Weekend getaways around Bangalore

January 24, 2007

Bangalore is the focus today in our series on weekend getaways. This IT hub is just a short drive away from beautiful
plantation country, known for its coffee and spices. Here are nine interesting places to choose from:
Weekend getaways around Pune
 Weekend getaways around Delhi

Coorg/ Madikeri

Steep, winding roads, interesting bazaars and fresh coffee and spices is the flavour of this locale. Coorg is a great place
to take long walks. And pig out at local restaurants.

Do not forget to stop on your way to Coorg at Nisargadhama, a serene island accessed by a 90 metre rope bridge, and
Verrabhoomi, an artisan village showcasing the fine arts of Karnataka.

If you have the time visit the Tibetan monastery near Nisargadhama on the way from Mysore to Coorg. This is a
spectacular stopover where not many go. As too are Madikeri Fort, Iruppu Falls and Abbey Falls.

How to get there

The total distance from Bangalore is about 252 km. The best way to reach Coorg is by road on the Bangalore-Mysore
highway, which should take you about five to six hours by car. By bus, it is almost seven hours. You can catch a bus from
the KSRTC bus depot near the Bangalore railway station. Buses head to Coorg every half an hour or so.

Where to stay
The Capitol Village (Rs 750 to Rs 1,800) in Coorg, a comfortable resort nestled amidst a coffee plantation. The breakfast
and the dinner is very good. Alternatively, you can try the Hotel Coorg International.

Capitol Village
Phone: (08272) 225929,75

Hotel Mayura Valley View

Phone: (08272) 28387

Hotel Coorg International(Standard Non A/C: Rs 2350 Standard A/C: Rs 2650)

Convent Road, Madigeri
Coorg -- 571 201

For more on Coorg hotels, visit: http://www.karnatakatourism.org/sites/coorg.html

Bandipur
Located 215 km away from Bangalore, the Bandipur National Park is nestled between the Western Ghats and
the Niligiri mountains. It is spread across 90 sq km.

"We saw spotted deer and lots of elephants. The guides at the Bandipur National Park took us on an exciting
ride through the middle of the jungle. It is great to see wildlife at such close proximity," says Bangalore-based
Sumit Ghosh, a software engineer.
 One of the earliest tiger reserves to be established in India, the Bandipur National Park is one of nine tiger
reserves in the country. Though it existed even in 1931 under the patronage of the Mysore maharaja, it became
a full-fledged tiger reserve in the early 1970s.

You might have a chance to spot elephants, gaur, wild boars, sambhars, deer, wild dogs, tiger and leopards.

How to get there

By road Bandipur is 215 km from Bangalore and 80 km from Mysore. The nearest railway station is Mysore.

Where to stay
Ideally the cheapest way to stay at Bandipur is at one of the forest department guest houses.

Forest Rest Houses KSTDC (Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation)

Bush Betta Holiday Wildlife (Rs 1,990)

Phone: (080) 2243274, 224795

Tusker Trails (Rs 1700 to Rs 1,900)

Phone: (0821) 636055

KSTDC Mayura Prakruti (Single bed: Rs 300, Double Bed: Rs 400)

Phone: (08229) 7301

Forest Department Cottages

Phone: (0821) 636043,025

For reservations, contact the Field Director's office:

Phone: (0821) 2480901
Web site: www.wildlywise.com/banp_intro.htm

Shivanasamudram
At Shivanasamudram the Kaveri river cascades downwards to form breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls.

Interestingly the Ranganathar temple is situated in the middle of the river on an island.

At one point the Kaveri river winds through a valley, where two separate waterfalls -- Gaganachukki and Bharachukki --
reunite on their way downwards.

There are two lovely vantage points close by, ideal fo a picnic.

Don't miss the Chukki falls, the dargah at Ganagachukki and the Shri Vishveshwaraya Hydroelectric plant, the first hydel
plant in Asia, which was built in 1902. Trekking, fishing and night safaris are possible in the forest.

How to get there

The total distance from Bangalore is about 200 km. To reach Shivanasamudram from Bangalore, take the route from
Kanakapura to head towards (50 km approximately) Malvalli. From Malvalli, head towards Kollegal. This will further lead
you towards Shivanasamudram.
Where to stay
Georgia Sunshine Village
Deluxe room: Rs 2,000, Family room: Rs 1,500, Standard room Rs 1,300, Children (5-12 years): 50 per cent discount)
Phone: (0821) 636055

Chickmagalur
About the place
Chickmagalur if translated literally means "the younger daughter's town". This cosy hill town offers you a vast expanse of
greenery and quiet.

According to Hindu mythology, the younger daughter of Rukmangada, king and a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, received
this town as her dowry.

Chickmaglur is a trekker's delight -- streams, valleys and wild mountain flowers.

How to get there

The distance from Bangalore is about 250 km. From Bangalore, take the NH4, and then Hassan road to Chikmagalur via
Belur.

Where to stay

The Taj Garden Retreat(Rs 1,700 to Rs 3,000)

Phone: (08262) 220404, (0) 9845215152, 9844042152
e-mail: tgrgm.chk@tajhotels.com
Web site: www@tajhotels.com

The Planters Court Hotel (Rs 412 to Rs 1,237)

Phone: (08262) 235881

Nature Nirvana (Home Stay)(Rs 600 to Rs 2000)

Phone: (08262) 220202

Hotel Mount Palace(Rs 300 to Rs 800)

Phone: (08262) 237050

Hotel Malnad Paradise(Rs 350 to Rs 450)

Phone: (08262) 234531,234532,232218

Hotel Rajmahal(Rs 130 to Rs 350)

Phone: (08262) 236415, 236451, 2236452

Hotel President's Palace (Rs 75 to Rs 150)

Phone: (08262) 477269, 477268

Web sites:

 www.holidaymakers.in/destination/hillstations/chikmagalur.html
 www.ourkarnataka.com/states/chickmagalur/kar_tour_cmlore.htm

Belur and Halebid

The temples of Belur and Halebid are intricately carved and stunning. The magnifence of the sculpture tells you a bit
about the importance of art and culture in the Hoysala empire.

