Prologue
It was on the 14th of November, 2023, when I along with four of my closest friends — SSV Sharma, Shri Hari, Charan, and Srinidhi — embarked on what is said to be South India’s toughest trek:The Kumara Parvatha Trek. With a spirit of adventure and our backpacks loaded, we set out to explore nature in its rawest and most majestic form.
Day 1: The Ascent Begins
Our journey started with a visit to the revered Kukke Subramanya Swamy Temple. After seeking blessings, we moved towards the trek starting point. Here, the forest officials did a thorough inspection of our bags, especially for plastic. Any plastic items needed to be registered, and a refundable deposit had to be made. This eco-conscious step ensured we brought back every piece of plastic — a responsibility we were happy to take.
Not long into the trail, we had our first encounter with leeches. Shri Hari’s socks were soaked in blood. Just as panic set in, we were lucky to meet a wise granddad on the trail who showed us how to calmly remove leeches and deal with them. Despite spraying Dettol on our shoes, those little creatures found their way to us!
Our goal for the day was to reach Bhattara Mane, a humble home run by a Brahmin cook who serves meals to trekkers — but only if informed in advance. The trail up to there was steep and humid. As someone who has asthma and mistakenly packed heavy blankets and extra clothes, the climb was even more challenging for me. Yet the moment we reached Bhattara Mane and drank the cool, spring water — the kind that flows straight from the mountains — it was divine. The sun was blazing above, but that water was refreshingly cold. I’ll never forget the taste of that water.
Lunch was simple and comforting. Rice, curry, and sour buttermilk — just what tired souls needed. After lunch, we retreated to our tents, took rest, and let nature surround us with its sounds.
The Wild Surroundings
The trek revealed nature's untouched beauty. Around us were dense green forests, unique trees like Emmei Mara (the oil tree), wild orchids, colorful beetles, and vibrant butterflies. It felt like walking through a living encyclopedia of flora and fauna.
Day 2: The Push to the Peak
Early morning, we left Bhattara Mane with only essentials — water bottles, dry fruits, and energy bars. The climb to Shesha Parvatha was steeper than the previous day. We were already exhausted, but we kept pushing.
After numerous short breaks, and morale boosts from each other, we reached Kallu Mantapa — a stone shelter for trekkers. From there, the trail intensified. Shesha Parvatha greeted us with magnificent views of steep rock faces and vast valleys of lush green.
A friendly dog joined us, and this sweet creature stuck by our side the whole time — from Bhattara Mane to Kumara Parvatha peak. It was like our trail guide, leading the way, waiting when we paused, and climbing like a pro. We named it the “Guardian of the Peak.”
Kallu Mantapa
A place that provides shade to rest.
Spider Web
A big spider web in between the forest.
Trail
Trail we encountered in between which was full of hard rocks that absorbed the heat of sun.
The Final Stretch: Into the Scary Forest
From Shesha Parvatha, we entered a dense forest that seemed right out of a mystery novel. Just the five of us and our furry friend, in the eerie silence of the woods. Every sound amplified — rustling grass, snapping twigs, and distant calls of wildlife.
After pushing through fatigue, sore muscles, and mental exhaustion, we finally reached Kumara Parvatha Peak, standing at an elevation of 1,712 meters (5,617 ft). The view? Absolutely surreal. The clouds kissed our cheeks, the wind cooled our burning muscles, and all pain seemed to melt away.
The Descent and the Elephant Encounter
Getting down is always harder. The slippery rocks, tired legs, and falling multiple times — I personally fell six times and even tore my pants. But we were determined to reach Bhattara Mane in time for lunch — and we did! Another hearty meal and that lovely buttermilk helped us revive our spirits.
But the real twist came during our final descent from the forest check post back to the base. It was almost dark. Our bus was scheduled, so we had to hurry. I was drained of energy, and Charan and SSV Sharma kindly shared my load. As night fell, fear began to settle in. Western Ghats is known for wild animals — especially elephants and king cobras.
Suddenly, we heard it. A loud, haunting "Pawooo!" — unmistakably the trumpet of an elephant. It echoed through the valley. We froze, whispering to each other. The sound came again, this time louder. The grasses rustled nearby. Was it the wind? An insect? Or something more dangerous?
We couldn’t take chances. With no network to call the forest officers or even our friends behind us, we moved silently and quickly. Fear turned into adrenaline. My legs, which had refused to move earlier, were now flying ahead. For the first time, I was ahead of the group, leading the escape.
We saw a fence and without realizing, exited through it. Luckily, it was just 200 meters away from the trek entry point. We waited nervously until finally, 20 minutes later, Shri Hari and Srinidhi showed up. We all hugged, overjoyed and relieved. Safe at last.
Conclusion
The Kumara Parvatha trek was more than just a physical journey — it was a test of endurance, friendship, and mental strength. We fought through blood-sucking leeches, fatigue, fear of wild animals, and steep trails, but emerged stronger, more connected to each other and to nature.
We ended our trip with a calm auto ride back to the bus stand, cherishing every moment of our epic adventure. Some memories last forever — and this was certainly one of them.