[girimajiananth]

Day 1: Bangalore to Jog Adventure Camp

The sun had just begun its ascent above the bustling city of Bangalore as two intrepid bikers geared up for an unforgettable journey. The Suzuki V-Strom SX 250 and Honda CB500X were roaring with anticipation, ready to devour the miles ahead. The destination? The tranquil beaches of Gokarna, with a pitstop at the scenic Jog Adventure Camp.

Leaving behind the urban chaos, we embarked on a scenic route, surrounded by lush greenery and winding roads. The hum of the engines harmonized with the rhythm of nature as they made their way through quaint villages and charming landscapes. We met near Nice road at around 7:30 AM, chalked out a route plan and decided to stop at Paakashaala on Tumkur road for breakfast. Quickly filled up with tasty Idly , dose and a piping cup of hot & strong filter coffee, we set off for the journey ahead.



After breakfast, we reviewed the route again. Google maps showed two routes. One route via Chitradurga - Shivamogga - Sagara - Jog adventure camp.

Other route was via Tumkur - Gubbi - Bhadravati - Jog. We were adventurous and decided to try this route and later regretted it. This route is under construction most of the part. There were several deviations and it limited our mile munching. I am sure once this route is completed, it would be a bliss to ride. Once we gained pace there would be a speed breaker or a deviation which would slow us down or send us through a patch of service road. We decided to enjoy the good roads and did not get disheartened by the bad patches. We soldiered on.

My friend and team Bhpian (tejus.s) on CB500X was much faster than me as it was a much more powerful bike. I was the captain slow of this ride. He would ride faster and leave me behind and wait for me at a point. I had rented a Senna Bluetooth for my helmet and it came in very handy to call and get a position update. Both of us did not have phone holders on our bike, this proved costly somewhere near Arsikere, we both were spilt up and I ended up taking a slightly longer route towards Tarikere.

A phone call later, we both synced up, enjoyed a glass of sugarcane juice to cool and the set off again. The rest of the journey was no better, some bad patches, some good. Somewhere near Bhadravati, we split again. My friend ended up taking a bad patch , I was lucky enough to pass through a much scenic Bhadra forest and it was great.




V Strom completed 4000 Kms at Bhadra forest.






Somewhere near Shivamogga.



By the time we reached Shivamogga, it was lunch time. We were famished and headed straight to Meenakshi Bhavan. We devoured a healthy portion of south Indian food. Not wanting to waste more time, we headed to the destination of the day - Jungle lodges, Sharavathi adventure camp.

Somewhere near Sagara










By evening we reached Jog Adventure Camp, nestled amidst the pristine Western Ghats. The camp offered a perfect blend of water activities and serene surroundings. We arrived a bit late to the camp. Thanks to me for waking up late and also the joint decision to take the route less taken. We completed the check in formalities, dumped the luggage and riding gear.


Most of the water activities had closed, however the staff at JLR informed us that the last boat ride for the day was still open and we decided not to miss it.

This is what the view had to offer us. The pics wont do justice to the splendid view of the nature. Embarking on a boat ride across the serene waters of Talakalale Reservoir as the sun begins its descent is nothing short of enchanting. The gentle ripples of the reservoir mirror the warm hues of the setting sun, casting a mesmerizing glow on the surroundings. The boat sailed gracefully through the still waters, creating a tranquil symphony of nature's beauty. The sky transforms into a canvas of vibrant oranges, pinks, and purples, creating a breathtaking backdrop for the journey. The distant hills and lush greenery along the shoreline are painted in the soft, golden light, creating a picturesque panorama. As the boat sails along, the rhythmic sounds of water lapping against its hull add to the soothing ambiance. It's a moment of sheer tranquility, where time seems to stand still, and the beauty of the sunset on Talakalale Reservoir becomes an indelible memory etched in memory.





























After the delightful boat ride on Talakalale Reservoir, we indulged as we docked at a quaint lakeside cafe to savor a moment of relaxation. The aroma of freshly brewed tea greeted us as we stepped ashore, and the cozy atmosphere of the cafe provided a perfect retreat. Seated on a terrace overlooking the shimmering water, we enjoyed steaming cups of aromatic tea, accompanied by an array of delectable snacks. The warm, golden glow of the sunset cast a magical hue over the scene, enhancing the flavors of the chai and snacks. The menu boasted an assortment of local delights, from crispy pakoras to savory masala Vada, each bite a burst of flavor that complemented the serene setting. As we unwound, sharing stories and laughter, the combination of the finishing boat ride and the delicious tea and snacks turned a simple lakeside evening into a memory brimming with warmth and satisfaction

The cafe at JLR.




