My Karnataka trip - stage 3
Roads have generally been pretty good. Parts of NH 17 north of Malpe are a bit ragged.
From Malpe I drove to Maravante, and looked at Turtle Bay Beach Resort, but felt it was too expensive for what was offered. A couple of other so-called beach resorts a little further up the highway were dismal and overpriced. So I continued on to Kollur, which is a delightful little pilgrimage town nestled in the mountains.
There is lots of accommodation in Kollur. I lucked out in finding the Bhagirthi Tourist Home, only 200 m from the temple, but completely isolated from the bustle of the town. There's a stream running past my balcony, and nice views of fields and hills. (Rs 200 to 400).
Kodachadri: There are shared jeeps (8 pax @ Rs 175) that leave from the autostand opposite Kollur police station. (I had to wait from 11am to 1pm mid-week for the jeep to fill, so an earlier departure would have been better.) It's 40 km each way. The first 25 km, up to the Kodachadri turnoff, is well paved; then 5 km of so-so road; but the last 10 km is four-wheel-drive only, not bikeable. That last stretch is the hands-down first prize winner of The Worst Road I Have Ever Travelled On In My Life Award. There is a PWD Rest House and a temple at the end of the road; and you can hike another 1.5 km up to a small temple at the summit. Great views, very peaceful.
Next day I went to the Andjari Nature Camp a few km south of Kollur. Entry for the day is Rs 40 for Indians and Rs 80 for foreigners. (The guy on duty only charged me Rs 40.) There are double bedded tents and double bedded cabins for overnight stay, from Rs 400 to 1200. You can swim in the stream, and wander the nature trails. The sign at the gate says you have to get advance permission to enter from the Forest Department office opposite the bus stand, but that's not accurate; just turn up and the attendant will sell you a ticket. Bring your own food.
From Malpe I drove to Maravante, and looked at Turtle Bay Beach Resort, but felt it was too expensive for what was offered. A couple of other so-called beach resorts a little further up the highway were dismal and overpriced. So I continued on to Kollur, which is a delightful little pilgrimage town nestled in the mountains.
There is lots of accommodation in Kollur. I lucked out in finding the Bhagirthi Tourist Home, only 200 m from the temple, but completely isolated from the bustle of the town. There's a stream running past my balcony, and nice views of fields and hills. (Rs 200 to 400).
Kodachadri: There are shared jeeps (8 pax @ Rs 175) that leave from the autostand opposite Kollur police station. (I had to wait from 11am to 1pm mid-week for the jeep to fill, so an earlier departure would have been better.) It's 40 km each way. The first 25 km, up to the Kodachadri turnoff, is well paved; then 5 km of so-so road; but the last 10 km is four-wheel-drive only, not bikeable. That last stretch is the hands-down first prize winner of The Worst Road I Have Ever Travelled On In My Life Award. There is a PWD Rest House and a temple at the end of the road; and you can hike another 1.5 km up to a small temple at the summit. Great views, very peaceful.
Next day I went to the Andjari Nature Camp a few km south of Kollur. Entry for the day is Rs 40 for Indians and Rs 80 for foreigners. (The guy on duty only charged me Rs 40.) There are double bedded tents and double bedded cabins for overnight stay, from Rs 400 to 1200. You can swim in the stream, and wander the nature trails. The sign at the gate says you have to get advance permission to enter from the Forest Department office opposite the bus stand, but that's not accurate; just turn up and the attendant will sell you a ticket. Bring your own food.
posted by IndiaJP at 6:29 AM
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