Come summers and there evokes the restlessness to pack airbags and head to some unique weekend getaways to refresh and recharge. The hotter the temperature, the cooler the weekend sojourns! Here are a few summer coolers to chill and relax at during those lazy Saturdays and Sundays.

BANGALORE

BANNERGHATTA NATIONAL PARK: Wildlife lover’s most fascinating spot, Bannerghatta has all the ingredients to be included in one of the best known tourist spots and weekend getaway. Rather, it’s not just wildlife enthusiasts, but, anyone wanting a good slice of nature in its full glory. It’s a hotspot for trekkers too with rocky, scrubby, deciduous vegetation clad mountains. It’s a reserve of lions, tigers and many other mammals, like, bison, lion tale monkey, panthers and so on.

Not just this, there are loads of picnic corners, pet corners and even a serpentarium! It’s the serpentarium where you can get up, close and personal with the slithering scaly creatures. It also has a butterfly park, with over 20 species of butterflies and it is as unique as it sounds. It contains a conservatory, a museum and an audio visual room. Definitely a must-visit!

How to get there: 22 kms away from Bangalore, BMTC buses are available -- 365 and V365 (Volvo A/c buses).    

MYSORE: Symbolic of the traditional culture of Bangalore, Mysore’s most noteworthy association has been with sandalwood. Temples filled with sandalwood incense and other fragrances greet you at every nook and corner of the city. Artistic and aesthetic, Mysore is also known for Sri Jayachmarajendra Art Gallery, that exhibits paintings from the late 19th century. Excursions can also be undertaken to Brindavan Gardens, Nanjagud, Somanathapur and Srirangpatna.

Flamboyance at its best with palaces, gardens, temples, shimmering silks and festivals, Mysore has also been awarded the sobriquet of City of Palaces. Mysore’s grandeur is almost tangible in form of grand architecture, sandalwood and silk. 

How to get there: Located at 139 kms from Bangalore, bus services by Karnataka Road Transport Corporation and transport corporations of the neighboring states as well as private tour operators are available. It’s a three hours journey.

 

SHIVANASAMUDRAM: Splashing about in the crystal clear water cascading through boulders at the the Ganganchukki and Bharachukki waterfalls, the western and eastern falls rexpectively at 90 mts could possibly be one of the most fulfilling experiences you’ve ever had. For best of the waterfalls, its at 12:00 noon that you get to see the clear blue water on a bright sunny day…pure pleasure.

A stroll down the falls, trekking the rocky trail provides for the adventure part. Shivanasamudram also boasts of Asia’s first hydra power station, to which entry is banned, sadly.

How to get there: At 135 kms from Bangalore, you can reach Sivanasamudram by driving along the Bangalore Mysore highway till Maddur. Hiring a cab is advisable, since there is no direct route available to reach the falls by bus. Alternately, you can take a bus till Kollegala and take an autorickshaw or a cab from there to the falls.

SRIRANGAPATNA: A fortress of an island encircled by the river Cauvery encloses temples, palaces and a grand mosque. Once, the capital of Tipu Sultan, it enshrines Vishnu as Ranganatha in the Ranganathaswamy temple, which is said to date back to the 9th century.

The summer palace of Tipu Sultan, called Daria Daulat Bagh is a must-visit, with lattice work all over and frescoes of the bygone era. The complex also has the tomb of Tipu sultan’s father Hyder Ali. A stop at the Wellsley Bridge and the Royal Mosque is also worth it!

How to get there: 15 kms from Mysore, there are excellent bus services provided by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation. Vanities of tourist buses, A/C, super fast and Deluxe Volvo buses, are available from Bangalore to Srirangapatna and fare is about Rs 4 to 5 per km.

 

 

 

 

 

 

YERCAUD: The bittersweet aroma of coffee beans fills the air as you approach the steep, mountain road with sharp bends to Yercaud. Nestled among thickly shaded coffee plantations on the slopes, Yercaud is a quiet hill station that has nothing but leisure to offer.

There aren’t quite any activities here that you can engage in. It’s one of those places where you might just want to amble down the slopes, take nature walks, ride a paddle boat at the lake or hire a cab for a private tour. There’s Pyramid Point, some 3 kms away that once used to have the fortress shrine carved of stone till a new one was erected with a relatively contemporary façade. There’s also a scenic point called Lady’s Seat, which gives a nice overview of the plantations.