A visit to Shravanabelagola to complete the temple circuit is a must.

The monolithic Gomateshwara statue -- probably the tallest in India and sacred to the Jains -- is a special attraction
around here too.

"Avoid visiting these twin temple towns on hot and sunny days. These places have stony pathways and tend to get
extremely hot during peak summer afternoons. Plan a journey early in the day or once the sun starts to set," says Amit
Singh, a Bangalore-based programmer.

How to get there

Belur is about 222 km from Bangalore. It takes about four hours by road to reach this little town. Halebid is a further 16
km away. You can choose to either drive down or take a direct bus or a daily train from Bangalore to Hassan. Hassan is
just 40 km or a one hour's drive from Belur.

Belur to Halebid can be covered by taxi, bus, hired bicycle, or autorickshaw. It is advisable to take the conducted tours or
hire a car if you want to make the most of the Belur and Halebid circuit.

The complete Belur-Halebid circuit can be done in a day from Bangalore. Since accommodation is a bit of a problem in
Belur and Halebid loo at booking a hotel in Hassan.

Where to stay
Hotel Mayura Velapuri, Belur
(Single bed: Rs 135, Double bed: Rs 155, Two dormitories with 20 beds: Rs 35 per head)
Phone: (08177) 22209

KSTDC, Belur
e-mail: belur-hotels@hotelskarnataka.com
Web site: www.journeymart.com/holidays-getaways/India/belur

Nagarhole
About the place
Known officially as the Rajiv Gandhi National Park, this sanctuary is one of India's largest areas of protected forest. It
includes the adjoining sanctuaries of Bandipur, Mudumalai and Wynaad.

This 640 sq km forest area stretches to the north till the Kabini River.

Tigers, wild boar, Asian elephants, deer, dholes (wild dogs), porcupines, bison, Nilgiri tahrs live around here.
Nagarhole National Park is best seen during the winter. During summer you will have to battle the heat but are likely to
spot quite a few wild animals.

How to get there

Nagarhole is 236 km from Bangalore. The nearest railway station is at Mysore about 80 km away.

Reaching Nagarhole by road is the best option by KSRTC bus or by taxi. The nearest town Kutta is 7 km away.

Where to stay

You can stay at a government guesthouse.

Web site www.journeymart.com/Dexplorer/AsiaIS/India/india_addon/wildlife/nagarhole.asp

Bheemeshwari
Off the beaten track Bheemeshwari has now been 'discovered' by Bangloreans and on the weekends gets quite some
traffic. It's a great place to fish and is famous for its Mahseer.

You can also head to Doddamakkali and Galibore villages to sample some deep jungle trekking and fishing. Also do visit
the Sangam and Mekedatu (means 'goat crossing' in Kannada) along the banks of the Kaveri River.

You can visit Bheemeshwari all year round. But if you are keen on fishing the main fishing season starts from October
and goes on to mid-April.

How to get there

It is located approximately 100 km from Bangalore. You can drive down the NH 209 highway to Hagalur village from
Kanakpura via Sathanur.

Where to stay
The Jungle Lodge's Cauvery Fishing Camp is a good bet. Tent cottages will set you back Rs 1,650 a night and log huts
Rs 2,200 a night.

Phone: (8231) 47093

e-mail: sales@junglelodges.com

Web sites:

 www.junglelodges.com
 www.junglelodges.com

 www.karnatakatourism.com/wildlife/bheema/index.htm

Kudremukh Hills
Kudremukh town was set up by the Kudremukh Ore Company. The place is known for its abundant coffee plantations. A
wonderful hill station locale, you can have a holiday here at a fraction of of what it would cost at the more popular places.
Situated on the border of Karnataka and Kerala, Kudremukh is a blissful destination for a weekend holiday.
"If time permits visit the Annapoorneshwari Temple in Horanadu, a few kilometers away to see a temple which like me
you will never forget. As you climb up its steps, you will first spot the statue of goddess Annapoorneshwari from far away,"
says Akanksha Sahay, a web designer from Bangalore.

Annapoorneshwari is the goddess of food. You cannot leave the temple without having a sumptuous meal, which is
prepared on a mass scale and is distributed to anyone who visits the temple.

Visit the Lakya Dam. And also the Kudrmukh National Park for its evergreen thick forests.

How to get there

A seven hour and 351 km drive from Bangalore take the NH4 to Nelamangala and then onto the NH48 to Sakhleshpur.
From there head to Hassan and then to Mudigere and Kalasa.

Where to stay

Silent Valley(Rs 1,400 to Rs 1,800 per couple)

Phone: (08263) 4801
e-mail: silentvalley@vsnl.com
Web site: www.silentvalley.net/

Seethanadi Nature Camp

(Deluxe rooms: Rs 250 per head, Tents: Rs 50 per head)
Phone: (08258) 731183
e-mail: dcfwlkarkala@rediffmail.com/ dcfwlkarkala@yahoo.com

Hotel Chandan(Rs 225 to Rs 525)

Phone: (08263) 374209, 374291

Web site: www.hill-stations-india.com/kudremukh.html

For a good listing of Weekend Getaways from Bangalore, have a look at www.itnatureclub.com.