We organized a one-day company trip to Mullayanagiri for employees on Sunday, 8th June. Twenty-five out of our 38 employees joined the trip—10 women and 15 men—ranging in age from 20 to 55 years. I’d like to summarize the key moments and share some reflections on the trip.

After a hectic summer season, we wanted a refreshing break from routine. A group usually structured by hierarchy and roles became an informal team bound by camaraderie and shared experiences.

While I usually make final decisions in business operations, for this trip, I delegated the responsibility to our younger colleagues and future leaders—Nanda Kishore, Vinod, and Shiva Kumar—who are trekking enthusiasts themselves. I briefed them on basic parameters: duration (a single Sunday), participants (employees only), destination (scenic and nearby), and budget (₹800 per head). They took it from there—visiting the place a month in advance, selecting the destination, booking the bus, arranging food, lodging, and transportation for employees from far-off places.

For some of us who regularly travel, it was yet another getaway. But for others, it was a rare, even once-in-a-decade opportunity. One colleague remarked, “For the first time since college, 10 years ago, I’m freaking out like this.” I could relate; I didn’t travel until I finished college. The management was happy to provide this opportunity, and we appreciated the gratitude in return.

Many of us knew each other professionally, but not personally. Employees from our branches in Mangalore and Sullia got a chance to bond with those at our factory in Puttur. I was amazed at how different some colleagues are outside work—those who are quiet and obedient at the workplace opened up and participated freely during the trip.

We departed from our factory in Puttur at 10 p.m. on Saturday and picked up people along the way. Traveling through Charmadi Ghats, we reached Chikmagalur at 3 a.m. and checked into a lodge to freshen up. We paid ₹100 per head for this brief stay. By 6 a.m., we were ready and headed toward Mullayanagiri base, enjoying the hills, valleys, sunrise, and panoramic views of Chikmagalur. After a quick breakfast at a small canteen at the base, we began our 4-kilometre trek to the peak. Everyone was energetic, with jokes and laughter along the way.

Since it was a Sunday, we saw many other tourists. As Karnataka’s highest point, Mullayanagiri attracts many visitors. The landscape featured lush green hills—either tree-covered on the western side or grassy on the eastern side of the Malnad region.

The peak houses a small temple and a couple of narrow caves. One cave, just a metre in diameter, extends deep enough to provide a novel experience. It was my first time entering such a cave—an intense moment, especially for those with claustrophobia. While there are well-laid steps to reach the top, we climbed from the back side of the hill for a full 360-degree view of the landscape.

We began descending at 10 a.m. and reached the base by 11 a.m. Lunch was arranged at the same canteen where we had breakfast, and we finished early by noon, as we had to proceed to Baba Budangiri next.

Although the mobile tower at Baba Budangiri is just a 2-hour trek from Mullayanagiri, by road it's a 20 km journey. Due to ongoing road construction, we had to park the bus before Dattapeeta and take a public jeep. The driver also took us to a nearby lake and viewpoint, about 4 km away. We wrapped up our sightseeing there by 3 p.m.

The weather was perfect for sightseeing. It was sunny with clear skies, allowing us to enjoy distant views without fear of rain damaging our cameras. Though the monsoon had not officially arrived, streams and rivers were dry. At that altitude, the humidity was low—unlike in Puttur or Mangalore—so trekking in the midday sun was surprisingly comfortable. However, while descending Charmadi Ghat in the evening, it started to rain, obscuring the scenic views we had missed during the night ascent. That’s part of traveling in the rainy season, and I can't complain.

Dinner was arranged at Suprabha’s uncle’s place in Somanthadka, near Ujire. We thank their family for their warm hospitality. After dinner at 8 p.m., we reached Puttur by 9:30 p.m., and everyone was dropped off at their respective homes by 10:30 p.m. A memorable trip had come to a satisfying end—though the downside was that everyone had to report back to work the next morning as usual!

Thanks to the organizers who made the trip smooth and joyful. I must especially highlight their dedication and sacrifices. After the exhausting journey, they personally dropped others home using their own vehicles. While most of us freshened up at the lodge, they did so at the bus stand to save time. On a 22-seater bus, they sat near the driver and stayed awake all night. They were the first to arrive and the last to leave. While their efforts may often go unnoticed, any small shortcoming gets noticed instantly. It’s not easy to manage 25 people and keep everyone happy—but they did it with grace. This experience will serve them well as they grow into leadership roles in the organization.

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