Dandeli Trip

Trip time:
3N/4D

Commute:
Bangalore - Hubli - Dharwad - Haliyal - Dandeli (~485kms)

Stay:
Hotel President Hubli
Kadumane Homestay (Joida)

Best time to visit:
For adventure sports - post monsoon
For nature lovers - all throughout the year

Dandeli Geo:
Dandeli is a quiet town in the western ghats in North West Karnataka. River Kali flows through the town and is famous for its adventure sports like rafting, kayaking, etc. Dandeli is also famous for the natural biodiversity with its semi evergreen forests.

Kali River:
The River Kali got its name from the blackish water that flows in the river. Supa Dam is built across River Kali.






Crocodile Park:
On the banks of river Kali near Dandeli is a make shift crocodile park. It is a private property with a podium to view the crocodiles basking in the sun by the river. There were around seven- eight crocodiles when we visited.



KTR:
Kali Tiger Reserve provides open jeep jungle safari during morning and evening schedules. They cover quiet a ground in the forest taking you to the different water holes to spot animals. It takes around 90mins to complete the safari.


We spotted chital deer, Indian gaur, Langur, Peacock, Turtle, Malabar giant squirrel, Little cormorant and Serpent Eagle. The safari also takes you to a view point where you can see the entire western ghats valley.



















Syntheri Rock:
Syntheri is monolithic volcanic rock which is supposed to be from the neolithic age. We had to climb down 250 steps to view this rock. To reach this place, you need to deviate from the main road and go in to nonexistent off road track for 2.5 kms.

There was a small stream near by the rock and it is advised not to venture into the water.




Bird watching - Rajini Rao's show:

We took the services of Rajini Rao to help us spot some birds of dandeli in the Dandeli Timber Depot. The depot is 143 acres of wooded space, which is ideal spot for bird watching. The timber depot collects rose and teak wood from fallen trees in the forest. Rose and Teak wood are termite resistant as it contains 97% oil. These woods are auctioned twice a year.

Rajini helped us spot various birds which are home to the depot.

1. Common Robin
2. Jungle Owl
3. Malabar Pied Hornbill
4. Malabar Grey Hornbill
5. Indian Hawk Cuckoo
6. Kingfisher
7. Heart spotted wood pecker
8. Woodpecker
9. Sparrow
10. Nuthatch
11. Orange Minvet
12. Flowerpecker
13. Sunbird
14. Garden lizard


























Hiking:
We picked a hiking trail next our homestay which took us to the hill top and gave us mesmerising views of the valley below. We could see green forest cover till the horizon. We spent a quiet time enjoying the fresh air with birds chirping all around.

We spotted couple of birds as well.
1. Malabar pied hornbill
2. Malabar grey hornbill
3. Orange minvet
4. Barbet
5. Velvet minivet
6. Flowerpecker
7. Sunbird
8. Little cormorant

A langur also kept us company during our stay on the hilltop.