Bheemeshwari Fishing Camp

The Idea of Jungle Lodges Resorts (JLR) run by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation is really wonderful. The activities you can find across different JLR are Nature Trekking, Wildlife Safari, Whitewater rafting, fishing etc.

"Bheemeshwari Fishing Camp" is located about 100 KM South from Bangalore on the Kanakpura Road laying between Shivanasamudhra falls and Mekedatu. It is famous for Mahseer fish. Directions are well marked in the Highway and it pretty easy to reach the camp. Road that leads to Camp is good and last 30 KM is through a winding jungle road.

Day 1: The camp is set along the bank of the Cauvery river. The camp is full of hammocks and rope nets, one can enjoy all the days resting in hammock. The package starts with welcome drinks and then followed by Lunch in common place called Gol Ghar. (It is one the most delicious Lunch which I have taken outside home). I have not expected such a good quality Lunch in a Resorts that is organized by Government.

In the evening you will be having coracle ride where you will taken upstream, you can also get on to the rock that are in middle of Cauvery have some fun time.

After coracle ride you can spend some time with Joy fishing. In the evening around 7:00 there will be a campfire and barbecue with soft and hard drinks on the bank of Cauvery, it was a great experience. Night around 8:30 dinner is served. With the dinner day one is completed. (You can hear the sound of animals walking around the Tents very clearly. But, no need to fear as the security will there to drive away the animals).

Day 2: Early in the morning around 6:15 PM you will have a wake up call with Tea/coffee. Around 7:00 in the morning a guided trek will start and it will be for 2hrs duration. While trekking you can view many deers if you are not making much noise. After the trekking, tasty breakfast is ready for you. Around 11:00 Check out process.

Information:

You can make a Day Trip or take an Overnight Package. Depending on the location you are visiting:Day Tour costs Rs.1000 per person(Welcome Drink, Lunch, Evening Tea + Activities )

• Overnight cost Rs.2750 per person (Welcome Drink, Lunch, Evening Tea Dinner, Bonfire and Breakfast for next morning+ Activities).
• For Overnight Packages you can choose between a Tent (@ about Rs.2750 per person) or Log Hut (@about Rs.3250 per person). Both categories are well furnished, comfortable and safe.Booking can be done at the Jungle Lodges office on MG Road in Bangalore (2nd Floor, Shringar Complex, MG Road, Bangalore 1).
  

You can make enquiries on telephone no.91-80-25597021 91-80-25597024 91-80-25597025 91-80-25586163 (Fax)or send an email to : info@junglelodges.com or visit http://www.junglelodges.com/

Since the lodges are in remote areas, full payment is to be made in advance at the MG Road office, which then makes arrangements at the respective camps accordingly. Entry to the camp is strictly on the basis of the receipt, so make sure you travel only after a firm booking.

Note:There is other option to plan your trip: http://www.careindia.in/index.html

Best Timings :

• August to January is the best time to visit this place.
• White water rafting is depends on water flow. (September to November)
• Fishing Mahseer fish. (December - January)
• Through out the year if you want a break from your busy life.

Preparations for the trip:

• Wear light shoes suitable for trekking.
• Extra clothes to change even if on a day trip.
• Carry caps for the trek if in summer.
• Carry water bottles for the trek

Trip to Munnar, Thekkady and Allepey (Alappuzha)

Thekkady, Munnar & Alleppey This is the first trip after our Marriage. We have choose Munnar as it is My wife's one of the dream destination. We have planned our trip to mainly to cover 3 locations Thekkady, Munnar and House Boat @ Alleppey. We got down our train at Kottayam and Reached Kumily by Bus. Altogether the total trip was really great.

Thekkady:

From Kottayam we reached to place called “kumily”, as we do not have direct buses to thekkdy. Kumily the bordering place of TN and Kerala. which is 5 KM from thekkady.

“Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary” in thekkady is not a park, it is a gaurded forest. At the sanctuary there is Periyar Lake, one can go for boating in that lake, you may figure out some wild animals like elephants etc. Even you can go for a nature walk in the forest where you can get chance of looking some wild animals and rare birds. We could not go for nature walk because it required minimum of 5 people. Cost for the Guided walk is around Rs 100 per head.

If you planning to Thekkady, make sure you reach there in the morning because the Sanctuary will close by 4:00 PM.

