Karnataka Tourism: Weekend getaway From Bangalore

If you are in Bangalore and want to escape the city for the weekend there are plenty of easily accessible options. Here is a list of our favourite hill station breaks for getting away from it all.

Coorg

Nestled in south-west Karnataka lies Coorg, a small hillstation that’s often called ‘The Scotland of the East’. In Mercara or Madikeri, one finds the proud Madikeri Fort, which was built in 17th century. Here, the Raja’s Seat overlooks a deep valley and from here you can enjoy spectacular views of the sunrise and sunset. At the Abbey Falls water cascades to a depth of 70 feet into a rocky valley offering an unforgettable sight to visitors.

Tadiandamol_Pan_of_Coorg

Tadiyendamol is the loftiest peak in Coorg challenging people to climb it. Located on the banks of the river Cauvery is the Valnoor Fishing Camp where avid fishing enthusiasts can indulge in the luxury of angling for the huge game fish mahseer. Over 5000 monks reside at the Namdroling Monastery in Bylakuppe and it is one of the largest Tibetan settlements in the country.

Wayanad

This hill station is located in the northern part of Kerala. Its natural beauty has been left intact as it hasn’t been overrun by tourism. Wayanad is largely covered by spice plantations, paddy fields and forests. The region’s landscape is speckled with beautiful trekking trails. One important trail is the 10 hour climb to the top of the 2100m Chembra Peak, the highest point in Wayanad.

Wayanad-weekend-gateway-from-Bangalore

One of the main attractions is the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary where it is possible to see deer, bears, macaques, elephants and even tigers. Other attractions include the ancient Sree Thirunelli and Valliyurkava Bhagavathi temples and the 5000 year old prehistoric rock-art in the Edakkal Caves.

Ooty

Ooty is known as ‘the queen of the Blue Mountains’ and is a beautiful hill station located in the Nilgiris. It is known for beautiful gardens, wooded rolling hills, pine and eucalyptus forests, coffee and tea plantations, ancient tribes and monuments. Ooty’s Botanical Gardens has developed over the last 150 years, and offers over 2,000 species of flowering plants.

A popular spot amongst families is the Ooty lake. This is an artificial lake, which was constructed in the early 1800’s.

Ooty-Hill-Station

Doddabetta is the highest peak in the Western Ghats and it stands at a height of 8,640 ft above sea level. It is accessible by road and the drive offers panoramic views of the surrounding ranges and valleys. Ten minutes from the Ooty Market is a Toda Village. The Todas are one of the oldest tribes to inhabit this region and you will find beautiful Toda temples in the area. For those who want to shop, handicrafts can be purchased right from the village at great prices.

Coonoor

Coonoor is the second highest hillstation in Nilgiris and it is perched at a height of 1,856 meters above sea level. Sim’s Park in Coonoor is located at an altitude of 1798 meters and is nestled in a deep ravine. The park is famous for great views to many of Coonoor’s popular tourist spots such as Lamb’s Rock, Dolphin’s Nose and Lady Canning’s Seat.

Enjoy-Weekend-in-Coonoor

Nilgiri’s famous Toy Train is a great way to reach Coonoor. The charming train started operating over a century ago and maneuvers the rocky terrain with ease. Many songbirds like nightingales, babblers, larks and robins, whoare found in Coonoor. The Pomological Station is a feast for those interested in horticulture. Many varieties of fruits are grown here for research purposes. The Law Falls are located 7 kilometers from Coonoor and water here drops from a height of almost 200 feet.

Yercaud

Located near Salem in Tamil Nadu’s Servarayan range at an altitude of 1,500 meters is Yercaud. Yercaud’s highest point is the Servarayan temple, which is perched at a height of 5326 feet. The hills here are rich with fauna and flora, which includes bison, deer, rabbits, hares, and many other native species. The Yercaud Lake is surrounded by well-groomed gardens and thick trees. One of the best views that Yercaud can offer is at the Lady’s Seat. Panoramic view of the ghats and beyond can be seen from here. Stargazing is a lovely experience at the Lady’s Seat.

