Tadiyandamol Trek - A journey along clouds

Tadiyandamol, a very popular trek amongst the trekkers of southern India, because of its amazing views of grasslands and shola forests. It is one of the most talked-about treks between trekkers starting out to their trekking journey in the Western Ghats and even experienced trekkers. The trek takes you to the highest peak of the Kodagu district and the third highest peak of Karnataka.

Tadiyandamol trek is a Western ghats trek which falls in the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary of the Bhagamandala Range Forest. 

It has been in my list for long, but somehow couldn't make it. Having locked up at home for 6 months during lock-down, I tool the first opportunity during the unlock to trek Tadiyandamol, as it is the nearest western ghats trek one can do from Bengaluru.

We started friday 6pm and reached the home-stay by 11:30pm, and started the trek early morning after a good night sleep. Generally folks do overnight journey and reach the start point by early morning and start trekking, but it might not be refreshing if you are sleepless. We came back to the home-stay by 4pm and relaxed, had bonfire by 7pm around.
Places of Interest around: Nalknad Palace, Chelavara Water Falls, Honey valley falls (Falls are seasonal, check latest update before visiting)

Trekkers are allowed to trek between 6 am to 6 pm on all days. However, post 2:30 pm, you are not allowed to trek past the forest check post. The best time to start your trek will be early in the morning or before noon. This will ensure you are back to the base of Tadiandamol or Kakkabe before dusk. It is not advisable to start your trek in the afternoon. When the sun sets in the evening, it gets harder to reach the base of Kakkabe. 

Terrain: Trekking here will take you through a mix of thick shola forests with stream crossings, a carpet of beautiful grasslands. Added to this, the thrill of reaching the peak of Tadiyandamol, trekking amidst the clouds is definitely something one must experience. 

The trek will test your endurance, even if you are an experienced trekker. This trek can be done by fit beginners. However, go through the tips and detailed trek information to plan it out well.

Difficulty Level: Moderate
Is it DIY Trek: Yes you can do it yourself, a guide is not required. You can register at forest dept office at a fees of Rs 100/Head. After the forest office the trail is pretty guiding, if you follow appropriately.
Best Time to Trek: Any time of the year other than Monsoon. However Sep to Dec gives Breathtaking views due to green cover. Summer will harsh and dried up.
Altitude: 5735 ft
Starting Point: You can start from Nalknad Palace -> https://goo.gl/maps/TL4diujs7sGqvTGf9
GPS coordinates of Nalknad Palace:  12°14’07.7″N 75°38’23.7″E
OR
Start point near forest office (There is parking for few vehicles, however it is offroad, cars with high ground clearance can go, else park near Nalknad and start trek from there) -> https://goo.gl/maps/X97Amy8XAKHDFwnW8

Trek Route Map to Tadiyandamol

Distance: 10Kms (round trip) from Forest Office and 14Kms (Roundtrip) if started from Nalknad Palace.

Base camp: Find any home-stay around the forest office or Nalknad palace, that should serve as your base camp. The homestay will provide you packed lunch, which you can have it at the summit, which would be around the mid day.

I can recommend Hill Stay Cottage, as I found this on bit of research on google map, as I could notice it is very near to Nalknad palace (walk-able), so it serves as best to stay around. Also we had very pleasant stay here, the home-stay had neat and clean rooms, with big lawn and clear segregation of the rooms with their house. The bonfire is just outside the rooms and they were very thoughtful of providing the bonfire one for each group. Food was ultimate, the breakfast, the packed food and dinner, all three meals were up to mark.

Google map of Home-stay-> https://goo.gl/maps/6YPpjiU1QJ8RVyW36

Hill Stay Cottage Home-stay, there is lot of open laws around with views, if you are camping enthusiast, you can prefer to pitch a tent under the stars. I am one, but it was raining heavily previous day, so couldn't

Private bonfire arranged by homestay ;)

Breakfast :)

Watch my Arial Video on Tadiyandamol:

 

Now relax take back and watch the breathtaking views of Tadiyandamol:

At Summit :)

Summit provides 360' view of the neighboring hills, you can notice all other hills looks dwarf as Tadiyandamol being highest in the region

Mid way view point

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Disclaimer: "Information provided in the post is as is basis, please exercise caution while using the info for the trek. Author is not responsible for any discrepancies in the information"