[gypsyFreak]

Originally Posted by Fauji

I agree Bala. Mudhumalai is unorganised and total waste of time.

Fortunately, you don't have to worry much in Bandipur. The safaris are all controlled by FD and no private jeeps like Bandhavgarh is allowed. Thus the number of vehicles inside the forest is much less than what you see in Bandhavgarh.

So does that mean, we cannot take our vehicles (own jeep/gypsy) for the safari.
I guess this was allowed earlier along with a guard.
Any idea if this is allowed now. I am planning to take my Scorpio 4wd to Bandipur/Nagarhole safari.

[Lukeskywalker]

Originally Posted by gypsyFreak

So does that mean, we cannot take our vehicles (own jeep/gypsy) for the safari.
I guess this was allowed earlier along with a guard.
Any idea if this is allowed now. I am planning to take my Scorpio 4wd to Bandipur/Nagarhole safari.

That practice has been stopped years ago, one cannot take one's own vehicle into the jungle trails on a safari, now it's only the forest department Canters and buses.

[balan]

Originally Posted by gypsyFreak

So does that mean, we cannot take our vehicles (own jeep/gypsy) for the safari.
I guess this was allowed earlier along with a guard.
Any idea if this is allowed now. I am planning to take my Scorpio 4wd to Bandipur/Nagarhole safari.

It was one of the main reasons, I bought a scorpio 5 years ago and by the time I bought the scorpio, Nagarhole had stopped allowing private vehicles on safari. You still can take your own vehicle for safaris in most of Kerala's forests and especially nearby Tholpetty, there is a good chance of seeing a big cat. But in Kerala'ss forests, they have a carrying capacity and allow only 40 vehicles in morning session and 20 vehicles in evening session. Of this only 6 private vehicles are allowed on a first come first serve basis.
Best regards
Bala

[Ph03nix]

Hi folks,

I am planning to travel to Bandipur this weekend from Pune. I was hoping to get route advice and latest road conditions if you have travelled recently on this route.

This is the route suggested by google and some suggestions on the forum(however the updates are over a year old) -

Pune - Hubli - Harihar - Honnali - Shimoga - Tarikere - Chikamagalur.

Plan to do this in one day starting early by 5:30 am.

Chikmagalur - Belur - Hassan - Holenarasipura - Hunsur - Bandipur

Plan to do this on day 2.

Thanks in advance.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Ph03nix

Plan to do this on day 2.

Best route is not via Chikkamagulur, but the following:

Pune-Hubli-Hiriyur-Huliyer-Neligere-Nagamangala-Srirangapatna-Mysore-Bandipur.

You can easily make up to Mysore on Day 1.
This routing is the best option, unless you want to go via Chikkamagulur.

[Figopian]

Originally Posted by ampere

Best route is not via Chikkamagulur, but the following:

Pune-Hubli-Hiriyur-Huliyer-Neligere-Nagamangala-Srirangapatna-Mysore-Bandipur.

You can easily make up to Mysore on Day 1.
This routing is the best option, unless you want to go via Chikkamagulur.

Makes sense. Last year after Diwali, I did Kolhapur -> Mysore -> Ooty using this very same road. I started from Kolhapur at 6:30 AM and could reach Mysore at 4:00 PM in my Figo with 4 adults and 2 kids. My only concern about this road is from Hiriyur to Srirangapatna, this internal road has too many bumps, that too very high. So you have to get slowed down completely, else the car could scrape. It could be due to my Figo and was completely loaded, but still, just a word of caution. The road as such is okay. Another concern is non-availability of good restaurants/rest rooms on this route in case you are driving with family and that is your need.

While coming back actually I did come via Bengaluru (NICE road) and it took definitely more time.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Figopian

Another concern is non-availability of good restaurants/rest rooms on this route in case you are driving with family and that is your need.

And thanks for mentioning that. That is surely a concern.

- Nagamangala town may have some hotels.
- That one town seemed decent to me.

[Ph03nix]

Originally Posted by ampere

Best route is not via Chikkamagulur, but the following:

Pune-Hubli-Hiriyur-Huliyer-Neligere-Nagamangala-Srirangapatna-Mysore-Bandipur.

