Basking in the warmth of the bonfire, at Magnolia Coorg, I was wondering what to do the next day. I had a couple of options in front of me - I could take the beaten path of tourist spots which I most definitely didn’t want to take, I could stay all day long in the resort , do nothing , just enjoy the nature and roam about in bicycle, or I could go trek Tadiandamol – the highest peak in Coorg (Kodagu)… Soon I came to know that one of the staff at the resort, Mr.Appachu, is a regular on this trek route and would prove to be a great company. So that’s it, decided…
Next morning, we set off at 7AM. The base is about 45 mins drive from Magnolia Resort, Coorg. The entire trek path his 3.75km but further 1.75km more the vehicle can go if it is a 4x4. But I suggest stop the vehicle here and trek from here if you want to feel the awesomeness of this mountain.
At the point of 3.50km more to peak there’s a board mentioning so and then there’s a board every half km. Its kinda nice to know how much more to go and how much is done as it helped me to mentally prepare myself!
The first half km is a plain slope of grassland with nothing much happening and then began its beauty. A point began when the route started to feel like a tropical forest with trees that towered up and its foliages that stopped the sunlight from reaching the ground and streams were flowing across. I also managed to see some fresh elephant dung near the stream. I strained my eyes much to see all around if I could spot the elephant but in vain.
Further ahead were tall grasses that had to be pushed on the sides to find the path and then the topography changed... There were huge boulders that required actually holding onto them and climbing onto them (much like Nagala West) followed by more grass land from where I could spot a peak. I was content at myself and asked Mr.Appachu if that was the peak we were gonna climb for which he replied in negative. Our peak was behind this one!!!! Ahhhhhh……..
We stopped over at one point for breakfast. Yes, Magnolia Resort gives the option to get your picnic packed if requested early. I had asked for some veg sandwiches and fruits which were aptly given to me. After trekking for about 3km, even that simple sandwich tasted divine! Remember how we found the simple bread and mayonnaise divine in the Tada trek??? I was much reminded of it…. After resting for a couple minutes and taking a few panorama shots, we continued.
Soon the topography totally changed altogether. It was almost a rainforest here! The path was more of climb on roots of huge trees with younger roots and vines that helped to hold on to while climbing up. The temperature had dropped significantly and water droplets were falling from the trees. The tree branches were filled with algae that held dew drops. It was a typical rainforest.
Soon ahead of that was the strenuous last 1km. That was the hardest part esp the last half km. The climb went very inclined and the path very narrow towards the peak. On the way I had collected a stick somewhere which helped me to a great deal. For the last bit of steep incline I most definitely needed the walking stick support. At the end of that steep incline there it was - the board that said 0km!!! The height of this peak is 1748m above sea level. This is the tallest peak in Coorg (Kodagu) and third tallest in the whole of Karnataka.
The view from here was just mind blowing. It was a bit misty and I was told that on a clear day, the Arabian Sea could be seen from there and if time permits for an extensive trek, we could climb down the valley on the other side to directly get to the beach of Kerala!!!! But that would be a more than one day trek and would require camping inside the forest which in turn requires prior written permission from the forest officials.
Anyways, it was one spectacular view from the topmost point. But even more spectacular view was going down a bit on the other side, coz right atop someone had done some sort of controlled fire which to a bit, was a black mole on the view. But going down a bit on the other side that was at the bottom of the burnt section the view was way too gorgeous to explain in words.
I saw quite a few falcons just hovering up there that dove to the depths to capture its prey and again rocket up. It was such a sight and I really felt I had to do that. Btw, did I already mention that this is a part of Western Ghats that comes under UNESCO and listed as Biodiversity Hotspot? Hopefully in future I’ll get a chance to do skydiving. Let’s see! Btw, this pic was by Mr.Appachu when a falcon dove beside him (I was sitting in the cliff at that time).
I spent 45 mins up there. At a point of time I definitely fell a bit asleep sitting on that rock cliff!!! I met a couple of other trekkers too there and our climb down was with them! Isn’t making new friends the best part of solo travel??!!! Btw, the fastest that Mr.Appachu has even climbed this was in 1.5hrs and with me, we did this in 2 hrs. Not bad, huh…
If reaching the peak was the best feeling, the second best feeling is what Mr.Appachu said. So far he had accompanied about 35 guests to this peak and I’m only the 2nd person to reach the peak and the 1st one was also a solo female traveler!!!!
