Bandaje Trek, Karnataka

The Bandaje trek wasn't initially on my list, as I had no idea about its beauty. It was the rainy season, and our original plan was to go to Kumara Parvath. However, due to landslides, that plan had to be canceled. So, at the last moment, we decided on this trek. We booked our slots through Eco Tourism Karnataka and grabbed train tickets. I was really excited because I finally had the chance to use my new raincoat for a monsoon trek.

Our journey began with a day train ride from Bangalore to Puttur. Our plan was to visit my friend Ashik's home, spend a day there, and then start the trek from his place. The train journey was mesmerizing as we passed through the Western Ghats via Sakleshpur, encountering many tunnels, waterfalls, and river streams. Throughout the ride, we sat at the train's door, feeling so close to nature.

Ashik's home is nestled in the middle of a thick forest in Puttur. In the evening, we explored his areca nut and rice fields, playing in the rain like kids. The surroundings were incredibly fresh, with the lush forest enveloping his home. At Ashik's home, nestled in the midst of the thick forest in Puttur, there was a hunting gun for safety reasons. It was a necessary precaution given the remote location and the potential presence of wildlife in the area. Though we hoped not to encounter any dangerous situations, having the gun provided a sense of security during our stay in this wild and beautiful environment. The next morning, we enjoyed tender coconut from his fields and embarked on a small hike to a waterfall he fondly called "Paadhe Falls." It was a lovely experience as we trekked through dense forests, took a refreshing bath in the falls, and spent quality time there.

Later, we visited Ashik's father's brother's home, where we got a chance to ride an old 4x4 jeep—an exhilarating and unforgettable moment. The following morning, we went to Dharmasthala for darshana and visited several temples along the way. We used Ashik's well-maintained Alto car, and I was the designated driver since others were less experienced in navigating the mountainous terrain.

In Dharmasthala, we all dressed in white shirts and panche, embracing tradition, and had a great time. The next morning, we began our drive to the Bandaje base camp. The early morning journey took us through the majestic Charmadi Ghat, where I thoroughly enjoyed the drive along winding roads, hairpin bends, and wet, curvy routes with trucks coming our way. We stopped at a viewpoint in Charmadi Ghat to capture some beautiful pictures.

In Kottigehara, we savored a delicious breakfast of Mangalore Buns and continued our drive through coffee estates, accompanied by romantic Kannada songs, adding a touch of emotion to the experience. Upon reaching the base, we parked the car, donned our raincoats and shoes, and started the trek around 9 in the morning.

We showed our booking receipts at the forest office, and they counted the plastic bags we carried, refunding the money upon our return. The trek had three main points: Rani Jhari viewpoint, Ballarayana Fort, and the Bandaje Arbi Falls. The trail led us through dense forests, and after a few kilometers, the sky and rolling green mountains came into view. We refilled our water bottles from a stream and continued the hike.

After about 2 kilometers, we reached Ballarayana Fort. I was amazed at how the fort was built in such a seemingly impossible location. We took group pictures and selfies before continuing toward the final destination, Bandaje Arbi Falls. What made this trek unique was that the summit itself was the falls, which is quite rare. Most treks have nothing at the top, but here we had a beautiful waterfall. The trek was mostly downhill on the way there and a steep ascent on the way back.

As clouds covered the mountains, occasional rain showers added to the thrill and excitement. After a significant descent, we saw a sign pointing towards the falls. We were excited as we could hear the sound of the falls, which added to the suspense and mystery. Finally, there it was—the waterfall! Water rushed down from behind and formed the falls. I sat at the edge of the peak, looking down into the deep abyss while the clouds gradually cleared, revealing a vast range of mountains in front of me. The huge falls cascading down left me feeling rejuvenated and inspired by the unreal beauty. After enjoying a meal, we completed the trek. By the time we reached the base where our car was parked, it was evening. Driving the Alto at night in Charmadi Ghat was another thrilling experience for me. While going through the ghat, my friends started discussing ghost stories, adding to the adrenaline rush. We reached Ashik's home late at night, safe and sound, concluding our memorable trip.