Gijgini Waterfalls

 As soon as my vacation is approved, I packed my bags, drive all the way from my place.  I always wanted to explore around AG valley and let me tell you it was fantastic! Come have a look on it. Far away from typical touristic places, it is truly a hidden gem. It took us 3 hours to reach my friend Mahabala’s house! First day we explored few new waterfalls around there. Second day we spent the whole day hiking deep forests to explore Gijguni waterfalls. It was amazing!

 After trekking for about an hour from the village soon we started descending which was gradual and was towards the main stream. Soon we were heading into dense bamboo jungle filled with surprises!!  After descending 100 meter we were back to thick woods. After negotiating with the bushes and thorns we made our initial hike skipping the stream & entered into the thick tinny bamboo forest, soon to be lost in the thick and sloppy ridges of AG Valley.

 We had to climb the thorn filled ridges, move along with thick vegetation cover and descend along slippery rocky terrain. We carefully descended down the slope. I could hear the falls roaring from long and within next few minutes with tough attempt between thick jungles we reached directly in to front of Twin Falls.

  Once we reached the stream, we got a breath-taking view of Twin waterfalls and where we climbed down from it was impenetrable jungle that we came. The view from here was magnificent. It was a wonderful set of approximately 100 feet wide rock slab surrounded by green forest is bisected by two powerful bursts of water in the small distance.

 Two separate streams of water cascade down the black much stretched rock, which is divided by huge rock walls and converging around 10 meters away from these waterfalls, the water is almost transparent white as it tumbles down below from 40-50 feet height.

  In the First cascade the thick spouts of water rush over the rock and land in a small pool of water and next one has a thinner, spread out flow of water, making it seem more delicate than the others.

 We spent here around 30 minutes - From here we proceeded towards the second stage. We walked a length about 100 meters and we reached the top of the Gijguni. The view from the top was mesmerizing. After the excitement subsided we started planning the route for the base of the Gijguni main step.

 We searched the way to go down to the falls; we took a diversion from the top to reach the base. I scanned from top nothing looked easy but I can see the way to make it possible to reach the base. It was difficult to clamber down on the steep slope, brushing aside low branches and roots, scrambling over moss laden rocks until I came across some rocky area where we able to see the falls in the nearest distance.

 Anyhow we made the way to the base of the falls over more boulders to witness the majestic of Gijguni falls. It was so beautiful that words are not enough to describe the falls like, way it looks like is unique, rocks formation, tranquillity of icy water and the small ponds is an asset to Gijguni falls. It has on more small stage after this level with big pond.

 After diving, swimming, filling up icy waters, we rested for a while. Almost everyone had taken a nice dip in the water. And it was time for me to take the pictures. Everyone had their rounds for taking their profile pictures and quickly we took a group shot. The astounding sight pleased my senses and made me realize that all those adjectives that are synonymous to stunning will be aptly expressed at that moment!

 Nothing thrills me more than to discover new waterfall that is mysterious in wild.  It turned out to the best and most enjoyable trek under fabulous Gijguni falls.  No words to express as everyone were delighted and overjoyed with ecstasy. After all, what you need in life is that moment of happiness under the misty skies along with likeminded souls in the lush green with thundering waterfalls and gusty winds moving your soul!!

Nyger waterfalls

 After long tiring weeks of work I planned a trek to few unexplored waterfalls in Western Ghats. When I visited here before I had a plan to visit unexplored places nearby this place. But the locals over here suggested, it would be better if we approach after November as it's located in dense forest and it requires crossing stream, so we decided December would be the right month to visit this place. We didn't have much information about this place as there was Krishna and Mahabala knows about this place. Thanks to Mr. Krishna who briefed and helped me to plan Nyger Waterfalls one of the amazing and thrilling.

 With a wonderful pleasant weather our bike ride was very nice highly energetic and fully charged, we reached the starting point after a hard ride on mud road we parked our bikes end of the road and started our trek.

 On initial stretch we crossed through thick jungles where sun never reached. Every moment we spent in the mysterious rain forest was a moment to reflect upon, making the day even more surreal and after walking for an hour through medium toughness level terrain, finally we made to reach top of the waterfalls.

 We need to look down to see the beauty of the falls. After spending lot of time on top of the waterfalls our curiousness pushed to make a journey towards the base. But yet no one made it successful. With great risk and pressure in mind we hiked down to next level. On top we encountered a unique beauty and its magnificence made us to go next level.

 We had some stunning views out over the top of the waterfalls while we were heading down. From this point to the first base of the waterfalls was even tougher to go and it was almost like getting down a huge ninety degree steep rock. With great effort we did it with a help of Mahabala. Without his bravery and support it wouldn't mere to impossible. We reached the base (first step) by risky climb catching grip of strong roots of the big trees that leap all over the rock strewn hill. This region was pretty dangerous because of the thick vegetation and steep ravines. While climbing down the moss makes staying on feet especially difficult.

 We reached first stage of Nyger falls, which was one of the best falls in Uttara Kannada district in the terms of overall rating that I have visited, the way we approached it, the surroundings, the looks etc. I stood looking at it for some time trying to capture it forever in my mind.

 We enjoyed the sheer beauty of the falls, the sheer power with which the water was flowing down and it seemed that it would pull you away along with it and throws you into the gushing black rock hitting water below. We tried to reach close, as the rocks near the base are sharp and very slippery. While looking down it has one more stage and we can’t guess how long it is. Downer stream of the falls has seen very tiny.

 We felt so glad to watch the falls; it was like gallons of milk pouring down. The hill stood still everything around was mute except the sound of the waterfalls. We proud to say that fist human step in the first stage of waterfalls is ours. With great reluctance we pulled ourselves away from the beautiful sight, headed back the same way we had come, though very exhausted our minds still residing with nature. We reached our places looking forward and planning for another weekend trek same as Nyger another magical place to dwell on.