12- 13 December 2012
A few years ago, we had been to Jenukallu. It was a memorable experience, and we (I, Krishna, Girish) decided to do something similar. We had seen a ppt of Rottikallu which I must say was very impressive. So, we decided to head towards Rottikallu. I also roped in my colleague Vageesh for this trip.
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| Hill that was “un climbable” according to guide |
On a Saturday afternoon, we were at Rottikallu. Evening we headed towards “Dal Dudhi”, a hillock in front of the camp. We climbed it in a little less than 15 minutes. Another group who had come to the resort took their own sweet time to appear on the top. While they were tired but jubilant about reaching the top, we were perplexed. Our body was ‘warming up to the climb, and we had reached the top!
We had not driven for 4 hours to climb for 15 minutes. The hill range on the opposite side looked promising. When asked the guide to take us there, he told us that it was “Not climbable”. He must be thinking that we were just city rookies coming for time pass!! I told him that it would be a shame if we take more than 30 minutes to climb that range. Guide reluctantly allowed us to proceed. In 25 minutes we were on top of “Saalu Gudda”, an impossible hill!!
We had a nice time there, and after sunset, we decided to head back to the resort. The evening was spent in front of the campfire, where we tried to photograph the fire.
The next morning, we headed to Halu Holla, a hill range where we could get the views of Jenukallu that we climbed a few years ago. The trek was easy, and we did it in about an hour. The pleasant sun, green valley filled with followers boosted our spirits to climb quicker.
Once we climbed the hill, as expected, we saw Jenukallu in front of us!
The valley opposite to the hill was covered with thick Kabbinale forests that run all through Gundya.
Back at the resort, we had our breakfast. Then we were all set to return. But we had one last place to cover. That was a waterfall, the name which I do not remember now!!
It was a small but beautiful waterfall. We had planned to spend about 10 minutes there but ended up enjoying the waterfall for more than an hour. A butterfly also kept us busy for a long time.
It was a weekend well spent with beautiful hills and waterfall, but we felt that Rottikallu resort was hype. The price we paid was too much when compared to the facilities available. It is suited for large groups of people who only come for fun. I had seen better places for a lesser price. But I must also say that the staffs running the resort were very hospitable. Their service was simply superb.
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| Kabbinale forest |
Santosh bs
Sakleshpura is a wonderful place and all the more so when visited just after monsoons.
Nice report and can you mention any place more affordable and less visited in that belt…?
Srikanth Manjunath
Your energy level of covering so many places in a very less frequency is awesome..I loved your snaps as well as narration…Keep going!
Aravind GJ
Santosh,
The best way I feel is to camp at some place on our own. These home stays/resorts are very expensive and crowded during weekends.
Srikanth,
Thanks!!
R Niranjan Das
Those hills are so inviting. Nice post with some awesome photographs.
http://www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.in
Srik
Wonderful.
padmini
Pictures are amazing particularly that milky waterfall and the fire.Thanks for sharing.
Aravind GJ
Niranjan, Srikanth, Padmini,
Thanks for your comments.