What if I told you the most challenging trekking is Kumara Parvatha? known as Pushpagiri. Would you believe? If not, You would need an Intro for sure. Its a majestic mountain peak located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India. Known for its challenging terrain and breathtaking views, it’s a popular destination for experienced trekkers.
Trek Information from Beedahalli Forest Check Post, Kumarahalli, Karnataka
The Complete Guide to Kumara Parvatha Trek
There are two ways to travel to Kumaraparvata trek: one from Kukke Subramanya and one from Somvarpet. We chose the Somvarpet route. Why choose the Somvarpet route? Was it a personal preference, a recommendation, or something else? It was primarily because of the shorter trekking distance, which is approximately 7 kilometers from the Beedahalli base trek point to the Kumaraparvatha peak. While it was undoubtedly tough and exhausting, the forest officials suggested us to explore something nearby as you peak might have been obscured by fog.
After a long wait in B.C. Road for an hour or more, we left at around 1:30 PM on my friend’s Hunter 350. Considering the road construction and the heavy rain from the recent cyclone in Chennai, the roads weren’t great until we crossed Kalladka and Uppinangady. As you read, I’ll share all the places we explored during our trip.
Bisle Ghat
Bisle Ghat, a scenic mountain pass in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. You might wonder, what “Bisle” stands for? Well, it doesn’t have a specific meaning. It’s likely a local name derived from the context of the region.
On your way to Bisle Ghat, keep an eye out for the Shri Gadi Chamundeshwari Devi Gudi temple. It’s a beautiful temple in the middle of flowing streams, right on the Kukke to Bisle Ghat road. This place is a must-visit! There’s even a small waterfall near the temple. Just remember, the Ghat road is narrow, so be extra careful during the monsoon season. The sound of flowing water, and the chirping birds is a pure experience.
Moving on, we reached the Bisle Viewpoint, which was about to close in 10 minutes. Entry was allowed until 6:30 PM. They would charge you 20 rupees per person. Please ensure to keep your belongings safe. Lock them up or leave them in the office room at the entrance. When we visited, an official told us that a few days ago, some bikers had their helmets stolen. These helmets were worth 7,000 rupees. (I feel really upset about this.)
Anyways, lesson learned the hard way. We took some photos and then headed to our homestay, which was about 20 kilometers from the Ghat exit. On the way, we stopped somewhere to grab some evening tea and snacks.
Finally, we reached our haven for the night: Chiguru Homestay (https://chiguruhomestay.in/)! Just a heads-up, this is a Disconnected Zone – no internet or network for Airtel, BSNL, Vodafone… Jio is your only savior here. Now, onto the good stuff! Our stay at Chiguru Homestay was fantastic. We absolutely loved the homemade food. This homestay is perfect for those seeking peace and quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of crowded resorts. It’s all about privacy and relaxation. A big thank you to Darshan and his family for the delicious food and warm hospitality. How much was the price? We stayed there for 2 nights, so it was 1200 per day per person.
One of the highlights was the path leading to a small waterfall! It was a beautiful experience to be surrounded by nature. Overall, Chiguru Homestay offered a perfect blend of comfort and adventure, all within a stone’s throw of the iconic Mallalli Falls.
Here are some things you can do near your homestay:
- Patla Betta Peak and Paragliding
- Kumara Parvatha Trekking
- Rafting at Chiguru Falls
- Off-Road Jeep Rides
- Morning Trekking to Doddabetta
- Visit Small and Beautiful Streams
It’s a Wednesday, a trekking day! We swear we chose the wrong dates. We were just two people in a dense forest, and we couldn’t hear a single animal or bird chirping. We woke up early at 6 AM and got ready for the trek. The homestay folks gave us breakfast and lunch, which included pulav with curd packed in a bag to eat once we reach the peak. We reached Beedhalli base, which was around 6-7 kilometers from our homestay, plus another kilometer of off-roading to reach the base. Rigorous checking, indeed! No plastics, cotton, or co-cotton, and even lighters were prohibited. We had to leave everything at the base, including our 2-liter water bottles, which were exchanged for official bottles that had stamp🤨.
Tip: Carry dry fruits, less luggage, and fruits to gain energy during the challenging trek. You’ll realize how important it is to maintain good health. By the way, Yiu might ask where do we prebook the trekking, its here https://trek.kodaguecotourism.com/trailDetail/12/Beedahalli%20-%20Girigadde, per person they would charge 350rs. Personally, I would suggest better to visit during weekends as you might meet a lot of other trekkers rather than weekdays.
How was the trek? Well, I’d say it was tough. I was sweating a lot, while my friend didn’t sweat at all, and I still don’t know how! Be careful about leeches. We wore crocs, which were better than chappals, but trekking shoes would have saved us a lot of time and hassle removing leeches. I got bitten by so many! The trick is to avoid staying in one position for too long and regularly check your feet for leeches. Don’t forget to carry Dettol antiseptic liquid. I’m really grateful we did.
You might ask, “Wasn’t it scary?” Hell yeah, it was! Imagine being in a dense forest, completely silent, foggy and just 2 people trekking in dense forest “Dar to lage na bro”. The forest officials even suggested we change our plans due to the heavy fog, but we were determined to trek. We had to navigate steep, slippery rocks with ropes, but eventually reached the peak. There was a small temple with a Shivalinga at the peak top, but the thick fog obscured the view. We took a few photos, had our lunch, and started our descent. Surprisingly, the fog had cleared by the time we were heading back to our stays around 3pm.
As I reflect on KumaraParvata trekking experience, one would realize the power of nature to heal. The silence in the forest offered a much-needed escape from the noise of everyday life. I didn’t want to return home, but have to eventually. The time spent with your close friends, sharing silly stories. It’s true! Time seems to fly when we’re having fun.I know, Right? Thank you all for reasing, see you until next time with a new blog post somewhere new.
