Antaragange is arguably one of the most stunning and eventful trip I ever had. Almost all the articles I have read online prior to going there, only mentions about a temple and a short trek to the peak. But what most of them don't highlight is the cave exploration. So, I write this blog so that some of you guys will be inspired to take up this challenge rather than simply trek an hour or two and come back.
I knew about BMC, Bangalore Mountaineering Club (bmcindia.org) but never had a chance to go for any trip that they organized. This time I thought I will give a try. I searched their website and out of the many treks in their schedule, I thought of going for Antaragange since it was about cave exploration which I never did before. Since, I have lot of loser friends who are lazy and care about saving money, I had to go by myself. Initially I was skeptical of being alone but there were 30 young participants (around 15 men and 15 women). It was very easy to make friends and have fun.
The trip was completely organized by BMC. They charged a fee of Rs. 850 which included travel costs, sleeping bags, breakfast, guide and first aid. My pickup point was at Domlur around 8:30PM on Saturday and we reached the foot of the hill at 11:00PM which included stoppage for dinner. After a short intro session, all 30 of us plus 2 guides from BMC started trekking up the hill around 11:30PM. Comparatively the trek was easy. None from our group found any trouble climbing.
I was somewhere in the front and I along with other 10 people followed a dog and lost our way. Then the guide came and informed that this is the end point of the trek where we would be sleeping that night and that we bypassed the cave. He led us back to where we took the wrong turn. There we could see the cave entrance. Then began the most awesome part of the trek. It was full of jumping, crawling, rolling, sliding in the pitch dark cave. Some parts were so narrow that you have to exhale in order to squeeze through it. At many places, you have to be careful so that you don't knock your head on the roof of the cave. It doesn't require stamina but it requires some climbing skills. And after around 1 or 2 hours of being in the darkness and full of acrobatic performances we were finally out in the open (the place where the dog led us before, and he was there waiting for us :-P). Time was around 3:30AM.
All of us started searching for a place to sleep. I found a rock which was almost flat and along with 4 others, I prepared to sleep. Cold wind was blowing so I had to cover my head and ears. I also put on my jacket and crawled into my sleeping bag. I lied down for a while facing the stars and boy I must tell you, that was A-W-E-S-O-M-E. I don't know when I slept but around 5:45AM I was woken up by a cacophony from the nearby rock. It was "antakshari" by another gang. But thanks to them, I woke up at the right time to see the sunrise.
Here are some snaps that I have taken. This one was shot some 30 minutes before sunrise from the rock on which I was sleeping. The lights that you see are from the Kolar town. (Click on the image to see the full size image in my flickr account)
Due to the clouds we could see the sun only for a brief time. Here is one such shot.
Here are some views of the land from the mountain peak.
We started descend soon after. We reached the base in an hour. While you reach the foot of the hills you can see a bunch of monkeys in pursuit of their breakfast. If you have any food pack with you, be careful. Those monkeys are shrewd enough to snatch it from you. One gentleman who was not that rude, is this.
We started our journey back in no time. On the way we stopped at Kamat for breakfast which was part of the package. We were free to order anything we want. Kamat was too costly that I spend around Rs. 200 for my breakfast. Then we headed for Bangalore and reached here by 10:00AM.
Some of my suggestions for your planning.
1. Without cave exploration, Antaragange might not amuse you especially if you are an experienced trekker.
2. Go with BMC, or make sure one from your gang already knows the cave paths. There are many detours inside the cave where you can get lost.
3. Torch is a must inside the cave.
4. One litre of water per person would be sufficient.
5. If you're trekking at night, make sure you protect yourself from cold wind at the top. Also carry sleeping bags.
6. Wear pants and shoes with good grip. Gloves also might come in handy.
7. Take no luggage, or as less luggage as possible since having a bag will make it difficult for you to squeeze through some parts of the cave.
8. Have food before you start. Taking food to the top might not be a good idea because of monkeys.
9. If you are taking camera, ensure proper protection for it from the cold winds.
10. Claustrophobic people should stay away.
I became an admirer of BMC since this trip, the way they organized, the way things went so smoothly, the way they managed 30 members with ease, everything at a cost of Rs. 850. I will definitely go for further trips with them and I don't have to rely on my lazy friends anymore. Thanks a lot BMC.
