CITY MAP

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PEARL VALLEY

A tranquil picnic spot with waterfall, rocks and a pool. Distance: 44 km Location: Anekal Best time to visit: Aug-Nov

RAMANAGARAM

Famed for its rock formations where the cult film Sholay was shot. Great for rock climbing. Also a silk centre. Distance: 50 km Location: BangaloreMysore Highway Best time to visit: Oct-Mar

CHANNAPATNA

Crafts village hub for indigenous wooden toys, lacquerware and silk. Distance: 60 km Location: Bangalore-Mysore Highway Best time to visit: Oct-May

MEKEDATU

A narrow gorge through which River Cauvery passes. Enjoy trekking, coracle rides and waterfalls. Distance: 90 km Location: Kanakapura (towards Sangama) Best time to visit: Aug-Jan SHIVANASAMUDRAM

Picturesque waterfalls cascading 90 meters down. Source of Asia’s Second Hydro Electric Power Station called Shimsa. Distance: 129 km Location: Skirts Cauvery wildlife sanctuary Best time to visit: Jul-Sept

KOTILINGESHWARA

Temple with one of the largest Shivalingas in the world. Peaceful and green retreat with huge Shivalinga of 108 ft, 35 ft tall Basava, surrounded by lakhs of small shivalingas spread over 15 acres. Special festival Maha Shivaratri. Distance: 94 km Location: Kammasandra Village, Kolar Best time to visit: All year

YERCAUD

Popular hill station 4920 feet above sea level. Coffee plantations, orange groves, and orchidarium run by Botanical Survey of India. Botanica gardens, boating and trekking. Distance: 227 km Location: Sheveroy Hills, Tamil Nadu Best time to visit: Feb-Jun & Sept-Nov

MYSORE

City steeped in history with world famous Mysore Palace, other palaces, Mysore zoo, Karanji and Kukkarahallu lakes, Krishnarajasagar Dam and adjoining Brindavan Gardens with musical fountain. Distance: 139 km Location: 12 km from Srirangapatna Best time to visit: Oct-Mar

YELAGIRI HILLS

Ideal for a relaxed weekend with trekking, nature walks, boating. Punganoor artificial lakecum-park, Jalagamparai waterfalls, Swamimalai (the highest peak in the area), Murugan Koil temple and Telescope House. Distance: 170 km Location: Near Jolarpet station, Tamil Nadu Best time to visit: Nov-Feb THIRUVANNAMALAI

Sacred temple town in Tamil Nadu, significant for pilgrims, peace-seekers and tourists from around the world. Frozen in time, and abound with legends of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Distance: 206 km Location: Beyond Krishnagiri Best time to visit: Oct-Mar

BHEEMESHWARI

Fishing camp with jungle lodge in the forests of Karnataka, nestled along the Cauvery, sacred river of South India. Distance: 100 km Location: Banks of Cauvery Best time to visit: Dec-Mar

KABINI

One of the most popular wildlife destinations, with a large scenic lake, elephant and bird sightings, spread over 55 acres of forestland. Distance: 208km Location: Backwaters of Kabini River Best time to visit: Oct-May

OOTY

Short for Ootacamund or Udhagamandalam, it South India’s best known hill station, set among the Nilgiris, with green forests, valleys, tea plantations, streams and mountains. Tea plantation visit, trekking, botanical gardens, sightseeing in scenic natural beauty. Distance: 297 km Location: Niligiris, at a height of 7440 feet Best time to visit: Apr-Jun & Sept-Nov

MUDUMALAI

Mudumalai National Park lies on northwest of Nilgiri Hills (Blue Mountains), in Nilgiri District. Elephant Feeding Camp, Moyar river, Kallatty falls, Pykara lake, Elephant Safari. Distance: 220 km Location: Northern Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu Best time to visit: Feb-Jun

BANDIPUR NATIONAL PARK

One of India’s best known sanctuaries at Western Ghats foothills. It is home to tigers, Asian elephants, leopards, dholes, gaur and sloth bears. Distance: 218 km Location: Forests of Mudumalai Best time to visit: All year, but preferably in monsoon with wildlife and greenery in abundance.

COORG

Dubbed as Scotland of India, one of the most beautiful hill stations with verdant trekking routes amidst lush forests and hills. Madikeri Fort, Raja’s Seat, Nagarahole National Park, Iruppu Falls, Abbey Falls, Brahmagri hills, Dubare forest, Elephant Camp and white water rafting. Distance: 252 km Location: Heart of Coorg’s coffee country Best time to visit: Oct-May NAGARHOLE

Enchanting 247 square-mile park in coffee land of Coorg, with Asian elephants, marsh crocodiles, monitor lizards, rock pythons, aquatic and terrestrial tortoises, frogs, toads, tree frogs, a myriad insects and butterflies. Distance: 222 km Location: Part of Nilgiri biosphere reserve Best time to visit: Oct-May

BELUR AND HALEBID

Twin temple towns, world famous for their historical sculptures, Hoysala architecture and very intricate carvings cut from soft stone. They are comparable to Khajuraho temples of Madhya Pradesh. Distance: 226 km Location: Foothills of Western Ghats Best time to visit: Oct-Feb

PONDICHERRY

Union Territory of Pudhucherry (earlier Pondicherry), with quaint French charm, cobbled streets, elegant restaurants and houses, statues of Dupleix and Joan of Arc. Famous for Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville with its pretty native crafts. Distance: 296 km Location: Bay of Bengal, south of Chennai Best time to visit: Oct-Mar