[Fauji]

This is a short road trip and what a nice one it was! We were thinking of a nice drive and a place to unwind over the weekend. The agenda was simple – few books, music and something to drink. Chill out in a nice place and get back refreshed the next day. It had to be hills and Western Ghats.

The choices were Chikkamagalur, Tirthahalli or Wayanad. Since we were going to Tirthahalli by month end, Wayanad was the chosen one.

We in Bangalore are blessed. So are the folks in Mumbai, Pune and Delhi. The hills and forests are within a driving distance of 300KMs. My Madras friend is always jealous of me and keep saying that you guys can go to hills at the drop of a hat!! How true.

A cousin of mine had been to Glenora Homestay in Wayanad recently and was very appreciative of the place. We too had heard good reviews of the place and thought of trying our luck. We called up Rajagopalan, the amiable host of Glenora on Friday and he confirmed accommodation for the weekend. In fact we were lucky to find the rooms available. He is already booked during christmas week!! http://www.glenorahomestay.com/

Initial plan was to leave early but Friday’s get together with some friends in "The Beach" ensured that w left home at 8.30 AM after breakfast which was not bad. Last week’s drive on NH 209 ensured that that was the road to take and we were on the Kanakapura road.

Date - Weekend of November 26/27

Total Distance - 604

Route -

Onward: Bangalore - Kanakapura - Malavalli - Kollegala - Chamarajanagar - Gundlupet - Sultan Bathery - Vaduvanchal - Glenora

Departure Bangalore @ 8.30 AM from home near South City, Bannergahtta Road and arrival at Glenora @ 2.30 PM. Stoppage only to click pictures.



Return : Glenora - Vaduvanchal - Gudalur - Gundlupet - Chamarajanagar - Kollegala - Malavalli - Kanakapura - Bangalore

Departure from Glenora at 10 AM and arrival at home at 4.30 PM. Stoppage only for clicking pictures



Road condition - Excellent except for few meters after Malavalli , before Gundlupet and Kerala part of Forest road (they were repairing it)

Facilities - Restauranats in Kanakapura, Kollegala and Gundlupet (not used)


Let the pictures speak the remaining part of the journey.

We saw this nice spot after Halagur. A small barrage on a canal with egrets and Cormorants.







Cropped image of Igret



We always knew that NH 209 is picturesque. We had not bargained for these landscapes!! It was mix and match of green and yellow with gray in the background.









We spotted this Purple heron in the fields and were excited to see this beautiful bird ( I am not a birder and got to know about it from a book later. Birders, pls excuse me if i am wrong with any of the birds name here and correct the name)





Cropped image of the bird

[Fauji]

Quiet flows Cauvery near Shivana Samudram





Cormorants in the river



Egret in the river



As we neared Kollegala we saw this beautiful lake which was brimming with bird life and lotuses

[Fauji]

Synchronised swimming?? Cormorants having fun!!





Twin lotuses



A beautiful bird. Not sure what it is known as. Look at the way it is balancing!



A lovely Egret



Beautiful landscape all the way. The green - yellow of paddy feilds getting a perfect backdrop of white-grey flowers of Sugarcane




Sugarcane flowers swaying in the wind. Looks lovely throug the lens.

[Fauji]

This is how the roads in Karnataka looked few years back before these banyan trees were axed for widening the highways. This stretch of road on Chamarajanagar - Gundlupet definitely brings back nostalgic memories.







The two cottages of Glenora nestled in the Sun rise valley of Wayanad. Glenora has two independent cottages with a third room within the main bungalow. Rajagopalan mentioned that a third cottage was under construction



The rooms are spacious and clean with a large balcony where you can stretch out watching the valley beyond





The valley view from the Balcony







The Areca tree in full bloom

[Fauji]

A lovely view of the mountains from Glenora. Sun rise view point is located very close to home stay and is supposed to be beautiful. We did not go as it started raining and was cloudy.



As we entered Gudalur road after mandatory purchasing of banana chips in Vaduvanchal, we were in for a treat. The road was fantastic and tea gardens and green vallies hug the road throughout the stretch. Take a look.

[Fauji]

The green expanse with lovely valley views continue till we reach outskirts of Gudalur. the road is winding but is in excellent condition.























As we entered the plains near Gundlupet, we were feeling bad that it all ended. It was a short break in the serene and tranquil surroundings. Rajagoplan and Glenora had given us something to look forward to and may be return again.

PS - I would recommend one to go for a drive on NH 209 and enjoy the beautiful landscape at this time of the year - before Sankranti - by when harvesting would have been done

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Travelogues Forum. Thanks for sharing!

