to cross 3 to 4 of these bridges, inspired from AXN 'Fear Factor'


This hill was the hardest part, and the trek path had been made by water flowing downhill the day before.


Everyone was too tired after climbing the hill. There was still a lot more to go.


This might pass off as a panoramic view of kudremukh. Shot halfway to the top.


At this point, all we could see around were clouds.


As we were nearing the summit, we looked back and saw this !!!


A scary place to rest.


The summit - No Bison's grazing though !!!


All you need to get to kudremukh town (at the base of the peak) is to walk a few feet forward.


This one is right opposite to kudremukh


Samsa is out there ... probably the white spec.

44 Comments:

  • Hi, had been recently to kudremukh myself...

    kashworld.blogspot.com

    for me, one of the most difficult treks done in rough weather

    By Blogger Buccaneer, at Monday, September 13, 2004 4:25:00 AM  

  • Those pictures, awesome.

    By Blogger sajith, at Thursday, October 07, 2004 4:34:00 AM  

  • Awesome lensman, awesome scenes as well

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Thursday, November 04, 2004 6:28:00 AM  

  • Its gr8 to see those photos explantion.. I got inspired and now started and even fixed the date to that place.. keep it up.. Finally, very good snaps espc at peak..

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, April 05, 2006 2:56:00 AM  

  • Lovely pictures. I grew up there and the pictures brought back fond memories. There are many websites with K'mukh pics, but I think yours are by far the best.

    A couple of tips to fight leeches next time you go on a trek to Kudremukh(in case you don't know already):
    1. carry a packet of cooking salt. If a leech latches on, just put some salt on it and watch the leech fall off.

    2. Wear gumboots. It will be harder for leeches to climb up the boots.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Sunday, May 21, 2006 1:31:00 PM  

  • Hey Guys,

    This is some of the best pictures I have ever come across in my entire life .... for a few minutes I felt that I was really at that place ....
    Do you have a complete break-down of the entire trip... as I would like to go there with my office colleagues... please get in touch with me on vishwarupray@rediffmail.com , vishwarupray@gmail.com

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Friday, June 16, 2006 3:46:00 AM  

  • Nice Place, Good Snaps ....

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, June 27, 2006 5:05:00 AM  

  • Hey,

    Great write up, but whats the Lobo's place? Can we stay there? Do we need to book in advance? Is that some one's house. Pl mail to arun.bz at gm ail DoT com.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Friday, July 21, 2006 4:46:00 AM  

  • Hi! Lalit here Great site Great Photos , I started my crear from this place in 1996 I was so immpresedf that did it again in 1997, all the way in 10 years from kudhremukh peak to adventure peak (adventure Barron) ha ha.

    Good luck adventure animals, any help? IM there, 9945544891.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, September 06, 2006 11:02:00 AM  

  • hi guys,
    i must say that the snaps are really good also the locations, you cold have added somr more snaps of the tunnels and the bridges...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, October 24, 2006 3:02:00 PM  

  • HI,

    The pictures were awesome , i have been in Kudremukh for about 6 years and the days i have spent in kudremukh is awesome and unforgettable, If any one is planning to go to Kudremukh again please don't forget to see The park , Lakya dam, Hunuman gundi, Ganga moola and some more exciting places. KUdremukh is a heaven in disguise.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Monday, November 06, 2006 10:02:00 AM  

  • very good pics

    By Blogger dude.NET, at Wednesday, November 22, 2006 1:50:00 AM  

  • guys, gr8 pics...
    really miss the place a lot..

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Sunday, December 17, 2006 10:56:00 AM  

  • luks lik a world of bliss

    naveen m r

    By Blogger Naveen, at Wednesday, January 24, 2007 7:58:00 AM  

  • hey really nice pics....me and my frnds r plannin 2 go on a trek 2 kudremukh....we plan 2 trek till the peak and return and would like 2 kno more about lobo's house...whether v have 2 call or book earlier and how long it takes to trek to the peak from samse...
    please get in touch with me at

    valentine15ae@hotmail.com

    than you

    By Blogger Ra, at Sunday, January 28, 2007 8:35:00 AM  

  • hai actualy iam so happy about this snaps realy itis cool because itis my
    place, but stil now iam in chennai , just i found this images in Google.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Friday, February 09, 2007 1:45:00 PM  

  • z

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Friday, February 09, 2007 1:46:00 PM  

  • please let me know if we require a permit to trek in upto the kudremukh peak.

    my mail id is shrutirao2910@yahoo.com

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, February 28, 2007 4:44:00 AM  

  • Fantastic pics.........just luv it dude........its just awsome.......
    - venki
    venki.lin@gmail.com

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, March 28, 2007 3:01:00 PM  

  • The photos are so crystal clear, that i think i was there.........fantsatic......plzz guide me how to go there.......i am a family man, luv to go with my family there, guide me plzz......thank you........

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, March 28, 2007 3:05:00 PM  

  • Awesome pics... really beautiful... thanks for sharing!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Monday, April 30, 2007 5:01:00 AM  

  • great place & superb pics da

    By Blogger SUNIL DHAWAN D G, at Friday, May 25, 2007 6:27:00 AM  

  • http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/gvarma.biomed/KudremukhTrekPics02

    chk the kudremukh trip pics and leave a comment if u wish... we went in early may..

    By Blogger Gaurav Varma, at Sunday, June 10, 2007 1:59:00 PM  

  • http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/gvarma.biomed/KudremukhTrekPics02
    chk these picss

    By Blogger Gaurav Varma, at Sunday, June 10, 2007 2:00:00 PM  

  • Thanks for putting up the photographs. I spent my college years in nearby Manipal, leaving in 1992. Your photos have brought back a flood of lovely memories, urging me to return. And I shall, very soon!

