Kudremukh National Park Chikmagalur (Entry Fee, Timings, Safari, Best time to visit, Images, Facts & Location)

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The Kudremukh (literally means "Horse Face") Range receives its name from the distinctive shape of its major summit. The vast hills, which overlook the Arabian Sea, are connected by deep valleys and sharp cliffs. For over 2000 years, Kudremukh has been functioning as a navigational aid for mariners on the western shore.

All About Kudremukh National Park

The Kudremukh National Park spans 600.57 square kilometres in the districts of Chikkamagaluru and Dakshina Kannada. It is home to various animals, including the leopard, bear, gaur, sambar, jackal, mongoose, tiger, wild dog, spotted deer, barking deer, and giant flying squirrel. In addition, the park is home to a variety of species, including the Malabar trogon, Malabar whistling thrush, and imperial pigeon.

#Trivia: Kudremukh, at 1892 metres, is Karnataka's second-highest peak (after Mullayyanagiri). Because of its tropical ecological diversity, Kudremukh has been designated as one of the world's 34 biological hotspots. In addition, it is among Karnataka's top tourist attractions.

There is much to see and do at the Kudremukh National Park, from high rising peaks covered with a profusion of flora and fauna to gorgeous trekking routes overlooking luscious grasslands. The flora and animals of Kudremukh Township are diverse.

The deadly leaping leopard, tiger, endangered lion-tailed macaque, langur, spotted deer, barking deer, sloth bear, gaur, sambar, giant flying squirrels, and many other animals may be found in these dense forests. In addition, three endangered and seven vulnerable amphibian species are listed on the IUCN red list for the region. Reptiles can also be found in abundance in the area.

The abundance of about 7000mm of annual rainfall has resulted in a dense forest cover primarily consisting of semi-evergreen and evergreen trees.

#Trivia: The national park has one of the most significant regions of high-altitude meadows in the Western Ghats, with grasslands spreading out gracefully across the rolling hills.

Many indigenous, endangered, medically, and commercially important species of flora can be found in Kudremukh. Rare flora on the edge of extinction, such as the Nilambur Cobra Lily and the South Indian Jewel Orchid, can be found here. In addition, there are many trees, including eucalyptus, acacia, silk oaks, casuarinas, and others.

History of Kudremukh National Park

The Kudremukh area was designated as a natural reserve in 1916 during British rule to safeguard endangered tigers. However, in the late twentieth century, the Kudremukh township and surrounding areas grew primarily as iron-ore mining centres.

The public sector Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL) operated for over 30 years and became one of the world's largest iron ore mines until 2006, when it was shut down due to environmental threats to the Kudremukh biodiversity hotspot and conservationist concerns about preserving the region's natural beauty. The corporation made additional proposals to create a commercial resort and cater to eco-tourism. Still, these attempts were futile due to natural, logical reasons to preserve the site's sacredness.

Image Gallery of Kudremukh National Park Chikmagalur

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Things To Do at Kudremukh National Park

1. Bird Watching: The vastness is an ornithologist's dream. Around 200 different bird species can be found here. Bird enthusiasts flock to the area to see mass migrations and uncommon bird species, including the imperial pigeon, great pied hornbill, Malabar whistling thrush, and Malabar Trogon. So if you enjoy bird watching, get up really early.

2. Hiking and Trekking: The Kudremukh summit is a joy for hikers and trekkers. Its elevation of about 1,900 metres offers spectacular views of blue skies, rolling hills, dense forests, and lush pastures. A blend of the stunning scenery will steal your breath away!

There are alternative trekking routes to consider depending on your initial point, so prepare appropriately. It may be completed in a single day since camping is not permitted on park grounds. The activity is approved from sunrise to sunset by the forest ranger's office (a necessary permit must be obtained). The permission can be obtained at the town of Kudremukh. This is undoubtedly one of the most incredible treks you can do.

3. Watch the stunning waterfalls: The Kadambi Waterfalls and the Hanumangundi Falls are two of the most popular and unusual attractions in the Kudremukh Wildlife Sanctuary. The water cascading down the rocks among the green hills, valleys, and trees is, without a doubt, the simplest method to enhance your travel experience.

4. Enjoy spotting wildlife: The park is home to a diverse range of fauna, including tigers, leopards, wild dogs, Malabar giant squirrels, common langurs, sloth bears, and more, so you'll have enough to view. Aside from that, the park is home to 200 different bird species, which you can readily spot if you have a keen eye and enjoy bird watching.

