Our train started at around 11:40 and we reached Shimoga next day morn at around 6 . We took a NWKRTC bus to Talaguppa., from where we headed to Honne Marudu in a god forbidden Mar
uti Omni and a Sumo. Though the road to Talpegaum was good, journey to Honne Marudu from Talaguppa is best taken with Jeep or better still a 7 km trek by walk. We reached the “Adventurers Base Camp” at around 9:30 where we were greeted by Nomitha and Swamy, who run the Adventurers, a group that maintains Honne Marudu and organizes healthy eco adventurers for nature enthusiasts.After an initial instructions of Do’s and Don’t’s we fed ourselves with a delicious poori and curry. After placing our belongings safely, we undertook a “campus walk”, with our guide Ganpathi. We got to know what to expect from Honne Marudu. We proceeded on to some water exploration
. We put on our life jackets and headed to conquer the turbulent waters of Sharavathi :). It was an out of world experience when we floated around in waters as deep as around 30-40 ft. . After an hour of water floating, we turned to sailors as we took to Coracling .Coracles are round boats, known in Tamil as Parisal, these were one of the earliest known boats man found. 
Though looks seemingly simple to manveour , it was a huge challenge to make it go in our way. Finally after an hour or so, after we became expert Coraclers :) , we proceeded for lunch. Steamed rice, with brinjal Sambar tasted really great . We then went for another round of Coracling ,when all of us, started to one of the islands there at Honne Mardu. These green islands formed when Lingamakki dam was constructed are paradise for campers. As the sun came down , we headed back to the mainland, our next task in hand to build a tents , where we would be sleeping tonight.But before that we had a good tea with a liberal dose of hot vadas(really good ones). It was raining all day and we had no hopes that it would abate at night. But still, we started off building tents, Ganapathi helped us in putting up those.
Finally after our late night dinner, we made ourselves cosy and slept off in those warm tents. It was pouring all night and we slept admist the sounds of rain , chirping of crickets and the rustling of leaves. We slept in the lap of Mother Nature.Next day morning, after a good breakfast of Khara bath and Kesar bath, we headed off for trekking. Trekking in rains must be undertaken by wearing gum boots . The reason, there were lots and loads of “leeches”.Though these are harmless creatures that suck bad blood from you painlessly, inexperienced trekkers might be terrified.
Our trekking led us to Bhima’s Rock /Bhima’s feet,a volcanic formation, that resembles a feet of a giant man. The best thing about the trek at Honne Mardu was it was very unconventional. Through the bushes, battling the rains,handling snakes and taking the unknown path, it was a very different sort of e
xperience.Back to the base, after a nutritious lunch, we packed up. As we left Honne Mardu to Jog falls, I felt nostalgic. This was a place I where I would come again. We headed off to Jog falls. The world famous Jog Falls was a huge and tall water fall unlike Athirapalli falls back home in Kerala. It was a treat to our eyes. We then headed off to Shimoga. At around 10 in the night we boarded Shimoga Express back to B’lore.
Back in B’lore I reached home and quickly cuddled inside my comfortable bed. As I closed my eyes, I was transported back to Honne Marudu. Those were thoughts that I would cherish for days to come.
Some quick facts bout Honne Mardu:
1. Go during monsoons its more beautiful and the water is high.
2. Do not expect any luxuries. Remember you are in a forest.
3. A maruti van from Talguppa to Honne Mardu will cost you around 150-200 INR.
4. For further details contact http://www.westernghats.org/faq.html.
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