Trek to Kadambagudi and Ermai falls

It has been four to five months since I have travelled or trekked. I couldn’t get a chance after I moved back from Australia. I was restless and too stressed with the process of job-hunting during the recession. Hence, on Friday (13/03/2020) morning I decided to do go for a trek by hook or crook. I started searching on the web for a few Bangalore trekking group pages and came across Mad adventures group who were organising Didupe and Ermai waterfall trek. Immediately I contacted the organiser and I was happy as they still had a slot. But this excitement abruptly stopped when my sister called to inform that State government has declared Karnataka Bandh. The organiser however assured the trek will go as per plan. I was relieved after hearing that.

Beautiful Ermai Falls

              

DAY 0:

Around 8:20pm I boarded the Metro and met Mr. Sandeep who was our organiser at 8:50pm near Shantala Silks, Majestic. We left Majestic in Tempo traveller(TT) around 10:20pm, almost 1 hour 20 minute behind schedule as few people were late. Also, on the way we picked other team members from different locations. We had intro of everyone in the temp traveller. After a while, everyone went to sleep. On the way we picked two more fellow travellers from Hasan bus stop.

Sandeep having sound sleep in TT

DAY 1:

When we opened our eyes, it was around 5:30 am. We had already reached the homestay in Didupe village. Since, it was too early few people preferred to continue with their sleep and others started freshening up. At 7:30am homestay owner served local cuisine “ottu shavige”. Both sweet and spicy versions were awesome. 

After hearty breakfast we started our trek for Didupe waterfall which is also known as Kadamagudi falls around 8:20am with a teenager as our local guide. 

Trek briefing session

Group selfie with our great photographer Gangadhar

We crossed beautiful areca nut plantations and stream which became natural background to improve our photographic skill. 

Photo session of our model Sandeep 😜😜

On the way to Kadambagudi falls through an areca nut plantation

On the trail, we found dried elephant dung and realised we have chosen the wrong path. Sandeep made sure that we continue our trek on the correct path which was relatively easier. We reached the waterfall around 9:45am.

Kadambagudi Waterfall

Didupe is a single tier falls. Since it has shallow pool, this is suitable for a shower with caution as waterfall rocks were slippery. Waterfall had pretty decent amount of water in mid-March. During peak summer it may dry or may have very less water. It is better to check about level of water with locals before planning your trip. We spent an hour in the water. Later, started back towards the homestay. Along the way we stopped at numerous places for clicking photos.

By the time we reached homestay, all were damm hungry. Homestay aunty quickly prepared lunch for all of us. We started filling our plates with anna sambar, rasam, thondekaayi palya and hapla. It was simple menu yet very delicious. In the afternoon, we rested for about half an hour before starting our trek to Elaneer falls.

While resting after sumptuous lunch 

Elaneer falls is about 8 to 9 km from where the homestay. There is a motorable path to reach falls, but we chose to trek. Initially, we walked through a vast paddy field. It was a wallpaper suitable picturesque place in view of Kudremukh mountain range.

After reaching Didupe main road, we took a shortcut into a thick forest. We trekked under the scorching sun with about 60-degree inclination for 1 hour and reached Samse road. We continued our trek along muddy and rocky path. 

Samse road

In our group, we had few first time and inexperienced trekkers. After taking numerous stops to cope up with other's pace, we finally reached base of Elaneer falls around 4:30pm. Actually, the base has another falls called Mavinasasi falls which flow on the Samse road. Just beside Mavinasasi falls you will find way up to Elaneer falls which was steep and slippery with dried leaves. I believe it would be very difficult to climb this path during monsoon. Anyway, we were in a hurry to reach waterfall as we were supposed to reach a sunset point after this. Once, we reached the falls it was disappointing as it was less voluminous. Hence, quickly we started getting down and got into Mahindra bolero maxi truck which was waiting for us at Mavinasasi falls. 

Elaneer waterfall

The driver was our homestay owner who had the information that the planned sunset point was closed by police due to coronavirus issue. Instead, he drove us to a nearby hill to catch the sunset. It wasn’t impressive but we could see different mountain ranges in the far with the color-changing sky.

Sunset from a random hill

Incredible Sunset

After that, we started back to homestay with a photoshoot stop in a random tea estate. 

A path through the coffee plantation

Enchanting Coffee estate

The drive was very bumpy as we were all standing at the back of the maxi truck with rocky steep road adding fuel to it and felt it was a long journey. Finally, we reached our homestay and took a very soothing hot water bath. We were tired and wanted to go to sleep as soon as possible. But we waited for dinner till 9:30pm. Sandeep and other team members pitched five tents on the terrace. I preferred to sleep inside the house.

DAY 2:

Next morning everyone was up and excited at 7am to get a glimpse of the beautiful Ermai falls. This was the sole reason and the main attraction to jump on the tour at the first place. Whilst completing the morning routine by 8am with deliciously puffy idlis, with lip-smacking spicy sambar and tangy mango chutney on the side for breakfast as a perfect way to start day two. 

Delicious idlis with chutney and sambar

We boarded our TT to jump out and start the trek at Didupe's main road. Five minutes into the walk we overheard locals talking about the restriction to enter the area for tour groups and then encountered to see signs being put up about the same all thanks to COVID-19 again. It was greatly frustrating to know this but had faith in the organiser who had promised things to go normal the day we start from Bangalore. With the organiser communicating to the concerned officials on phone, we were busy hunting for alternate locations as a backup just in case we were turned down. With our prayers answered and good deeds to the rescue, we were allowed to continue the trek to the much-awaited waterfall.

Lovely Ixora coccinea flower...wait😱😲 somebody is hiding behind the flower

Camouflaging fly trying to hide from the mad group of people🙊

After a comfy quarter-hour walk, we were at the mesmerising location with the water roaring loud in admits the dense forest. This was and will remain a great memory having to watch the immensely beautiful multitier waterfall. A perfect Indian mini version of the Grand/Antelope canyon of the States. Shutters started clicking nice and fast with everyone busy adding up the best moments of the trip on their albums. 

Lower level of Ermai waterfall

A few decided to jump into the pool for a quick swim after the trek. Later, came the collective decision to hike to reach the upper layers of the waterfall. A tricky and tough path along and around the left side of the large boulders connected us to reach the ideal spot. 

On the way to the upper level of Ermai waterfall

Middle level of  Ermai waterfall

This location was calm and really good for swimming. Tranquillity at its finest for all the time we spent out there. Locals were requesting us to return with a heavy heart we made our way back to the homestay to pick up our baggage. Thanking them for the fine hospitality provided we started driving back home towards Bengaluru.

About an hour into our return journey, we stopped in front of some random shop and enjoyed Siddalinga Swamy sir’s treat of coconut water, sugarcane juice, and salted mango. We did manage to have a party on wheels with music and dance. With after a few pit stops for smokes and snacks, we were back with a bang to Bengaluru. With a special mention to the terrific traffic, we were 3 hours behind schedule when we hit the Jalahalli metro station at 10pm. With goodbyes and hugs everyone parted ways at the Metro station to their respective lines. There ended the stress bursting trek to jump down from cloud 9 to reality of everyday life at Bengaluru.