Jouneny Above the Clouds Day 1.

Nothing much to write about 287 kilometer journey till Belur, After Hassan On the way to Belur, we found A small, but cute lake, by the time we got down to the lake it was already quite Bright. We did take a picture, which I thought was great at that time.


It was 6.15 AM we where in Belur, Lot sooner then planned, After much need refreshing break at a Coffee shop, we where on the move towards Chennakesava temple. The only main attraction in Belur is the Chennakesava temple complex one among several marvelous contribution by Hoysala kings.


The temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. It was built by king Vishnuvardhana in commemoration of his victory over the Cholas at Talakad in 1117 CE. Legend has it that it took 103 years to complete and Vishnuvardhana's grandson Veera Ballala completed the task.

Magnificent Rock carvings

Having Spent half an hour inside the temple took leave from Belur. Which will be remembered as another beautiful place.


Now again Bike Engines Cranking towards Yagachi dam (or reservoir) built across river Yagachi Which is just 2 km from Belur on the way to Chikkamangalore, We parked our bikes near the front gate only to see couple of policemen sitting in the shade & the words on a board which said 'No entry to visitors' will I new if we speak to, one of them they will let us in. They were bit curious looking at us, our bikes & the luggage. Like it happens most of the times, they were surprised to hear our ride plan. When we inquired about entry to the dam, we were told that due to security reasons no one is allowed to enter the dam premises, Well We tried to convince them and our Convincing Skills worked...

We roamed around the place looking at the blue water collected in the reservoir. View was amazing. Well when as I thought its over now...


The care taker took us through In front of the gates above the gushing water Quite safe on a well Fenced Bridge just to walk above the water, A one minute walk was enough to recharge our cells.


Now it was time to bid adieu to the cops & care takers of the reservoir and were back on our respective saddles and before long we were in Chikmagalore looking for some Lodge to refresh our self before heading towards Kuduremuka. Here it went Off……We had a hasty breakfast there and Dorping Kuduremuka for today... We where on the move towards next destination MullaiyanagiriHill on the way to Kemmanagundi.

On the way to Mullayanagiri Hill fist view of the Amazing western Ghats

Mullayanagiri Hill located in the Baba Budan Giri Range of the Western Ghats is the highest peak in Karnataka standing at 1930 meter or 6317 feet. Also it is the highest pick from Himalayas till south, favorite spot for trekker fans. But Now !!! We were in mood of Biking, As bikes can go very near to the Top, So In true biker spirit we stated our quest for Mullayanagiri, This is where Hair pin Curves( started, people like me on bikes love twist's and had a fun at the sharp turns, The view as well was getting better and better, mountains, hills, and vast greens greeted us as we rode through.

Will I love driving and even more when I am surrounded by such beautiful views all around.I feel riding a motorcycle around the places is a better way of exploring, when you are riding!!! you are one with the surrounding, as directly connects you with nature. Heading towards the Pick did find at least 5 to 10 small sessional water falls and Soon we where at a point from where we cannot head any further on Bike, Memorized and carving for more and more... It was now trek to the top, we were covered by the mist and Hardly see anything Around, Visibility reduced to just few meters and cannot capture anything with camera, we headed back, Riding across the beautiful Hills, before coming here I never thought!!! Mountains Unfold such beauty in them; Well they have always, So, this really describes a little trip to one of this place.

1930 meters abaove sea level

Continuing our on slot towards Kennamagundi, floating over Sea of Beautiful Mountains. No matter how much I try!!! I can not express in words, what we saw on the way... I have heard My people saying That "The road to haven is most beautiful!!! But I believe what ever it is.... It is here on the Earth and no where else.. So I was on the way towards Heaven. Even these pictures just did’t capture the true essence of what we saw..... For all that I have written about and photographed, nothing can beat the experience of actually being there.



It was almost 2.30 when we reachedBababudan giri hill!!! Hardly see anything, as it was covered by ocean of clouds and mist, Saw a Manikyadhara water wall on the way where water spills down like small pearls giving the visitors a memorable shower bath, but cannot Capture it because of Heavy mist around... It was here that I wished Cameras had a lance as eyes. Wasting no time moved on towards Kemmanagundi. Taking picture all along the way.

Wow!!!!

Well, The weather was Excellent, Nice 'n Clod with some Amazing view all around, enjoying every bit of it!!!! Views forcing us to stop at every curves we encountered and stood there watching the sear beauty around, with clouds playing hide and seek along with mountains... Everything was changing in a matter of seconds….


As we moved on the road stated to go from bad to verse... But!!!! who was complaining?... I was Sailing slowly... Enjoying every moment of my ride, and stopping here and there, Looking enter 360 digress, Wondering nature has stored so many things for us To Enjoy... All my five senses where experiencing some thing special... after coming form Polluted Bangy.. I was just looking for a place like this... Along the way could find some wild animals but too far to get a good snap …..With no humans for miles around and gentle mist floating in from the west, it is as close to paradise as I can possibly imagine.






Soon we drove inside Bhadra wild life sanctuary limits, as mighty Perls started poring on us and still around 10 kms to go, with no sigh of road at all. And at some points Road was flooded under the water down mountains, no body around 20 kms radius. It was only three of us, Moving along empty road; the sound of gushing water streams. Thick forest… Misty atmosphere…. And Charismatic rain; gave us good company till Kemmanagundi..

Having Reached Kemmanagundi by 4.30 pm. stopped at the forest bungalow maintained by department of horticulture We had not estimated that there would be a host of other people as well trying to get a night at this abode. We did get a room; it was clean, plain and surrounded by mountains. Just the kind of place we were looking for. But, after weighing our options, we declared ourselves on Sweet bed, As Rain continuously pounded the Hills, and It was just an end to One of the Best “Bike Ride” I had ever experienced for quite some time… What an amazing day of my life it was….. Then took, I declare!!!! The best sleep of all time.

Journey above the Clouds| Day 1 | Day 2| Day 3|