You can easily make up to Mysore on Day 1.
This routing is the best option, unless you want to go via Chikkamagulur.

Thanks much Ampere. However I wanted to go through Chikmagulur. Wanted to make day one less mundane

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Ph03nix

Thanks much Ampere. However I wanted to go through Chikmagulur. Wanted to make day one less mundane

In that case you do :

Pune-Harihar-Shimoga-Kadur-Chikmagulur (750km)

As I was telling another member Harihar-Shimoga is a bad section to cover.

The second section:
CKM-Belur-Hassan-Holenaraspur-Mysore-Nanjangud-Gundlupet-Bandipur.

Pretty much good roads but for bad sections crossing Hassan.

[Ph03nix]

How's the traffic on the Mysore-Nanjangud-Gundlupet stretch on Sundays. I am hoping it isn't too heavy. Since I would probably hit this stretch, which is at around 10 am in the morning. Peak time for holidaying traffic in most cases.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by Ph03nix

How's the traffic on the Mysore-Nanjangud-Gundlupet stretch on Sundays. I am hoping it isn't too heavy. Since I would probably hit this stretch, which is at around 10 am in the morning. Peak time for holidaying traffic in most cases.

If you are driving in opposite direction( towards Gundlupet), you may not face much traffic around that time of Sunday Morning. Traffic starts to build up towards Mysore after 3PM all the way till 8PM due to Bangalore bound traffic driving back from Waynad/Ooty/Bandipur.

Originally Posted by ampere

In that case you do :

Pretty much good roads but for bad sections crossing Hassan.

Actually the roads inside Hassan town are not bad now ever since work started from Thanneeruhalla till Santhepete. It is only those roads connecting BM road to the bypass.

I would strongly advise to take the usual right at Police Station junction towards Mysore (also leads to New Hassan Bus Stand).

The Gorur road to touch the bypass or the small road connecting Hassan Bypass from Thanneruhalla is in bad shape.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Ph03nix

How's the traffic on the Mysore-Nanjangud-Gundlupet stretch on Sundays. I am hoping it isn't too heavy. Since I would probably hit this stretch, which is at around 10 am in the morning. Peak time for holidaying traffic in most cases.

As Parag said, typically you should see traffic in the Mysore-Nanjangud section. Beyond that its nice and is a typical 2-lane highway and fun to drive. Even the roads between Mysore-Nanjangud used to be bad. Then we read, they were patched up. Don't know how its today.

[addyhemmige]

Originally Posted by Ph03nix

How's the traffic on the Mysore-Nanjangud-Gundlupet stretch on Sundays. I am hoping it isn't too heavy. Since I would probably hit this stretch, which is at around 10 am in the morning. Peak time for holidaying traffic in most cases.

Traffic between Mysore-Nanjangud is usually heavy both ways. But after Nanjangud, it thins out and is easier to drive. Sunday 10 am should be a relaxed drive.

[Ph03nix]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

Actually the roads inside Hassan town are not bad now ever since work started from Thanneeruhalla till Santhepete. It is only those roads connecting BM road to the bypass.

Originally Posted by ampere

As Parag said, typically you should see traffic in the Mysore-Nanjangud section. Beyond that its nice and is a typical 2-lane highway and fun to drive. Even the roads between Mysore-Nanjangud used to be bad. Then we read, they were patched up. Don't know how its today.

Originally Posted by addyhemmige

Traffic between Mysore-Nanjangud is usually heavy both ways. But after Nanjangud, it thins out and is easier to drive. Sunday 10 am should be a relaxed drive.

Thanks a bunch for the info.

I will need to tank up somewhere near Hubli. I am very picky about filling Diesel on a unknown pump(Have a euro car, not a jap, so). Any known good pumps that you fill at regularly?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Ph03nix

Thanks a bunch for the info.

I will need to tank up somewhere near Hubli. I am very picky about filling Diesel on a unknown pump(Have a euro car, not a jap, so). Any known good pumps that you fill at regularly?

At the end of the Hubli bypass while coming from Dharwar, after crossing the Toll booth you should see an MRPL bunk on your left. Its owned by Mangalore Refineries. They charges higher than the normal for the diesel. (Like Shell).