Kudremukh (Kalsa)

Kudremukh is located in wester ghats (wester karnataka) about 300 kms from Bangalore city. What you see here is amazing lush green ghats, full of paddy fields, tea estates and dense forest. Kudremukh once better know for iron ore minning is a very unique experience in itself. If you love nature then this is the best place in Karnataka.

Travel Plan: Kudremukh (Kalsa) is about 300 kms from Bangalore. It is about 8 to 9 hours of drive most of which has good roads. From Bangalore you must take following route - Neelamanagala >> Hasan >> Belur >> Mudigeree >> Kalsa. Roads upto Mudigere is very good. After this the ghat sections starts which is about 40 to 50 kms and takes anything between 90 to 120 minutes. One must start early from Bangalore (not latter than 6) and try and reach by 2:00 PM to Kalsa.

Other locations close by: You can cover temples of Belure, hallipeth on the way to Kalsa.

Stay time: While 2 nights and 3 days would be sufficient. I would suggest you plan one more day (3 nights and 4 days).

Plan your day: (Always cary you camera with you)

Day 1: you reach by lunch time, so have lunch first, relax and go for evening walk in peddy fields. Do not try and cover and site seeing on this day.

Day 2: Wake-up early, by 5:30 or so. Take a walk and rediscover the nature. Post break fast you can travel towards Kudremukh national park. You will find number of spots you make like to wait and spend some time. Most prominent ones are, Hanumanthgundi water fall, the dam etc

Post lunch you can spend some time in water or if sky is clear then try for sun set.

Day 3: If you missed sunset on previous day, plan today. Try and arrange some trekking session.

Day 4: Have timely break fast and then start by 10:30 AM. Back to bangalore.

Funtertainment: Being with Nature

Avoid: Avoid if you get bored being with Nature.

Budget: This is one of those places where you would like to visit in group rather in just one family. You will have good options to stay, hotels, resorts etc. Total distance you will travel should be less than 900 kms. This includes local travel and travel from Bangalore to Kudremukh.

Overall rating - 4 out of 5

Bheemeshwari Trekking; Cauvery wildlife

This is a fantastic trek. Located at less about 2 hours of driver from bangalore (from Kanakpura road), it's a amazing trekking site on banks of river Cauvery. One more wonderful place to relax and enjoy. It's calm, beautiful and worth visiting.



Travel Time
It's about 90 kms from Bangalore (M.G. Road). Roads are pretty ok. To reach, you need to catch kanakpura highway.

Other locations close by

Sangama and Muthathi.

Stay time
One day. You can find a stay nearby in case you wish to enjoy for more than a day

Plan your day

Start early. Try to reach by 9:00AM latest. Carry some food items, water, extra clothes, camera, binoculars etc. Do not overload yourself. Once you reach, cross river and complet trek before 1:00 PM.

Activities
1. Trekking
2. Fishing
3. Boating
4. Wildlife watching

Funtertainment:- Crossing river in hand made boat. Trekking and enjoying nature.

Avoid:- When it's raining or it's too hot. Do not travell with infants and / or small kids to this distination.

Budget:- This depend on how you are travelling, on self basis or taking support of some adventure grouop to reach and plan your day. In either case, budget per head should not go over Rs 500.

Overall rating 4 out of 5

Mysore Zoo, Mysore

Mysore zoo is arguably one of the best zoo in India. is located in Mysore city it hosts large number of animal and bird familes. This is a lovely place for people of all age group, be it kids, youth or elders, Mysore zoo is worth visiting once.
Mysore zoo was created way back in 1892 during the rule of wodeyars here. Since it's inception it has been center of attaction for tourists who visit Mysore.

What's in?:
Well a lot. Mysore zoo is 3.8 kms walk (electric vehical option available). It has wide variety of birds, reptiles and mamels. Starting with Geraf one walks across splended world of different birds with manjor attraction being pheasants. Size of pocket monkey and giant squirel amazes the crowd most.

Tigers, which also includes white tiger from sundervan, leopards, jackles, elephats (Indian and African) and what not. You see them all here.

Monkeys, zeebra, rhinosores comes next and then beautiful world of dears. Followed by them is the king of Jungle, Lion.

Then you move to toughest part of the tour, reptiles area. Snacks, eligator, crocodiles and what not. You may opt to keep out of this and may like to spend some time with lazy hippo.

The entire journey takes about 3 to 5 hours depending on your interest and speed. Park is lush green and park provides few good rest areas and refreshments joints.

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Travel Time
Travelling to Mysore can take anything from 3 to 5 hours depending upon traffic

Stay Time
Ideally between 3 to 5 hours of stay. Be prepared to spend half a day for Zoo and next half for rest.



