Agumbe, its a gem deep inside!
Agumbe village has 600 residents, a bus stand, five provision stores, two lodges, three home-stays, three eateries and a single ‘chaat’ vendor.
— Roshni Nair
Have you had the wild fantasy of being deep inside the rainforests, exploring the diverse flora and fauna and enjoying the sights and sounds of these pristine environments? The Chikkiboo Travel Co. now arranges ecology tours in Agumbe deep inside the Someshwara Forest Reserve in the Western Ghats in Karnataka.
The whole itinerary is perfectly planned where at first you reach the temple city of Udupi by either train or bus and pick your favorite bike from our rental partners Royal Brothers. A wide variety of bikes like Royal Enfield, TVS, Yamaha, Pulsar and Honda are available to take. One needs at least 15 days to book a bike in advance so that the pick-up can be made on the day of arrival. Once the bike has been picked up from Udupi, we take the incredible ride on the ghat roads to reach Agumbe. Agumbe lies in the West coastal of South India(Shimoga District), approximately 98 km north-east of Mangalore and 357 km north-west of Bangalore, the state capital of Karnataka in South India. The elevation of Agumbe is 643m.As part of the Western Ghats mountain range, Agumbe lies in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Agumbe is near the Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kudremukh National Park.
Agumbe, apart from its natural beauty and rainforest ecology is famous for its annual rainfall, being the second highest in India. Its annual rainfall measures 7,620 millimeters (300 in). and is one of the wettest places in India. Once you’ve crossed the 14 hair-pin bends, you reach the beautiful village of Agumbe. The village is a very quaint place with very less noise and people. The total population of Agumbe doesn’t exceed 500+. If you love to be a part of history, try staying at the famous ‘Dodda Mane’ house, a 130year old structure which was part of the “Malgudi Days” serial which was shot during the 80’s based on the fictional story by R.K Narayanan. Get in touch with the folks at Dodda Mane at least 10 days before to let them know you’re coming, as attendance is on first come first served basis. Since it’s a very old structure, the moment you step in, your adhered by the house rules. You take extraordinary care of the house that surrounds you, you respect all the elders who reside along with you, you do not waste anything that has been offered to you during your meal time. The power comes only briefly, so you have to make sure you have duly charged phones and camera batteries. If your fortunate, you get the upper rooms which are a bliss to have when the rains come, as the windows offer a perfect opportunity to watch the beautiful rains from inside the comfort of the home.
Once you have experienced the love of Dodda Mane, you proceed to the most important part of your trip; exploring the rainforests of the Western Ghats. Chikkiboo has partnered with The Kalinga Centre for Rainforest Ecology (KCRE), a center which offers an incredible glimpse into the conservation of rainforests and is helping the world spread awareness on the important of the forest ecosystem along with aiding in the research of flora and fauna across the Western Ghats for students and academics alike. KCRE is situated deep inside the rainforests and is an wonderful place to stay and experience the forest ecosystem right from within. There are comfortable cottages and tents catering to all kind of guests, right from couples, to research students to friends and family groups. While at KCRE, you will be taken to nature walks, treks and other awareness programs, showing you how fragile and important a forest eco system is. You will have a wide opportunity to interact with the conversations and other ecologists from KCRE talking about the various programs in place in Agumbe and also about their conservation efforts on the King Cobra, which is one of the most important breeds of snakes found within this region. It is noted that the highest numbers of king cobras per sqkm are found here in Agumbe. So a lot of the king cobra research is based in and around this region.
Once you’ve enjoyed the best of KCRE, you will get out of the rainforest region and proceed to the famous places in and around Agumbe. The famous temple towns of Sringeri, Dharmasthala, Belur, Halebidu are all very close to this region and is worth a visit. Another of some the must visits are the Mulayanagiri and Kudremukh peaks which are a blissful trek up on some of Karnataka’s highest peaks.
Once you’ve seen all these places, it’s good to return back to explore more of Udupi. With a quaint lifestyle, wonderful people and incredible beaches, Udupi is one of the most beautiful cities on the Konkan coast and you’ve got to spend at least 3-4 days exploring the best there is of Udupi. Try exploring the different temples, scenic beaches and the authentic Udupi cuisine to relish and add to your beautiful experience.
The best time to visit Udupi and Agumbe is when the monsoon is just about to start, during June – July when you will enjoy sudden sporadic showers. Biking is amazing in the ghat roads, but needs extreme caution, as one small bad turn can cause or ruin your entire trip. As said above, Agumbe is a wet climate area and you need all your rainproof gear to protect you from the rains and the natural elements. Getting your clothes dry can be a big challenge while you’re staying in Agumbe, so keep all the necessary clothes as required. Leeches are common in this area and you will find yourself host to many of these bloodsuckers. Be always weary of them and carry insect repellents to keep yourself from harm’s way.
In all, Agumbe would surely be one a lifetime experience for any traveler, for all what it has to offer. From thrilling bike rides, to the scenic Western Ghats, to the incredible show of the monsoon, it is a must visit for any traveler who loves to leave behind the hustle and bustle of the cities and come to a different world filled with all of nature’s beauty and blessings.
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