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Places to Visit near Coorg Within 200 Kms

Mysore is a beautiful city located in the state of Karnataka, in southern India. Known for its rich history, culture and heritage, Mysore is a popular tourist destination and attracts millions of visitors every year.

The city is renowned for its stunning beauty, with its lush green parks, elegant palaces, and stunning temples. The most famous of these is the Mysore Palace, which is considered to be one of the most magnificent and largest palaces in India. Another popular leisure spot is the Brindavan Gardens, which is located on the banks of the Kaveri River and is renowned for its beautiful fountains and colorful lights.

One of the main attractions of Mysore is its rich cultural heritage, with numerous temples, museums, and galleries showcasing the city's rich history and art. Some of the must-visit places include the Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore Zoo, Folklore Museum, and Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Art Gallery.

There are many activities to enjoy in Mysore, from exploring the local markets and shops to taking a leisurely walk in the beautiful parks. The city is also a popular destination for yoga and wellness, with many retreats and centers offering a variety of classes and workshops. In addition, Mysore is renowned for its vibrant nightlife, with numerous bars, clubs, and restaurants providing entertainment for visitors.

Mysore has a tropical savanna climate, having hot and dry summers and mild, pleasant winters. The city experiences a moderate temperature throughout the year, with the average temperature ranging from 15°C to 35°C.  Hence, Mysore's cool and breezy weather, particularly during the winter months, makes it an ideal destination for tourists, especially those looking to escape the scorching heat of other Indian cities. The pleasant weather, combined with rich cultural heritage and historical monuments, makes Mysore a popular tourist destination.

A hill station in the heights of Western Ghats of India, Sakleshpur is a small town located in the state of Karnataka. Famous for being surrounded by a surprising number of plantations of coffee, tea and spices, Sakleshpur’s economy thrives on these. Apart from that, with the recent development in the tourism happening around the town, places to visit in Sakleshpur have recently gathered a lot of fame for themselves because of their beauty and the kind of experiences that they harbour, both of which are unparalleled. 

Easily connected with Major cities like Bangalore and Mangalore, Sakleshpur has a bounty of beautiful places to see, both manmade and nature’s gifts. A prime example of that is the ages-old Manjarabad Fort constructed in the form of a star, which is also one of the prime tourist places in Sakleshpur. But that is not the only one, the list of names goes on and on as to where you should go to see Sakleshpur treating you with its best views of natural beauty, sometimes mingling with the manmade structures. 

The 600 year old Sakleshwara temple that sits on the river Hemavathi’s banks is a piece of fine craftsmanship in surroundings that are meant to take your breath away. And taking your breath away brings to mind the Bisle View Point, offering a panoramic view of the region and hills around, as well as the rainforests of the area. You can see as far away as the Pushpagiri, Dodda Betta and Kumara Parvatha Hills.

And no, the hill station is not just about the sights as there is a long list of things to do in Sakleshpur. The hill station knows how to live on the adventurous edge of life too. Sakleshpur is a heaven for trekking enthusiasts, and that is why this town has taken the definition of trekking to a whole new level by introducing something new like Railway Bridge Trekking. You can trek on the 52km long railway track (trek) between Sakleshpur and Kukke Subramanya road junction, which was closed down long ago. This unforgettable experience takes you through the scenes of at least 25 waterfalls.

And as far as the question of staying in Sakleshpur is concerned, nature stays in Sakleshpur are bound to take your breath away with their surroundings, features and comfort alongside the local hospitality that you will experience here. There is no one type in the places to stay in Sakleshpur and that is what makes it worth experiencing. So take your family, friends, or partner and come to Sakleshpur, and even if no one agrees, come solo. But do not think of missing out on so much fun.

Kabini is an exquisite, enthralling location in Karnataka which you ought to visit at least once in your lifetime, whether you're an adventure enthusiast, a love of fauna, or simply someone who loves to travel for leisure. The perfect weather, a host of activities, camping options and more is what makes Kabini a tourist favourite. Summers are great for wildlife visits here while monsoons are the ideal time to feast your eyes upon the sanctuary's abundant greenery, making Kabini an all-year round getaway.

Being centrally located, Kabini is also well connected to major cities like Bangalore, Mysore and Coimbatore. If you’re travelling by air you can alight at Bangalore or Coimbatore and continue your journey to Kabini. Coimbatore is 127 kilometres while Bangalore is 200 kilometres from your destination. You can also choose to fly to Mysore’s domestic airport and travel by road for around 1.5 hours to reach Kabini.

