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Nandi Hills

State

60 kms from Bangalore, Nandi Hills of Karnataka is the most popular weekend getaway. Perched at a height of 1455meters above sea level, Nandi Hills provides an idyllic retreat for many tourists, just as it served as an ideal summer repose for Tipu Sultan and the British. The hill station abounds in natural beauty. Walking along the mountain tracks among innumerable scenic spots can be a very rejuvenating experience for you. The rich mountain valley, sharp hairpin turns along steep slopes, small cottages clinging along the mountain edges, the cool breeze and the clear blue sky above, are reasons enough for you to plan your vacation in this pristine hill station.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airport is Bangalore international airport. It is about 60 km away from Nandi Hills. Taxis are available in the airport and fare is about Rs 1200 from airport to Nandi hills. From Bangalore airport one can travel to all the major cities in India and many cities abroad.

Rail: The railway station nearest to the Nandi Hills is that of Chikkaballapur just 9 km away. Though it is the railhead at Bangalore though 65 km away from the Nandi Hills is connected with all the major places in India through rail. There are frequent trains that connect Chikkaballapur with Bangalore.

Road: The excellent road network links the Nandi Hills with the important places like Bangalore and Chikkaballapur. Nandi Hills is situated on the Bangalore - Hyderabad National Highway

Accommodation

Accommodation is easily available at the Nandi Hills. You may take your pick from hotel, cottage, tourist bungalow, Forest lodge, Guest House et al at the Nandi Hills. Otherwise you may stay at any of the several star categorized hotels or Budget accommodations in Bangalore, just 65 km from Nandi Hills. In fact you may take up the one-day conducted tour to the Nandi Hills from Bangalore coordinated by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation and other tour operators. It is an hour and a half's drive from Bangalore to the Nandi Hills.

District
Chikkaballapur district

Nersa

State

Nersa is an offbeat destination in the state of Karnataka and is relatively unknown among tourists. Nersa is a tiny hamlet and has been engaged in eco tourism in the form of jungle safaris. Located in a secluded area of the Western Ghats in Belgaum district, Nersa can be reached by a 9 hour drive from the city of Bangalore and is close to the boundary of neighbouring state of Goa and Karnataka.

Accessibility

Air: Nearest major airport is Bangalore International airport which is at a distance of 505 km from Nersa. Bangalore is connected to most of the Indian cities directly by air and is connected to many cities abroad. Prepaid taxi service is available from airport to Nersa, which costs about Rs 8000.

Rail: Nearest rail head is Belgaum, which is connected to Bangalore by regular train services. Taxi from the railway station to Nersa costs about Rs 2000.

Road: Nersa is well connected with nearby cities by KSRTC buses. Bus services from Bangalore to Nersa are regular and about five times a day the buses service between Bangalore and Nersa. Private luxury buses, running overnight, are available from Bangalore to Nersa, costing about Rs 1800.

Things to do

Birdwatching: Nersa offers the great experience of bird watching, whether one is an expert ornithologists or simply a bird watcher. There are many wonderful birding sites all around. One can travel short distances in the open grasslands searching for more birds in the greenish forests and water bodies, and can see the birds perched to their paradise.

This is a home for birds migrating from different parts of the world during the season. Watching birding is an all time luxury in Nersa, seasonal events are only migration of birds and breeding of water fowls. Nersa is a very rare place; the tourist has the opportunity of locating many species seen in Western Ghats.

Jungle Safari: Nersa offers lots of thrilling experience for the lovers of Jungle Safari. Walking through the jungle, enjoying the feel of the fresh air, under the shade of the magnificent trees around and listening to the different bird calls is rejuvenating, exhilarating and something one can never tire of.

The Forests of the west harbor a vast range of life forms from the very small to the very large. Lots of reptiles and amphibians known in India are found in the jungles here and really breathtaking jungle adventurous safari one can opt for in Nersa.

Trekking: The terrains of Nersa offers the adventurous tourists the long awaited wish of trekking amidst reptiles, birds and other mammalians. This is a remarkable area to trek in. Some areas of Nersa require higher standards of physical fitness than others.

Explore the banks of the Bandora and Sagarhole rivers to have river bank trekking, enjoying the beauty, breeze, calmness and sometimes the wilderness of these rivers. One can find Birding hotspots in all these areas. Just trekking along jungle trails will throw open a world full of bird song. Chose the length of your trek, half or full day. Charges depend on the length of trek and the area selected.

Topic

Pattadakkal

State

Situated on the left bank of the Malaprabha River, Pattadakkal is a World Heritage Centre. The town has 10 major temples representing early Chalukyan architecture.

This place reached its pinnacle of glory under the Chalukyas from the seventh to the ninth centuries functioning as a royal commemorative site. The biggest temple here, dedicated to Virupaksha, has a massive gateway and several inscriptions.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airport is at Belgaum, 180 kms away.

