Chikmaglur - Land of coffee

This place is located approx 260 KM from Bangalore and 60km from Hassan, which is also called as land of coffee. This place is also famous for homestay and resorts to enjoy the nature. It is located close to western ghats where the temperature will be moderate or pretty low throughout the year. This place is very close to Mullayangiri peak and baba budangiri and many other sight seeing places which is in and around Chikmagalur which will attract lot of tourists.

Early Morning sunrise on NH-75

Mullayangiri peak

Bababudangiri

On the way to Mullayangiri foothills

Ride to Shivanasamundra and barachukki

This place is known to be one of the famous waterfalls in Karnataka. It it situation at the banks of river Kaveri. This place is approx 130 KM from Bengaluru and 60 km from Mandya and approx 80Km from Mysore. We started early morning from bangalore in 3 bikes stopped near Bidadi for breakfast which is famous for bidadi thatte idli. Then we pushed off towards Mandya from there had to take deviation towards chamarajnagar. The road is not really good from Mandya too many pot holes it will easily take 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the destination with decent drive. The road is very good for off roading :D

You really can't expect very good food near shivanasamudra or barachukki, but can expect really very good tender coconut which will quench your thirst. I would suggest either pack your food if your going on a family trip or make alternate arrangements.

Good time to visit this place is July to December, but if you really enjoy to get into the water then I would suggest any time after November where the water level is low and you have boats (Theppa) to take you near to falls. They usually charge Rs. 100 per person to take you near falls to play in water, if you just want to enjoy the boat ride then they will charge Rs. 50 per head. Its a good experience n would suggest you to try it. Would suggest people not to get into the falls to play in water during Mar - June as the water level will be low and it might lead to skin infections.

Nearby Places:
Mysore, Mandya, Talakadu, Kokkare belluru, Sangama

Breakfast Near Bidadi

Route Map near to Shivanasamudra en route towards Barachukki

River Kaveri

Dare you stare at me :-D

The water level is very low in Barachukki, it was off season and very less rain this year

Boat ride near to water falls in Barachukki

Drive to Bandipur & Masinagudi

From a very long we were planning for an adventurous road trip and were in dilemma to decide one good place with short drive and a long vacation, finally we decided it to be Masinagudi. I wanted to visit this place from quite some time but due to some reasons I never got a chance. It is a place which is situated in Mudumalai forest which is approx 220+ KM from bangalore. It is the border between Karnataka and Tamilnadu. The other side of Mudumalai is Bandipur forest which is in karnataka if your travelling from Bangalore / Bengaluru which is also very famous and known for Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Jungle stay.

Masinagudi is known for Tree tops / Tree houses, jungle stay, photography, birding, short treks etc. It is one of the perfect gateway for a weekend to spend time with family or friends in the lush green forest. The forest comprise of animals like, Elephant, Tiger, Peacock, Bear, Deer, Bison, Birds etc. Would recommend to go for a early morning drive from Masinagudi to Bandipur Forest to enjoy the nature. We were lucky to spot good number of Deer, Peacock, Elephant and a Bear in the forest.

I am a person who believes in my inner conscious and 6th sense and most of the time I never plan for accommodation or stay or even places that I need to travel for the matter. We had decided the place to be Masinagudi and took my friends without any plans. But trust me this was one of my most memorable trip in my life. We drove all the way to Masinagudi and found out that there were no tree tops accomodation left or the one which was available was not worth it. So we decided to google and found a deep jungle home which was approx 20km from Masinagudi town in the other part of Mudumalai forest. We decided to drive and found out the place to be pretty good. For our luck we also got treetop accommodation and it was quite spacious jungle home. We played volley ball in rain played football with the dog, had good food, took snaps with ducks trust me it was a perfect weekend gateway. Next day morning we took our cameras and went for a drive to Bandipur Forest. We were able to capture Elephant, Deer, peacock and got chance to listen to those melodious bird calls Bear on the move, it was simply awesome. I never imagined I would get chance to capture those wonderful creatures that day as it usually stay low due to vehicle movement.

The forest gates will remain closed from night 9PM to morning 6AM. Carrying Liquor is prohibited from one state to another, there will be a strict check in Tamilnadu border. Do NOT throw or use plastic, please keep it environment friendly. Teasing wild animals or getting out of vehicle might lead to unwanted troubles.

******* Pics and videos yet to upload will be doing it shortly ********

Nearby places to visit:
1. Mysore - 90KM
2. himavad Goplaswamy hill - 30 KM
3. Ooty - 35KM
4. Coonor - 50 KM
5. Waynad - 70km

Quick ride to Sangama near kanakapura

It was Sunday afternoon when my friend and I decided to go for a quick ride, and finally decided to head towards Sangama near Mekedatu which is almost 100KM from bangalore. It was completely unplanned and we just wanted to hit the roads and be back by night. Started at 3PM from bangalore had a quick lunch and hit the road. We were almost reaching kanakapura nice road junction and it started to drizzle. We pulled over for few more kilometers and near Art of living it started raining heavily. Had to stop near a bakery and had hot hot tea. It was still drizzling and we decided not to wait any more and just started.

Continued our journey and after 10 more km we see that the road was completely dry, it was just a passing clouds and we moved on. After 60km we reached kanakapura and passed by Kanakapura rural college. After approx 1km from rural college near a small circle we had to take left to hit Sangama road. Almost 35 km from kanakapura to Sangama. We were almost reaching Sangama forest office where it was almost 5 and the forest officials warned us to return quickly as it will be closed for public very soon. We informed them it was just a ride and no intention of getting into water and quickly moved in. there is a small ghat before we reach Sanagama which is pretty okay to enjoy the ride if you love twists and turns. And finally we reached the destination. Took some rest click few pics and moved back to bangalore.

While returning we had a stop to have some snacks near harohalli almost 55 KM from sangama, it was the worst masala puri which I ever had, it was watery not that spicy and the taste was pathetic. After having the snacks we again hit the road and reached bangalore by 8.30 PM in the night.

Places = Bangalore - Harohalli - Kanakapura - Sangama - Kanakapura - Harohalli - Bangalore
Total Distance = 200 KM round trip

Our dude Vijay on his new Avenger

The below hoarding says "Live and lets us Live"

The water level was pretty less, people could easy walk to the other side of bank of the river