Route : Bangalore - Nagarhole - Madikeri - Sullia - Kukke Subramanya - Dharmasthala - Mangalore - Udupi - Agumbe - Sringeri - Chikmagalur - Bangalore
My very first travelogue at TBHP.
This is a pretty late write up of my road trip which covered most of South Karnataka in Monsoon. Just after my marriage, because of the sudden preparation did not plan any trip thereafter. Was planning to go Kerala, but because of Monsoon dropped the plan. Goa was actually planned for later part of this year during Christmas. So even Goa is out. I thought, let us just hop into my Swift VDI, pack the bags and just hit the road with my better half. I knew I had to go to Coorg and from there just follow you instincts and explore the Western Ghats in monsoon and come back to Bangalore in a weeks time.
The car had had a spin after a tyre burst during my last road trip
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street...tml#post977483 and I was skeptical whether to take the car or not. After the repairs there was no problems and the car felt exactly the way if felt before in terms of handling.
Preparation :
The car had just completed its third service. Loaded lots of music on the portable HDD. Packed bags for both of us with some raingear. Bought an extra memory card for the digital camera. And also bought a Karnataka Road Map. Previous evening before the road trip, filled up fuel at IOC (Rs.1150) on RV Road and got the tyre pressure checked and hit the bed early that night.
Day 1 (19th July, 2008) : Bangalore - Hunsur - Nagarahole National Forest - Irupu Falls - Madikeri
The alarm rang at 5.00 am. Got up and get ready. Bags were packed and kept ready. Took the car out, cleaned the windscreen and idle the engine to warm it up for 5- 10 minutes (Daily Ritual). Hit the road by 6.00 AM. Took the Kanakapura Road to reach NICE road. The roads were empty and slightly damp because of the overnight shower. The car was responding really good after the service. With the roads empty and silent, was enjoying the turbo whistle from the engine.
Took the NICE road and reached Mysore road before Bidadi. The Mysore road is smooth and you really enjoy the drive early morning. Stopped around 8.30 AM at Maddur Tiffany's for its ever tasty Masala Dosa. Picked up some water bottles and drove towards Mysore. Just after Srirangapatana, took the deviation towards Hunsur that takes you towards Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary. This 2 lane road, though good you will find occasional potholes till you reach the Mysore – Hunsur State Highway.
Surprise as I reach the Mysore – Hunsur SH. The road is neatly done, 4 lane with markings neatly painted. I remember when I last went to Madikeri a couple of year’s back this road was riddled with potholes and heavy lorry traffic. Now with the wide roads in no time I was at Hunsur. Now to look for the deviation towards Nagarahole (Rajiv Gandhi) National Forest. Entered the Hunsur town by taking the left from the SH. On this road you will find a Fuel Pump and right next to it is the road towards Nagarahole (Rajiv Gandhi) National Forest.
Bangalore - Mysore Highway
Road after the deviation at Srirangapatna towards Mysore - Hunsur SH
The newly built Mysore - Hunsur SH
The road after Hunsur towards Nagarahole
Now this is a good single lane road. As you keep travelling villages get smaller and smaller. Then its open grasslands. Stopped at the Entrance of the National Park Check Post at around 11.00 AM. Entered the Vehicle, passenger, destination details in the register and the guy let me pass. Again amazed at the single lane newly laid road. Now I eased off the accelerator, travelling at steady 30-40 KMPH occasionally stopping for photographs. Started enjoying the ambiance inside the forest. Spotted lots of Deers, Bison and Jungle fowl. And also a monitor lizard. Should come back again for the Safari at this National Park at a later day. The forest is dense and green (after Monsoons) with lots of Wildlife. Covered the almost 30 Kms inside the forest in 1.5 Hrs. After the forest, starts the never ending Coffee Estates of Coorg.
Newly done single lane road inside Nagarhole forest
Pics of some animals spotted in the forest
Pit stop just after the Nagarhole forest
Just after the forest is a small town named Kutta. Very close to the Kerala Border (Its less than 10 Kms from here). Then took the road towards Virajpet. With the Bramhagiri Range towards the left with its peaks covered in fog. Further ahead took the deviation towards Irupu Falls on the left. From here Irupu Falls is around 8-10 Kms.
Roads after Nagarhole forest
Bramhagiri Range - Towards Irupu
Reached the parking place near Irupu and get ready for the nearly 1 Km trek up towards the water falls. Pay the parking and Entry fees into the forest. This area is dense with leeches during rainy season. Carefully me and my wife walk towards the water falls regularly checking for any leeches climbing up the shoes. Reach the water fall and not much crowded. There has not been much rains in the past few days with only slight drizzle. Take some snaps and spend some time gazing at the beautiful water falls. See lots of leeches around and some dead scorpions. Its already 2.30 PM and starting to feel hungry. No decent places to eat here or for another 20 kms. Leave the place and get back on the main road towards Virajpet.
Small bridge on the trekking trial enroute Irupu Falls
Encounter a small stream enroute the waterfalls
Dead scorpion on the trail
The beautiful Irupu Falls
Hehehehehehee
On the way stop at a decent place for lunch at Gonikoppal around 3.30 PM. With the tummy happy take the winding roads through Coffee Estates to reach Virajpet and then Madikeri town around 5.00 PM. No Prior reservations done as this road trip was completely unplanned. Check into Hotel Rajadharshan near Raja seat.
Enroute Madikeri Town.
Enroute Madikeri Town.
View from Raja's Seat. Completely foggy.
Raja's seat at Madikeri
Nice place with good parking place, good food and decent rooms. Room rent around 1k. Relax for some time and then head towards Raja seat which is like 1 minute walk from the hotel. Though this is a sunset spot, no views here because of the thick fog cover and slight drizzle. Check out the surroundings, ride the toy train here at the park. I had to go 3 times in the train as my wife really enjoyed the ride and insisted me to come along. Then there is a Musical fountain show which starts at 7.00 PM here. And finally have dinner at the hotel and retire for the night.
The roads throughout Day 1 has been very good. Better than expected. The Swift VDI performed effortlessly throughout.
Continued...