Munnar

The hill resort has been the place for summer retreat and tea plantations since long.

Digging the past of Munnar reveals the list of tea planters that visited Munnar. With the passage of time the forested and home of wildlife- Munnar has become perfect for tea plantations.

Sites to Visit at Munnar:

• Lavish and splendid tea gardens – You can get guided tours where they will guide the processing of Tea from picking of tea leaves till packing in the factories.
• The Christ Church of Munnar is another landmark of the hill resort. The church has been since the pre-independence days.
• Devikulam Lake - The cool environs attract tourists to this lake. You may even try angling in the waters of the Lake. It is an ideal spot to unwind and relax.

Sites Near By Munnar:

• The Mattupeety Lake which is 13 KM from Munnar is one of the major touris ts attractions around Munnar. It was created by a small hydro electricity dam is flanked by steep hills and woods all around.
• The Top Station is a vintage point around Munnar that offers panoramic views of the lovely landscapes and the valley
• Rajamalai Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is seventeen km from Munnar offers wondrous vistas of the valley.
• Ernakulum National Park - The park is nineteen km away from Munnar
• For adventurous activity seekers trekking is an option in the sanctuary.
• Munnar - Adventure Sports - You may try fishing in the Devikulam Lake.
• Best option to explore Munnar is a bicycle ride. You can easily hire bicycles in Munnar. There are several bicycle riding routes that are popular with the tourists. At you're your pace you get to enjoy the lovely landscape of Munnar. There are the wondrous valleys, ravishing rivers, tea estates and cardamom and sandalwood plantations that offer spectacular sights.

Munnar - Best Time to Visit:

Munnar is good to visit 365 days a Year. Winters are very cold it may drops to 1 degree Celsius. So, you have to completely cover in woolens.You can avoid traveling during Monsoons(June to September).

Munnar - Where to Stay:

There are several hotels, resorts and lodges that cater to the needs of the tourists with every person budge. Plan and Book your stay well in advance so that you will not waste time in search for accommodation after you reach. Even during Summer you will find difficult to get accomadation.

Good food is also easily available in Munnar. There are several restaurants that offer delicious and hygienic food at reasonable rates. You may take your pick of the cuisines from South Indian, North Indian and the Continental dishes.

Alleppey (Alappuzha)

Alleppey is the best place for Backwater Tourisiam. It is very popular for Kettuvallams where Kettu means tied with ropes and vallam means Boat. There are two travel options for choosing house boat Alleppey-Alleppey round or Alleppey-Kumarakom round trip.

The time you spend in the House boat is around 22 Hrs. i.e Check-in to boat around 12:00 PM and check out will be Next day 10 AM. They will provide you with Lunch, evening snacks, Dinner and Break fast. The boat cruises in the backwaters from 12pm -5.30pm and then it docks at a pre-destinated place. All boats have to dock by 5.30pm as per govt rules. The next morning it again starts at 6am and docks at 9.30 am. The boats have a decent bedroom with an attached WC. Even you have a House Boats with multiple rooms which can accommodate big families up to 10 people.

Distances:

• Kottayam to Thekkady : 142 KM
• Thekkady to Munnar : 106 KM
• Munnar to Alleppey : 160 KM
• Allepey to Kottayam : 130 KM
• Allepey to Cochin : 64 KM
• Alleppey-Kottayam : 29 KM - 3 & 1/2 hours (In Motor Boats Cruise through small canals)

There are many travels agents in Bangalore for Budget Travellers. Make sure to take complete travel plan from them before start so that you will not have any disappointment later.

Trip to Mysore Sriranganapattanam Chamundi Hills

It is popularly know that Mysore was once the city of demon king mahisha hence this place was known as "Mahishooru" and hence " Mysooru" or "Mysore". We planned to cover most places on the way to and near by Mysore. So, we started our trip in car early in the morning around 6 am from BTM.

Mysore Palace: Mysore Palace (Maharaja Palace) is one of the most unforgettable places in the city.Mysore is known for its silks, sandalwood, and beautiful palaces. The most popular attraction in Mysore is the Mysore Palace, or the Maharajah's Palace, known for its beautiful architecture, intricately designed rooms, temples, and beautiful surrounding gardens. However, the most original feature of Mysore Palace is its spectacular lights that are illuminated for only one hour each weekend (and during public holidays). There are ten thousands of lights adorn not only the palace, but the temples, three gates, and accompanying buildings that complete the palace grounds.

