Endless sunshine, winding roads, spectacular hill stations, amazing cities, best national parks, mystifying rivers, incredible natural treasures, brilliant food— regardless of what you want to do or see on your next vacation, South India has something for everybody.
The best part is – you can go on numerous road trips from Bangalore to all the iconic destinations you have always dreamt of visiting along with the infinite number of endless experiences and possibilities in store for you along the way.
Here’s a curated list of 5 best weekend road trips from Bangalore that you should go on and experience at least once in your lifetime.
If you do get tired during these adventures, there are a large number of resorts near Bangalore such as Discovery Village, which are perfect to unwind or even be your final destination.
- Hogenakkal Waterfalls, Tamil Nadu
Hogenakkal Falls is often called the ‘Niagara Falls of India’. This majestic waterbody is located in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. This gorgeous place lies at a distance of about 180 kilometers from the heart of Bangalore. There is a shorter route to this gem(120kms via Anchetty). But, we do not recommend this as traveling during nighttime isn’t advisable as the roads are in poor condition and you’ll have to pass through deep jungles.
- Yelagiri, Tamil Nadu
Yelagiri is quietly nestled in the foothills of the Eastern Ghats. It is a small hill station situated in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu. Yelagiri sits at an altitude of situated at an altitude of 1,410 meters above mean sea level and is about 160 kilometers from Bengaluru. The challenging Ghat road has 14 hairpin bends. But, you are sure to witness panoramic breathtaking views of the
hills. The sunsets in this place are nothing short of magic.
- Bheemeshwari Nature Camp, Karnataka
The Bheemeshwari Adventure and Nature Camp sits along the banks of the river Kaveri. This camp is located around 100 kilometers from the center of Bangalore. The various adventures that this camp offers is rope walking, kayaking, zip lining, and rafting.
The main attraction in this location is fishing for the biggest tropical gamefish known to man – the “Mahseer”. The Bheemeshwari Nature Camp is the ideal fit for adventure seekers.
- Bandipur National Park, Karnataka
Once the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Mysore, the Bandipur National Park is an 874 square kilometers forested reserve in the state of Karnataka. It is known for its small population of tigers. The park is also home to Indian elephants, gaurs (bison), spotted deer, antelopes and numerous other species native to this region. Bandipur National Park is located about 225 kilometers from the city of Bangalore.
5.Gandikota – Belum Caves, Andhra Pradesh
The small village of Gandikota is situated on the right bank of the river Pennar, which is about 270 kilometers from the heart of Bangalore. Gandikota is an amalgamation of adventure, as well as, history as it houses a 12th-century fort overlooking the Pennar. The gorge next to the fort is referred to as the “Grand Canyon of India”. If you travel 60 kilometers further from Gandikota, you will find the Belum Caves, which is the largest tourist cave in the Indian Subcontinent. It is also the most thronged cave.
Whilst, there are so many other locations and hidden jewels in the region, these are the top five spots we would recommend for you to go on a road trip.
All you need to do is pack a bag with the essentials, gather your group of friends and go! These road trips are ideal for weekend getaways. Or if you are a lone rider, you can still enjoy these trips on your own as the only company you’d need is your bike and the roads – the views and destinations are endless.
You are sure to come back with a ton of memories that will be etched in your heart for a lifetime. And, once you experience it, there’s no going back. You’ll definitely want to explore more of these locations.
