Nagarhole - Outing

Nash....had been insisting on a outing, we managed to drag it for a few days but finally decided yes lets all go to "Nagarhole".Hatched a plan and zeored on 10 guys who agreed to join, i was doubtful as i had to attend a wedding, managed to drop in at the last moment. Finally we were set and 3 guys pulled of at the last moment.

Destination: Nagarhole

Date: 08/02/08

Members: Neil, Myself, Bappa, Nash, Chiranthan.

Distance: 230kms approx - One way

Duration: 4- 5hrs ( With pit stops)

"Nagarhole lies within the Coorg and Mysore districts.There are a few rivers that drain the national park; Kabini is the largest river on which a dam was built in 1974. Other rivers that flow through the park are Lakshmana, Teentha and Nagarhole. Nagarhole National Park has deciduous forest and a beautiful landscape."

It was a 2 day trip, planned to get back by Sunday evening. All set we started of 7.15am , the place was calling as we set out it started to drizzel. Stopped for breakfast at Kamath ( Neil and Bappa) like the idlis here... Its is stop over for many weekend travellers. It is the atmosphere, place, food that keeps calling people to Kamath. As we stepped out it started to rain...........Weather was perfect and it was a pleasure watching the clouds....Chiranthan

had been playing games all nite and he prefered to sleep for a while. As we had a DVD in the cab ..... we travelled watchin movie Spider Man 3 :) ... (guess this might be the 10th time). We stopped near Gundalpet ( not sure though) to pick up few of our companions Mr.Smirnoff, Mr Signature,Mr Beer....had a few breezers ( Account opened):)....Around 2.30 Pm entered the forest area......Our vehicle was checked by the security and advised not to stop anywhere in the middle jungle...Chiranthan got up from his sleep...he had a nice 2-3 hours of sleep. As we ventured into the forest first thing that caught our eyes were the Bison's ( they

were in a group) started to run deep inside the jungle the moment we stopped ( common we just wanna see u!!! :)...) managed to click this photo.

Moved on few distance spotted a "Dear".... he/she was brave and stood right there....kind enough to phose for a photo. We reached Nagarhole reception by 3.15Pm waiting for a person to guide us further. There was a bit of confusion here as we were told that we will be lodged in Kabini river ( Jungle lodges) but apparently we did not. He informed that he had arranged a home stay and we will be going there for lunch....we had no clue where the place was and travelled around 15 kms further from Nagarhole..... We can find a lot home stays as we venture through COORG. They offer accomodation, food etc... for travellers. The place was good but lacked the privacy we needed..... had lunch ( BIG TIME BATTING) . We were supposed to go back to Nagarhole for a evening safari... we decided not as we were tired.....Finally decided to move to a different place....Valli our contact person informed us to come near IRAPU FALLS .... he had booked a different home stay....Time for the SUN to go down... Evening 5.40 we reached IRPU Falls .... we were not allowed to visit the falls as per the rules. No one is allowed to go on after 5.45 Pm. Valli had been to the falls with a different group of people had to wait for him to come down.......Played with a nice little doggie and gave him so CASHEW as he looking hungry....6.45 Pm Finally arrived at a new home stay... Place was very good and had privacy..... NASH went to sleep ( He was seeings stars) ......My self, Neil, Bappa and Chiranthan sat down at the balcony. Bappa has some snacks and wanted to sleep for some time.... Chiranthan and Neil are a good company adding to that we invited Mr. Smirnoff and others....i was comfortable with a beer.....Had a very long chat discussed many things.....with some nice music on phone ( Got to know that Chiranthan plays piano and he loved the music which i had from " Life Like")..... I was pestering Nash to get up from sleep and join us ...finally after much torchure he comes out ... 11.30Pm we were served dinner .... Neil n Chiranthan decided to go to bed...hmmmmm i was not sleepy caught hold of Nash ....Got inside the cab and watched movie " Tarle nan Maga" ( hehhhehehe :).......) around 1.30 Am finally i decided to go back to the cottage.... Had a good 4 hours sleep and got up by 5.30 Am..... Tourchure session pestered Nash and got him up from sleep :)........ It was very silent outside ...... could hear the pleasing sounds of different birds.... ( Wish i get to see n hear them everyday in bangalore) 7.00Am was served with Tea.....did not quite like it but that"s okay cannot expect everything to be as good as what mom gives:)......... Good Morning Good Morning Neil, Bappa, Chiranthan are awake.... We had decided to leave the place by 10.00Am and go to IRPU FALLS and travel bacl to Blore........ had break fast ( Bread and Omlet)........Settled the bill and reached IRPU Falls by 10.30 .... we had to walk a few distance to reach the falls passed through the big bamboo tress...Got to see the falls from a distance ....... Its takes about 15 - 20 mins on a average to get the falls by walk..... It was sooting to see the falls from a close....Water is so pure....We were not carrying additonal clothes n could not get inside the water ( :( mistake....) just managed to see others play and enjoy took a few snaps ....stayed there for about half hour and returned back 11.30am started climbing down.....the river that flows through is "Lakshmana Teertha"

Once we get down there is also a "Rameshwara" that can be visited. Usually its during weekends people come over and summer holidays....and stricly not advisable to visit the falls during winter season as level of water will rise and lot of leeches can be found. It was good experience and nice place to visit.

11.45 Am set to return to Bangalore...... i am wanted to catch up with some sleep ...slept for while....not it was Nash 's turn to torchure me to get up.... woke up after some time.... Bappa wanted to go for Go - Karting in mysore it was around 2.15 Pm .....decided to go to Mysore.....but had to stop for lunch....stepped in to a very good restuarant BOPY'S had food ( Batting) .... Bappa says no to karting ....Back to Bangalore - reached around 8.00Pm ....got down at Mysore rd as it was near to my house....Shook hands :).......and wished good nite for all and reached home by 8.20pm.....

Few Things i would recomend for people having plans to visit the place

1) Plan in advance - Go for :TREKKING" don't miss this - Not sure if you can see Tiger's and other wild animals ...but they would take you deep inside the jungle - people there know the best

2) Jungle Lodges & Resort is a good place to lodge - Although i have not see the place, have heard a lot of good things about it... It is situated on the banks on river Kabini - and they offer Safari, Accomadation, Food...etc.... as a package

3) There are many home stays in COORG - Like the one in which were lodged ....they are pretty econimical and charge 500- 600 per head for accomadation and food ( that includes - brakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks) ....

As i was talking to Valli - he has organised various trekking camps and there are lot of places in Nagarhole to visit. Its not just about visiting the falls there are lot of nature camps n trekkings organised.

Overall it was a good experience , but feel we missed trekking and playing in the water.....

Photo courtesy: Sony Ericsson W550I

Vinay