Planning trips and canceling had become a regular affair for me in the past one year, for various reasons. My IRCTC profile showed more cancellation than booking status
. I had even cancelled my Munnar trip that I had planned on my 1st Marriage Anniversary. Despite this, the weather back at home remained pleasant, no thunder storm (God! thanks for giving such an understanding wife – touchwood!!), though I felt really bad for canceling my anniversary trip. Therefore, this year I decided that I’ll definitely take my wifey for a trip to spend some quality time together.
The search started… Kodaikanal, Ooty, Munnar (again), Chikmagalur, Coorg etc... But this year my main priority was to cut-down driving time as my wifey’s health does not permit her to take-up long journey. Out of short-listed places she chucked-out Kodai, Ooty, Munnar, Chikmagalur on the basis of distance and commercialization of place. So unanimously we zeroed a place called Kutta in Coorg - nearer to Bangalore and better drivability. Searched details about Kutta, as always, Team-bhp first - one stop solution for everything. Got plenty of info - route, homestay details (though found a few) and nearby places to visit. PM to Kvish (Karthik) and Info for homestay details and got prompt response from Karthik (thanks dude, it was of great help).
On 14th April, I reached Bangalore early morning at 4.10 am (I’m posted in Chennai). After resting for a while, we dumped the baggage in my wagon (which I had serviced and kept ready a week ago). Started onward journey to Kutta at 6.00 am (one hour late than planned). Since it was early morning and less vehicles on road, it took just half-an-hour to reach Mysore road from Jalahalli West. From there it was a smooth sail till we took a right turn after Srirangapatna towards KRS Dam. This route connects SH-88 near Army cantonment area on Mysore-Hunsur highway (a humble request, avoid this route). Though, there is less traffic on this stretch, yet the road is in bad shape.
Route taken:
Bangalore-Mysore road-Srirangapatna-towards KRS-Hunsur-Nagarhole-Kutta.
Best route:
Bangalore-Mysore bypass (right from Columbia Asia hospital)-Hunsur-Nargarhole-Kutta.
After crossing Srirangapatna, we took a right towards KRS dam (first mistake), which connects SH-88. The road is not is good shape, single lane, unexpected potholes and uneven patchwork till you touch SH-88 (near Army cantonment on Mysore-Hunsur highway). It took about 45 minutes to complete this stretch. However, once on SH-88 the drive was smooth again, we reached Hunsur in half-an-hour. Before reaching Hunsur town there is a deviation. Straight road takes you to Madikeri while the left deviation goes towards Hunsur town. We took a left and proceeded towards Hunsur bus stand and after crossing the bus stand we took a left turn from Bharath Petrol pump (this is the place to watch out). Highly recommend to fill up the tank before leaving Hunsur, as there is no single petrol pump in Kutta.
Since my wagon was holding half tank petrol I thought that would be sufficient enough (second mistake). Kutta is around 60 kms from Hunsur town. Around 10:00 am we reached the Nagarhole National park. Entered vehicle number, number of travelers, to and fro details and a tip of Rs 20 for
chai-pani. Guard at the entrance gate informed: No horn, No music, No parking!!! I nodded and moved on, completely deserted road. I was constantly maintaining speed at 30-40 kms in-order to capture some shots.After reading thread of Bangalore buddy meet at Nagahole I was very excited and optimistic to see a big cat on the way. But I was not the lucky number two; though saw a few deer, a bunch of black face langur, a big size squirrel and a tusker. In this route, there is a deviation after crossing Murkal, and we maintained left and continued towards Kutta (as instructed by the homestay owner where we stayed).
At the park’s exit, entered the same details again. We reach the homestay at 10:45 am, which was roughly about 2 kms from the exit gate of national park towards Kutta town. Before starting from Bangalore we had blocked a room at Vimala Estate, run by Mr. Narendra Pattu (a Coorgi Bhramin), nice place to stay with all basic amenities.Tiled roof house situated in the middle of the estate spread over 20 acres of land.
The package was - Rs 750/per person/day with three time meals(Coorgi cuisine – non-veg/veg both).
to be continued...