Please feel free to comment if you require further clarifications.
I knew about BMC, Bangalore Mountaineering Club (bmcindia.org) but never had a chance to go for any trip that they organized. This time I thought I will give a try. I searched their website and out of the many treks in their schedule, I thought of going for Antaragange since it was about cave exploration which I never did before. Since, I have lot of loser friends who are lazy and care about saving money, I had to go by myself. Initially I was skeptical of being alone but there were 30 young participants (around 15 men and 15 women). It was very easy to make friends and have fun.
The trip was completely organized by BMC. They charged a fee of Rs. 850 which included travel costs, sleeping bags, breakfast, guide and first aid. My pickup point was at Domlur around 8:30PM on Saturday and we reached the foot of the hill at 11:00PM which included stoppage for dinner. After a short intro session, all 30 of us plus 2 guides from BMC started trekking up the hill around 11:30PM. Comparatively the trek was easy. None from our group found any trouble climbing.
I was somewhere in the front and I along with other 10 people followed a dog and lost our way. Then the guide came and informed that this is the end point of the trek where we would be sleeping that night and that we bypassed the cave. He led us back to where we took the wrong turn. There we could see the cave entrance. Then began the most awesome part of the trek. It was full of jumping, crawling, rolling, sliding in the pitch dark cave. Some parts were so narrow that you have to exhale in order to squeeze through it. At many places, you have to be careful so that you don't knock your head on the roof of the cave. It doesn't require stamina but it requires some climbing skills. And after around 1 or 2 hours of being in the darkness and full of acrobatic performances we were finally out in the open (the place where the dog led us before, and he was there waiting for us :-P). Time was around 3:30AM.
All of us started searching for a place to sleep. I found a rock which was almost flat and along with 4 others, I prepared to sleep. Cold wind was blowing so I had to cover my head and ears. I also put on my jacket and crawled into my sleeping bag. I lied down for a while facing the stars and boy I must tell you, that was A-W-E-S-O-M-E. I don't know when I slept but around 5:45AM I was woken up by a cacophony from the nearby rock. It was "antakshari" by another gang. But thanks to them, I woke up at the right time to see the sunrise.
Here are some snaps that I have taken. This one was shot some 30 minutes before sunrise from the rock on which I was sleeping. The lights that you see are from the Kolar town. (Click on the image to see the full size image in my flickr account)
 |
| from Flickr |
Due to the clouds we could see the sun only for a brief time. Here is one such shot.
 |
| sunrise from the top of antaragange hills |
Here are some views of the land from the mountain peak.
 |
| bird's eye view from the peak of antaragange hills |
 |
| bird's eye view from the peak of antaragange hills |
We started descend soon after. We reached the base in an hour. While you reach the foot of the hills you can see a bunch of monkeys in pursuit of their breakfast. If you have any food pack with you, be careful. Those monkeys are shrewd enough to snatch it from you. One gentleman who was not that rude, is this.
 |
| from Flickr |
We started our journey back in no time. On the way we stopped at Kamat for breakfast which was part of the package. We were free to order anything we want. Kamat was too costly that I spend around Rs. 200 for my breakfast. Then we headed for Bangalore and reached here by 10:00AM.
Some of my suggestions for your planning.
1. Without cave exploration, Antaragange might not amuse you especially if you are an experienced trekker.
2. Go with BMC, or make sure one from your gang already knows the cave paths. There are many detours inside the cave where you can get lost.
3. Torch is a must inside the cave.
4. One litre of water per person would be sufficient.
5. If you're trekking at night, make sure you protect yourself from cold wind at the top. Also carry sleeping bags.
6. Wear pants and shoes with good grip. Gloves also might come in handy.
7. Take no luggage, or as less luggage as possible since having a bag will make it difficult for you to squeeze through some parts of the cave.
8. Have food before you start. Taking food to the top might not be a good idea because of monkeys.
9. If you are taking camera, ensure proper protection for it from the cold winds.
10. Claustrophobic people should stay away.
I became an admirer of BMC since this trip, the way they organized, the way things went so smoothly, the way they managed 30 members with ease, everything at a cost of Rs. 850. I will definitely go for further trips with them and I don't have to rely on my lazy friends anymore. Thanks a lot BMC.
Please feel free to comment if you require further clarifications.
