[chaitanyakrish]

Introduction:

Embarking on a long-cherished wish, we set out on a mesmerizing road trip through the heart of Karnataka during the last week of December 2023. Our journey is planned to be filled with diverse landscapes, cultural delights, and the thrill of the open road. Join me as I recount the highlights of our unforgettable adventure.

I will start with some pictures of the car to set the tone.

Slavia at Maravanthe



Slavia on various beautiful mountain roads











**Prologue: The Journey Begins**

In the crisp morning of December 24, 2023, our long-awaited Karnataka road trip unfolded as we departed from the bustling city of Bengaluru. Our faithful companion, the Slavia, promised a seamless journey through the diverse landscapes awaiting us in the heart of Karnataka.


**Day 1: Enchanting Shimoga**

Our adventure commenced with a delightful breakfast at Hotel Nanjundeshwara near Tumkur, setting the tone for a day filled with anticipation. We took the Chitradurga highway and reached Harsha The Fern in Shimoga by noon, where we indulged in a sumptuous lunch. Energized, we continued towards Sagara, finding respite at Hotel Green Embassy.

Nice Craft at Harsha The Fern



Car getting a nice wash at Green Embassy,Sagara



**Day 2: Majestic Jog Falls and the NH69 Surprise**

On the morning of December 25, 2023, we set our sights on the iconic Jog Falls. The scenic route unveiled breathtaking views, and the falls, a masterpiece of nature, left us spellbound.

Jog Falls





View from the Iconic bridge near Jog Falls



My car on the bridge



Opting for the Jog to Honnavar NH69 highway turned out to be a stroke of genius—the roads were silky smooth, and traffic was a distant memory.

Fresh coconuts near Honnavar rejuvenated our spirits as we glided onto NH66 towards Kundapura. Here, we established our base for the next three days, starting with a mesmerizing stay at Gluklich Beach Cottages.

** Day 3,4,5 at Kundapura **

**Day 1 at Kundapura: A Beachside Dream**

We booked a beach cottage for Day1 to experience the beach more closely. Gluklich Beach Cottages provided an enchanting setting for a night under the stars and the moon. The beach is very clean and easily accessible and very less crowded.

View from the road opposite the beach cottages







Parking inside the resort



Beach views

















Beach is so clean that we can see the reflection of sky in sand

[chaitanyakrish]

**Day 2 at Kundapura: Maravanthe and Murudeshwar**

The following day, the drive along Maravanthe mesmerized us, leading to a serene stop for coconut water. Our journey continued to the iconic Murudeshwar, a spiritual haven by the sea. Returning to Kundapura, Hotel Blue Waters embraced us with its riverside charm, complemented by a delightful lunch at Shetty Lunch Home.

Maravanthe seaside







Murudeshwar





**Day 3 at Kundapura: Backwater Bliss**

Hotel Bluewaters provided an excellent option to enjoy the river to the closest and mesmerize in serene views. We can sit all day near the windows and watch the river.

Views from Hotel BlueWaters











Full Moon and the River

[chaitanyakrish]

Boating at Backwaters

An early morning venture into backwaters revealed a hidden paradise. Boating through the Kodi River delta, we encountered dolphins and the backwaters with green mangroves and white sand, gave Maldives or Mauritius vibes.

Dolphins at Kundapura

https://youtube.com/watch?v=8nkZwIgX51s?feature=share

https://youtube.com/watch?v=mzUr-5cyYKo?feature=share

The boating area has so many such secluded spots

[chaitanyakrish]

**Day 4: Kalasa and the Tranquil Drive**
On December 28, 2023, we set forth for Kalasa, meandering through the scenic Kudremukh route. Aayana Valley Resorts welcomed us for a leisurely lunch, offering tranquility in the lap of nature.





Near Kudremukh Town







**Day 5: Homeward Bound**

The final leg began on December 29, 2023, with a hearty breakfast at Growers Coffee House. A relaxed drive and a pitstop at Swathi Delicacy for lunch marked the end of our Karnataka odyssey. The Slavia proved its mettle, navigating through terrains with ease, ensuring our memories surpassed the miles traveled.



**Epilogue: A Tapestry of Memories**

As we returned home, our hearts brimming with experiences, we couldn't help but reminisce about the diverse landscapes, cultural gems, and the indomitable spirit of the Slavia that made our Karnataka road trip a saga of serenity and surprises.

Here's the map of the route we took.

[Rudra Sen]

Mod note: Thread moved to Travelogues. Thanks for sharing.

[aston_martyr]

Very nice travelogue. I am planning a similar route albeit going all the way upto Gokarna.
Was the backwaters boating a private affair as part of the bluewaters resort or was it open for public as well?

[chaitanyakrish]

Originally Posted by aston_martyr

Was the backwaters boating a private affair as part of the bluewaters resort or was it open for public as well?

Boating is arranged by a company called "Brahmos Boating Adventure" and BlueWaters is not linked to them.You can look up on Google Maps and contact them.
The best time to sight Dolphins are in the morning hours and they run private boats for a 90 minute ride.

[subie_socal]

Nice writeup , Chaitanya ji. Saw your Twitter DM few days back, only got the time to read this now.

[IamGetz]

Excellent writeup with beautiful snaps Chaitanya

This settles it for our endless family debates and discussions on next trip.

[SS-Traveller]

Nice trip and travelogue - short and sweet! The beauty of that region is unmatchable in most other parts of the country, from the Western Ghats to the sea and along the coast. However, the pictures seem to be too few, and we'd love to see more if you have them!

And how did your Slavia perform?

[chaitanyakrish]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

However, the pictures seem to be too few, and we'd love to see more if you have them!

And how did your Slavia perform?

I've many more pics and will post them.
I really loved the performance of the car on good roads, bad roads and no roads.
Overall visibility is very good and its very helpful on narrow roads and its easy to maneuver a lengthy car on narrow hilly roads.

[Aakarsh Gupta]

Does the Slavia give you any GC problems? I'm in the market for a 1.5 turbo TSI and I prefer sedans over everything else. I've noticed the Slavia has a significant clearance, but can it be comfortably taken to say places like Ladakh?

[chaitanyakrish]

Originally Posted by Aakarsh Gupta

Does the Slavia give you any GC problems?

I never had problems with GC. Before I got Slavia, I got the same doubt and I posted on the forum.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/what-...lly-roads.html (Love the Skoda Slavia, but concerned about its GC on hilly roads)

All my doubts were cleared in my experience so far and never hit the bottom on bad roads.