As planned I started from home early by 6:30, picked up Nikhil at ISRO, Outer ring road. Next we headed towards my office at KR puram and picked up other two friends Jaipal and Ajay. Even though we had to wait for couple of minutes, we were able to start the journey by 8:30am. As we travelled every one came to know about Ajay's secret engagement at his native place. Every one was trying to pull his leg and tease. The next stop was for our breakfast and I had read in one of the blogs that they had it in Kamath hotel, so my plan was to stop at Kamath. But thanks to Jaipal and later Ajay's uncontrollable hunger, we had to pull over even before reaching Kamath. Another reason I had to pull over is due to the road widening we were taking frequent diversions and travelling in a zig zag manner. So everyone had doubt if we had already crossed over Kamat and heading towards our destination. After having not so great breakfast at Vijaya wada mess we decided not to take parcel from here for our lunch. We started again and within a kilometer Kamat popped up, with this followed a short blame game. We pulled over again for getting parcel lunch(idly).
Once getting the parcel done we hit the road again, from here onwards we were more cautious on taking any turns and frequently asking people about the route. We came to know from one of the local person that we had to take left after reaching Pallavi theatre and then again a left at next bus stop circle. We got this piece of information confirmed by other people that we asked. And then we managed to locate Anataragange road, which leads to the foot hill.
On the way we took some snaps, as we knew that next was the final stop.
By the time we reached foot hill it was already 10am. Without wasting more time we started our trek.
The steps that are seen in the picture lead to the temple.
Once we surpass the temple this kind of steps are not to be seen any more, but then there are steps like carvings on rocks which help in finding way to the top.
Walking by, we were able to see trails to neighbouring hills. Even though this was confusing as to whether we are heading in right direction or not, we didn't take any diversions and were moving straight towards the top. Once we went half the way, we could see farming fields in our view. A little ahead we also saw couple of villages there. This kept us wondering how the villagers manage to get essentials into the village. We were also confused about the direction to take towards the top of hill. At this point we bumped into a farmer who was tilling the field. We asked direction, and he waved his hand towards the way to the top.
Next up we were all getting tiresome, we decided to take some rest under shade of a huge rocks. This was pretty much like a small cave formation. The amazing part here was inside the cave it was pretty much cool, clean and there was fresh breeze as well. We took rest here for almost half an hour.
While we were taking rest a boy was listening and watching to all that we did. In fact he was hoping that we may need his help in going further. We spoke to him and he told that he would show us way to the top and two naturally formed caves on the way. From here our boy/guide was leading our way. After walking for a short while we came across a gate which was locked in our way, this kept us thinking why one would do this. When we asked our guide he suggested that it was to keep the cattle away from the park that was being developed over there. We wondered who at all would come here to this remote place in case the park was developed.
Next up we came across a well and two small puddles of water bodies with water in them may be due to recent rains. A short distance from here we started entering into the first cave. Soon we were are all using both limbs & hands to move. We were also squeezing ourself into the tight spaces between the rocks.
After we came out of the cave we decided to take rest for some time. While taking rest we started sipping on Slice that we had earlier purchased at Vijaya wada mess. We all knew at this point we had reached the top and that there is one more cave to see. For reaching the entrance to the second cave we had to do quite a trek, which had again tired most of us. We decided to take quite a long nap at the entrance of this cave. We all selected our independent places where we would rest, every one kept saying that their respective selected places were cooler than others till the last moment. Even though we had stopped for nap nobody slept, everyone was speaking about one or the other thing which kept every one awake. Under huge rocks it was actually soo clean with cool breeze that if at all we had more time we would have stayed here. The experience at this very place was one of the most memorable one, with no big trees in sight, we had to take respite from sun under these huge rock chunks. After a while we had our lunch breakfast, and entered into the cave. Inside the cave it was soo dark that even after staying there for quite some time in dark my eyes couldn't adjust to the low light. We took quite some time to move around the cave, as everyone kept saying I don't see any thing. Using mobile as torch we slowly came out of the cave.
Once we came out of the cave we could all see the way we took through the fields on to the top. Here we asked our guide if there is any way down without going back into the cave. He said that it's available and he would take us through. With this decision made we had to actually do quite an amazing adventure to come out of the bushes and cacti. Every one of us were cribbing about the bruises they got from thorns of bushes or cactus. The feeling was like inventing a new way out. After struggling for almost an hour we emerged out of the mini forest of bushes. We were now in the fields, with no water left. We thought of going to the village and buying some water. But we had our own doubts if at all water is available in the village or not. Our Guide suggested that it's indeed available and that there is road to these villages though which buses also travel. Later we decided not to head to village for water, we payed money to our guide and started treking down the hill.
The trek towards down hill was not that difficult and didn't take much time. We took only one break on our way and then reached the foot hill in comparatively short time.
Everyone was in need of water once we reached foot hill. We decided to go to Kamat and have something and then leave towards Bangalore. Before starting to return we had a slice of cucumber which was in push cart shop. At Kamat we had a very lite meal and drunk lots of cool water, it was such a bliss that we had more water than food. By 4o clock we are back at KR puram.
Even though it was basic/moderate level trekking, we enjoyed the trip and had loads of fun.
