Tandiyandimol Trek, Coorg, Karnataka
[Image above: Tandiyandimol, the highest peak (5,724 ft) of kodagu district, Karnataka]
As usual we took the Rajahamsa bus of KSRTC to Virajpet (a town in kodagu district). We started from bangalore at 10:30 pm and reached Virajpet at 4:30 am. We checked into a local hotel to freshen and take a small nap. However, due to few people 
oversleeping, we checked out of the hotel, quite late at 8 am. Sorry about that, I had to work late the previous night.
[Image above: Trail towards Tandiyandimol Peak, see dried up paddy fields]
From Virajpet, you need to take the bus towards Nakoplu and get down at the Armanne (kannada word for palace) bus stop just before Kakkabe. From the bus stop, take the road towards Honey Valley Resort (which is also takes you towards the palace and other resorts). At Coffee Country Home Stay, we took the road going up which takes you past few drying paddy fields.
[Image above: All geared for the "attack"]
[Image above: Local hockey team]
On the way, we saw few kids playing “rural hockey” just like we had read on the dreamroutes site. What is rural hockey anyway ?? Do let me know.
[Image above: beautiful lotus in a local's garden]
Further up, on the side of winding tarred roads (suprisingly) , we saw a house with a well-maintained garden (see lotus above). We replenished our water bottles here.
[Image above: Nalina and bodyguards]
There is a well-defined trail all the way to the peak. So, we found it very easy to just walk slowly and take in the scenery. Of course, we could have done without the intense heat.
[Image above: The last attack]
We found a small stream near a sholl forest just before the final ascent. Here, we had our lunch (packed chapattis with chuttney) and also parked our rug sacks behind a rock. The last ascent towards the peak is quite steep and took us about an hour.
The scene at the peak is worth the sweat and weight lost. After taking rest by quite literally sleeping on the rocks like logs of wood and surveying the layers of mountain ranges seen from there, we took few photos, which came out quite well (see below).
[Image above: Kamalesh on the peak]
[Image above: Thinking Man / Mr. Lonely ?? ]
Wish we could have stayed there for the sunset and sunrise. But, we had to descend towards the stream to pitch our tents before it got dark. [Tip: There is a very good spot for pitching tents behind the huge boulder next to the stream. The same can be easily identified by campfires left by previous trekkers. However, please refrain from starting even a small campfire in the summer. The dry grass and trees could easily catch fire and start a massive forest fire]
[Image above: Pitching tent, see clouds covering peak behind]
[Image above: cooking dinner (pulliyogare)]
We cooked our dinner that night on a portable gas stove (quite controlled in a corner behind the rock) and was quite tasty and spicy. Mmm.. my mouth is watering even now, maybe coz I haven’t had my dinner yet.. Darn !!
We spent a lot of time in the night on top of the huge boulder next to our tents. The scene of the sky and silhouetted forest and the mountains in the full moon night was quite amazing.
[Image above: sunrise at Tadiyendamol]
In the morning, after tea and a quick breakfast, we left Tadiyandimol. We took a bus to Mercara (Madikeri) and checked into a hotel for freshening up. Later, we headed towards the East End Hotel and had a chilling time where we drank and laughed for hours.
[Image above: Chilling at East End, Mercara]
Thanks for the information. I have been searching for a proper report. Thanks for the report. We our friends are going this month on 21 dec. Your report will sure be a guideline for us.
once again thanks
Glad you liked it.
Few of my friends were there just last weekend, and they told me that they really enjoyed their trek..