It was our first college trip from Bijapur, and we were in 12th grade—excited beyond words! Finally, six tempo travellers were arranged: four for the boys and two for the girls. Each vehicle had a teacher and one student leader responsible for managing the group—like ensuring everyone was onboard whenever we stopped or restarted. I was one of the leaders for one of the vehicles.
This was my first college trip, and it was a seven-day journey towards the Karnataka coastal region. Everything was set, and with high spirits, we began our adventure.
Day 1: Arrival at Sirsi and the Yana Trek
We reached Sirsi in the early morning and first visited the Marikamba Temple. After that, we headed to Yana. We arrived there around 2 PM and had to trek 1.5 km through beautiful forests to reach the hilltop. The path was filled with the sounds of chirping birds, flowing streams, and the lush greenery of the Western Ghats.
Walking alongside friends, laughing and enjoying nature—it was a moment to cherish.
After trekking and climbing over 120 steps, we finally reached the Yana caves. It was breathtaking! Surrounded by dense forest and mystical rock formations, it felt like a scene out of a dream. We explored the caves, admired the view from the top, and relaxed with some snacks sold by villagers who hike up daily and return by evening. No one stays near the caves overnight.
The Unexpected Turn
Around 5 PM, we began descending together, as advised by our teachers. Once down, I began counting everyone boarding my vehicle. All other buses were filled and began moving—but our bus still had two students missing.
Fifteen minutes passed. Then thirty. Still, no sign of them.
Two buses—including ours—remained behind. After a quick decision, six of us (two teachers, two student leaders, and two students) decided to go back up and search. It was already 6 PM, and the sun had set. Imagine trekking into the forest after dark, with only two torches and a lot of fear.
What felt heavenly in the morning—the water flowing, wind rustling through trees, birds chirping—now felt eerie and intimidating in the night.
Searching in the Dark
Holding hands and calling out for our friends (partly for them, partly to calm ourselves), we began the climb. About halfway up, we heard footsteps approaching from above. Our first thought: Is it them?
Then someone whispered, “What if it’s an animal?”
Panic hit us. But we stayed still—and soon saw two figures walking down. Relief! But not our friends.
It turned out to be local villagers who sell snacks at the hilltop. They told us, “We were the last ones to leave. No one is there now.”
With a heavy heart, we abandoned the climb and returned to the buses. Still, the two were missing. At that point, we had to make a tough decision: leave the forest for safety and hope the missing students would catch up later.
A Long Night of Worry
We moved to a roadside dhaba for the night. Everyone had dinner and slept in the buses, but sleep was far from peaceful. Teachers and student leaders spent the night worrying—Were they safe? Where were they? What happened?
We even considered ending the trip early.
Morning Surprise and Happy Ending
Just as the sun rose and we started preparing for the day, a truck pulled up beside our buses. To our utter surprise and joy—our missing friends jumped out!
Before they could even speak, emotions took over—cheers, tears, and a few angry scoldings too! Teachers calmed everyone down and sat the two boys aside to understand what had happened.
What Really Happened
While descending with the group, they noticed a side trail that looked like a shortcut to the parking area. But it led deeper into the forest. They lost their way and wandered through the woods all night, looking for any road or sign of help.
Eventually, they found a highway by early morning and managed to hitch a ride on a truck after explaining their situation. And as fate would have it, the truck passed our dhaba, and they spotted us.
Conclusion: A Trip to Remember
Thankfully, it all ended well—no disasters, just lessons and memories. We continued our journey as planned, and the rest of the trip went smoothly with even more excitement and caution.
That Yana night will always be etched in our minds—not just for the fear, but for the bond, bravery, and unforgettable memories it created.
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