To Get There:
On Google Maps: Tadiandamol Peak
From Magnolia Resort: 31 km
From Tala Kavery (starting point of River Cauvery): 43 km
Nearby places to see: Nalknad Aranmana and Chelavara Falls & Devarakadu (temple of local diety).
Timings: 6AM to 6PM. Camping or trekking beyond this timings requires prior written permission from Forest Dept
P.S: All pictures of me and the falcon were clicked by Mr.Appachu. Rest by yours truly.
Wow! I bet you never regretted choosing to trek this breathtaking place instead of staying in your room all day long. The beautiful view is enough to make you walk and walk until your feet hurt!
ReplyDeleteTrekking is something I would love to do with my boys this year. I sure hope we can find an interesting place as lovely as this one!
That's a great choice you made. I bet every moment would have been cherishing. Hiking is something that takes you out to a different zone all together.
ReplyDeleteWow! That is breath-taking! From the pictures, I can just imagine how good the air is over there! Love the pictures and the read! :)
ReplyDeleteI know it would be a little tiring, but I'd choose the trek any time so you go girl! I did a trek last November & I almost passed out but because we started late and it was so hot. This one though looks fairly easy but I may be speaking too soon coz you said you're the second person to reach its peak - WOW! I'm sure you're thrilled and ecstatic. Yay for you :)
ReplyDeleteWOW! this place looks amazing! I hope you really enjoyed the place. It's amazing as well that you got to see falcons there. I wish there were ones here in our place. You're so lucky.. :)
ReplyDeleteI remembered my first hike. It was mixed emotions because it's scary, struggle was real but on the other hand when you reached on the top? It was all worth it! All views were breath taking! I hope I could visit and hike more like you!
ReplyDeleteThat hike sounded like loads of fun! Although, I have to say that I've had days when I've opted to just stay at resorts or hotels to have a breather and haven't regretted them in the slightest... teehee.
ReplyDeleteWhat fantastic views! This looks like a great way to get out and see the area. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a challenging climb and you were rewarded with falcons NICE. I do a lot of climbing here in South Korea but have yet to see a falcon or any magnificent bird for that matter. So I guess this is in India because you mention Kerala Beach? Did I miss that somewhere in the intro?
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking sights from the top of the mountain. I like climbing mountains because of the reward at the top that makes the climb worthwhile. Thank you for bringing us along for this climb.
ReplyDeleteawesome place..wow!
ReplyDeleteThe view from the peak was indeed mind blowing. It's always great to be in touch with nature.
ReplyDeleteSounds like it was challenging but also very rewarding to do this trek. Good thing you had a great companion! So nice of the resort to provide a pic nic! nothing like having some delicious food to give you more power for the trek!
ReplyDeleteThis looks this trip looks so incredible! Well done for making it up there, and I love all your pics - particularly the ones of the amazing views!
ReplyDeleteBookmarking this place for a visit. The trek looks strenuous but worth it considering the view from top. Mr. Appachu must be a really fit man to be doing this on a regular basis. I guess I must stop consider too much of Goa now and concentrate south for my future vacations.
ReplyDeleteWas it the first time you took a hike like this? I had tried it once, so I could imagine what it was like. I can't remember how long the trek I did was, but I think it is around ... 4 kms each way. And there are parts too where there were ropes tied to trees so trekkers could pull themselves up. Despite the pain on my legs, it was so gratifying to reach the summit. It must have been the same for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun hike. It definitely would have been nice to see the elephant. I love hiking in the clouds.
ReplyDeleteThe first picture is so fantastic, can we switch place please? That is sure an amazing spot for breakfast you had. Congrats to making it to the peak!
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures and the read.This trip looks so incredible. thank you for sharing this amazing trips.
ReplyDeleteThis post gave me so much feels because I miss climbing a mountain. I am actually planning to climb one this coming Feb. And may I say how good you wrote your climbing experience, I like the detail and the wording. It's kinda like I went to the climb myself. It's good that the resort took care of your food. In all the hiking that I had it's more like bring-your-own-food.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, congratulations on reaching the summit. Your hardword paid off. The view looks amazing.
i used to trek during my younger years with my Mom and friends, and we always went home carrying bananas or coconuts. It was so much fun. I wish I could trek again :)
ReplyDeleteIndeed WOW! Very adventurous of you!
