Revisit to Kulgi – Anashi Nature Camp with Family [Dandeli]

I always wanted to utilize the long weekends to escape from the routine city life and get lost in the Mother Nature.  This time planned to spend with family three days Dasara vacation around Kulgi and Anshi Nature Camp, near Dandeli.  Planning happened well in advance to utilize the Dasara long weekend; the dates were finalized from 22^nd to 24^th October 2015. My niece also joined with her son to this wonderful trip.

This is my second visit to Kulgi Nature Camp, I was aware about the booking formalities.  The previous visit to Kulgi was with my daughter and cousin family in 2013.  This time one more added a beautiful place; Anshi Nature Camp. Finished the booking formalities for two tents, the first day stay at Kulgi and second day in Anshi.

Family were more excited to visit this place, they had many more queries about this trip.  This was maiden experience of them staying in the dense forest camp in the tents where no mobile connection; fear about wild animals; post monsoon creatures etc.  I & my daughter cleared all their queries and made their mindset to face the consequences arise during our travel.

Family members appreciated us for choosing a dense forest during the vacation. However they wished us to take extra precaution during stay. 

The day came very near; suddenly there was a twist in the event.  My sincere, so obedient Maruti 800 suddenly stopped in mid of traffic on 21^stOctober 2015 around 8 pm. I was shocked!!!! Tried tried but could not start.  Luckily I got a mechanic shop very close where it stopped.  

He examined the issue; the problem was with electric supply.  Mechanic added the words "The issue is very serious; you have to service the Dynamo which is required one day time".  I am just stunned; not able to understand what is next?  He started the car through external battery and advised not to take risk of long drive.  

Now I had no option to arrange alternate vehicle within 4 – 5 hours.  As per our schedule, we should leave the Kolar by early morning 3.30 am. Called to my all cousins whoever having the cars, unfortunately they all were pre-planned for long weekend.  Even it was more tough to get a taxi too; already Demand Draft sent to Dandeli for advance booking of the cottage.  By grace of God and my cousin Nagaraj, he called me again around 9.30 pm.  He said “nothing to worry Anna, just take my car, I will arrange alternate for myself”.  I am just relaxed from the tension, whole heartedly thanked him and took his car.  Otherwise it was not possible us to proceed Dandeli.

The route we travelled:

1^st Day : Kolar – Devanahalli – Doddaballapura – Dabuspete – Hubballi – Dharwada – Dandeli – Kulgi Nature Camp [1^st Day Halt]

2^nd Day: Kulgi Nature Camp – Ambika Nagar – Ganeshagudi – Supa Dam – Ulavi – Anashi Nature Camp [2^nd Day Halt]

3^rd Day: Anashi Nature Camp – Karawara – Jog Falls – Sagara – Shivamogga – Tumakuru – Bengaluru

22.10.2015

The journey started around 4.00 am from Kolar.  Loaded our luggage and this was first long 3 days journey in the car.  To avoid the Bengaluru traffic, took the route Kolar – Devanahalli – Doddaballapura – Dabuspet to connect NH 4.  Initial ride was really slow since heavy fog and countless humps across the road.  As soon as reached the highway, the car pace was much faster.  Stopped for breakfast near Davanagere and continued our journey.

Taking a small breaks reached the Dandeli town around 12 Noon.  Our reporting time at Kulgi Nature Camp was around 11 am, however reached by 1.00 Noon.

Reported at the reception and soon finished the check-in formalities. They allotted the good tent which little far from the reception area.  Family members got so happy to seeing the tents.  

Our tents in Kulgi Nature Camp

They have something other perception in their mind about the tents.  Dumped our luggage and relaxed for some-time.

Kids were busy in exploring the nature camp.  There are many playing items for kids.  After taking a long relaxation, decided to explore around the area.  

Previous visit we did a bird watching in the dense forest, however this time they not advised to take the children in those trail.  So we all decided to go a long walk around the camp.

Nature Walk around Kulgi Nature Camp

After finishing the evening nature walk, back to the camp.  Now the time to coffee / tea and evening snacks.  Homemade snacks gave us additional yummy taste with the camp food.

It is a good thing about the camp that, they telecast a short documentary about the Dandeli, Kali river and the dense forest.  We all set to watch this documentary.  Really it gave us enough information about this place.

Auditorium

After this we headed to dining hall for dinner.  The camp was filled with travelers since a long weekend.

