5 Quick Summer Getaways from Bengaluru

It’s that time of the year once again when office feels mundane, kids are at home urging you (or almost screaming) to take them out and you could honestly do with a weekend trip away from the sweltering heat yourself. Well, think no more! We present to you the best weekend getaways from Bangalore this summer.

1. BRT Wildlife Sanctuary

Photo Credit: Etta Talwar Dutta

Wilderness at its best, a summer holiday in the quiet of the unending forests and grand wildlife is just what the doctor ordered. Aboard a jeep safari you will encounter deer, bison, elephant, sloth bear and if you’re lucky, the elusive tiger. The bird songs punctuating the entire day are indeed refreshing. 

Along with jungle treks, you can also visit Biligiri Ranaswamy Temple, an hour’s trek from the camp. The views of the horizon are breathtaking.  

Driving directions and time: The only way to reach BRT Wildlife Sanctuary is by road which will take approximately 4 hours. Follow NH209 from NICE ring road to Yelandur. From there, look for K. Gudi Wilderness Camp signs which will lead you to the sanctuary.

A perfect trip for: kids, family, friends

2. Coorg

Photo Credit: Flickr/Sooraj Shajahan

Whether you’re travelling with kids or it’s the pack-your-bags-overnight solo trip, nothing defines a peaceful vacation like Coorg. Travellers can marvel at miles of lush green plantations with nothing around but peace and solitude. You can take a tour of the coffee plantations or indulge in adventure activities like rafting, kayaking or microlight flying. This destination sure packs in a punch!

Driving directions and time: Head out on SH17 and take the Kumbalgodu – Ramanagara – Maddur –Mandya – Kushalnagar – Madikeri route to Coorg. The journey from Bangalore to Coorg is 6 hours.

A perfect trip for: honeymooners, family, friends, solo

3. Kotagiri       

Photo Credit: Wikimedia/earnest.edison9

Along with Ooty and Coonoor, Kotagiri is one of the most famous hill stations of Karnataka. What’s welcoming here is the largely unexplored terrain and soothing weather throughout the year. The colonial flavour of the town will come across in its dilapidated yet historic bungalows, churches and tea plantations. Don’t forget to shop for the exquisite Toda embroidered handlooms here.

Driving directions and time:  Take the Mysore road-Nanjangud – Masinagudi – Ooty – NH181 – SH15 route. From SH15 Kotagiri is about 25 kilometres. The journey is approximately 7 hours.

A perfect trip for: family, friends, solo, kids

4. Ooty

The Queen of Hills, Ooty is a typical hill station with verdant hills, panoramic views and friendly locals. The most important experiences which should be in your to-do list are the Nilgiri toy train ride, the Botanical Gardens, a tea garden walk and the colonial buildings. If you’re a shutterbug, keep your camera ready at all times to capture picture perfect shots.

Driving directions and time: From Mysore city take NH181 to Nanjangud – Gundlupet – Bandipur – Masinagudi to Ooty. The trip will be around 8 hours.

A perfect trip for: everyone!

5. Chikmagalur

Photo Credit: Flickr/rjstyles

Refreshing coffee and the rush of Hebbe Falls welcome you to Chikmagalur. A popular haunt with trekking junkies, this summer getaway is also frequented for its famous temples. Roam around the coffee plantations during sunset to soak in the blazing horizon. Time stops still here when you’re having fun…

Driving directions and time: From Bangalore take the Tumkur – Nelamangala road to NH48 till Hassan. Take a right from Thannirhalla Junction, Chikmagalur is 50 kilometres from here. The drive will take approximately 5 hours.

A perfect trip for: honeymooners, family, friends, solo

With so many options to choose from, it’s time to leave summer behind. So, what are you waiting for? Book your train, flights, hotels or all inclusive holiday packages now. Namma Bengaluru!

By Swati Talwar

A refreshing summer in Ooty

As the tedious summer descends on India with its sweltering hot, clammy days, all one can think of are ways to cool down. The idea of lush green hills, shady avenues, and cool showers of rain is compelling; this is also the time when most families head to a hill station to beat the heat, even if only for a few days. If you’re one of those planning a summer retreat this year, why not do something different? Instead of hiking up to Nainital or Shimla, why not head south to be inspired by the divine beauty of the Queen of the Nilgiris, Ooty? A holiday in May will be ideal since you’ll be just in time to witness the glorious beauty of the Ooty Summer Festival from 04^th-26^th May 2013.

Breathtaking Ooty by Pranav Bhasin

A Soulful Summer

While the emerald tea plantations, sapphire mountains and dense woods of this beautiful southern hill station are a natural draw for thousands of tourists every year, the wonders of the Ooty Summer Festival have to be seen to be believed. A time of song and celebration, the Summer Festival flaunts Ooty at its best. Organised by the Department of Tourism, Tamil Nadu and the Government of India Tourism Department, the festival unfolds a series of events and fun-filled activities for locals and visitors at the famous Ooty Botanical Gardens, the venue for the festival. The events to look forward to include shows around flowers, dogs, fruits and vegetables and even spices. To add to this are cultural events, adventure activities and the highlight of the festival, boat races and pageants on Ooty Lake.