[mayankjha1806]

Beautiful pictures of Wayanad, especially the flowers of sugarcane.

The Glenora nestled in the Sun rise valley of Wayanad looks like a very good place to stay. How much it costed you for how many days? Last time we went there good food was a challenge (especially the place we stayed in). How was it in Glenora?

[aravind84]

Originally Posted by Fauji

We in Bangalore are blessed. So are the folks in Mumbai, Pune and Delhi. The hills and forests are within a driving distance of 300KMs. My Madras friend is always jealous of me and keep saying that you guys can go to hills at the drop of a hat!! How true.

+ 1 Fauji. Here is another friend of yours saying the same lines. Folks in bangalore are lucky and we chennaities at times feel there is no place for us to do a quickie.

[vasanthn21]

lovely pictures.

Especially loved the sugarcane flowers (did not know they were sugarcane flowers) and the road amidst banyan trees.

How is the food at the homestay?

[Fauji]

Originally Posted by mayankjha1806

Beautiful pictures of Wayanad, especially the flowers of sugarcane.

The Glenora nestled in the Sun rise valley of Wayanad looks like a very good place to stay. How much it costed you for how many days? Last time we went there good food was a challenge (especially the place we stayed in). How was it in Glenora?

Thanks Mayank. We were amazed at the landscape and it was just lovely. The food in Homestay was good and charges were reasonable @ Rs 4500 per day per room including all meals, coffee etc. The only suggestion we gave was to add a dessert .

The location is the clincher as it is away from the husle bustle of Kalpetta. The sun rise valley is very close with awesome views. We missed it due to rain and clouds.

You can see the valley views in this website i saw when i googled. Winter months are best for sun sire views.

http://www.shareapic.net/View-207873...Wayanad...html

It is also close to Meenmutty falls. Staying here encourages you to take Gudalur road as one would have covered some distance already.

Originally Posted by aravind84

+ 1 Fauji. Here is another friend of yours saying the same lines. Folks in bangalore are lucky and we chennaities at times feel there is no place for us to do a quickie.

Thanks Aravind. You guys have beach!!

Originally Posted by vasanthn21

lovely pictures.

Especially loved the sugarcane flowers (did not know they were sugarcane flowers) and the road amidst banyan trees.

How is the food at the homestay?

Thanks Vasanth. Yes, i noticed these banyan trees when we went to Wayanad in May but did not stop to click pictures.

Food was very good. Glenora is part of Mahindra Homestays and hence they have to maintain some standards. What we liked was spacious room with spacious balcony where one can really put the feet up and enjoy!

[aravind84]

Originally Posted by Fauji

Thanks Aravind. You guys have beach!!

Thats true Fauji , thats ofcourse special about chennai. However, i miss bangalore now much more because i am keenly looking forward to my interest in wildlife safari;s and photography. Bangalore would have been the perfect location as it has very close proximity to my favourite wildlife areas

[KarthikK]

What a Fantastic travelogue Fauji! First the Madhya pradesh drivologue last month and now this! I was glued to the pictures and the travelogue throughout. Especially loved the pics of the birds in the water and the sugarcane fields in yellow.

How was the overall experience at Glenora homestay? Would you recommend it to others as well?

[DieselDestiny]

Beautiful pics Captain. Brings back memories of my trip to Glenora. Its a beautiful place and a perfect palce for weekend getaway.
Rajagopal is the perfect host. The food was amazing, so much variety and nothing repeats in the menu in a week!! Hope you got to taste the homemade champak fruit wine, suppsoed to be a patented Glenora preparation.
Will fish out some pics from my visit and post them.

[Fauji]

Originally Posted by KarthikK

What a Fantastic travelogue Fauji! First the Madhya pradesh drivologue last month and now this! I was glued to the pictures and the travelogue throughout. Especially loved the pics of the birds in the water and the sugarcane fields in yellow.

How was the overall experience at Glenora homestay? Would you recommend it to others as well?

Thanks Karthik. We were also taken by surprise with birds we saw. Early mornings are ideal for bird photography. Glenora is highly recommended. Fabulous location, great host who is not overbearing and excellent food. It is definitely VFM.

Originally Posted by DieselDestiny

Beautiful pics Captain. Brings back memories of my trip to Glenora. Its a beautiful place and a perfect palce for weekend getaway.
Rajagopal is the perfect host. The food was amazing, so much variety and nothing repeats in the menu in a week!! Hope you got to taste the homemade champak fruit wine, suppsoed to be a patented Glenora preparation.
Will fish out some pics from my visit and post them.

Thanks Diesel Destiny. Bring out your pictures. Specailly if you have any on Sun rise valley.