Kudremukh - A Serene Trekkers’ Paradise And Tourism Place

Kudremukh in Chikamagalur,(Karnataka, India) is one of the best tourist places in Karnataka, India and a hill station overlooking the Arabian Sea, 1,894 meters above sea level and surrounded by mountain ranges. The distinct shaped peak after which the place is named, (Kudremukh means horse face in Kannada) is home to one of the biggest reserve of tropical evergreen forests in Karnataka and made as one of the best holiday tourist destination. Retaining its natural beauty, with perfect grassy slopes, abundant green forests and sinuous streams, Kudremukh is untouched and unspoiled by pollution and external influences. You can enjoy trekking through the forests, sighting birds and wildlife. It considered as one of the most enjoyable trekking places in Karnataka, India.

The broad hills form a chain, with cavernous valleys and steep precipices. Yet ‘undiscovered’ by tourists, Kudremukh, which overlooks the Arabian Sea, is a secluded hill station, which retains much of its pure natural brilliance and attract many holiday package tourist. Kudremukh is trekker’s paradise with rich flora and fauna. A holiday here can be a truly rewarding experience. The Kudremukh Iron Ore Company (KIOCL), a government run public sector organisation, set up the entire township of Kudremukh. Built on lines of American towns, this charming city is worth a visit.

It is a perfect spot for trekking, manifested by lush green forests with rivers, emerald grassy slopes, and the not-so-common orchids.

SIGHTSEEING HIGHLIGHTS

Kudremukh National Park is divided into four ranges - Kudremukh, Kerekatte, Kalasa, Shimoga, and has a wide diversity of flora and fauna. Hanumana Gundi Waterfalls is situated 32 km from Kalasa. You can reach here by trekking. Lakya Dam and Kadambi Falls is located near the Kudremukh project area is an interesting spot in the Kudremukh range. Annapurneshwari Temple is an ancient and sacred shrine located in the charming surroundings of Horanadu, 100 km south-west of Chikmagalur. Gangamoola in Bhagawathi forest is the origin of rivers Tunga, Bhadra and the Nethravathi. Major attractions here are the Varaha image and shrine of Goddess Bhagwati. Jamalabad Fort is located in Kudremukh; the Jamalabad village is famous for its Jamalabad fort, located 8 km north of Beltangadi town. The fort, built by Tippu Sultan in 1794, was named after his mother Jamalabee and is said to have been built over the ruins of an older structure.

TRAVELLER’S REVIEW

Kudremukh’s amazing environment had been in my mind for quite some time. So I decided to drive down to Kudremukh. I covered a journey of 310 km in 6 hours. Kudremukh is 30 km from Chikmagalur and 265 km from Bangalore. Food was mostly from the resort I stayed in, and it was good. There are not much opportunity for regular shopping, except for some fresh ground coffee and other forest produce. The trek is an amazing activity here. Do not miss it. There is Kurinajal, another hill that is almost the same height as Kudremukh, which you can trek through. En route, do not forget to visit the Hanuman Gundi and Sutanabbe Falls, at the heart of the evergreen forests. At the basin of the falls, there is a small pond, in which you can take a dip, if you know how to swim. Though it is tiring, once you reach the top, you would appreciate the effort. Distance from Bangalore to Silent valley is 310 km (shortest) and 355 (longest). The roads are mostly in good shape, though you do have a few bumpy stretches along the way. The minimum time required to drive down to Kudremukh would be six hours ideally.

QUICK FACTS

State: Karnataka
District: Chikmagalur
Languages spoken : Kannada, Hindi and English
Weather: Summer (15 C- 30 C) and winters (0 C to 24 C)
Nearest Airport: Mangalore - 180 km
Nearest Train Station: Kadur - 40 km
Main Highway: Bangalore-Hassan NH 48
Best time to visit: November to February, though the climate is pleasantly cool all around the year.
Tourism Info: Karnataka Tourism Board, Phone: +91 80 2235 2828

WHERE TO STAY

Kudremukh has a few hotels and resorts. There 4 hotels and resorts in and around Kudremukh. Two of them have tariff of Rs 500 or less and two of them have tariff between Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000. You can consider staying at Chikmagalur, which is pretty nearby.


FAQ's

Route from Bangalore to Kudremukh: Iam to travel to Kudremukh. Was looking out for guidance on the road route, which is the least painful?

1. Direct bus: Day journey- KSRTC.
(Cost = Upto Rs 250)
2. Direct bus: Night Journey - Sugama KKB Travels.

Alternatively, catch any Horanadu Bus, get down in Kalasa (8 km before Horanadu), from there, Kudremukh is just 20 km away. There is a high frequency of buses from Kalasa to Kudremukh. Here is a quick-start on the tourism places from Kudremukh:

• Kalasa (Kalasheshara Temple) 20 km

• Hornad (Annapoorneshwari temple) 28 km

• Sringeri (Sharadamba Temple) 55 km

• Karkala (Gommateshwar Statue) 50 km

• Moodbidri (Jain Temple) 64 km

• Udupi (Sri Krishna Temple) 98 km

• Dharmasthala (Sri Manjunatheshwara Temple) 105 km

• Mangalore (Beach, temple etc) 110 km Avinash