[zaks]

Hi,
After much procrastination I have finally taken the last week of this year off but don't know what to do. I would like help from the roadies here to chalk out a round way road trip for 7-8 days starting from bangalore.

It's me alone in my car, hence would not mind offbeat places, except that I want to avoid the cities like plague. I was thinking going round towards kerala, hugging the southern coastline and kanyakumari and continue to pondicherry, tamilnadu and back to bangalore but don't know what places to look out for on this route.

I am also open to a route going north but feel the distances are longer there and places spread far apart.

Also, how about staying for a week in a wildlife sanctuary? is it worth it?

Your suggestions please

[2500cc]

Zaks: If you like Nature, Check places towards coorg and western ghats, silent, nature at its best, chilling climate.

If you are interested in Wildlife, try Bandipur, you can camp at Masinagudi, which offers few good resorts and this being off-season, even the prices are comparatively less. Also you can visit places like Ooty and Coonnor.

Cheers,
Rajesh

[Fauji]

Some options which came to my mind. All are doable in a weeks time comfortably. I have not mentioned the details of places for sight seeing aorund the cities/towns mentioned in this which you can pick up in any good website. Do let me know if you need any further information

Bangalore – Chikkamagalur – Tirthahalli – Bangalore
Bangalore – Chikkamagalur – Madikeri – Bangalore
Bangalore – Wayanad – Calicut – Bekal – Mangalore – Bangalore
Bangalore – Jogfalls – Murudeswar – Gokarna - Karwar – Bangalore
Bangalore – Dandeli – Karwar – Gokarna – Bangalore
Bangalore – Tadapatri – Bellum caves – Mahanandi – Ahobilam - Bangalore
Bangalore – Shravanabelgola – Belur – Halebidu – Mysore – Bangalore
Bangalore – Chitradurga – Hampi – Badami – Bangalore
Bangalore – Hubli – Ittagi – Bijapur – Badami – Hampi – Bangalore
Bangalore – Mysore - Masinagudi – Ooty – Wayanad – Bangalore
Bangalore – Coimbatore – Munnar – Thekkady – Kumarakkom – Bangalore
Bangallore – Coimbatore – Top slip – Bangalore
Bangalore – Kodaikanal – Palani – Madurai – rameswaram – bangalore
Bangalore – Tiruvannamalai – Swamimalai – Tanjavur – Trichy – Bangalore
Bangalore – Tiruvannamali – Pondy – Chidambaram – Bangalore
Bangalore – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram – Pondy - bangalore

[ampere]

You can do :

1. BLR-Salem-Munnar (Via Udumalpettai).
2. Munnar-Bodi-Madurai-KK
3. KK-Rameshwaram
4. Rameshwaram-Tanjore (or via ECR)
5. Tanjore-Kumbakonam-Chidambaram-Pondicherry (can touch Pichavaram)
6. Pondicherry-Mahabalipuram-Vellore-BLR


Notes
1. These are just suggested routes and not according to time lines and the place you need to actually visit.
2. I did not include Kerala drive due to rains. If you need it, you can Munanr-KK via TVM.
3. Includes beaches and hill stations too.

[mb_jg]

If I had a week off with nothing to do & just me & my car (wishful thinking anyways), I would head out to Goa without a doubt. My agenda to unwind, wake up late to a yummy breakfast at Infanteria ended with a ham croissant, with a good cocktail to follow, laze around the warm beach, sleep, eat....but trust me you can't do too much lazing around for an entire week!!!!
They have elephant camps around Madekeri, they provide jungle lodges \ cottages to live in. That should be a good experience.
Have fun, ENVY!!!!!

[zaks]

How about the Kodaikanal- Munnar trek, there is one that appears to be conducted by the youth hostel association and lasting 6 days.

[Ragul]

As part of your itinerary, park your car @Hampi and walk around for 3 days.
You will meet other soloists there, including International ones.

Remember not to be at tourist destination on weekends, you get busloads of daytrippers.

Going solo can be engaging and satisfying if you try and practice serious photography and take 10 to 15 mins at attempting technical shots of your subject. Take a tripod for shooting archeological ruins indoors and in semi-lit areas.

Cheers

[zaks]

thanks fauji,
Bangalore – Hubli – Ittagi – Bijapur – Badami – Hampi – Bangalore

this looks good and would make a great photography op too. I have been trying to go out for a photography field trip and this could very well be it.

[zaks]

Still considering- are there any nice unexpensive places in Masinagudi to hole up for 4-5 days?

[zaks]

Ok, I added something more to the above plan which makes it a little ambitious lasting 7 days but worth a shot. Me my car and my camera that's all!

This is what I plan to do-
1. Bangalore->Hospet(halt): Hampi
2. Hampi-> Bijapur(halt): Gol gumbaz, Jumma masjid, Fort, Aihole, Pattadkal
3. Hampi->Gokarna(halt): laze around the beach
4. Gokarna->Mangalore(halt): See malpe, Rest
5. Mangalore->Bangalore

This route covers the north and have a scenic drive back hugging the coastline. It looks daunting but I would like to go for it, can anyone give feedback on routes and roads please?

[Tsixty1]

Hi,

I just came back from a week long trip from southern part of Bangalore. Starting on Sunday Morning(5ish) and late Saturday Night (around mid night). It was a great trip which my 3 yr son and wife enjoyed. As most part were on NH-7 which has 4 lanes in most part making driving quick and safe.

Bangalore->Madurai(1 night halt)->Rameshwaram->Kanyakumari(1 night halt)->Kovalam(2 nights)->Verkala->Kottayam(2 nights)->Palakkad->Bangalore

Here is the map for the same. If you need more info please PM. not sure if answer your question. But for sure all hotel's are now going to be booked and you might have may extra compared to me.

[zaks]

Regarding my circuit, will it be better if I do it in reverse? Please, I need some inputs.