Dining under the starlit canopy of the jungle at a remote lodge, surrounded by the crackling warmth of a bonfire, is an experience that engages the senses and captivates the soul. Guests are seated on comfortable chairs, immersing themselves in the primal beauty of the surroundings. As the night deepens, the enchanting combination of delicious food, jungle sounds, and the warm glow of the bonfire creates a dining experience that lingers in memory, making it an unforgettable part of the jungle lodge adventure



Retiring to the room after a satisfying dinner at the jungle lodge is like stepping into a cocoon of tranquility. The crisp night air lingers as you make your way back, guided by the soft glow of lanterns that line the pathways. Unlocking the door to your retreat, the ambiance inside embraces you with its serene charm. The sounds of the jungle outside provide a soothing backdrop as you settle into the cozy comforts of the room. The ambient lighting casts a gentle glow, creating a calming atmosphere conducive to relaxation. The day's ride and the flavors of the dinner still linger in your thoughts as you unwind, perhaps flipping through the pages of a book or simply savoring the stillness. The comfortable bed promised a restful night, and as you draw the curtains, you catch a glimpse of the night sky, adding a celestial touch to the final moments before sleep claims the day's explorations.

[girimajiananth]

Day 2: Jog Adventure Camp to Gokarna

Refreshed and rejuvenated, we woke up the next morning to a visit to Jog falls. Jog falls is formed by river Sharavathi and is the second highest water falls in India. There is a hydro electric power plant too catering to the electricity needs.

Being a guest at JLR means, you get to view Jog falls from the old inspection Bungalow side. We boarded a bus which took us to the spot, and we had to hike down a furlong to get the view.

View enroute jog falls



The old inspection bunglow.






The view from Jog Falls was a breathtaking experience that left me in awe of nature's grandeur. The lush greenery surrounding the falls added to the picturesque setting, making it a truly unforgettable and rejuvenating journey into the heart of Karnataka's natural beauty. In fact this was the spot where the famous Mungaru Male was shot .










My attempt at capturing the 832 ft drop of Jog falls, at the risk of losing my mobile phone.











We continued to the other side of Jog falls. I noticed a lot of construction work in full swing to accommodate more tourists in the coming days.



You can see the power station at the bottom of this pic.






Every time I visit jog falls, it reminds me of this song rendered by Dr Rajkumar from the movie Jeeevana Chaitra.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpenYBalGrQ

With the song lingering in my mind, we headed back to JLR, we were greeted by freshly cooked breakfast. We quickly finished bath, breakfast and packed our luggage. After gearing up, we completed the checkout formalities bidding adieu to this fantastic place.

The view from our room.




Some pics of the JLR property.







Geared up, we set out to the destination for the day - Zostel, Gokarna.

A customary pic of the rides.



On the bridge over river Sharavathi.








Google maps showed route via Honnavara.



The road between Jog to Gokarna was fantastic. The twisty roads takes you through scenic lush green villages. Blissful school kids waving at you with their million dollar smiles was priceless.

This route was less of a ride and more of a slow dance with the road on the bike at every twist and turn. I never imagined a bike as big as Vstrom could take the curvy roads that easily. All thanks to the big wheel base and the grippy tyres. Even a noob as me could handle this with ease.

We reached Honnavara a couple of hours later. A quick pit stop for juice refreshed us and we were ready to mount our rides again.

Gokarna greeted us with its laid-back charm and pristine beaches. After settling into our zostel a top a hill cottage overlooking the beach, we rested for a while and hit the restaurant for lunch.

Zostel is a worthy mention. Its a beautiful place overlooking the beach, very calm except for some people who like to play loud music. The only downside is they do not allow children on the property and its strictly for adults. So if you are planning a family vacation, you might have to plan to stay some place else.

The view of the beach from Zostel Restaurant / cafe






With our stomachs full from lunch, we decided to rest the afternoon and venture out in the evening when the weather would be a little cool.

Towards the evening, we ventured out to the town and wanted to check out the Gokarna main beach. Since it was holiday season, there was some crowd. The beach was not all that clean. However the long walk on the beach was very relaxing.

Gokarna main beach







We thought of visiting the temple at Gokarna, however there was a mandatory dress code and we were waltzing in our beach shorts and we did not bring Dhoti from home. We decided to visit the temple next day morning after having bath and went for a local shopping instead to take some souvenirs home for the kind people who had granted permission to take this journey. There were plenty of spice shops filling the road with a pleasant aroma. The streets were colorful and vibrant.

The gods' chariot on the street.






Some more of Gokarna street.

[girimajiananth]

Later that evening, we found a small hotel which served pure veg food near the Gokarna beach. It was nothing fancy, but the place was clean and the food was tasty. What more could one ask for ? we finished a homely cooked dinner and headed back to Zostel for the evening.

Zostel by evening.









We sat by the reclining chairs discussing life, enjoying the calmness, the cool sea breeze and the sound of the distant waves. We decided to call it a night and headed back to the cottage for a good nights' sleep. We decided to wake up early, head to the temple to beat the crowd, finish breakfast after the darshan and plan ahead for the rest of the day.