Krishna Raja Sagar (K.R.S Or Brindavan Gardens):

This is an important place that is not to be missed. It is located about 15 KMs towards from Mysore city. A dam has been constructed across river Kaveri and is used for irrigation purposes. This project was dream project of "Krishnaraja Wodeyar the fourth" and "Sir M. Vishweshvariah" is the Chief Engineer for this project.

A garden has been made below the dam using the water resources of the dam. You can see this garden in most of the songs in the movies made in 80’s and 90’s. The lighting is fantastic in the night, the main attraction is the "Dancing Fountain" where the fountain has been made to sprinkle water according to the music being played. People stay to see this beautiful event. Songs will from Hindi, English and local language.

Brindavan garden is open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily and during weekends the lighting are done from 7:00 PM to 8:45 PM. There will be lighting on all days during Navarathri or dasara festival.

Sriranganapattanam:

This place is located ab out 15 KM on Mysore-Bangalore State Highway. It is on the banks of river Kaveri. The specialty of this place is, it looks like an Island. Because this place is located in surrounded by Kaveri. It was capital city of Mysore kings.

Here you can find many places of interest, Sriranganatha Temple where the idol of Lord Ranganatha is seen sleeping on "Kalinga" the seven-headed serpant. There are many idols of different “avatharas” of Lord Vishnu. The carvings on the pillars of this temple belong to the Hoysala architecture. (Timings for Darshan: 7.30 AM to 1 PM and 4 pm to 8 PM.)

Tippu’s summer palace known as " Daria Doulat Bagh " , is worth watch for its paintings, and gardens. "Gumbaz" which is on the city outskirts near the small village "Ganjam", is the burial place of King Tippu sultan, his father Hyder Ali and his mother.

Sangam is the place where river Lokapavani joins Cauvery. It is a good picnic spot. From here the river flows towards Tamil Nadu’s Mettur Dam.

Nimeshamba temple is on the banks of river Cauvery, about 2 kms from Srirangapattana on the road leading to Sangam. Nimishamba is considered as the incarnation of Parvathi, the goddess wife of Lord Shiva. (Timings for Darshan: 6.00 AM to 8 PM)

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary:

Ranganathittu is a small bird sanctuary around 10 kilometers from Mysore. The bird sanctuary is developed around rocky islets on the river Cauvery. It is covered with ancient mammoth trees, which are home to many exotic bird species especially during the monsoons.

Highlight in the Sanctuary is the boat ride, as you can view hundreds of birds flocking on the islets. They take ride in the lakes where you can watch many different kinds of birds. . Birds from Australia, Siberia, North America etc make their home here. There will be strict instructions not to put your hands in the lake as many crocodiles, which you can watch during your ride also many crocodiles will sleep on the bank.

The sanctuary also has a viewing tower but the birds are best viewed from the boat. In fact, make sure that the lake is open for boating before you go, because the boat ride is definitely the highlight of this place. The best season to visit this bird sanctuary is between May and November.

Gosayi Ghat:

This is an ancient temple. A lot of films are being shot here because of its picturesque beauty. This is a very good picnic spot.

St.Philomena's Church: This is one of the largest churches in India. This is built in gothic style of construction. There are two 165 Ft towers which are beautiful to watch. "Krishnaraja Wodeyar the fourth" laid the foundation stone for this church in 1933 and was completed in 1941. Do not skip watching this wonderful church as it will not consume more than 30 minutes of your time.

Chamundi Hill:This hill is in the outskirts of mysore city and 13 kms from Mysore is the temple of patron Goddess of Wodeyars, Chamundeshwari. Located on a hill 335 m high Godess Chamundeshwari is the household god of people and kings of Mysore. In front of the temple there is a statue of "Mahishasura" the demon king.

On the way to temple there is giant Nandi Bull which is 4.8 meter. This one of the largest statues of Nandi found in india. From the top of hill you have panoramic view of Mysore city.

There are plenty of Places of you can visit near Mysore

• Mysore Railway
• Museum Nanjanagud - 25 KMs towards south of Mysore on the way to Ooty
• Somanathapura
• Shivanasamudra
  
• Talakad