Kodachadri Hill Station, Karnataka

Kodachadri, 115 kilometers from Shimoga and 36 kilometers from Hosanagara in State of Karnataka is a picturesque hill located such that it overlooks the vast Western Ghats. Reputed for its splendid sunrises and sunsets. The peak of Kodachadri (at a height of 1343 meters above sea level) may be reached after a five-hour trek. On the western part, the hill descends almost steeply for about 1220 meters until it joins the forest of Udupi district. It over looks Arabian Sea also.

Road Route-
Private vehicles (read as Cars) cannot go till the top of the mountain. Only local jeeps are allowed to ply to the top of the mountain. From shimoga , one can hire a taxi to cover the distance of 105 kms to Sampagatte (foothills of the Kodachadri mountains).



Train Route-
The best way is to take a train , preferably a night train (Shimoga Express), which leaves Bangalore around 11.30 PM and reaches Shimoga at 5.30AM.

Air
Shimoga is the closest railway station while Mangalore happens to be the nearest airport.


Kodachadri, in itself does not have good staying options. There is one Inspection bungalow of the PWD, which might not suit all. Kollur (35kms from the foothill), offers decent staying options. One other option that we discovered this time around was ‘Simha Farms’. This place is 5 kms from Sampagatte, a farm spread over 12 acres. This is run by Adithya and his wife Anusha. In the midst of all the greenery, are 2 cottages that can accomodate 3 people each.



The historical iron pillars at Mehrauli, Delhi, and at Dhar, in Madhya Pradesh, have attracted the attention of scientists for over a century. However, a third iron pillar located in Adi-Mookambika temple at Kodachadri village in a remote forest area of the Western Ghats in Karnataka has not received much scientific attention so far, partly because the concerned village is difficult to reach and partly because the pillar itself is not as massive and imposing as the Delhi and Dhar monuments.

The well known temple town of Kollur is 12 kilometers away. These hills (4411 ft) comprise one of the biggest forest zones in Karnataka and a section of this region constitutes the Mookambika Nature Reserve. Kollur is the perfect base from which to explore the hills. The Mookambika Nature Camp is situated 4 kilometers to the south of Kollur. The Linganmakki Dam, within close proximity of Kodachadri, is also a must see for visitors to this place. The best time to visit the hill station of Kodachadri at Karnataka is in the period within October to May.

Araku Valley

Araku Valley is a famous hill station and a Mandal in Visakhapatnam district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. Araku is located at an elevation of 911 meters (2992 feets). It is close to the Orissa state border. It has got an amazing lush green forests and always reverberating with the musical notes of waterfalls. The pleasant climate of Araku Valley makes it a dreamland. Araku is popular for its world famous coffee plantations.For every traveller it gives a wonderful and a unique experience.

The journey to the Araku Valley by train is an experience which you will cherish throughout your life. Its a journey amidst the picturesque landscapes of woods and coffee plantations. The area of the valley is roughly 36 sqaure kilometers, and the altitude is between 600 and 900 meters above sea level.



The journey to this place on the Ghat road with thick forests on either side is in itself interesting and pleasant. One can have a wonderful trekking trip. Forty-six tunnels and bridges will greet you on the way. The Ananthagiri hills on the way to Araku Valley are famous for coffee plantations. The Borra caves, located 29 km from Araku Valley, are a nearby tourist attraction.

The valley is connected through both rail and road to the city of Vishakapatnam. There are two railway stations at Araku and Araku Valley on the Kothavalasa-Kirandul railway line of Visakhapatnam division of the East Coast Railway, on the Indian Railways network.



There is a Museum of tribal handicrafts and lifestyle, a Yatri Nivas and a Government Guest House, for accommodation. One can relax while looking at the beautiful scenery and the lovely bonfires in the cottages.

Must see places in Araku Valley are-

---Anantagiri Ghats with thick forests, orchards, clean air and peaceful surroundings

---The Sangda water falls- one of the most spectacular in India.

---Matsyagundam, an interesting pool on the Machkund river near the village of Matham. Small Siva temple on the bank of the river.

---Paderu located at a distance of about 74 kilometers from Visakhapatnam. It is a wonderful valley at a height of over 900 meters above sea level.

---Located on the Eastern Ghats of India, the valley is inhabited by tribal people. One of the other attractions of this valley is a Tribal Museum.

Glaciers & Passes of Ladakh

Ladakh is renowned for its remote mountain beauty and culture. It is sometimes called "Little Tibet"Situated in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir between the Kunlun mountain range in the north and the main Great Himalayas to the south. Ladakh, which is inhabited by people of Indo-Aryan and ethnic Tibetan, is one of the most sparsely populated regions in the area.Today, Ladakh consists of two districts — Leh and Kargil. The largest town in Ladakh is Leh. Here we describe the most serene and beautiful Glaciers and Passes of Ladakh that you must see when you see the serene Ladakh.

Glaciers and Passes of Ladakh Among the popular places of tourist in Ladakh interest include Leh, Drass valley, Suru valley, Kargil, Zangskar, Zangla, Rangdum, Padum, Phukthal, Sani, Stongdey, Shayok Valley, Sankoo, Salt Valley and the various glaciers and passes there.



Suru Valley
The Suru Valley is formed by the catchment are of the Suru River, which rises from the Panzella glacier.

The Nubra Valley
The 18,640 feet high Khardung La pass forms the divide between the Nubra Valley and Leh. After crossing the Khardung La, one descends to a place called "Khalsar", situated on the left bank of the Shyok River.

Baltoro Glacier
The Baltoro glacier is situated on the southern slopes of the central Karakoram Range in the Baltistan area of Jammu and Kashmir. The location of Boltoro is in a huge arena hemmed by high peaks.

Chong Kumdan Glacier
The Chong Kumdan glacier is situated on the lower slopes of the Karakoram Range. The Chong Kumdan glacier had blocked the flow of the Shyok River several times in the past. Thus the Gapshan Lake was formed which drained away once the ice dam gave way.

Gasherbrum Glacier
The Gasherbrum glacier is located on the southern slopes of the Karakoram Range at base of the Gasherbrum peak with length of about 26-km. The melt-water from this glacier joins the Shyok river system. No vegetation grows in this tract due to the extreme cold.



Biafo Glacier
The Biafo glacier is located on the south-facing slopes of the Karakoram Range in the Baltistan area of Ladakh. It has a length of about 60-km and descends from a large glacial trough.

Baralacha Pass
On the long Manali -Leh road and providing a route across the Baralacha range is the famous Baralacha Pass. It is situated at a spectacular 16,400 ft above sea level. The pass itself is 8-km long, and is literally the pass "where many roads meet".

Karakoram Pass
The Karakoram Pass lies on one of the highest trade routes in the world for Yarkand in Central Asia.



Khardong La & Digar La Pass
The Khardong La pass is situated at an incredible elevation of over 5,800 m (18,680 ft). It lies on the route between Leh and the Shyok and Nubra valleys


Tulimpati La Pass
The Tulimpati La is located in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kahsmir. This pass opens up the route from the Nubra Valley of Ladakh towards the Karakoram Pass.

Zozi La Pass
Zozi La is a famous pass over the main Himalayan range on the Srinagar-Leh highway. As a matter of fact, this pass has often been termed as the gateway to Ladakh.