Make the most of long weekend! Here are top 5 hotspots near Bengaluru every newbie should know

Wayanad: Nature’s Bounty

Tucked away in the northern part of Kerala, the district of Wayanad is a gem for those who like to live in the lap of Mother Nature. With its lush green landscape, Wayanad is a perfect contrast to anyone looking for a break from the sprawling concrete jungle of Bengaluru. What attracts me to Wayanad is has got to be the Banasura Sagar Dam. The place feels like a painting and looks like a work of art by God with a little human intervention. The sprawling water reservoir is surrounded by some of the lush green covers known to mankind as a photographer’s delight. I am pretty sure you will run out of your phone’s storage because you won’t stop clicking. There are numerous activities one can enjoy at Banasura Sagar Dam such as picnics, boating and trekking.

How to reach Wayanad:

• Busses, be it private or public, takes about 7-8 hours and charges somewhere between Rs. 700-1000.
• There are no direct trains available from Bengaluru to Wayanad, so you have to take the Mangalore Express (16220) to Kozhikode and then take a private cab or bus to reach Wayanad.
• I prefer to ride my bike as it takes about 6 hours to cover the ~300kms distance.

What not to miss: There’s so much Wayanad has to offer, but the heart-shaped Pookode Lake, Edakkal Caves, and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary are other places you must visit.

Chikmagalur: Savouring Coffee Culture

Only a mere 5-hour drive away from the city, Chikmagalur is a perfect getaway for coffee lovers. Situated at the bottom end of the Western Ghats, the scenic beauty of the city of Chikmagalur serves as a refreshing escape from Bengaluru. Riding my bike on the twisty roads is a delight that every biker should experience. Apart from my love for coffee, another reason I frequent Chikmagalur is the drive to Mullayanagiri Peak. Being the highest point in the state of Karnataka, the views are amazing and can spot the city of Chikmagalur in the landscape. Clouds playing hide and seek on your way to the top is just *chef’s kiss*.

Pro tip: Book your stay at a coffee plantation to experience the intricacies of coffee cultivation & and some amazing tales from the locals.

How to reach Chikmagalur: Before you hop on to booking your flight or train tickets, do note that Chikmagalur doesn’t have an airport or a railway station.

• But you can fly down to Mangalore from Bengaluru, which takes about an hour and a half. And another couple of hours to cover the ~120kms distance by cab.
• If you want to travel via train then, I suggest you take the YPR TATA EXP (18112) to Kudur and cover the remaining ~40km via taxi or local bus.
• However, the best way to reach Chikmagalur from Bengaluru is via road. I suggest you book a bus or drive down. Not only it is more pocket-friendly, but it offers a ride of a lifetime.

What not to miss: Z Point for Sunset, Hebbe Waterfalls and Jhari Waterfalls.

Bandipur National Park: Wonderful Wildlife

For those who want to explore the wildlife up close, the lush green forest of Bandipur National Park will serve as a perfect getaway for them. Nestled on the border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the Bandipur National Park is home to a range of flora and fauna. The wildlife safari offers a great way to check out all the amazing animals such as deer, elephants and tigers. Even though there’s no guarantee to spot any of the big cats in the national park, you must count your blessings if you do! Other than the safari, you can always go for trekking through the wilderness.

How to reach Bandipur National Park:

• The best way to reach Bandipur National Park is via road. The highways are perfectly laid out for you to cover a distance of ~220 km. It’ll take you around 4 hours for you to reach Bandipur from Bengaluru.

What not to miss: Adventure camp for outdoor lovers, boat ride at River Kabini, Pykara Falls, which is about ~90kms from the national park.

Kodaikanal: A Cultural Shift to Tranquillity

If you have a long weekend coming up, then heading to Kodaikanal will leave you in awe of nature. Poised with the colonial charm, this hill station is perfect for a getaway. One of my biggest takeaways from Kodaikanal has to be the locals and their warm and friendly behaviour. I’d recommend checking out the star-shaped Kodaikanal Lake and having a stroll through Coaker's Walk. Another must-visit is the Bryant Park which showcased the flora of the region, bridging the gap between urban life and nature. The cultural shift from bustling Bengaluru to the serene hills of Kodaikanal is what I feel is a visual retreat and is very much needed for mental rejuvenation.

How to reach Kodaikanal:

• For those who have a time crunch, the fastest way to reach Kodaikanal from Bengaluru is via flight. Since the hill station doesn’t have an airport, you must hop on a flight to Madurai and then take an hour-long taxi ride to Kodaikanal.
• Trains are another way you can reach Kodaikanal from Bengaluru. Tuticorin Express (16236) departs every day from Bangalore City Junction at 9.15 pm and reaches Kodaikanal Road Railway Station at 6.32 am.
• But the best way to reach Kodaikanal in my opinion is by road. Not saying this because I am a biker, but the roads to the hill station are perfect for long rides. In fact, even an overnight bus journey will do the job just fine.

What not to miss: Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, Green Valley Viewpoint, Pillar Rock and the 150-year-old Shrine of La Saleth Church.

Ooty: Nostalgia in the Nilgiris

If you ever feel like going to an era gone by, then the 'Queen of the Nilgiris' is the perfect place for you. Ooty being a hill station was favoured a lot by the British. And that impact can be still seen in the colonial architecture of the important buildings. Carrying the old-world charm, each of my visits hill station meant checking out the Botanical Gardens and exploring the timeless appeal of Ooty Lake.

How to reach Ooty:

• You can reach Ooty from Bengaluru via flight. Since there is no airport in Ooty, the best way to reach is by taking a flight to Coimbatore. And then hop on a taxi to cover the remaining ~90kms.
• Similarly, if you are planning your travel by train then the nearest railway station is Coimbatore.
• Overnight bus, riding your bike or driving to Ooty remains the best way.

What not to miss: Given the small size of Ooty, you can easily cover most of the iconic places in a weekend. However, the places that you simply cannot miss are St. Stephen’s Church, Fernhill Palace and Nilgiri Mountain Railway journey. With its vintage charm, the short train journey provides scenic views of a lifetime.

As an immigrant, my travel experience to the nearby getaways from Bangalore has been more than just a physical journey. For me, it has been a cultural odyssey – for lack of better words, I’d say that it has been a series of encounters which has enriched my understanding of India's diverse tapestry. Each destination has its unique individuality that has woven a narrative, which goes beyond the surface, leaving me with a sense of belonging to this vibrant and diverse land.