Charmadi

How to get there:
Charmadi is around 70 km from Mangalore and 15 to 20 km from Ujire. You can either go there by private or government buses or book your own vehicle.

Category: Trekking, Picnic.

Best time to Visit: November to February

Where to Stay:
Malaya Marutha guest house – If you want to stay here, you need prior permission from the forest department of Moodigere Taluk of Chikmaglur district.

Dharmasthala – Here you can stay in any of the guest houses. But please note that you will have to travel back and forth from Charmadi to Dharmasthala if you are on two day trip.

Near the waterfalls – You can stay near Kallarbe waterfalls. But you will need prior permissions, since the water falls is inside private estate owned by Yenepoya.

You can also stay in Balekallu gudda or Kode kallu. But be prepared well as there is no water point nearby.

Places of interest:
Charmadi ghat houses some of the most beautiful waterfalls and trekking spots. Listed below are the prominent ones among them.

1) Kallarbe waterfalls
This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Charmadi ghat. This is inside a private estate and you will need to get prior permission to see this waterfall. If you have permission you can take your vehicle inside the estate. You will still need to trek 2 to 3 km to reach the falls. The trek is moderate to difficult.














2) Dondole waterfalls
This is also known as Nayagara of Charmadi. But this is not as big as Kallarbe waterfalls.














3) Alekhan waterfalls
This is the most easily accessible waterfalls in Charmadi. This is around 4 km after a place called ‘Annappa Gudi’ (Gudi = temple) on the charmadi ghat road. You can see the waterfalls by standing in the road. You can get down to water if you want.










4) Kallugundi waterfalls
Another beautiful waterfalls in charmadi. This also requires trekking.

5) Balekallu gudda
The highest point in charmadi region, from where you can get a panoramic view of the entire region.










6) Kode kallu gudda
Kode = umbrella, kallu = rock. The place gets this name because of a rock in the shape of an umbrella.













7) Eri kallu gudda.













8) Numerous other places for trekkers and hikers.

Near by places of interest:
1) Bandaje waterfalls
This requires a rigorous trekking













2) Anadka waterfalls
Beautiful waterfalls. Very little trekking involved. Very easily accessible.


















3) Elaneeru waterfalls

















4) Yermayi waterfalls




















5) Ballarayana durga (fort)
6) Jamalabad fort
7) Dharmasthala
8) Karanji betta

Suggested itinerary:
You can spend all weekends for almost 2 months visiting various places in and around Charmadi. All these places are within 100 km from Mangalore.
One of the suggested itineraries –
Start on Friday night and stay in Dhrmasthala. Saturday morning you can visit Dharmasthala temple. Then go to Charmadi and meet the guide. You can cover Kallarbe and Alekhan waterfalls on Saturday. Stay in Malaya Maruta guest house for the night. You can cover Kode kallu and Balekallu gudda on Sunday.

Special Note:
You will need the help of local guide to cover all these places. Please do not try to venture into forest without the help of guides. There is one hotel in Charmadi. You will get the guide from there. The hotel owner is Hasanabba, a social activist. Yousuf, who works in his hotel, will guide you. Please book the guide in advance as it will help both you and Yousuf. He can take you anywhere in Charmadi. He charges rs.250 or 300 per day.