Rail: The nearest railway station is Badami, 29 kms, away.

Road: Pattadakkal is connected by road to: Badami (29 kms); Aihole (17 kms).

Accommodation

It is advisable to stay in Badami (29 kms) or Bijapur (17 kms).

Attractions

Pattadakkal Dance Festival
The Pattadakkal Dance Festival, organized annually by the Government of Karnataka.

Topic

Raichur

State

Raichur is an historical town in Karnataka with a rich cultural legacy. Flanked by the Tungabhadra River, Raichur is famous for its imposing Fort. It's a land whose ruins, temples and forts beckon you, to softly whisper into your ears, tales of a bygone era.

Flanked by the Tungabhadra River in the north and Krishna River in the south, Raichur district has a rich history. It was once a part of the Vijayanagara, Bahamani, Mughal and Asif Jahi Kingdoms.

Accessibility

Air:
The nearest airport is at Belgaum.

Rail:
Raichur is an important station on the Guntakal-Bombay railway line.

Road:
The district is accessible by road by good motorable roads.

Accommodation

Hotel Sarvesh, Saroj Niwas, Saroj Nagar, Gangavathi.
Laxmi Lodge, Koppal.
Lalithamahal Boarding And Lodging, Raichur-Bangalore Road, Sindhanoor.
Venkateshwar Tourist Home, Sindhanoor.
Sreematha Lodge, Koppal.
Private hotels and PWD Rest Houses are available.

Topic

Shivgiri

State

Located in a dense forest that provides a beautiful sense of isolation, Shivgiri is situated above the Yemmedoddi village in Hoggarekangri hills, north of Baba Budan Giri hills.

The Shivgiri Trails Estate, which is almost 100 years old, is situated on top of a hill in the midlle of the tiger reserve in the jungles of Yemmedoddi. Vast areas are covered with coffee plantations, the rich red berries of coffee seeds add their colour to the dense greenery around.

The forest aound Shivgiri were the favourite hunting grounds of the British for its varied wild life.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airport is Bangalore international airport which is nearly 235 km away from Shivgiri. Bangalore is well connected to most of the airports in India and also is connected to many important cities abroad. Tourist taxi facilities are available from Bangalore airport to Shivpuri. Tourist taxi charges about Rs 4000.

Rail: Shivgiri railway station is connected to Hubli by regular trains. Nearest major rail junction is Hubli. Hubli is well connected by rail to all major railheads in India.

Road: KSRTC bus services are available from Shivgiri to all nearby cities. Regular bus services are available from Shivpuri to Hubli, Kollegala, Mysore and Bangalore.

Accommodation

Shivgiri Trails Estate offers an excellent package that includes stay, meals and trek through the forest and it is not at all expensive.

Things to do

Rock Climbing: Rock climbing is one of the best sports in Shivgiri. It is one of the greatest forms of adventures. It is done on the Doddabale Siddaragudda peak.

The Doddabale Siddaragudda peak is about 5500 feet high. Climb to the peak is tiring but at the same time it is rewarding as well. While ascending the peak one can notice large coffee plantations. Also pugmarks and droppings of animals can be sighted all along the climb. It is always advisable to take an experienced guide lest one wanders off deeper into the forest. The peak extends mythical catch of the rivers and the villages below and they are a wonderful sight to the eye.

Trekking: Shivgiri offers great adventure in the form of trekking and rock climbing. There is a 5500 ft peak called the Doddabale Siddaragudda and the trek to the top can be rather tiring but hugely rewarding. To get to the top, you have to walk through the thick coffee plantations and you will find droppings and pugmarks of animals by the dozens. There is always an experienced guide to lead the trekkers least they go off deeper into the forest. The peak offers fabulous view of the rivers and the villages far below and you can see for miles.

Birdwatching: Shivgiri is a wonderful place for bird lovers. The air in the forest is filled with sounds of different birds, which makes the atmosphere wonderful.

The different birds that can be seen in Shivgiri are woodpeckers, finches and sunbirds. Wild mynahs, barbets, babblers and many other verities of birds can also be seen in the forest of Shivgiri.

Jungle Safari: The jungles of Shivgiri house a wide variety of wildlife and birds. The cry of the wild animals can be heard throughout the day. The sound of wild pigs, the pugmarks of a tiger or even a panther is a common sight.

To watch the animals in their natural habitat one has to take a jungle safari into the forests of Yemmedoddi in Shivgiri. If one is lucky they will get to see the tigers and the always-subtle panthers. Apart from this the different animals that can be seen are the deer, wild boar, sloth bear, jackal, monkeys, elephants and other varieties of animals.

District
Chikmagalur district
STD Code
08267
Topic
Best time to visit
October to May