[Prowler]

I plan to go on a heritage trip seeing Shravanabelagola, Belur and Helebid some time next month. I will be driving in a Safari from chennai. I would halt in Bangalore for overnight. Any ideas on the best route, decent hotels in Hassan (I understand it would be best to stay in a city nearby - hence the choice of Hassan) ?

Is there any nearby hill resorts nearby ?

Any inputs will be much appreciated.

Thanks for all inputs.

[rjstyles69]

Check my travelogue here (Travelogue : Chikmagalur and Kemmungundi was my destination this time ...). You could extend your trip to Chikmagalur further on and I have documented about the route too.

[kannan666]

There is Hoysala Village Resort about 5kms from Hassan on the Belur road. Go through fellow T-Bhpians travelogue, very informative - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...a-temples.html

[addyhemmige]

You have not specified the number of days you want the trip to be. Shravanabelagola, Belur and Halebid can easily be covered in day from Bangalore.

The route can be

Bangalore-Magadi-Kunigal-Hirisave-Sharavanabelagola-Channarayapatna-Hassan-Belur-Halebid-either Hassan or Chikmagalur

You can either stay in Hassan or Chikmagalur. Roads are good for the above route.

Bangalore to Kunigal can be done via magadi to avoid the chaotic Nelamangala road. The road is very good and there will be very little traffic.

Time taken
Blr-Shravanbelagola = 2.5 hrs
Shravanbelagola-Hassan = 1 hr
Hassan-Belur = 1 hr or Hassan-Halebid = 50 min
Belur-Halebid = 20 to 30 min
Belur-Chikmagalur = 30 min max

There are good hotels in Hassan if you want to stay there.

1. Hotel Hassan Ashok, BM Road Hassan
2. Hotel Southern Star, sampige Road Hassan
3. Hotel Sri krishna, BM Road, Hassan
4. Hotel Suvarna Regency, BM Road Hassan

There is also a resort called Hoysala Village resort on the way to Belur from Hassan. I would suggest the options 1 or 2 or the resort for your stay.

If you plan to go to Chikmagalur, You can stay in the Planter's Court or in the Taj Garden Retreat.

For Hill resorts you have to go Chikmagalur. There are a lot of homestays around Chikmagalur.

[Prowler]

Wow. Great guys. You people rock. Thanks a lot.

[sushrutha]

Originally Posted by addyhemmige

There are good hotels in Hassan if you want to stay there.

1. Hotel Hassan Ashok, BM Road Hassan
2. Hotel Southern Star, sampige Road Hassan
3. Hotel Sri krishna, BM Road, Hassan
4. Hotel Suvarna Regency, BM Road Hassan

There is also a resort called Hoysala Village resort on the way to Belur from Hassan. I would suggest the options 1 or 2 or the resort for your stay.

If you plan to go to Chikmagalur, You can stay in the Planter's Court or in the Taj Garden Retreat.

For Hill resorts you have to go Chikmagalur. There are a lot of homestays around Chikmagalur.

Rightly said addy,
the mentioned hotel are good.
If you are planning to have lunch at Hoysala resort Do try Malnad cusines , it's good over there.

[Prowler]

Few more questions:

Thanks addyhemmige for the detailed answer. I want to cover the whole trip in about 5,6 days.

How is the road to chikmagalur ? Is it a narrow ghat road ? I have had some tense moments last time I went to Nilgiris and Moonar. The roads were too narrow and you have to try hard to look for a broad expanse of road to allow the oncoming vehicle to pass.

I can't talk much of Kannada, tulu or Konkani. Will I able to manage with English or Hindi ?

These Homestays in Chikmagalur - How do I approach them ? Any suggestions ?

Thanks again

[addyhemmige]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Few more questions:

Thanks addyhemmige for the detailed answer. I want to cover the whole trip in about 5,6 days.

How is the road to chikmagalur ? Is it a narrow ghat road ? I have had some tense moments last time I went to Nilgiris and Moonar. The roads were too narrow and you have to try hard to look for a broad expanse of road to allow the oncoming vehicle to pass.

I can't talk much of Kannada, tulu or Konkani. Will I able to manage with English or Hindi ?

These Homestays in Chikmagalur - How do I approach them ? Any suggestions ?

Thanks again

Thanks man....

The road from Hassan to Chikmagalur is a dream to drive on. You can cover the distance in an hour easily. The road is wide and has long straights. But after Chikmagalur, the hilly region starts and and the roads are narrower. I think you can manage two way traffic on these roads provided you get off the shoulder of the road.

The road right from Bangalore to Chikmagalur has adquate sign boards, so no need for asking any directions. Just get the name of the next city or town and look for that name on the sign boards. This should not be a problem until Chikmagalur.

Check out ATHITHI :: Home stay at chickmaglur, it is a homestay run by my friend. This is the only place I know. There are plenty of homestays around Chikmagalur. Maybe other members will let you know.

Cheers!!

[Prowler]

Thanks again addyhemmige. You have been very helpful. I will check out the Athithi Homestay when I am there.

[Prowler]

I have to make the final preparations now before I start on June. I will have to cross Bangalore on my way to Hassan. It takes about 4 hours from Madras to Bangalore on the GQT. The question is can I bypass Bangalore city ? Going through Bangalore city will take up at least a couple of hours (Hosur traffic Jam and elsewhere).

Addyhemmige - My Friend or others - Can someone please throw some light ?

[addyhemmige]

Originally Posted by Prowler

I have to make the final preparations now before I start on June. I will have to cross Bangalore on my way to Hassan. It takes about 4 hours from Madras to Bangalore on the GQT. The question is can I bypass Bangalore city ? Going through Bangalore city will take up at least a couple of hours (Hosur traffic Jam and elsewhere).

Addyhemmige - My Friend or others - Can someone please throw some light ?

After Hosur, continue straight till Electronic City. Just after Electronic City you will reach the NICE road. Take a left towards Mysore Road-Magadi Road. You have to pay toll here. Buy toll ticket till Magadi road. This is an expressway and acts as a by-pass to Bangalore City. You may have to get off the expressway at Bannerghatta Road and rejoin the same a little bit further. However, there should be signboards indicating directions otherwise you may have to ask for directions locally. I have not been on that road ever since they started collecting toll, they have improved the entry & exit roads to the expresway now.

When you reach Magadi Road exit (you have to take a left u-turn), take a right on magadi road and continue towards Magadi & from there to Kunigal. You will reach NH48 near Kunigal.

Note: There are no signboards until Kunigal, but the route is quite straightforward.

[Prowler]

All right Addyhemmige. I owe you one. Thanks a Lot My Friend.

[addyhemmige]

Originally Posted by Prowler

All right Addyhemmige. I owe you one. Thanks a Lot My Friend.

Anytime dear Prowler