Avoid
Avoid when it's raining or it's too hot


Budget
For a family of 2 + 1, approximate cost would be less than Rs. 500 not including travel

Overall rating 4 out of 5

Young Island, Srirangapattnam

Situated on outskirts of srirangapatnam on the bank of river kaveri (stream of kaveri)is this beautiful resort, Young Island. This resort surrounded by nature is a perfect weekend destination. An ideal location to come out of traffic chaos of Bangalore and relax to a quality time with your family and friends.


Young Island can be a overnight stay or just a day event(you can plan your stay elsewhere, in Mysore or travel back to Bangalore). Resort offers both packages.

Travel Time
It is about 2 and 1/2 hours drive from Bangalore.
Not more than 20 mins drive from Mysore.

Stay Options and charges
Young Island charges for room and other facilities come along with it (excluding food). In case you do not wish to book room and just wish to stay for day time then the cost depends upon the group size. For a group of upto 15 charges are Rs 2500/-. This includes usage of facility. Food is not included in cover charges.

Room rent varies from 1500 (standard non AC) to about 3000(AC cottage). Better check with them as it is subject to change.

Facilities
1. Play area for kids
2. Swiming pool
3. Gym (namesake)
4. Open theater
5. Pool table
6. Table tennis
7. Fishing
8. Multi cusine Restaurent and bar





Funtertainment
Seating on banks of river kaveri, if lucky you may see birds that migrate from various places (actually ranganthetu is hardly 12 kms away from this palce). This is the most relaxing part of the package.





Approximate budget
For a family of 2 adults and 2 kids Rs 3,000/- (cosidering you take Standard AC room)
For a group of upto 15 (day event) Rs. 5,000/- (no room, facility charges and food)

What can be added
The river side area is limited for say about 10 to 15 people. It would be great if resort can imporve this part. They can also provide a walk area of about 50 mts.

Avoid when
Avoid during Summer

Overall rating 3 out of 5

Wonderla

Situated on outskirts of Bangalore off Mysore road, Wonderla is an Amusement park with package full of fun and thrill. Be it family, teens or anyone else, they are sure to enjoy this place. Wonderla has good number of land and water rides. Apart from this the major center of attraction is laser show and cinemagic.


Wonderla opens at 11:00 AM and shuts down by 7:00 PM.

Travel Time:
30 mins drive from outer ring road and Mysore road junction.
45 mins drive from PESIT College on outer ring road.
45 mins from Kanakpura road and outer ring road junction (via newly express way under construction)

Stay time: Full day, Wonderla opens at 11:00 AM.

Plan your day
1. Reach Wonderla latest by 10:45 AM
2. prefer to cover light ride (toy train, electric car etc) before moving onto to tough ones (drop zone, mixer etc)
3. Next should be the best, laser show, fountain show and cinemagic (movie simulation).

4. It would be around 13:00 by this time. Have lunch and rest by pool.

5. Post lunch it’s time to be water animal. Cover all possible water rides, waves and do not miss on rain disco. Separate change rooms and lockers are available on chargeable basis.
6. Last of the water ride should be splash.

7. Once you through with water rides, dry yourself. Last on list but not the least is sky wheel, don’t miss on this.

Funtertainment
Lots of them, my choice would be;
Laser show and Musical fountain show
Sky wheel
Drop zone
Wonder splash
All water rides

Approximate Budget
Entry fee is 500/- on weekends, you get discounts if you go on weekdays (about 10%).
No extra charges for any rides
Food and junks can be counted 60 per head.
Around Rs. 2,000/- for a family of 2 + 1 (travel not included)

What can be added – that’s sufficient

Avoid when
it’s raining or it’s too hot. Prefer weekdays over weekends, it’s less crowded.

Overall rating 4 out of 5

Nandi Hills

It’s located about 60 kms north of Bangalore, off Hyderabad Highway. Once you get out of snail moving Bangalore traffic (that is you reach Hebbal flyover) you can zoom through till you reach the left turn where you deviate from main highway. You really need to be vigilant as the sign board is dull. There are good chances that you may miss this left turn.

Road after left is not so bad. You pass through grape yards and will often see people selling grapes on slower corners / patches of the road. Nandi hill is the highest point in Karnataka; roads however are not so tough to drive up.



On top it’s a guest hours (not operational) surrounded by really bad garden and a ring road to this garden. Mountain is rocky and has a peripheral wall sort which is broken and most places. You also see a Ganesha temple, again not maintained well, police post and a post office. Place is full fruit vendors. You don't really have good food options on top so better carry your own tiffins.



