The wilderness holds answers to questions man has not yet learned to ask.”
–Nancy Newhall
Nature provides its best surprises to the most daring. One such natural wonder is Arasinagundi Waterfalls, nestled inside the dense jungles of Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, 6 KM away from the temple town of Kollur in Udupi district of Karnataka.
Pilgrims come to Kollur to get a glimpse of the Hindu goddess Mookambika, who slew the demon Kamasur. This is how Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary got its name! From Kollur, there is a sign directing us to the Arasinagundi Waterfalls 1 KM from Kollur – Those who miss it miss a significant part of their journey. Arasinagundi Waterfall is a hidden treasure trove of spectacular scenery combined with alternating landscapes. The waterfall is located inside Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, deciduous forests and dry grasslands in its ranges. Taking its origin from the Kodachadri Hills and falling from a height of more than 30 feet, the colour at the mouth of the foothill appears to be Turmeric(Arasina) and falls into a big hole(Gundi), hence the name.
For an eager soul like yours, the whole route is full of surprises of the unknown and Plan the Unplanned has charted out an adventurous yet beautiful journey. Read out the entire itinerary to know more,
Day 0: Commence the journey from Bengaluru to Kollur
Day 1: Trek to Arasinagundi Falls from Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary and Camp near the homestay at night.
Day 2: Trek to Belkal Theertha Falls, Visit Devagange Temple and Return to Bangalore by 10:30 PM ( approx )
Note: In case of Government orders/ any unforeseen circumstance the places mentioned are closed we shall make an alternate plan and the decision of Outdoor Leader shall stand final. There shall be no refund in any case whatsoever.
We begin our journey to Kollur from Bengaluru. Trek Leaders will give a brief of the whole trip. They will start by breaking the ice to know each other better. It’s a long journey(approximately 10 hours), and hence, your participation and involvement will make you love the trip from the beginning. Pitch in games, your adventures, love for travel and meet like-minded people. Trust us; it’s therapy to empathise and appreciate every little and big effort – In the end, there is always so much to learn. On this thought, slowly as it gets comfortable, drift into sleep and wake up refreshed the next day.
Reach the homestay the following day. The homestay is a fine farm in the company of palm trees. There will be a fresh stream flowing beside; you will lose your exhaustion by merely a glimpse of the environment. Freshen up and get ready for a healthy breakfast for the whole day.
From the homestay, we will start the Arasinagundi trek. The initial 1.5 km is easy where we will cross a river stream, walk through and beside the palm farms, after which we enter the dense forest. The descent starts from here for about 4 km.
It is a segregated area, naturally preserved in its delicacy and hence, keep an eye for leeches on the way; plus, the area doesn’t have well-marked trails at some places and has slippery paths, so stick with the group. Enjoy the falling droplets, sound of nature, and cooling breeze, which will almost melt all your worries away.
You will find yourself surrounded by giant boulders and stones near the waterfall. Hike here for 1.5 kms and reach the Arasinagundi Waterfall. Miss not to look around; it’s a heavenly 360-degree view of boulders and rock. Be mindful that the pool is deep from the periphery itself, so Plan the Unplanned advises going inside only if you are a confident swimmer.
After some time, we will start our way back. On the way, we will make a pit stop to have lunch, then reach homestay, have snacks. In the company of beautiful friends and a bonfire, get ready for dinner and crunchy go