Whilst here, make sure you visit the Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary. Ironically, once a hunting  area for the British, the sanctuary has a plethora of flora, exotic fauna, and waterfalls that cascade dramatically. Explore the forests as you head out on a jungle safari, choose to ride on elephant back and feed the royal, friendly animals, thanking them for the enjoyable elephant safari.

Follow it up with a visit to Kabini Dam and a boat ride on the sparkling Kabini River, a tributary of the Kaveri, against a scenic backdrop. Return to your resort to simply sit by the campfire and reminisce about your adventures through the day. If you have some more time to spare, go on a nature expedition early next morning and don't forget to stop by small shops for local handicrafts that you can bring back for your loved ones.

Eat like the locals, as you indulge in Southern Specials like Bisi Bele Bhaat, Vada Sambar, Akki Roti and more. Stay at luxurious properties like Red Earth, The Serai, and Evolve Back, among others. Although within a higher price range, the resorts offer top notch hospitality and amenities, coupled with unique wildlife experiences.

Kabini sees tourists from all across the globe who visit the city for its serenity, beauty, and exotic stays. Be one of them and reside in the lap of luxury!

Known for its soothing temperature all around the year, Wayanad is the ultimate destination to escape the scorching sun of North India. This place doesn’t only offer its cool temperature but along with that, it has untouched woods, misty mountains, and long spread plantations. Often called the spice garden of India, Wayanad is laid with many tourist places and vast orchards of various spices like cardamom, Black pepper, Star Anise, Fenugreek, Black cumin and more. These green orchards of distinct spices give this place a different fragrance which is further enriched with the aroma of coffee plantation, nutrition of organic fruits and vegetables and waving paddy fields.

Having said this much about the greenery in the city, it is understood that it will have numerous wildlife sanctuaries, reserves and national parks protecting the rural life of the forests. Adding to all the natural beauty you have India’s largest earth dam and Asia’s second-largest earth dam, Banasura Sagar Dam in Wayanad. Having mighty mountains, dense woods, and gushing rivers, Wayanad is a hub for trekking, hiking, mountaineering, rock climbing, rappelling, camping, and many more adventurous activities.

You can trek to India’s largest Earth Dam, Banasura Dam or trek to witness the sun setting behind the mountains from Wayanad’s highest peak, Chembra Peak. The list doesn’t end here, you have the chance to explore potentially Neolithic age at Edakkal Caves. You will find some petroglyphs- prehistoric rock carvings used as a communication tool.

Moreover, you will find some amazing examples of ancient architecture and religious beliefs through the monuments like Thirunelli Temple, Karinthandan Temple, Ancient Jain Temple and much more. All these threads weave into an amazing tapestry that will glorify your photo album as well as the album of your life.

Bandipur is National Reserve in the Karnataka. Wild animals and birds are conserved in this reserve. A few kilometres away from the capital city, Bangalore, this reserve is one of the popular tourist places visited as a weekend getaway. The place is surrounded by unruffled atmosphere and is eco-friendly. Surrounded by foliage and lush greenery, you can find elephants grazing, and spot other birds and wild animals.

This reserve also has animal care centre which takes take of their health and breeding problems. Injured animals are treated at this centre. This reserve has natural waters coming from Moyar, Nugu, and Kabini rivers.You can go on bird watching tours and take wildlife safaris at this reserve. You can use guided safaris, which are either on foot or jeep.

You can also take elephant safaris. Since this reserve is located at the foothills of Nilgiris, you have abundant spots adventure activities like trekking, camping, and mountaineering. You can take a guided camping activity and listen to the camping stories that can give you an adrenalin rush.

You can also find a forest of well-preserved sandalwood trees in this reserve. August to November is the best time to visit the reserve as the climate is cool. The safaris ride is only for duration of 45 minutes, strictly. There are very few places to see at this reserve.

Translated as the ‘Young Daughter’s Town’ as it was presented as dowry to the younger daughter of the Chief of Sakrepatna, Rukmangada, this serene city is also known as the ‘Coffee Land of Karnataka’ tranquilizing you from within with its aroma.

Lush green trees set against the backdrop of majestic Mullayangiri ranges, Chikmagalur is one of the most popular spots for trekkers, nature enthusiasts, thrill-seekers, and explorers. The pious land is home to numerous temples including the Sharadamba Temple, Vidyashankara Temple, Kodanda Ramaswamy Temple, and Amruteshwar Temple adding grace to the grandeur of the vicinity bringing in devotees from far and close offering their prayers.

Chikmagalur stands at an elevation of 3,400 feet, covered with eye-catching tea and coffee plantations, making it a major commercial hub of the state, and also bringing in tourists from all over the world to entice the unique experience of walking through the plantations.

