Day 2 and 3 - Visit to places in and around Dandeli

We (parents, sister, brother in-law and myself) left at 10 AM from Yellpur to Ambikanagar. It is on way to Dandeli. A hydro electric power plant is there at Ambika Nagar. Dandeli is around 60 kms from Yellapur via Bhagavathi and Ambikanagar (45 kms from Yellapur).  The road surrounded by forest is good .  We reached at around 11 AM. Met Mr. Umesh who is an Engineer at the power plant. Earlier they used to allow visitors to enter the power plant but due to terror activities entry for visitors is banned. It is a pity that visitors cannot see the plant to know how hydro electricity is generated because of this reason. The situation is same across all power plants. We went to Sykes point. It is around 6 kms from Ambika Nagar. The point is named after the surveyor Mr. Sykes. The point offers a stunning view of the river Kali which originates at Diggi, Uttara Kannada district and generates close to 1500 MW of electricity at 4 locations. The major tributaries of Kaliriver are Kaneri and Tatihalla.  Ambika Nagar has one such dam. Major dam across Kali river is Supa Dam in Ganeshgudi (14 kms from Dandeli).  The river joins Arabian Sea.  Got to know about the entire Kali river project and  the technicalities involved in power generation.

Sykes point

Sykes point

Sykes point

Nearby Ambika Nagar there is a cave called Cavla caves which houses a Shiva temple. We couldn’t visit the caves since we had to trek a lot and it would be difficult for my parents. The place is a very popular trekking spot.

We then left to Syntheri rocks ( 35 kms from Ambika Nagar).  We took a diversion to left after 3 kms into Dandeli road from Ambika Nagar. 11 kms from there we get a junction which has 3 roads leading to Anshi, Karwar and  Dandeli. Take the road towards Anshi. 20 km drive into the forest will take you to Syntheri rocks. The road is pretty smooth and curvy. It is a pleasure to drive. Syntheri Rock is a 300 feet tall monolithic granite located deep inside the thick Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary. The view of water flowing beneath this huge rock is awesome. The rocks around the area are slippery and it is strictly advised not to get into water for swimming. 

Syntheri rocks

Syntheri Rocks

We then left to Dandeli which is around 30 kms from Syntheri rocks. We had booked rooms at Kamat Yatri. There is one good vegetarian hotel by name Santosh at Dandeli. There are many Khanavalis which offer traditional north Karnataka food. We enquired about the safari and water sports at the hotel. They have tie ups with resorts like Bison Resort, Jungle lodges near Dandeli. They take us there early morning. The rates are pretty high though.

Jungle Safari costs 500 Rs per head. The safari comes with a warning that it depends on our luck entirely to sight animals. It is for 3 hour duration in their jeep but locals say probability of sighting animals are remote. No wonder the tour operators put this condition first. 

Water Rafting 1300-1500 Rs per head. Kaykaying  costs 250 per head. (A “kayak” is a small paddle boat or a canoe, powered by a double-blade paddle at the handles of the sitting paddler)

Next morning we headed towards one of these resorts. They are located at Ganesh Gudi which is 14 kms from Dandeli. On our way visited Supa Dam. Supa Dam is the second largest dam in the State. This 101 mtr high and 332 mtr long concrete gravity dam is built across the Kalinadi river of Uttara Kannada District. 

Supa Dam

Next we entered  Bison Resort. The rates at these jungle resorts are very high. Per day per person they charge around 4000 Rs. But if we decide not to stay in the resort we can avail water sport services which they offer. River rafting was the one which I was looking for. We need to ride in the flowing water for 9.5 kms and on reaching the destination their jeep will pick up and drop us at the origin. It takes approximately 3 hours to complete the journey but is definitely worth it. And you need to be lucky to undertake river rafting as it is entirely dependent on water being released from the Supa Dam. If water is not released then river rafting will get cancelled.       

Bison Resort

Bison Resort

 After spending almost 5 hours at the resort, a few kms into Belgaum road there is a nice view point where one can view the Supa dam reservoir. The place is stunning to say the least. We headed back towards Hubli from Ganeshgudi (85 kms) via Dandeli-Haliyala-Nigadi-Dharwad. Dharwad to Hubli is 21 km. Got to know that we cannot ride beyond 40 kms in this road. Police with interceptors patrol the road all the time and a fine of 300 Rs will hurt your pocket if you violate. It was an unusual site to watch all vehicles moving steadily at 40 kms speed. One can hardly overtake other vehicles. We are used to see traffic rules broken but for a change I was happy to see that all following the rules. Reached Hubli and rested at Sister’s place that night.

Supa Dam reservoir

Supa Dam reservoir

 Next in my post I will be covering the last leg of my trip. Quite a few interesting places in and around Hubli and Sirsi. Thanks for your time.