5. Take a walk through the lovely green plantations: The national park is surrounded on its northeastern bounds by wealthy coffee and tea plantations, in addition to wildlife and waterfalls. Walking among them or simply resting and admiring their pure beauty is a delight for both your eyesight and your camera.

6. Swimming in the natural pools: Following a day of trekking or climbing in the national park will undoubtedly make you sweat, and there's no better way to recharge your batteries for the evening than a swim in the area's natural pools. Just make sure you don't have any dirt on you when you enter and make the most out of your time inside.

Kudremukh Peak Trek

With its steep routes and floral and faunal diversity, the Kudremukh Peak at an elevation of 1894 m above sea level is a destination for travellers and naturists alike.

The scenery is stunning, with a view of the heavens and mists over the Arabian Sea from the peak. The many vistas that this walk offers en route, varying from substantial bamboo shrubs and shola rainforests to flowing streams and rolling hills, are one of its most distinctive features. The mountain is located within the Kudremukh National Park, which contains a broad diversity of plants and flowers.

Kudremukh, in addition to the Western Ghats' natural beauty and strange sceneries, offers a variety of hikes through the rolling hills of the Western Ghats. The walk up Kudremukh Peak is Kudremukh's most famous and spectacular excursion.

The walk begins in Mullodi, a small village. The short journey of 9 kilometres (one way) will take you to an elevation of 1,894 kilometres above sea level, with some of the most stunning vistas of the Western Ghats. You may witness everything from the grandeur of the Western Ghats to numerous streams and waterfalls, as well as aromatic coffee plantations, all in one area.

However, the Hanuman Gundi Falls, which tends to fall on your journey uphill to the tallest peak, is the most crucial attraction, along with the Kudremukh peak. Hanuman Gundi Falls, a spectacular water cascade in Kudremukh, is located in the hilly landscape of the Western Ghats.

At every step, you will be surrounded by vast expanses of lush greenery and an undulating serene atmosphere that will present you with stunning sensations. The region is traversed by three important rivers: the Tunga, Bhadra, and Nethravati. They arise in the Kudremukh National Park's Gangamoola hill (also known as Varaha Parvata).

The area has seen many inbound tourists, wildlife fanatics, photographers, nature lovers, and trekkers since its designation as a national park. There are also various tea and coffee estates in the region where you may quench your hunger for a delectable hot beverage.

Permit to Kudremukh National Park: Remember to get a trekking permit before entering the mountain for hiking. Permits are available at the Reserve Forest Office in Kudremukh town. You can obtain authorization from the office and, if necessary, hire a guide. Camping is not permitted on national park grounds, and anyone caught camping will face severe consequences.

Entry Fee and Timings of Kudremukh National Park

The entry fee to visit Kudremukh National park is INR 200 for Indians and INR 1000 for Foreign tourists.

One can visit the national park from 10 am to 5 pm. The trekking timings are from 6 am to 5 pm.

Best Time To Visit Kudremukh National Park

The months of October through May are peaceful and pleasant, making them an ideal time to explore the national park, which is lush with flora. The preceding monsoon season breathes new life into the wilderness, resulting in many faunas and vast carpets of truly breathtaking grasslands.

The rainy season, which runs from June to September, is particularly unpleasant and can derail your climbing or trekking plans. However, the annual precipitation in the area is over 7000mm.

How to Reach Kudremukh National Park

Kudremukh is located between the Karnataka districts of Udupi and Chikmagalur and is easily accessible from adjacent large towns such as Karkala (50 kilometres) and Horanadu/Kalasa (25 kilometres). Mangalore, the nearest large city, is 100 kilometres away.

Kudremukh is roughly 350 kilometres from Bangalore. These locations provide daily bus service but remember to check the itineraries ahead of time. Unfortunately, this area does not have any train service.

You can hire a private taxi from top car rental companies in Chikmagalur to easily explore the sightseeing attractions of Chikmagalur.

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Apart from the main climb up Kudremukh Peak, Kudremukh is a trekker's dream. Other trekking trails include Kurinjal Peak, Gangadikal Peak, Seethabumi Peak, Valikunda, and Narasimha Parvatha. As you stroll through it, be amazed by the utopia of lush green forests intermingled with rivers, meadow slopes, enticing cascades, caverns, and ruins.

After the monsoon, when everything is lush green and rivers, streams, and waterfalls like Kadambi and Hanuman Gundi Falls are at their best, it is the perfect time to visit. The river systems Tunga, Bhadra, and Netravati all originate at Ganga Moola, located in the Bhagawathi jungle. The main attractions here are a temple to Goddess Bhagavathi and a 1.8m high Varaha figure inside a cave.

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Location Map for Kudremukh National Park Chikmagalur