ReplyDeleteI remember climbing some cliff there but that had steps. Great captures, good strong sticks do help in such strenuous climbs, glad you got one.
I love this! I am a mountain climber myself, so I particularly enjoy the outdoors. The photos really made me feel giddy. The fog, the smell of earth, the texture of the roads. My first mountain this year will surely by climbed on the 22nd!
ReplyDeleteI love to go trekking and hiking, I feel free and it's usually something I do!! You had a wonderful experience there, you have absolutely chosen the best option of something to do that day! I just have a suggestion, try to post pictures bigger than these above, even if they are wonderful! :-D thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteI could only imagine how beautiful it must be to see the Arabian Sea on a clear day from the top and then to climb down on the other side to directly get to the beach of Kerala!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I must say, making new friends certainly is one of the most beautiful parts of solo travel! ;-)
That mountain is indeed awesome and so are the photos from the top. I would love to see falcons. And I agree that the hardest part of the climb is the last part. It's worth it, though!
ReplyDeleteI bet hiking at this place would have been exhilarating experience and the view is splendid indeed! It would be an experience of the lifetime!
ReplyDeleteTrekking is one of our favorite weekend getaway around Mumbai, Western Ghats :)
ReplyDeleteWe would love to explore TADIANDAMOL PEAK when we visit coorg this year.
I have visited Coorg many times and the views are absolutely stunning there! I can't wait to get back to India and go on treks.
ReplyDeleteOh how I miss mountain climbing! Tadiandamol Peak wasn't that hard to reach, but then again, you're gonna get burned out because of the slope. It must have been fun and exciting! You should have taken the traverse XD
ReplyDeleteCongrats on reaching the peak! Those views look amazing! Also, meeting new friends is part of the reason I love solo travel so much. I think sometimes when we travel with others we tend to stick with them (or at least I do). Traveling solo I´ve met so many amazing people that I don´t think I would have met otherwise.
ReplyDeleteThe most rewarding part of hiking is reaching the summit. And the view is stunning. I love hiking and recently climb Mount Snowdon here in UK, and indeed the best part is meeting people along the way.
ReplyDeleteWow! You are do braving doing this trek! the first part of your journey reminded me of the hike I did at one of the mountains in Cambodia. And you're right, making new friends along the way is indeed one of the best things that can happen to you not just when trekking or traveling but in traversing this journey we call life in general. :) Wishing you more treks and travel adventures this year! :)
ReplyDeleteThe view of the mountains is spectacular! I'm not the mountaineering type. But I like looking at photos of nature, mountains especially. I think it's relaxing to look at them even in photos. What more to enjoy the view from up there? But then again, I have fear of heights. haha
ReplyDeleteAh, yes! Any food eaten during a mountain hike is truly divine! My partner and I make it a point to prepare simple but delicious food during our hikes. Even a simple coffee for breakfast up in the mountains is literally heavenly.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your hike! That view up on the summit is rewarding. :-)
Coorg is indeed a beautiful place. Tadiandamol Peak looks perfect for a getaway.
ReplyDeleteviews are stunning! Great to know that your are the first Female to mount the peak.Thanks for sharing.
Looks like you had an epic hike. Worth the view thats for sure. I like to plan a few days in each destiation so I can do a day of nothing, a day of typical tourists stuff, and a day like this.
ReplyDeleteI really love the environment aswell as your graphic images. and i hope you had a wonderful time. we have similar locations here in Nigeria. thanks for sharing though
ReplyDeleteThis look like a view worth the trek! So awesome that you were only the second person to finish the hike!
ReplyDeleteThe Tadiandamol Peak looks like a fantastic trek - you picked the right option, though Im sure it was tempting to just stay in the resort! Love the photos, I can see the changes in topography, it's amazing the diversity you can get in nature in the one place :-)
ReplyDeleteWow, you're so blessed to have known someone from the Resort that used to trek on that peak. I know how struggling it is to climb a peak like that,but you're just so adventuros to be able to reach the peak. It was really breathtaking to be on the peak and the feeling must be really something you can be proud of.
ReplyDeleteThis trek sounds like quite a challenge, moving away the branches and grabbing onto the boulders to climb. The picnic must have been delicious after trekking like this! Your time of 2 hours to ascend the mountain is quite impressive as it's close to the fastest time, it was good you ascended alone but had company going back down after enjoying the views.
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