Rottikallu Trekking - "To feel falling on the lap of Nature find yourself at Rottilka

Rotti-kallu
Bilisare village, Sakleshpur Taluk
Hassan district, Karnataka state
INDIA
Phone :9986432225 / 08173-290199

How to Reach From Bangalore: Kms: 250
• Take Bangalore -pune highway
• Take a left diversion to NH-48(Bangalore - Mangalore) @ Nelmanagala (1 hour from Bangalore)
• Continue in NH48 till Sakleshpur. (Via kunigal, Channarayapattana, Hassan) (220 Kms from Bangalore)
• 3kms past Sakleshpur, take a right diversion from NH-48 @ anemahal towards Hanbal.
• Continue in the same road about 14 Kms to reach Hanbal (A small town)
• Take left diversion in Hanbal circle towards Devrundha
• Continue for 5kms. After crossing water streme take left turn (Magajhalli) (you can find our board on electric pole) come to dead end of that road for 6 Kms.

Probably more than the beauty of the place we were going to visit what seemed to be more attractive for me(Yogesh) was the place of stay Harish Athrey had arranged in Rotti-Kallu. It was supposed to be a home stay in the midst of a huge estate though we all had our own apprehensions about how good it might be.

The very idea of staying in the midst of greenery gave rise to excitement. By the time we picked up everyone and hit the Bangalore- Hassan road it was 8PM in the night on Friday 24th , October 2008. We were traveling in a Tempo Traveler and the plan was to stop at Rudresh Home in Hassan and wait for 4 peoples coming from Mysore. We reached Hassan by 12.30 AM. Rajnikanth, Ajay, Shaibu and Vishal coming from Mysore joined us at 2.30AM at Hassan. We left Hassan at 3 AM and reached Saklespur at 4.30 AM.

The Resorts was around 25 KMS from the NH and road was pretty good. But last stretch of 3 KMS was bumpy and muddy with lot of pot holes. We reached the estate around 7.30 AM in the morning after traveling around 250 Kms from Bangalore.

Day 1:
The First glance of Rotti-kallu, created a homely environment. Our Accommodation was a Big Dormitory (with attached bath) portico and a huge front yard. By the time we played a couple rounds of Shuttle cock and Cricket, breakfast was ready! What else will make you happy than a idly/chutney/Chithranna /Tea breakfast!! We all proved our self that we live to eat.

We finished our breakfast and started playing Lagori....which was our best childhood game. Then we started playing Rugby ahhh!!! no words to say. Only with our under garments, fully drenched in soil, sand and water....was looking like a buffalo enjoying her bath in a clay pit......It was a totally different experience.

Then we started playing in the stream water for few minutes. Then we tried Tarzan swing, which reminded the thrills we were getting on the Columbus / Giant Wheel ride.

After Lunch We caught up the badly needed sleep for couple of hours. Just after sleep we were very happy to see a well lit camp fire adjacent to the Restaurant. Sat around the fire with Beer and Whisky cups and some chakkali/ Mixtures/Chips.

After a peg Mr.Vijay, the owner of Rottikallu started showing us few cards tricks which were amazing. Later Other Rottikallu staff like Harsha and Tilak also joined our party with few tricks and jokes. Harsha's trick with half filled whisky glass, was a shock to all of us. He managed to balance the glass on the table by slanting it 45˚.

After 3 or 4 pegs, Mr. Vijay took us to the Tree top house for last peg. What a good memory was that....holding a Whisky glass and sitting on a tree house...where you can here the sound of the stream passing nearby, feels like a person playing Ghazal and Jaltarang along with insects and birds sound.....Wow!!!! Dinner was ready and again it was a wonderful meal! Totally "To feel yourself falling on the lap of Nature find yourself at Rottilkallu"



Day 2 :
We got up early at 7 AM. The plan was to go for stream trekking with guide Tilak. After playing shuttle cock for an hour we had bath and finished the breakfast. We started trekking at 9.30 AM from Rottikallu. All of us were holding a stick for support and we trekked for an hour in the stream and then we started trekking on the man made trails. We trekked for 2 kms to reach the top, which was a beautiful view point. At this point we could see mountains called Saalugudda, Baalekolu, Haaluhola and kallugudda. It needs minimum 2 days time to trek all these places. From there it was only ˝ km trekking to the Falls. This path was very wet and with lot of leeches. As per our Guide Mr. Tilak's instructions we moved very fast and did not stop any where until we reached the falls.

As we reached the falls we were shocked to see that lot of leeches had already climbed our legs. we had entered the leeches territory. We all removed our shoes and Tilak helped us to get rid of the leeches. He asked us to enter the falls because there will be less leeches near the falls. As usual leeches are very fond of Rajanikanth's blood and we could see him struggling to remove lot of leeches on his legs.

The leeches had diverted our attention from the falls for few minutes. Now when we looked at the beautiful falls, we were all happy. Soon in few minutes we were all under the falls. The falls was around 20 Ft and it was falling with a great force. We spent nearly an hour near the falls. Then we started trekking back to Rottikallu.

By the time we reached Rottikallu the time was 2 PM. So the total trek time was 4 Hrs. we were all hungry and again We all proved our self that we live to eat. After lunch we started playing cricket. It was 100 Rs betting match. Yogesh team(Yogesh, Lokesh, Harish, Sunil and Vishal) won the first match and Rajani's team(Rajanikanth, Shaibu, Dileep, Ajay and Harsha) won the second match.

The time was 4.30 PM and we were not in a mood to leave the place. Then we packed our luggages, had a cup of coffee and left to Bangalore. We had Dinner in Hassan and we reached Bangalore at around 12.20 PM.


Yogesh P
Sr.Manager in Tulsiyaan Ideas
Hobbies – Trekking, Adventuring, Photography and sharing my experiences in my website – www.bindaastrekkers.com

The Place is excellent & the food too. But NOT YOUR SERVICE! We had visited last weekend but were dissatisfied with the service. Hope they understand the term “HOME STAY” which means that we should get the “Feel @ home” feeling. They cannot dictate terms about what time we can have our food and thats not the way “Home Stays” work…Food has to be supplied to the respective cottages and not served like a hotel.. You can rename your resort as “Rotti SAGAR” like the “SAGARs” in Bangalore. (Food not supplied after 10.30PM)
The place is not for Stags/bachelors/corporate parties at all….Only suitable for couples/families…