adventure – Syam S Nair

Located in Shimoga district, Karnataka, Kodachatri is one of the most mystic peaks in India one can ever experience. At an elevation of 4,400 ft from mean sea level, it is a perfect hike point for all adventure junkies. But its not the adventure adrenalin that will enthral us during kodachatri hike. It will be but the mystic serenity you feel even when your heart pounds at your steady climbing rate. Kodachatri trekking is medium level trekking due to steep uneven slopes and slippery terrain. Rains are quite common and is at 24 x 7 dew point, so if you are carrying your camera make sure you protect it well.

The hike point starts from Nittur. From there you can either start the hike or rent a jeep to travel up the peak to an interim point from where your hike can begin. Its an unladen rough terrain and requires more of experience than your luxurious 4×4’s power to pull up through the road, so I advice to rent a jeep (it is indeed a wonderful journey, the drivers’ skill are just awesome). Bikes can get a up the hill, but still normal ones wont do, also here the “Indian road cruncher”, enfield, will simply wont do as the clearance should be pretty high. Any off-road bikes can handle the task, but should be careful as the roads are damp and muddy and you will be drifting all the way up 😛

From Nittur the Jeep rent is 1200 INR, and from here you wont get a per person sharing basis Jeeps. If your budget is low or if you like more of a hippie travel, get to Kollur (where Mookambika Temple is situated), and near the temple you can easily hear “kodachatri…… kodachatri…. kodachatri….” call from local jeep drivers. From here the rent is 300 INR but its based on per person. So if you plan on a unique only family/friends trip, you got to hire from Nittur itself.

If its your first trip to Karnataka state dont ever forget to taste the ethnic “Kesar bath” dish. Use public transport and interact with as much locals as possible, they are very helpful and will guide you to some of the most exotic places like hidlumane falls, Nagara fort etc.

Here are some of my random shots at Kodachatri