If someone tells me there is an amazing waterfall to hike to that I’ve just got to see in India… I’m not doing it! Waterfalls in India in November are cold and full of leeches. They sure are gorgeous though…

Mallandur in Chikmagalur

Mallandur Homestay in Chikmagalur

After a month of traveling with goMowgli, this was the last place we stayed. It was sad to be coming to an end, and we spent the morning driving from our homestay near Jog Falls to our little homestay in Mallandur (more of a guesthouse I thought) and had a big ass lunch of the usual: rice, chapatti, veg curries, sides, then headed off to the local waterfall.

Mallandur in Chikmagalur

Mallandur in ChikmagalurIt’s a guarantee here that you won’t see any other travelers. The homestay had no other guests and the waterfall is quite a secret that only locals know about (and now you too). It’s about an hour to go there from the guesthouse and the ride back is better to to do before dark.

Mallandur in Chikmagalur

Mallandur in Chikmagalur

Mallandur in Chikmagalur

After the trek at Thadiyandamol 3 weeks ago, I was still scratching at my leech bites. They take ages to heal and itch like crazy. The local guide from the homestay said there weren’t leeches here and we could wear swimsuits and swim. There were totally a lot of leeches. I’ll let you see all the photos and see if it was worth it. FYI, just assume there are leeches at all places you go to with water while in Karnataka!

Mallandur in Chikmagalur

Mallandur in Chikmagalur

Mallandur in ChikmagalurIt was very cold so I didn’t actually swim, and the hike was longer than we expected because it was mossy, slippery and hard to walk on the rocks. Wear sturdy sandals or tennis shoes (but check for leeches in your shoes).  Because the ride back is an hour, if you’re all wet you’re gonna hate it! We luckily didn’t submerge ourselves.

The homestay luckily had hot water and started a bonfire for us where they brought out tea and onion and pepper bajji while we waited for dinner. I guess I am not making this sound as cool as it would be. We had gotten a late start in the AM and hit traffic, so arrived late which is why it got dark and cold. Had that not happened, it would have been really nice in the hot sun.

Mallandur in Chikmagalur

The homestay luckily had hot water and started a bonfire for us where they brought out tea and onion and pepper bajji while we waited for dinner.

The homestay luckily had hot water and started a bonfire for us where they brought out tea and onion and pepper bajji while we waited for dinner.As you can see, the room is pretty basic. It did get cold at night (this was in November). My bathroom had a leaky toilet as well. The food was great though and the owner was very nice. It peak season times, the prices in this whole area are high and a lot of homestays don’t have a nice quality. Although this wasn’t my favorite, it was still a cozy safe place to sleep.

Practical information:

  • This homestay was quite pricey at 1400 per person plus food, whether you shared a room or not. I think it was also more of a guesthouse. The general consensus was that it was priced too high.
  • The goMowgli vehicle can’t make it to the waterfall due to rough roads, so the jeep from the homestay was an additional fee. We did voice the concern that it was overpriced, so hopefully they will include the jeep ride from now on.
  • If you’re coming here with goMowgli, this is part of the Chikkamagalur loop.

 

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