In Less Than 6 Hours From Bangalore, Travel To These Off-Beat Weekend Destinations.

City-dwellers these days are constantly on the look-out for unconventional getaways that are at the same time exhilarating and relaxing while being easy on the pocket.

Bangalore folks, go crazy at some of these totally “Instagram-able” places or skip the social media routine and challenge yourself for a digital detox at the no-network destinations.

1. Bisle Ghat

Bisle a stretch in the Western Ghats, is a picturesque adventurous spot between Kukke Subrahmanya and Sakleshpura.

Witness peacocks dancing in the rain and gape at the magnificent views of the mountain ranges - Yenikallu Betta, Doddabetta and Pushpagiri and Kumaraparvatha.

Distance From Bangalore: 260 km

Time Taken: 5 Hours 10 minutes

Off-Beat Experiences:

1.) Laze on the dew drop laden grass and watch the clouds and mist play hide and seek amidst the mountains.

2.) Drive through lush green farmlands, dense thick green forests, picturesque villages, and old-fashioned houses, winding roads and plenty of waterfalls like the Malayali Waterfalls & Mookanmanay waterfalls.

3.) Explore the ancient ruins at the Manjarabadh fort.

4.) Marvel at the Gothic architecture and experience the eeriness of the dilapidated Shettihalli Church also known as the Submerged Church or The Floating Church.

5.) Trek along the Kukke Subramanya and Sakleshpur route that is lined with 58 railway tunnels and 109 bridges.

Best Time To Go: June- February. (During and after the monsoon months.)

2. Ganjam and Karighatta Black Hill

Ganjam is an ancient town that was formed half a millennium ago, it is the land of the erstwhile kings of Mysore who built a beautiful temple for goddess Nimishamba at the Sangam.

Karighatta is a hill that has been mentioned in the ancient texts. Having an elevation of 2,697 m above sea level, the hill is home to an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vaikunta Srinivasa. .

The black hills act as backdrop silhouettes in the horizon against the Ganjam waters on one side while the other side is dotted with tropical forests and the temple stairs that lead to the waters.

Distance From Bangalore: 125 km

Time Taken: 2 hours 20 mins

Off-Beat Experiences:

1.) Pack some scrumptious snacks and enjoy a picnic lunch by the waterfalls. Mahadevpura is a gorgeous riverside picnic spot by the Cauvery.

2.) Climb away a series of steps and bow down to the beautiful black coloured idol of Lord Vishnu, installed by Sage Brigu, that is 6 ft tall!

3.) Click away at Ganjam that lies at the confluence of two rivers Lokapavani and Cauvery.

4.) You must try a coracle ride at Ganjam along with the local fishermen who will point out dozens of rare birds and tell you stories from the Sthala Purana as well as fascinating bits of folklore.

Best Time To Go:

September to February (Try to avoid the heavy monsoon months)

3. Kabini

Away from the pandemonium of the city, with no internet connection to distract you, listen to the melodies of nature at Kabini in the Wayanad District of Kerala.

Breathe in the soft scented breeze of the Kabini river, as you appreciate nature’s canvas along with the sounds of animals, birds and insects.

Distance From Bangalore: 210.7 Km

Time Taken: 5 hours

Off-Beat Experiences:

1.) Spot herds of playful elephants in their natural habitat and watch them swim across the river from the jungles of Nagarhole and the Kabini riverbank.

2.)Opt for a boat safari in the evening that takes you upstream on the Kabini River where you'll be floating literally in the middle of two National parks in two different states! (Karnataka - Nagarhole National Park) and (Tamil Nadu -Bandipur National Park).

3.) Revel in nature’s lap, surrounded by paddy fields at the Iruppu Falls. This is a 60-meter high waterfall with Rameshwara Temple on its banks.

Best Time To Go: November and January is the best time to spot wildlife in Kabini. July to October are the monsoon months when the entire land-mass dons a lush green blanket.