This entrancing hill station is not just about temples and sightseeing but also adventure activities that would savor your inner thrill enthusiast.  Do not miss out on the famous waterfalls, namely, Jhari Waterfalls, Hanuman Gundi Waterfalls, Shankar Falls, and Kadambi Falls as there are plenty of them that will surely leave you mesmerized by spellbinding scenic beauty. Cascade of water flowing over the rugged terrain, it is a view that you will remember all through your life.

If you wish to find an escape from the monotonous 9 to 5 life, this is just the right place for you to spend some time amidst the flora and fauna. Do not forget to carry your camera along to come back with pictures to flaunt on your social media. 

Situated 250 km west of Bangalore (now Bengaluru), the state capital of Karnataka, the coastal town of Mangalore (now Mangaluru) remains one of the prime tourist attractions in South India all throughout the year. Although Mangalore is known beaches, islands, temples and the sunrise and sunset points, you will be able to find many more interesting things in this coastal town if you are ready to explore. In fact, you can make Mangalore the base in the bid to explore the entire western coastline. Since Mangalore is well connected by air, road and railway network you can easily go out for sightseeing.

While you are on the move, food remains one of your major concerns for sure. When you visit Mangalore, be ready to serve served with delicious sea foods and other authentic Canara dishes which are simply mouth-watering to say the least. Now when you are in Mangalore, you must be prepared to face the tropical climate there. Although the mornings are not too hot and you can brave the sun, the evenings remain the best time to be at the beach and relax with an ice-cream while watching the sun disappear.  So, if you are stationed in Bengaluru and looking for a weekend destination, Mangalore can definitely be your ultimate choice.

Mighty and magnificent, at an elevation of 1200 metres, Biligirirangana Hills stand tall at the confluence of the Eastern and Western Ghats in South Karnataka, and are frequented for their diverse flora and fauna. BR Hills offers plenty of sights to visit, thrilling sports to experience, and some wonderful homely places to stay at during the course of your visit.

Sightseeing 

- BRT Wildlife Sanctuary which sprawls across 540 sq. kms and is home to gaurs, sambhar, tigers, leopards, four-horned antelopes and over 200 species of birds. 

- Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple where lies the statue of Lord Ranganatha, at the highest peak of the BR Hills.

- Dodda Sampige Mara, which translates to the The Big Champak Tree, is 2000 years old and definitely worth a view. 

Things to Do

- Trek to the highest peak of BR Hills.

- Go coracle boat riding, angling, and fishing at the Kaveri and Kapila Rivers.

- River raft, especially in the monsoons, but be prepared for unpredictable heavy rains to play spoilsport too!

- Shop at the Tribal Resource Centre, for some local handicrafts, artefacts, pickles, juices, and an array of options. 

Staying at BR Hills 

BR Hills offers some great options like the Rajathadri Hill Villas, K. Gudi Wilderness Camp, Gorukana Eco Wellness Retreat, and Champakaranya which, with their range of tents, cottages and rooms, make for the perfect retreat!

Boasting of temple and tranquillity, BR Hills is the perfect weekend getaway for hodophiles, dendrophiles, adventure junkies, and absolutely anyone else who loves being close to nature!

Bengaluru, formerly known as Bangalore, is the capital of the state of Karnataka. It is located in southern India on Deccan Plateau. The city is a mix of traditions and modernity. The various ethnicities residing in it celebrate their cultural festivities while engaging with the recent upsurge in its café culture and pub-hopping. It is often referred to as the ‘Silicon Valley’ being the hub of IT development in India.

The lush green area around Bangalore is interspersed with waterfalls, wildlife sanctuaries, and brooks and rivers waiting to be explored. Due to the presence of lush gardens and pastoral land, it has gained a reputation for being the ‘Garden City of India.’ Cubbon Park, Ulsoor Lake, Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain Park, Bugle Rock Park, and Lumbini Garden are the marvels of this city.

Bangalore is flushed with the picturesque sites where you can try the most adrenaline rushing activities. Trekking or hiking at places like Ramanagara, Nandi Hills, Savandurga, and Narayanagiri are exciting activities undertaken by trek enthusiasts. You can also try camping and fishing over here for a rejuvenating experience. 

Bangalore is not just a place for nature lovers, but also music enthusiasts. Hard Rock is an elite pub in Bangalore due to its live performances by renowned bands. There are various other entertainment places within the city including Snow City, which enthuses visitors with activities like ice-skating, gaming arcades and bowling alleys. 

Bangalore has two distinct seasons – wet and dry. The wet season begins with the monsoon in June and lasts till September. The rest of the year is mostly dry but may encounter unpredictable showers. The dry days are sunny, with temperatures not going beyond 25 – 30 degrees Celsius. The best time to visit Bangalore is from November to March.