How to get there: 227 kms from Bangalore, it’s a four hours drive. Frequent bus services and taxi services link Yercaud and Bangalore.

 

 

COORG: Famous for its orange and coffee plantations, Coorg is also renowned for spices, misty mountains, and lush valleys. The most alluring of all the places is Raja’s Seat, where you can actually watch the sun set and the stunning view of valleys, lush green fields and the Ghats.

Abbi Falls, 5kms from Coorg, is a breathtaking sight and so is Irupu Falls, 48 kms from Virajpet, a popular picnic spot. Irpu Falls also has a famous Shiva Temple in the vicinity. For architectural excellence visit Sri Omkareshwara Temple built for Lord Shiva in 1820 by then the King of Coorg. The temple is amazingly an amalgam of Islamic and Gothic style architecture, a unique blend indeed!

How to get there: 250 kms from Bangalore, Coorg has well-developed roads. It’s a 5 ½ hours drive from Bangalore.

 

 

BANDIPUR NATIONAL PARK: A well-known wildlife sanctuary, Bandipur offers a plethora of fauna and flora for those who love to explore. It’s home to a wide variety of animal species – Tiger, Gaur, Leopard, Chital and Sambar. The avian population is represented by the Peafowl, Partridge, Quail, Hornbill and Ibis. Exotic species to look out for include Barking Deer, Giant Squirrel, Sloth Bear and Nocturnal Porcupine.

Jeep safaris are the best way of exploring the park. Binoculars are a must. The sanctuary has vast expanses of forest trails for those into trekking and hiking. The forest is a canopy of some of the most exotic trees— Teak, Rosewood, Honne, Mathi, Bamboo, Bamboo, Nelli and Sandal Trees.

How to get there: The park is located on the highway connecting Mysore and Ooty (80 kms). There are regular buses and easily available taxis from all the neighbouring cities, mainly Mysore which is 80kms away.

BHEEMESHWARI: An exclusive spot for viewing wildlife, elephants, deer, wild boars, monkeys, jackals, crocodiles, otters and leopards, herons, ibis, cormorants and kingfisher. But its Mahaseer fishing that scores over anything here. It is Mahaseer, known as the best game fish’s natural habitat. Over the years mahaseer has developed here by leaps and bounds with fishing camps being erected every now and then. The camps are quite comfortable and self sufficient. They come with a cot, mosquito nets, shower and toilet. Food is usually served in the open-air common dinning room. However, if you’re a fresher, you’ll have to borrow your fishing gear at an additional cost.

7 kms upstream is Doddamkkali, a deep in forest and an extremely secluded camping spot. Nature treks and guided walks in the forest are the best outdoor activities to engage in.  While at it, you can see thelives of the tribals and learn about wildlife and herbal plants used in Ayurveda. Boat rides in coracles (circular boats) and barbecues at sunset along the river banks are a must-try!

How to get there: 100 kms from the Bangalore via Chittor, it’s a 2 ½ hours drive. It’s best to hire a private taxi for the purpose.

MUDUMALAI: A haven of wildlife and all things natural, Mudumalai is located in the fascinatingly beautiful Nilgiri Hills. The sanctuary boasts of green valleys, ravines, streams, swamps, and even open grasslands! Since it’s along the Western Ghats, it’s a wetland and the terrain is a delight for those who dig wildlife.

Trekking and forest trails are the best form of outdoor activities here. The sanctuary has a variety of wildlife and avian population – Python, Otter, Four-Horned Antelope, Giant flying squirrel, Mouse Deer, Porcupine, Peacock, Gray jungle fowl, large racquet-tailed dronge, Malabar whistling thrush and spotted babbler. Migratory birds also visit the lake from time to time. So, watch out for them!

How to get there: 224 kms from Bangalore, it’s a 5 ½ road journey. The Mudumalai sanctuary is also accessible from Mysore (95 km). There are regular bus services from Udhagamandalam, Mysore and other neighboring towns.

 

 

 

 

Also Read
* 9 Places to Travel to in MUMBAI
* 9 Places to Travel to in DELHI
* Best reads for non fiction this summer

 

 

 

 

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