A Nomad With Compass

Hello Everyone, Welcome to another blog post. In this post we would be trekking to one of the most adventurous, exciting and popular treks in South India - The Brahmagiri. Its about 12 km (round trip) and is pretty exhausting, as the entire terrain is 45 degree .

Note : In this blog post, I have tried using present tense, might sound completely different, but I thought of giving it a go. Please do let me know by commenting, your valuable inputs.

Reaching Brahmagiri 

I am starting my trip from Bangalore, its approximately ~ 280 kms from here and will reach Brahmagiri overnight. I always prefer trekking in groups, So I have joined an activity from Thrillophilia . I would link all the active trekking groups at the bottom, once we are back from trekking.

Packing for the Trek

So comes the most difficult part as always, what all should we pack, how much should we pack, will that be enough etc. I would recommend to take a breathe now, and follow along. So as it's a monsoon season now here in India, there would be leeches everywhere during the trek and I don't want to loose litres of blood, thus I am taking

1. A good backpack - Should be large enough to carry two days of clothing. I prefer Wildcrafts backpacks, would link them below, in case you don't have any backpack.
2. Full Sleeves Clothes - Would Help avoiding leeches.
3. A water bottle - This is must, as dehydration happens very quickly as you move up the altitude.
4. Trekking or Army Boot shoes - Gives a good grip and helps prevent leeches too.
5. RainCoat - It rains heavily in brahmagiri during monsoon, would help a lot.
6. A Torch
7. Some Snacks & Chocolates
8. Salt or BackPain Sprays (Move, Volini or anyting) - Would help a lot in avoiding leeches.
9. Mobile Charger,  Ear Phones & Power bank

I guess this is it, I have packed my stuff and I am ready to hit the road. Remember, don't put too much and make your backpack heavy as it might happen you might have to carry it all along the trek.

Reached Brahmagiri

I have reached brahmagiri early morning around 6 AM, took some 4/5 coffees waiting for everyone to come. There you are!! now everyone has arrived, let us hit the trek. I am amazed by the lush greenery and waterfalls along the trek.  I thought for a moment, I can easily complete this trek, until guide informed "From here trek would start". I can see lots of leeches from the starting point itself,let us see how it goes.

One Hour into the Trek

So I have been trekking for an hour now, and as I figured out you just can't sit anywhere throughout the trek as there are leeches everywhere. Also, you can't take long breaks and stand at a place for long as leeches are ready to attack you. I am finding this salt pretty useful though, as when I see any leech trying to cling to my shoes or trousers, I am just putting salt onto them and they immediately go away. There were some small yet beautiful waterfalls along the path till now, which is actually making this trek a little bit less difficult. A small photo session and I am again on way to reach the top

Finally at the top

After grilling & tiring journey of around 150 minutes, guys we have reached the top. The view is just mesmerising, vast landscape, lush greenery all over, mist and cool breeze. I guess all the effort to reach at the top is fulfilled after seeing this nature beauty. Also I realised, once you enter bright sunlight, leeches are gone like a wind.

Journey to the base 

After enjoying the scenery, a little photo session and small lunch we are again ready to trek back to the base. Downward journey seems little less tiring and chances of leech attacks are also less, as you are moving at faster speed and along with gravity.

Surprise Visit to Irrupu Waterfall

On the way towards the base, there is this amazing, mesmerising and large waterfall. The scenes here have definitely forced me to respect the mother nature even more. I am spending some more time here before ending my trek.

Reached Base

So after tiring 4-5 hours of trek, we have reached base. And I really enjoyed this trek, hope you enjoyed too.

Some Precautions 

• This trek is mostly along the forest route, thus it might happen you may encounter some wild animals.
• Its always better to go with a guide or someone who knows the trek well, as there are some points where you might get confused where to go.
• Whatsoever you try, but during monsoon its difficult to get away with any leech bite. 
• If you see a leech over your body, don't panic. If you have salt do use it, leech will go away in seconds. Else, you can use some wooden stick to remove it.
• After the bite, just clean the area with soap water and don't apply any fancy creams or banded. Just cover that area with some normal paper and it will automatically be perfectly fine after sometime.
• Avoid touching plants and bushes, as they are the ones which are most vulnerable for leech attacks.

Hope you enjoy trekking with me, till then "Eat well, Peace out and enjoy the adventure"

Do follow my adventures at Instagram

Coffee plantations, lush greenery, Coconut trees, Amazing landscape, Mesmerising waterfalls, the Kaveri river and ever smiling people. I couldn't have expected anything more from Coorg, a popular hill station on the western ghats of Karnataka, India. Monsoon is the perfect time to visit this nature wonder. In this blog post series I would be sharing places I visited, my experience and recommendations.

