Ride To Hogenakkal Waterfalls

It was one of the long awaited bike rides which I was planning to do. But because of the laziness it was not getting materialized. Finally on December 25; The Christmas day when the people are enjoying the plum cake. We have the different plan for the day. Yes the journey started. Finally !!

Place: Hogenakkal waterfalls.

Distance: 150 x 2 = 300kms (To and Fro journey - Bommnahalli to Hogenakkal)

Directions: Bengaluru – Hosur – Royakottai – Palacode – Pennagaram – Hogenakkal.

On 24 Dec Sam came to my place and after searching the best possible rotes we planned to go via Royakottai - Palacode route. We prefer not go via the NH7 since it takes more distance(approx. 190 km one way) and bike ride is not very safe due to rush of trucks.

We wake up around 5:20 Am and after the fresh up started at sharp 6 AM. There was still dark on the outside and it is little cold as well. There was small amount of fog also there on the road. So started driving approx. 45-50 speed. No doubt NH highway is pleasure to drive. In next 40 mins we reached Hosur. in midway there are lots of trucks parked here n there. So be careful while changing the lanes as they are known for bad driving. We crossed the Toll plaza. Surprisingly there is no toll charge for bikes as they charge while crossing the NICE toll plaza. While crossing use the side road..which looks like footpath. We drove through the main road and wasted 15 mins in that.

After we reach Hosur, we crossed two small flyovers. Then before starting the next one we have taken the service road and from under the flyover you have to cross and then see a board which shows arrow to Royakottai. This is state highway so the roads are not so smooth as NH but decent condition for bike drive. This road has many villages in b/w. Once you start driving on that road you the isolation from the noisy world. The cool breeze and thump sound of your collor, this just awesome feeling. You enjoy the greenery and surroundings. 

We take stop at Uddanapalli to have sip coffee and have some snacks since we have not taken anything since we have started. There are some small tea/coffee stalls on the road side. Then we drive straight to the Palacode and then to Pennagram. Road condition is good. I can rate 7.5/10. Just before 10 km to reach hogenakkal. There is one govt toll. After passing that suddenly the ghat section starts and the wesome landscape of the forest and mountains will sooth your eyes and fill you with adventure. Finally at 10:20 AM we are at Hogenakkal.

First things first. Since we are damm hungry only the food is there in mind. So after finding place to park the bikes. No we didn't parked in the official parking coz its way to far from the falls and also its chargeable. Sam enjoyed poori while I am happy with Dosa. Along with other chores the main item was fresh water caramine fish. Its deep fried and super testy. We are one each. Then its time for famous oil message. There are plenty of guys roaming around but better fix the rate and then go for it. Don't be confuse with message as now a days its taken in different context. Its pure and simple oil message which is true to its meaning. The guy will take to the nearby place which is near to the falls. This is open place and lot many people are also there enjoying the message under the giant peeple tree. Let me correct myself its not the oil message rather you can call it oil bath. Ya, right, They will pour approx. 250 ml of oil on your body and rub vigorously, pulling and twisting all your mussels. But end of 30 mins message you will definitely feel rejuvenated. Period.

Once this is  done we have taken the bath in falls. They have made arrangements for that. But be careful since the flow of water is very high and the makeshift place is slippery as well. After everything is done.  We head to see the falls over the cable bridge. But not so lucky :( They start calling the people and closed the other side. So we could only manage to see it from bridge and taken few snaps from our mobile camera. Felt little disappointed since they charged ticket for this and we have to move out from there in less than 10 mins. But no other choice.  

After that we head to the best thing you can do in hogenakkal - The Coracle boat ride. For this you have to buy the ticket first which cost INR 750 and it carries max four people excluding the boat man. But there is huge line and normal waiting time is 30 mins. They will do the formalities like filling some form and other stuffs. There are two rides. First one is small and then they will take the coracle and put in the actual site. They will take u near the fall in the coracle and u will be full drenched then they make the boat round - round very fast. The main stretch where both side the rocky mountains and u will be sitting comfortably in the coracle enjoying the fried caramine fish, The whole experience is just extraordinary. We enjoyed a lot and clicked some snaps to cherish in memories forever.

We started our journey back to Bangalore by 3:40 PM. Once the ghat section is over our average speed was 65 KM and we follow the same route. by 7:10 PM we reach Bangalore safely

CONCLUSION:

Well this was one of my best trips till date. We enjoyed the oil message, caramine fish, coracle rides, highways driving, ghats, village roads, mud roads, streams… and yeah a 300 KM bike ride in a days filled with pure joy which gave us the the experience of a lifetime :)