4. Kemmangundi.

Made with three Kannada words - kempu (red), mannu (soil) and gundi (pit) means a place with red soil.

This scenic hill-station has a mention even in the Puranas!

Kemmangundi was called Chandra Drona Parvatha since the mountain had water flowing through innumerable herbs and medicinal plantations. The water is believed to cure many diseases, including the common cold and skin ailments.

The summer retreat of the king of Mysore, once upon a time, now this region is covered with estates of coffee and tea along with thick bamboo groves.

Distance From Bangalore: 255 km

Time Taken: 5 hours 22 minutes

Off-Beat Experiences:

1.) Take a dip in the white, foaming waters of the Hebbe falls that are acclaimed for their medical properties and explore the scenic forests around it.

2.) Trek to the Z point to have a visually gratifying and invigorating experience - lush green terrains, sprinkled with waterfalls and streams.

3.)Watch the Western Ghats in their full-fledged glory from Mullayanagiri, the highest peak of Karnataka also check out the number of Nandi statues on the way up.

4.) The sunset view from the Raj Bhavan will definitely make your camera happy.

Best Time To Go: Monsoons and Winter months are the best time to visit Mullayanagiri.

5. Coonor

Perched atop the southern plains, Coonoor is a lesser known hill station in the Nilgiri hills.

Must Read: weekend getaways near Bangalore

Most people strike off Coonoor from their list and opt for Ooty or the more famous counterparts. Thanks to them, parts of this place are unadulterated, bountiful with scenic views and devoid of crazy tourist population.

Distance From Bangalore: 290 KM

Time Taken: 5 hours 50 mins

Off-Beat Experiences:

1.) You can take a leisurely stroll across Sim’s park that hosts exquisite species of plants sourced from around the world.

2.) Hike to Catherine Falls. It is a steep trek with broken steps and entwined roots, but the view of the tea gardens from the top of the falls is surreal.

3.) Take the vintage train in Coonoor which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ticket is pocket-friendly and there are lots of Instagram-able backdrops on the way.

4.)Plan a picnic by the riverside at the Rallia Dam, overlooking vast stretches of green pastures. Located on the Kotagiri Road it is also a great trekking spot nestled between the forest. You need to a walk a little amidst thickly populated trees to reach this spot.

Best Time To Go: From the month of October till March.

6. Madikeri

Wafting aroma of coffee, fresh cardamom plantation, and refreshing black pepper farm, Madikeri is a picturesque hill station blessed with abundant waterfalls and trekking routes. Famous for its gorgeous sunset views, this place is also known as the 'Scotland of India.’

Distance From Bangalore: 265 km

Time Taken: 5 hours 32 minutes

Off-Beat Experiences:

1.)Watch the sunset from Raja’s Seat, overlooking forests and rice paddies like kings of yore with their consorts.

2.) Explore the secret passageways of the 17th-century Madikeri Fort.

3.) Witness the strange Gothic and Islamic Style Hindu Temple of Lord Omkareshwar dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva.

4.) Soak in some moisture and happy vibes at the Abbey Falls, where you will be greeted by lush plantations of spice and coffee. The rumble of the silver water-falls combines with the scent the plantations is surreal.

Best Time To Go: Monsoons ( July-September)

Tip: Long drives through the coffee plantations, the spice estates of trees entwined with pepper vines and with the mist hovering around is highly recommended!

7. Madhugiri

At 3,930 ft elevation, Madhugiri is the second largest monolith in Asia. Nestled on its steep slopes are a fort and a tumble-down temple of Gopalakrishna on the top.

The dramatic views from the top and around the hill are breath-taking, one can see the town of Madhugiri, green fields, lakes & the rugged terrain with numerous other hills making the view from the peak of Madhugiri an incredible one.

Madhugiri hills are surrounded by plenty of Monoliths and rare flora, it’s highly recommended for every trekking enthusiast.