    I shall try to put up some of Agumbe when I make my trip. Thanks again, guys!

    By Blogger Unknown, at Saturday, August 04, 2007 2:40:00 PM  

  • Its amazing..Really missing a lot..Thanks for putting in a blog..
    Planning this weekend to visit that place with friends.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, January 16, 2008 12:02:00 AM  

  • Brilliant pictures!Hav u noticed de sad part of kudremukh ie any evidence of de effects of iron ore mining on mining?

    By Blogger Unknown, at Wednesday, January 23, 2008 9:34:00 AM  

  • hi .. ur kudremukh fotos were very intresting...am looking for a 4 day trip to someplace in karataka... its a gang of 100. can u please suggest any camps or sites or set of places that can be covered .. shud be adventurous and exotic.. not the usual tourist spot type. please get back to me. i need it asap

    sowmyatalkies@gmail.com

    By Blogger simplysowmya, at Wednesday, January 30, 2008 1:25:00 AM  

  • loved the pics.... actually freshened my memories.. i've been in kudremukh for 17 years.... i'm born and brought up dere....... u could've taken d pics of d famous water falls over there.........

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Thursday, April 24, 2008 6:19:00 AM  

  • loved the pics.... actually freshened my memories.. i've been in kudremukh for 17 years.... i'm born and brought up dere....... u could've taken d pics of d famous water falls over there.........

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Thursday, April 24, 2008 6:20:00 AM  

  • Hi .... Trust me i dont have any words to 'X'press . Pics are real good, must say one of the best i found online abt Kudremukh. I spent a Quarter of my life there. Did u happen to go to the township. The Kudremukh Park, is one of the good place to visit. I miss all my friends , schoolmates

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Monday, June 02, 2008 4:53:00 AM  

  • WOW GUYS YOU ARE GREAT, THIS PLACE IS ALMOST LOST NOW WITH THE COMPANY CLOSED DOWN. I LIVED IN KUDREMUKH FOR MORE THAN 24 YEARS AND I USED TO LOVE EVERY MOMENT OF MY LIFE IN THERE. ITS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. I THANK YOU FOR THE BEAUTIFUL PICTURES, YOU BROUGHT MY MEMORY BACK. YOU ARE GREAT. THANX AGAIN

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Saturday, April 18, 2009 3:21:00 AM  

  • hey really awesome pics...kudremukh is a heaven...i have been staying there since 20 years n i could never make up for a trek to kudremukh peak...u guys rock..now the company is closed n nothing is as it was earlier...even i'll be leaving the place soon..really missing my childhood days...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Friday, May 29, 2009 5:02:00 AM  

  • Hi Krishnan! I am really fascinated by the pictures you have posted! Thanks for those :)
    I have planned fro a trek at Kudremukh with some of my friends. This is our first trek to tat place. So i wosh to know more about it regarding the permissions from forest officers, timings for trekking an some more. So if you could mail me, that would be really helpful! Thanks in advance dude! we ve planned to go there in a week,

    My mail id is - prabhakaran.ug@gmail.com

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, September 30, 2009 11:41:00 PM  

  • Hi,

    Loved the pictures on your website. Grew up and attended the KV school there (batch: 1986). I see a lot of your comments have been left by ex-Kudremukhians :)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, October 27, 2009 9:15:00 AM  

  • Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
    Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Friday, November 20, 2009 6:35:00 PM  

  • Beautiful photos of your travel...its nice to know and see how you all have enjoyed the time and spent your holidays well with Nature...


    Beautiful pics ..Nature is so beautful.
    Diana Travel baby

    By Blogger Davis, at Monday, December 21, 2009 8:32:00 AM  

  • Hi, I had been there with my 4 friends during 1997 october it was realy great trek in my life.
    By seeing Lobo house in photo it bought back my memories when i was there while trecking.
    Realy nice trek.
    If anybody planning to go please contact me i really inspired to go again.
    Pls contact..
    chiduprakashv@gmail.com

    By Blogger Unknown, at Saturday, January 02, 2010 6:18:00 AM  

  • Realy great pics..
    But i lost my photos

    By Blogger Unknown, at Saturday, January 02, 2010 6:20:00 AM  

  • Nice photos. Please upload all photos.
    Chidu

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Friday, January 22, 2010 3:06:00 AM  

  • i stayed at lobos house, when lobos were around, they now live near belthangadi

    By Blogger Unknown, at Tuesday, March 30, 2010 5:52:00 AM  

  • Amit, looks like you have recently been to this place. I am planning to go on 12th and 13th June 2010. Can you share more details my email id sureshsany@gmail.com

    By Anonymous suresh, at Wednesday, June 02, 2010 12:26:00 AM  

  • Hi suresh,
    I went during march 2010. I have few contacts you can talk to them directly by phone they will arrange all your needs (staying,Forest Permission,food etc.)

    Rajegowda - 08263249333 / 9481179008

    Jagadeesh - 9449739108

    These people will take care of everything including jeep service.

    Trek Enjoy Madi
    chidu

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, June 08, 2010 6:27:00 AM  

  • Nice Piece of information.. I had been to kudremukh many times. Our group experiences and Information could be seen in below blog.

    http://kaadinaalegalu.blogspot.com/2010/12/kudremukha-trekking-hanumanagundisutana.html

    By Blogger ಪ್ರಕೃತಿ, at Monday, March 28, 2011 9:38:00 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home