Finished our dinner and all set for a good sleep.

23.10.2015

We got up around 7 am.  The morning was so beautiful with mist and birds whispers.  Quickly we finished our morning karmas and headed towards breakfast.  

Breakfast in Kulgi Nature Camp

The yummy breakfast filled our stomach and vacated the Kulgi Nature Camp. Today’s our stay was at Anashi Nature Camp one more beautiful place.

I chalked out the important places to cover in our timings.  Firstly we went to Ambika Nagar where hydropower generation takes place.  Camera is not allowed here. We have to finish some security formalities before heading to watch beautiful valley of Kali river.  The valley was breath taking view, enjoyed lot in the nature.

Kali River Valley

Next headed towards Ganeshgudi where the white river rafting activity takes place.  We were not so lucky to enjoy the rafting, however explored the surrounding area.  

Ganeshagudi

Soon we covered the Supa Dam and headed towards Ulavi temple.  Spent good time and our next journey was to Anshi nature camp.

Ulavi Sri Channabaseveshwara Temple

It was almost getting dark, we entered the camp around 6pm.  I loved this place in first sight, it is more beautiful than the Kulgi.  

Finished the check in formalities and allotted two beautiful tents.  The tents are better and comfort, attached bathroom, solar lighting and very good corridor for relaxing.

Dumped our luggage in the respective tents.  There is playground for children.  Kids were enjoyed in the park.  We had very relax time chitchat and spent a good time.  

Relax in Anshi Nature Camp

The dinner call came around 8pm.  By the time all tents and dormitory got filled with travelers. 

Anshi Nature Camp

They served very tasty food, finished yummy dinner and roamed around the camp sometime.  The time was to retire for the day.  Overall the day was super.

24.10.2015

Anshi Nature Camp

The day started very relax, we had no any preassigned destination to visit today.  We finished our morning core job and finished the breakfast.  Children spent again a good time playing in the park. 

Anshi Nature Camp

Ladies had relax walk around the camp. I and daughter were busy in experimental clicks of photography.  

Anshi Nature Camp

Anshi Nature Camp

We left the beautiful place around 11 am.

Anshi Nature Camp

Decided to take a round trip through Karawara – Jog falls then Bengaluru.  The ride from Anshi to Karawara is very scenic, enjoyed the driving in the Ghat section.  

We reached the Karawara beach around 1 pm.  Children wanted to enjoy the beach, spent almost two hours good time on the beach.

Kids Enjoying in Beach

Kids Enjoying in Beach

We were hungry very badly, unfortunately didn’t get a good vegetarian hotel till Ankola.  The time was almost 4pm, finally we got in Kamath hotel.  It was fully crowded and the lunch time already passed.  Asked the waiter to bring the available food, something filled in our stomach.

The toughest journey started now, the time was around 5pm.  I have to cross the Jog falls ghat section in the day light.  Continued on the highway till Honnavara, took deviation towards Jog falls.  As soon as hit the deviation road, the condition was very poor.  Narrow road with short curves, the speed came down.  Luckily my son was in deep sleep, else it was not so easy me to pace the drive.  Very cautiously finished the ghat stretch.  Children were more eager to see the Jog Falls, however the time was not permitted us.

Near Karwar

When reached the falls point, it was completely dark.  Continued the journey towards Bengaluru.  Took a small break of half an hour at Mavinagundi.  We all had hot Bajji and coffee.  The time was around 8pm, decided to have the dinner somewhere near Sagara.

Somewhere in Dense Forest

I think this is my second night self-ride with family.  When we reached the Sagara no one had mood to take the dinner, so continued the journey.  Everyone slipped into sleep, it was like a solo ride.  I drove non-stop till Arasikere, the time was around 12 midnight.  Took a small tea break and continued the journey.

25.10.2015

Again it was a non-stop journey till Bengaluru, reached the home by 3 am.  Dropped the cousin at home and continued the journey to Kolar.  I was tiered and now getting sleep.  The last stretch of 60KMs journey made me more tiered.  For a while stopped the car, washed my face and continued the journey.  When I reached the home it was 4.30 am.  Thanked to God for reaching home safely.

The four days family trip was most memorable.  It will be remembered for a long time.  Relaxed festival holidays in the Mother Nature experience was awesome. I am decided to spend a good time in lonely places in future.

Team

Entire Team

Day -1 Ride

Day - 2 Ride

Day - 3 Ride