Sakleshpur in monsoon which is nothing but spectacular! The greenery is soothing and waterfalls magnificent!
The best way to enjoy the beauty of monsoon in western ghats is to go for a road trip. Being close to hills, Bangalore is blessed. If you are a road tripper like us, it is time to get out and drive in the hills. This is the first of five monsoon road trips we will be presenting, which you can comfortably do. Basically a weekend drive to rejuvenate, we have made sure that these monsoon road trips does not cover more than 350 KMs a day.
In this weekend getaway itinerary which is part of 8 Lovely Weekend getaways from Bangalore , we want you to get enthralled by spectacular Sakleshpur! The western ghat region of Sakleshpur is well known for the coffee estates, pristine forests, streams and waterfalls and of course lovely meadows!
The Plan
This is a overnight road trip from Bangalore. After completing day 1, you need to stay for the night around Sakleshpur which has numerous home stays/resorts.
The Complete Circuit
Bangalore – Hassan – Shettihalli – Magge – Yaslur – Changadahalli – Kudrasthe – Hongadahalla – Kaginahare – Hethur – Sakleshpur (night halt) – Manjarabad – Hassan – Bangalore
Day 1 Plan – Beautiful backwaters and mesmerising meadows
Route – Bangalore – Hassan – Shettihalli – Magge – Yaslur – Changadahalli – Kudrasthe -Hongadahalla – Kaginahare – Hethur – Sakleshpur (Your place of stay)
Route Map – Google map link Android users may please download an excellent navigation app HVK Routo and request for a map for the above itineraries. These maps are curated based on real life experiences and latest updates. This navigation app comes with audio alerts. It has Petrol pumps, restaurants, Hotels, toll gates and other alerts. We have used it in all our road trips and is extremely useful.
Distance – 318 KMs
Road Condition – Very Good. For few KMs near Hongadahalla the road is patchy.
The Itinerary
6.30 AM – Leave Bangalore. Hit Bangalore – Tumkur road. If you are near NICE road take it and exit at Tumkur road to join the highway.
8.30 AM – Stop for Breakfast at Swathi Delicacy on the highway before Yedyur. We recommend this place because the food is excellent and coffee is to die for. They have car service if you don’t want to go inside. Make sure you order for Masala Dosa. The restaurant also has clean rest rooms.
9.15 AM – Depart Swathi. Head straight to Shettihalli church. Take Hassan bypass road and take the third left turn on the bypass road after you see a junction with a signage for “Gorur” (this is second right turn). This road will take you direct to Shettihalli.
11.15 AM – Reach Shettihalli. Continue on the highway and you will see the backwaters. If the water level is less, you will see mud tracks going up to the waters. Go ahead and take the vehicle close to water. If the water level is high and if it is raining heavily, avoid taking the car. Park the car on the highway and walk up to the bank of the river and enjoy the panoramic view of the backwaters with church half submerged. If the water level is less, then you can go and visit the church. More details about church on Wiki link here.
Please click on the pictures to see them in larger size.
Shettihalli Church in the backwaters of Hemavati River. A lovely Gothic church built by French missionaries, it got submerged when Gorur dam was built in fifties. It emerges out of water in summer.
Our XUV enjoying a lonely moment on the backwaters of Hemavati!
12 PM – Proceed towards Kaginahare. Make sure you eat something on the road either in Yaslur or Kuduraste for your lunch. This is a lovely monsoon drive in the hills, green fields, meadows….. Enjoy the winding roads and beautiful vistas on the way.
A typical monsoon landscape in Malnad. Fields, forests and streams in between……and of course mist!
On the way to Kaginahare. A lovely lake and meadows surrounded by forests!
2 PM – Reach Kaginahare. Enjoy the lovely meadows. Spend half an hour here. One can climb up the small hillock which has ruined fort if time permits.
Kaginahare – This is an amazing spot. Lovely stretch of meadows with small hillocks in the background. When we were there few weeks back, there was a small pond as well!
2.30 PM – Depart for Sakleshpur. Enjoy the drive. Notice lovely meadows and lovely landscape on the way.
Lovely meadows between Yaslur and Hethur….
3.45 PM – After Hethur, once you cross Eka Resorts, stop your car for a spectacular meadow and lovely valley. Spend time here to enjoy the lovely landscape.
The piece de resistance! Mesmerising meadows and valley after Eka Resorts!
4.30 PM – Depart for your place of stay. There are many lovely home stays and resorts around Sakleshpur. You may take an hour or more than that to reach the home stay depending on where it is located.
6 PM – Reach the home stay/Resort. Enjoy the evening. One of the lovely places to stay is Kadamane Estate. Please check details here in this blog.
Captivated in Kadamane Estate! – http://traveltwosome.com/sakleshpur-kadamane/
Day 2 Plan – Visit Magnificent Manjarabad fort and return home
Route – Sakleshpur ( your place of stay) – Manjarabad – Hassan – Bangalore
Route map – Google map link
The Itinerary
10 AM – After late Breakfast check out the Home Stay/Resort. Drive to Manjarabad fort.
11 AM – Arrive at Manjarabad fort. Explore the lovely fort for an hour. This is lovely hill fort built by Tipu Sultan. For more details click here – Manjarabad fort in Wiki
When you google for Manjarabad fort in Google earth, this is how it looks! Isn’t it amazing? read about it in the Wiki link.
Interiors of the fort…best seen in Monsoon
12 PM – Depart for Bangalore.
1 PM – If you are feeling hungry, eat lunch at any of the restaurants immediately after Hassan. There are many choices here for vegetarians/Non Vegetarians/ Fish lovers etc. Pick your choice. If not, drive to Swathi Delicacy for a nice meal.
2.30 PM – Have late lunch. If you have finished your meal at Hassan, then stop over at Swathi Delicacy for an excellent Filter coffee!
3.30 PM – Depart for Bangalore.
5.30 PM – Arrive at NICE road junction on Bangalore – Tumkur highway.
Travel Tips
a) The monsoon road trip from Bangalore 1 goes through some of the spectacular regions of Western ghats. The roads are winding and curvy after Hassan. Drive safe.
b) Since the route goes through small towns and villages, you will not be seeing any decent restaurants. The best place to eat something on the way is Kudrasthe which is a major junction in the area.
c) The roads will be wet. Make sure your car has good tyres.
d) Do not enter into any stream/backwaters.
e) There are many home stays/resorts around Sakleshpur. Pick one and stay for the night.
f) Carry umbrella/rain coat.
g) Carry a good camera and a binocular.
You may check out the remaining in the series of 8 Weekend Getaways from Bangalore with detailed guide here – http://traveltwosome.com/weekend-getaways-from-bangalore/
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