Day 3:Gokarna : Mahabaleshwara temple & OM beach.

We were too lazy to wake up early, by the time we woke up and had bath it was quite late. we decided to take it easy and not stress ourselves. After bath we wore the mandatory dhoti for the temple visit and walked down to the temple. There was a long queue of devotees and we joined the line. Roughly after an hour we came out feeling blessed after a good darshan

At Gokarna, the main temple is lord Shiva in the form of Mahabaleshwar.

The main temple from outside.



After the darshan, we went back to the same hotel where we had dinner the previous night and had some good breakfast.

we headed back to our Zostel cottage to rest for a while and decided to spend time watching some TV.

Later that evening, we rode to OM beach on my Vstrom . Om beach was roughly 5 KM from where we stayed and it took us about half an hour to reach. The road from Zostel to Gokarna was very scenic overlooking the beach.

Unlike the main beach, Om beach was very clean. I noticed a lot of beach side properties , people making a quick buck at the water sports and it looked like fun.

We walked on the beach shore to catch some sunset .

The sunset at Om Beach in Gokarna is a mesmerizing spectacle that paints the sky with hues of gold, orange, and pink. As the sun descends over the Arabian Sea, its warm glow transforms the tranquil waters into a reflective canvas, mirroring the breathtaking celestial display. Silhouettes of palm trees and the distinctive rock formations enhance the coastal panorama, creating a serene and enchanting atmosphere. As the day gracefully gives way to twilight, the rhythmic sound of waves provides a soothing soundtrack to nature's captivating evening performance, making the sunset at Om Beach an unforgettable and serene experience.



























Feeling blissful, we head back to Zostel to pack for the next day to head back to our homes where our loved ones were waiting eagerly with rolling pins.

Day 4: Gokarna to Bangalore.

With a heavy heart, we checked out from Zostel. Mounted our luggage on our bikes and got set to leave. We wanted to reach home before dark, and wanted to avoid peak hour traffic & night rides. We did not want to explore any new roads and decided to stick to tried and tested ones.

We decided to take Gokarna - Honnavara - Sagara - Shivamogga - Channagiri - Chitradurga - Bangalore. Stopped for fuel and breakfast at Honnavara, tanked up both our stomachs and bikes, with no intentions of stopping in-between for anything including photo ops (I regret it now, wish I had clicked more pics of the ride).



The ride was uneventful with both machines taking what ever we throw at it.
Thanks to Senna Bluetooth, we were able to sync up periodically. We reached Chitradurga by lunch time and stopped at Upadhyay hotel for lunch. We tanked up again near Hiriyur just to be on safer side and rode hard on NH4 leaving behind bigger vehicles in our rear view mirror.

The good thing on riding on bikes is you don't have to wait at long queues at tolls which saves a lot of time. By evening we had reached Nice road. Surprisingly we had covered the entire distance from Gokarna to Bangalore in less than 12 hours flat.

We parted ways to our respective homes at Nice road. As I conclude this travelogue reflecting on our journey, I realized that it wasn't just about the destinations but the roads we traveled, the people we met, and the memories we created. The Suzuki V-Strom SX 250 and Honda CB500X had not just been modes of transport; they were companions in an expedition that transformed a simple road trip into an epic adventure.

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[vsathyap]

Thanks for the wonderful TL and the lovely pics. The one with the red activa against the red wall and the black and white pic after that, and the desolate side-lane/gully - these are some stunning shots! Read the entire TL in one go!!! Looking forward to more TLs

[miheerkp]

This was a lovely read, took me back to 2021 when I visited Gokarn on my CB350. Thank you for resurrecting those fond memories!

[Renaissance Man]

Lovely T-Log. Can you tell a bit more how the suspension of the V-Storm worked on the bad patches and also what speed range were you maintaining on your trip.

[Tollfreerider83]

Fantastic pics and it reminded me of my last trip to Murudeshwar and Udupi from Chennai just a few months ago. The route from Chitradurga to Honnavar via Sagara and Jog falls is one to die for! I just loved the dense green forests all the way and the fresh air..

[girimajiananth]

Originally Posted by Renaissance Man

Lovely T-Log. Can you tell a bit more how the suspension of the V-Storm worked on the bad patches and also what speed range were you maintaining on your trip.

The V-Strom suspension is a bit stiff, but the luggage on the rear seat and the weight of my gear softened it up a bit. On bad patches it was tolerable, but if you are someone looking for a plush ride, you might need to get the suspension tuned a little bit or consider other bikes (like X pulse).

On good roads, I could maintain a steady 100KMPH all day long with some more power left in the motor for those quick overtakes. I prefer to keep it between 80 - 100 KMPH to enjoy the ride. I prefer relaxed cruising & enjoy the surroundings.