I always believe in the quote "Travel rejuvenates your soul, refreshes your mind and rekindles the love in your heart". From being a kid to an adult, I've always been fascinated by the wonders of nature and it's unparalleled beauty. Fortunately, when the whole world was doomed in pandemic, I had a chance to live in the laps of mother nature along with a complete package of travel and adventure. Here comes a brief note of my experiences from roundtrip and trekking to Ettinabhuja(a part of Chikmagalur hills) with my crazy pals!!!
Nestled in the heartlands of western ghats, it's scenic beauty and blissful weather make Chikmagalur green paradise. On the 14th of January 2021, at 9.00 a.m., we, a group of six friends, began our journey from Sakleshpur. The Ettinabhuja trekking base is 40 km away from Sakleshpur and 220 km away from Bangalore. The journey was as beautiful as the destination as the whole route was covered the beautiful sceneries, refreshing breeze and sweet scented coffee estates .The route from Sakleshpur to the Hill-base is part of the Charmadi Ghats, which is known for it's serpentine twists and turns. The route was filled with many breath-taking viewpoints, picturesque waterfalls like Hanbal falls and pretty flower beds.
We arrived at Ettinabhuja base when the clock hit 11.00 hrs. From there, we began our trekking. Ettinabhuja literally means "Ox's shoulder" since the hilltop resembles the hump of an ox from afar.The trek was about 4 kilometers long and included a stroll through dense forest. The most thrilling aspect of the hike was trekking through the jungle enjoying the chirping of birds in the background and the leaves rustling in the wind . Following the woodland, the trail became rough and steep. With a 75-80° incline, it was a difficult climb, but the sweet conversations and humorous chuckles made it go swiftly. The best reward of any trek is when you reach the peak. The view of the lush green valley all around and the mountains is astonishing. The 360° panoramic view was filled with vibrant shades of green mountains. The everlasting greenery greeted us as soon as we reached the peak, filling us with joy.
Reaching the peak of a mountain is indeed an awesome feeling. But all that followed before is what gives you knowledge, experience and memories. This trip gave me a lot of experiences and unforgettable memories with my friends. That day, I realized that travelling or going on a trip is not just about getting to your final destination; it's also about enjoying the journey and creating new memories with your companions.
It was an excellent opportunity to strengthen our friendship, revisit old memories, and gain a deeper understanding of one another. The best things in our life are the people we love, the places we have been and the memories we have made along the way. This travel and trekking will go down as one of the best memories of life for bringing out a wide range of emotions in me ,filling me with new thirst for travel and adventure.
There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature—the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter. Make sure that you take your loved ones along with you and create everlasting memories of your life. A good friend listens to your adventures, your best friend makes them with you .So pack your backpack, your bestfriend and Get, Set
, Go...!!!!