Travel Time – Maximum of 1 hour from Hebbal flyover
Stay Time – Anything between 2 to 5 hours
Preferred hours – Try reaching early. This way you can avoid city traffic. Generally at noon, temperature on top is not so pleasant. Try reaching latest by 10:00 AM, have fun followed by food then start back after noon.

Funtertainment –

Keeping your eatables and belonging safe from monkeys. Walking around the hill, on rock is good. Views from top are good. You can take a walk along peripheral wall. If religious you can visit temple.


Approximate Budget - Around Rs 300 for a family of 2 + 1

What can be added – lots. Professional rock climbing and tracking can take this hill to new heights. Few good restaurants and cleanliness is badly needed.

Suggestions – carry your food do not depend on local eatables. Be careful of monkeys especially if you have infants or young kids. Carry a mat, drinking water along with food. Prefer a group of 4 and more.

Avoid – When in bad mood or when climate is not so good, i.e. its raining or its hot.

Overall rating 2 out of 5

Lumpini Park - Bangalore, North

Lumpini Park is located on outer-ring road very close to Hebbal flyover (North Bangalore). If you are travelling from MG Road, take right on Hebbel flyover (don’t take the fly over). After you take this right, you need to drive for about 2 to 3 kms and then you see car parks on left for lumpini park.

If you stay anywhere in and around sarjapur road, koramangala, outer ring road, ITPL / Whitefield area, I would say east or southern east Bangalore than prefer outer ring road (via Maratha to reach Lumpini Park. In this case, lumini park will be on your right. You need to take right on fourth signal from KR Puram flyover (old madras road) and turn immediately left on the service road. If you miss this turn then you need to travel till Hebbal flyover and then take a roundabout (not u turn, it’s not allowed) to come to lumini park.

Travel Time – 30 mins from MG Road, 20 mins from Old Madras Road (heavily depends on traffic conditions)
Stay Time – 4 hours ( can be longer if you have more kids in your group)

Preferred hours – Evening, try reaching by 4:00 / 4:30 PM and stay till 8:00 PM. Park has good lighting.Travel Plan – depends where you stay in Bangalore

Funtertainment – Boat ride, you have options to choose from regular boat or pedal boat. Variety of kids rides to choose from. For adults, try your luck with shooting and hitting. You can also chose for wall climbing (for amateur), water pool and limited land rides. Best thing I like about the park is that people of all age group will like it.

Food is Average to Good depends on what you like and buy.
What can be added – rides (horse, came), puppet show…..
Do not miss – boating and wall climbing
Avoid – when it’s raining

Rough idea on how much you need to spend (per head)
Entry fee – 30
camera fee – 50
boating – 40 / more for paddle boat (don’t remember though)
Kids ride – 10 per ride
food for 2 – approx 200 bucks
budget approx 500, family of 2 +1 (excluding travel)

Overall rating – 4 out of 5

Ranganthitu Bird Sanctuary

It is located about 130 Kms from Bangalore on Bangalore-Mysore highway. You need to take right after you cross Srirangapatnam. Road till this point is probably the best in road in the state of Karnataka. From this deviation, it’s less than 10 kms and as the distance is less you really need not worry about roads, they are ok.

Read more about Bangalore Mysore highway on http://growingindianroads.blogspot.com/

As you enter Bird Sanctuary, you need to pay entry fee and camera fee at check post. Bird Sanctuary has ample of well maintained parking space. It’s green and wet.

Travel time – At least 3 hours one side from Bangalore.
Stay time – 2 to 4 hours based on group size and travel plan.
Preferred hours – Morning, as evening can be planned for Brindavan garden (avoid noon)
Travel plan – Start early from Bangalore, try and club few more places in this visit (srirangapattnam, Brindavan garden)

Funtertainment – Boating along with alligator (close relative of crocodile family). You sail very close to these reptiles. Maintain silence, if they get disturbed your are in big trouble.If lucky, you will see beautiful birds. You can also walk around in garden and along lake for some distance. Food is average.

Avoid – when it’s raining or hot
Budget – 500 for a family of 2 + 1 (excluding travel)
Suggestions – Pack your food along with. Do not forget on your camera and mats.

What more can be added – hmmm, tough one, at least some shades to have food

Overall rating – 3 out 5

Welcome

Namaskar.

Hello and Welcome to my blog on places to visit in and around bangalore. I always love to move around like most of you but after marriage and then a lovely kid, I really need to plan my trips thoroughly.

In this blog, I am putting down my suggestions of few places in and around bangalore from a family men's perspective. So if you are new to Bangalore and planning a short trip, then you have landed up in right place.

Please post your feedbacks and experiences to make this blog rich.

Happy Touring.