Spend-weekend-boating-in-Yercaud

The Kiliyur Falls in Yercaus fall from a majestic height of 90 feet andare popular amongst visitors.

Swaad with Sharmaji

Things To Do in Wayanad, Kerala

If you’re visiting Wayanad, Kerala, then planning an itinerary is tough. There are so many things to do and see.

The Thamarassery Ghat

A hair-raising drive down the Kozhikode-Bangalore highway takes one towards Lakkidi, the gateway to Wayanad. As your car winds its way up the Thamarassery Ghat, crane your neck to have a peek at a tree bound by a large chain around its trunk.

Wayanad Hill View

Legend has it that a tribal person from Wayanad showed a British engineer, who was searching for a path to build a road running through Wayanad), the Thamarassery Ghat as an easy way to reach Mysore from Kozhikode. Eager to take credit for it, the engineer killed the helper and buried his body under a nearby tree. Soon after these roads were built, several people met with horrendous accidents at the Thamarassery Ghat – all attributed to a wanton spirit haunting that stretch of road. Before long, an exorcist was summoned and fettered the victim’s spirit onto that nearby tree. Today, one knows it as the famous Chain Tree.

The Tea Plantations of Vythiri

The British opened up Vythiri for the cultivation of tea in 1889. You can meander through the sprawling tea plantations that are ensconced atop the rolling hills of Vythiri. You’ll usually comes across a bunch of women nipping of ‘two leaves and a bud’ with their nimble hands and tossing them over their shoulders into baskets slung along their backs.

Edakkal Caves

The primordial Edakkal Caves are cradled in the Ambukuthi hills near Ambalavayal. The Edakkal Caves are basically two rock formations purportedly formed by a large split in a mammoth rock. Legend has it that they were caused by arrows fired by Luv and Kush, the sons of Rama, legendary hero of Ramayana. Like the world-renowned Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Maharashtra, the Edakkal Caves were stumbled upon by an Englishman (in 1890) while on shikar. Over the years, the Edakkal Caves have drawn the attention of archaeologists from around the world. The latter say that the engravings found inside the Edakkal Caves (Neolithic etchings such as these are to be found only at few places in Africa) shed light on the existence of a Stone Age civilization in Wayanad. The Edakkal Caves are sure to leave one spell-bound.

Soojipara WaterFalls near Edakkal caves

Meenmutty Falls 

A picturesque drive down the Chundale-Udagamandalam road takes one towards Neelimala. An easy 30 minute upward climb takes you atop Neelimala. No sooner are you atop, you begin to hear the roar of a cascading fall. The Meenmutty Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in Kerala, has to be really seen from atop Neelimala to fathom its utter beauty.

Chembra Peak

At 2100 meters above sea level, it happens to be the loftiest peak in Wayanad. The Chembra Peak that seems to imperiously gaze upon the countryside can be seen from almost all parts of Wayanad. For those who have a head for heights the Chembra Peak makes for exhilarating trekking.

Muthanga Game Sanctuary

Lurking in the woods

Muthanga forms an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, one of the bio-diversity hotspots of the world. Safari is the thing to do here. You may come across herds of elephants, barking deer, sloth bear, nilgiri langur and the odd tiger lurking in the woods…

Kuruvadweep

About 15 kilometers from the town of Mananthavady lies this picturesque 950-acre group of uninhabited islets bound the River Kabini.

Banasura Sagar

About 25 kilometers from Kalpetta lies this breathtaking lake. One could go on a bout of speed boating at this lake that’s set against the backdrop of the Banasura Mountain.

Pakshipathalam

Located in the Brahmagiri hills at Thirunelli, this place is a birdwatchers delight.

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary ,Kerala

And finally

There is a resort at the foot of the Edakkal Caves called Edakkal Hermitage. They have a cosy restaurant in a cavern (a natural cave which is part of the Edakkal Caves chain) where at night, dinner is served inside the cave, which is lit by hundreds of candles. It is the only natural cave restaurant in India.