Why I Fell in Love with Udupi
As a wise woman once said, ‘You don’t fall in love everyday, but when you do, it changes you.’ Well, I don’t know about falling in love, but my recent trip to Udupi did change something in me.
It all started when recently, I started following this account called @VisitUdupi on Twitter. If you go through his tweets, you’ll see breathtaking images of some of the most verdant landscapes of Udupi and the nearby towns in the district. I kept gazing at the images and used to wonder, ‘Is that place really so spectacular?’
I have done my share of traveling, especially in southern Karnataka and the Malnad region on my bike but could never go as far as Udupi as it is over 400 km from Bangalore and a weekend trip won’t suffice. So, I took a few days off from work and decided to explore Udupi and understand what the fuss is all about. And boy, the place didn’t fail to impress!
Booking a Cottage in the Middle of a Forest
So every time I make up my mind to go on a week’s trip, I mostly stay at homestays located away from crowded towns. And after doing a detailed study of the homestays in Udupi, I decided to book a cottage at the Seethanadi Nature Camp. Run by the reputed Jungle Lodges & Resorts, I was pretty sure the nature camp would be well worth the money spent. It’s located outside the town of Hebri, inside the Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary.
Thanks to the rapidly spreading Omicron variant of Covid, people were not keen on traveling, so I managed to book a cottage for just ₹2500/day including three meals and stay for four days. The camp is named after the river Seethanadi, which is just a stone’s throw away. The moment I booked the cottage I was eagerly waiting for the day to arrive.
The Challenge of Riding for Over Nine Hours
One of the highlights of my trip was definitely the nine-hour long bike trip. Never have I ever traveled 380 km at a stretch on my bike, and it was a huge risk considering that I was going solo. And there was a mishap right at the onset when my bike skidded a few kilometres from home, but thankfully nothing untoward happened during the rest of my journey. I passed through seven districts of Bangalore, Bengaluru Rural, Tumkur, Hassan, Chikkamagalur, Shimoga and Udupi before reaching my destination.
The roads were mostly pothole-free but at a few portions they were quite narrow, so I had to slow down often. The highlight of the trip would surely be the 13 hairpin bends that I encountered just after crossing the town of Agumbe. This is the stretch where you cross over to the other side of the Western Ghats and I was fortunate enough to spot the endangered Lion-tailed Macaque that was probably waiting for someone to feed him. As soon as I crossed the bends, I arrived at the nature camp and enjoyed a sumptuous meal surrounded by the lush foliage of the forest.
The Stay at Seethanadi Nature Camp
I have never stayed at a property run by Jungle Lodges & Resorts (JLR) and my friend told me that JLR offers the most luxurious budget hotels, and he was not wrong. The facilities you get at the nature camp are worth much more than the price you pay. The cottages at the camp are located almost a kilometre away from the entrance and my only grouse was they chose to place huge stone tiles instead of paving the way with asphalt. So, you have to endure a slow and bumpy ride each time you enter and exit.
Since I was there mainly to explore Udupi and the beautiful spots nearby, I didn’t get much to walk around the property. However, on my last day, I discovered the jungle trails, which I would surely recommend.
The food was relatively appetizing and moderately spicy, ideally suited to my gastric tolerance. They do have a Wi-fi connection, so despite the poor network, you can get in touch with your folks at home. A band of monkeys would often drop by while I had my meals. The place also has two friendly dogs who usually keep to themselves.
Exploring the Touristy Spots in Udupi
On Day 1, I decided to head to Koodlu Falls, located deep inside the wildlife sanctuary. Getting to the forest checkpoint took me an hour despite the short distance, as the road was blocked, and I had to take a detour. I was the first to arrive and after trekking for half an hour, reached the spot and just relaxed as I listened to the soothing sound of falling water.
My next stop was the university town of Manipal which houses the famous Manipal University. I went to the Museum of Anatomy and Pathology on the campus which displays some of the rarest specimens of various diseased human organs. I spent the whole afternoon there and headed back by evening.
On Day 2, I went to Udupi town and explored India’s only coin museum located inside the oldest branch of the Corporation Bank. From there I decided to head to Kemmanu where you can enjoy Kayaking. For half an hour, they charge just fifty bucks. I kayaked for an hour on a tributary of the mighty Suvarna river and even spotted a few otters. After the tiring experience, I enjoyed the famous Goli Soda drink before heading back.
On my final day, I explored the serene beaches of Udupi — Malpe, Maravanthe, and Kodi Bengare. At one point at Maravanthe, while on the road you can see the beach on your left and the Kolluru River on your right, which is indeed a sight to behold. Kodi Bengare is an estuary where you can see the Seethanadi flowing into the Arabian Sea while standing at the Delta Point. I was famished after hopping from one beach to another and I stopped at a seaside joint called the Canara Beach Restaurant to enjoy a hearty meal of Mackerel and Pomfret.
The whole trip was easily the most satisfying experience for me and despite being on my own, I would always remember the time I spent here and would highly recommend this place. I hope to come back here one day to relish the hospitality of the locals and fall in love with the place once again.