Distance From Bangalore: 104.4 km

Time Taken: 2 hours 15 mins

Off-Beat Experiences:

1.) Travel back in time by visiting the ancient temples of Venkataramanaswami and Malleshwara built by the Vijayanagara rulers in the Dravidian style.

2.) Trek the Madhugiri fort to reach the top! The rock dome, atop which stands a fort makes for great photographs and even greater experiences. There are a series of doorways leading to the top but the climb is steep and unprotected in some places.

3.) Rejuvenate yourself at Siddara Betta which is known for its medicinal herbs. A natural spring that gushes out from the top of the hill is believed to have therapeutic value.

Best Time To Go: October - March

8. Krishnagiri

A town that is fully surrounded by hill rocks and exists since the Paleolithic Age.

Known for its heavenly slurpy mangoes and marvelous architecture dating back centuries, this little town is perfect for a laid back much needed holiday for the city life.

Distance From Bangalore: 89.8 km

Time Taken: 1 hour 60 minutes

Off-Beat Experiences:

1.) Ascend the flight of stairs that lead to the Arulmigu Maragathamigai Chandra Choodeswarar Temple, positioned on a hillock and surrounded by nature that is for the most part untouched.

2.) Experience the rumble of water rushing under your feet whilst standing on the Krishnagiri Reservoir Dam.

3.)Drive through the route from Bangalore dotted with beautiful coconut trees and mind-blowing stony hills making it an amazing road-trip!

Best Time To Go: The best time to visit Krishnagiri is the winter season. Maximum tourists flock to the city from November to March every year.

9. Wayanad

A picturesque plateau perched at a height of 2100 meters above sea level, Wayanad is known for its rich tribal heritage, mist - capped mountains, agricultural prosperity, green meadows of valleys, natural sources of water and hill ranges besides its legendary tales of valour and courage.

Distance From Bangalore: 279 Km

Time Taken: 5 hours 25 mins

Off-Beat Experiences:

1.) Nestled amidst mountains and forests, the ancient riverside temple of Thirunelli is a striking example of traditional Kerala Temple Architecture.

2.) Head to uninhabited Kuruva island for a private picnic, 950 acres of evergreen forest on the tributaries of east flowing river Kabani, far away from the city life. One can spot rare species of birds, orchids, and herbs here.

3.) Camp atop the Chembra Peak for an amazing experience. The climb up the is an exhilarating experience, as each stage in the climb unfolds great expanses of Wayanad and the view gets extensive and breath-taking as one goes up to its summit.

4.) Bathe in the cool waters of the Meenmutty Falls that can be reached through a 2 km trekking route from the main road connecting Ooty and Wayanad. It is the largest waterfalls in the district of Wayanad and falls in three stages from above 300 meters.

Best Time To Go: October to May is ideal for sightseeing, wildlife trips, video, and photography. June to September are good for nature lovers as the greenery is at its best.

10. Yercaud

Located in the Shevaroys range of hills, Yercaud is known for its orange groves, coffee, fruit and spice plantations. The Yercaud Lake has a boathouse, and is surrounded by gardens and woods on all sides.

Distance From Bangalore: 228.6 Km

Time Taken: 4 hours 45 minutes

Off-Beat Experiences:

1.) Let go off all your worries with a long drive on the 32-Km Loop Road. A 32-kilometer stretch, which begins from the Yercaud Lake and offers mesmerizing views of flora, sneak-peek into the lifestyle of the locals, wafting aroma of coffee beans in the air and thick bamboo forests.

2.) Learn in-depth and witness the techniques of silk production in India at the Silk Farm 2 km off Yercaud.

3.) Cycle away at the Kottachedu Teak Forest with its indigenous flora and fauna.

4.) Ignite your explorer spirit at the Bear Cave. According to the primitive people of this surrounding, the cave also served as a secret hideout and escape route to Tipu Sultan.

Best Time To Go: October - July

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