Weekend Getaways From Bangalore That are a Must Visit

With summer temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels in Bangalore, traveling outdoors in the city – or staying indoors, for that matter – seems more and more unbearable with the overly bright dawn of each new day. Luckily, there are plenty of places nearby to escape the stifling weather, if only for a little while. Check out the list below for a quick getaway to help recharge your life’s batteries.

Nandi Hills (1-day trip)

Located nearly 5000 feet above sea level, Nandi Hills, also known as Nandidurg, is an old fortress located on a hill, at a distance of 60 km from Bangalore. It was ruled by Tipu Sultan and, for a very long time, considered impregnable, until its successful conquest by Charles Cornwallis’ army in 1791.

Driving is the best option but there are other ways to get there too – via bus, autorickshaw and cab. The hills are not far from Bangalore International Airport. A single-day trip, leaving very early in the morning and returning at night, is the most popular option, although many people do choose to stay overnight.  There are a few hotels nearby and a couple situated right on the hilltop, the most notable being Nehru Nilaya, the erstwhile summer retreat of the Commissioner of Mysore. Options to eat are somewhat limited, so feel free to carry your own eatables. Nevertheless, there are vendors and restaurants that serve a range of simple items such as Idli, Dosa and Bisi Bele Bath.

There are plenty of places to visit in the area, many within walking range. Tipu’s face is a cliff that is about 600 metres above sea level with a sheer drop and is supposed to be the place where condemned prisoners were thrown to their deaths during Tipu’s regime. Tipu’s Residence, used by the ruler as a summer retreat and named Tashkar-e-Jannat, is another noteworthy tourist spot.  One of the biggest structures is Nandi Temple, where the interior work on some of the pillars is still well-preserved. For the thrill-seekers there are a few trekking options and lately, paragliding facilities as well.

Ramanagara (1-day trip)

Ramanagara is the famous Ramgarh immortalized in the classic Hindi movie Sholay, which was shot entirely in this area. The town is located approximately 50 km from Bangalore and it attracts tourists chiefly for three reasons – trekking/climbing, bird-watching and Hindu temples.

The climbs have exotic names that reference the movie, such as “Gabbar Ki Alsi Pasand” and “Kaalia” and some have been made easy by way of bolts put in by past climbers while others are tricky due to the bolts having loosened over time. There are very easy and wide-ranging trekking options as well which make Ramanagara one of the most popular destinations among novice trekkers.

On a good day, bird enthusiasts can spot the long-billed vulture and the yellow-throated bulbul, among other rare species, here. The former is critically endangered and the Ramadevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary located in Ramanagara is a government-sponsored effort to protect these fine birds.

Some popular temples here include the Arkeshwara Temple, Mahakali Temple, Ijoor (over 500 years old) and the Sri Rama Temple.

Chikmagalur (2-day trip)

Chikmagalur is a beautiful town located in the foothills of the Mullayangiri range, approximately 250 km from Bangalore. Apart from driving, there are plenty of buses that ply between Bangalore and this town.

There are a lot of hotels and resorts in the area to choose from, ranging from basic shared spaces and lovely homestays to opulent resorts.

Chikmagalur is home to Mullyangiri, the tallest peak in Karnataka and possibly the highest point between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris. Located nearly 2000 metres above sea level, you can drive almost to the top of it, although the last part of the journey by road gets fairly treacherous. If you haven’t driven there, renting bikes is a great option, especially since there are some breathtakingly scenic views on the drive to popular tourist spots such as Baba Budangiri, named after a famous Muslim saint, Kemmangundi, and Hebbe waterfalls. The Bhadra Tiger Reserve, around 38 km from Chikmagalur town, has over 30 tigers and various other fauna such as Leopards, Elephants and Gaurs.

Chikmagalur is famous for its coffee plantations and a trip to the Coffee Board of India, to delve into the fascinating world of coffee preparation, is entirely worthwhile.  Local Malnad cuisine often uses ingredients such as bamboo shoots, raw jackfruit, and turmeric leaves.  Continental cuisine is also widely available in town.

Coorg (2-day trip)

Officially known as Kodagu, Coorg is a magnificent and still largely un-spoilt retreat for nature lovers. The district headquarters is Madikeri, which is at quite a low elevation but the oppressive heat of the plains melts away as you venture into some of the hillier areas.

Coorg is situated at a distance of 260 km from Bangalore and is easily accessible by road. As in Chikmagalur, there are numerous housing options that range from resorts to simpler furnishings to homestays nestled deep in the hills; homestays are highly recommended as they are most likely to give you a richer experience of the place.

Homestay food tends to be simple and delicious. Homemade Coorgi wines are widely available and worth experiencing. If you like pork, you cannot miss Pandi Curry, the extremely delicious, local pork delicacy; for the less adventurously inclined, there are various kinds of cuisines available at restaurants.

At 5740 feet above MSL, Thadiandamol is the highest peak in Coorg district and a wonderful, and not very arduous, trek. It is said that on a very clear day, you can see the Arabian Sea from the top, although this is quite rare. An extremely popular tourist spot is Talacauvery, the origin of the River Kaveri, the lifeline of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and a source of much contention between the two states. A trip to Dubare Elephant Camp is another memorable experience where, for a small fee, you get to bathe and feed the elephants; river rafting is an option here as well. A jeep safari through the nearby Nagarhole National Park, home to tigers, leopards and gaurs, is recommended. En route to or from Coorg, you could also halt for a bit at Mysore, where Mysore Palace and Mysore Zoo are two highly recommended pit-stops.

Have a look at Urban Company’s Driver on Demand service to help you get to one of these places and soar above the heat and cares of daily life.