Botanical Gardens by Adam Jones,Ph.D

Exploring Ooty

The summer is the ideal time to visit Ooty. Not only is the weather perfect, but there is also enough to do to keep your days packed with activity and excitement. The many offerings of this hill retreat include the Rose Garden, Botanical Garden, Wax Museum, Doddabetta Park, Annamalai Temple and Pine forest. For some thrills, go trekking or boating adventures in Pykara and take in some glorious views from various vistas and vantage points. You must also make it a point to visit a tea plantation, go horse riding and the Mudumalai Forest sanctuary. 

Ooty's picture-perfect Silver Oaks by Pranav Bhasin

Getting There

If you’re planning to fly to Ooty, the nearest airport is in Coimbatore from where the hill station is a 3 ½ hour drive.

If you’re going to Ooty by train, take the Nilgiri Express to Mettupalayam from where you can board the iconic Nilgiri Mountain Railway. Popularly referred to as the ‘toy train’, this quaint steam locomotive is undoubtedly one of the most delightful aspects of Ooty.

Several government and luxury buses and taxis frequently ply from nearby towns to Ooty. Going to Ooty by bus is especially convenient for residents of nearby towns.

Where to Stay

Ooty is the tourist hub of South India and accommodation options range from luxury and budget hotels in the main town to cozy homestays tucked away in the hills. There are also a few refurbished heritage bungalows that have become guest houses and hotels that give you a taste of colonial-style living in Ooty. 

Toy Train Travel

At a time when bullock-carts are used for towing Ferraris (a sequence from the latest Bollywood flick Ferrari Ki Sawaari), imagine if you too had to go on a summer trip to the cities ensconced between embracing rolling hills on bullock-carts, or, for that matter, ponies. So what made the hill stations of India some of the most-visited tourist destinations despite being well-connected?

The introduction of toy trains to destinations like Ooty, Darjeeling, Shimla and Matheran have made getting there a lot more smoother and not to mention, a lot more fun! Besides the thrill of the ride, these trains, which could find a place in any children’s book, have contributed to the boom in tourism numbers. An excursion to hilly terrains is not just a way of escaping the scorching summer heat but, more often than not, these toy trains operating on narrow gauge tracks draw rail buffs in huge numbers for whom the journey offers more excitement than the destination!

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
Not meant for the hurried traveller (8 hours approximately), the Darjeeling railway was the first hill railway to start in India. It runs between the plains of New Jalpaiguri and the hills of Darjeeling, while passing through the bustling town of Siliguri. Allowing an uninterrupted view of the Himalayas, sans any tunnels en route, the train chugs up through clouds enveloped in mist. Rail enthusiasts curiously await the encounters with several zig-zag curves, especially ‘agony point’ – a spiral ascend that churns the contents of any stomach. Today, Darjeeling is synonymous with the toy train to the extent that the landscape seems incomplete without it.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Destination: Ooty)
A summer weekend getaway for the British during the colonial days, Ooty, a major tourist attraction, enjoys the reputation of being called the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’. The journey to Ooty on its toy train from Mettupalayam (4.5 hours approximately) snakes through rolling forest clad hills with green tea plantations. Amidst the dazzling view of the picturesque surroundings, passengers can watch women picking tea leaves on the way. The enthralling train ride is punctuated by quaint arched bridges, long tunnels and gushing streams. A trip to this paradise is worth the effort, if only for the tantalizing train ride.

The Kalka-Shimla Rail Route
A favourite haunt for summer vacationers, Shimla and its toy train remains a tourist delight. Passing through 103 tunnels and 700 lofty bridges, this train takes approximately five hours to cruise from Kalka to Shimla. The experience of comfortable reversible cushioned chairs, fancy interiors and the view of green stretches from the wide glass windows offer a unique panorama that is unmatched. With two-thirds of its track being curved, this rail route offers the steepest rise in altitude and is featured in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Matheran Light Railway
Running between sunrise and sunset, this toy train takes about two hours to reach Matheran from Neral. Earlier, this line used to be shut from July to August, with rain gods playing spoilsport as the risk of landslides was high. To the delight of tourists, the Matheran Light Railway runs during the monsoons now. Hugging the hillside, the train halts at a couple of stations and passes through one short tunnel known as ’One Kiss Tunnel’. The best part about this mountain track is that it is out of bounds for any vehicular traffic (even bicycles are banned).

It’s not surprising then that Darjeeling, Ooty and Shimla Mountain Railways enjoy heritage status by being accorded a listing as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. So, get ready to beat the heat and allow yourself a cooling escape with the charm of old-world travel in these toy trains. Book your tickets for the joyride well in advance as there’s no ‘tatkal’ facility!