Packing & Reaching Coorg

Coorg is about 300 kms from Bangalore and can be easily reached overnight. I choose a group activity from thrillophilia which costed around 7k for 3 days. I would provide link for the same in the end. We had plans for trekking thus it was must to pack below things

1. Two Water bottles - Trek Can easily cause dehydration.
2. Full sleeves shirt/t-shirt - Leeches will be there during monsoon.
3. Raincoat - Weather in Coorg changes very quickly,and it rains heavily.
4. Salt - Will help little bit in keeping leeches away (I did got a leech bite though).
5. Trekking shoes with long socks - For better grip over the trek.
6. Your favourite earphones - Believe me that really helps.

HOMESTAY | Day 1

Homestays in Coorg are the most unique and indigenous ways to feel and experience its liveliness and beauty. Offering the real taste and flavour of Cooorgi lifestyle, cuisines, traditions and cultures, these homestays are the ideal places for a blissful holiday. We stayed at Janey moon homestay, really enjoyed the hospitality of the owner.

TREKKING - Brahmagiri | Day 1

We took traditional Kodagu breakfast, a cup of coffee and were ready to trek for 12 kms. Almost the entire track is like a 45 degree walk, but beautiful mountain landscape, waterfalls, greenery and mist across the entire trek makes it little less tiring. Also this trek has plethora of leeches everywhere and they are always ready to suck blood out of your system. If you are lucky enough,you might encounter some elephants during the trek too,sadly we couldn't saw any.

Upon arrival at the peak, enjoy the mesmerising panoramic views and scenic beauty. After a little break we climbed down which proved to be relatively less tiring. While coming down do visit Irupu waterfalls, its one of the most amazing,jaw dropping waterfalls . The best time to visit the fall is during monsoon, when it is at full capacity and is a breathtaking sight. After the trek we were quite tired, had some dinner and went straight to bed for a long nap.

WHITE WATER RAFTING - Barapole river | Day 2

Came day 2 and we woke up at 5.30 AM for an early morning white river rafting in Barapole river. The experience of river rafting is nothing short of magical. This was the first time I was doing a river rafting thus was quite nervous (Given I don't know how to swim) and excited too. We were given some basic instructions, safety instruments and then began the adventurous, thrilling and exciting journey for 90 minutes over 5 km stretch. There are around 4 rapids during this course. This is definitely one of the most challenging rafting available in south india.

GOLDEN TEMPLE / Namdroling Monastery | Day 2

After a thrilling rafting experience,we headed to Bylakuppe, a Tibetan settlement about 60 kms from Mysore. This monastery is the largest teaching centre of Tibetan buddhism in the world. This entire area is Tibetan, with monks everywhere and a market worth spending money for. Enter the monastery compound and you will see a big picture of their leader under some gold plated building. Enter the main temple and you will be astonished and amazed to see golden idol of Buddha along with other two buddhist idols. Inside the temple it is quite serene, calm and peace. It relaxes and calms your body and soul. Near the temple there is a tibet market where you can have a look at Tibetan culture and do some shopping. Overall its a must to visit tourist attraction in Coorg.

CAMPFIRE - HOMESTAY | Day 2

We ended day 2 with small campfire and a little get together with other people in the homestay. It was quite relaxing to see the flames and as it always happens you start questioning about life, what you are doing, what you want to do and thus go deeper in your thoughts, which can prove to be really fruitful. Overall Day 2 was fun, adventurous and exciting.

WILDLIFE SAFARI - WAYANAD | DAY 3

We slept quite late on Day 2 due to long chit chat sessions along campfire, but we had to leave for the wildlife safari early morning at around 6 AM, as this is the most appropriate time you can spot some wildlife animals. Originally the plan was to go to Nagarhole wildlife sanctuary, but due to heavy rains it was closed and we planned for Wayanad wildlife sanctuary.

A variety of wild animals like elephants, tiger, deer and Indian bison can be seen in here. Sighting of these wildlife animals is largely dependent on weather,time and most importantly your luck. Unfortunately we just ended up seeing deers,but we caught some live killing too while roaming around the jungle via jeep. The ride is about 90 minutes which takes you inside the jungle and attempts to give you a good view of wild life.


After Safari,we again rushed to our homestay for our return to Bangalore. Honestly I did not want to leave that place and go back to my normal routine,but here we were in Bangalore after an amazing, thrilling, exciting, adventurous and memorable journey. This was my first visit to Coorg and I would definitely recommend my fellow travellers and friends to visit the same again and again.

Please do comment and share your experience and places that you would recommend everyone to visit.

That's all folks,till then "Enjoy life,Peace Out and live the adventure!!!"