Revealing The Hidden Secrets on the Bangalore-Ooty Circuit
Why nosedive into the beauty of Ooty when you can get more out of your trip by relishing the wonderful joys scattered along the way? The journey is as beautiful as the destination when it comes to travelling on this picturesque route.
Choice of Three
When travelling from Bangalore to Ooty, you can pick from the following routes-
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- Bangalore-Channapatna (60.8 kms) -Srirangapatna (124.6 km) -Mysore (144.33 km) -Gundlupet (205.7 km)-Masinagudi (243.5 km)-Ooty (273.1 km)
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- Bangalore-Kanakapura (4.6 km) -Kollegal (139.9 Km) -Masinagudi (243.5 Kms)-Ooty (273.1 Km)
- Bangalore-Hosur (39.1 km) -Dharmapuri (141.2 km) – Salem (202.1 Km) -Avinashi (322.2 km) -Coonoor (291.4 km) – Ooty (273.1 km)
Each of these routes has hidden treasures but the most popular and fascinating is the Bangalore-Gundlupet-Masinagudi route. Also the shortest (and most adventurous) amongst the three, it is the secret gems on this route that we bring to you.
Stop.Stay.Savour
Below is a list of exciting mini-destinations/pit stops that you can make before you hit the Queen of Hill Stations.
HeritageWinery, Channapatna (69 km from Bangalore) How about learning the art of wine making to pair with all the chocolate knowledge you are going to gain in Ooty? Stop here for a short 2-hour tour that takes you through the intricacies of the wine making process.
Kokkarebellur Village (86.9 km from Bangalore) The word kokkare means stork in Kannada and bellur stands for village, so literally translated, you will be visiting a stork-village. Located close to Maddur, this village is a paradise for bird-watchers. Depending on the season, you can spot the Spot Billed Pelicans, Little Cormorant, Black-crowned Night Heron and many other exotic birds. If you want to avoid the touristy allure of the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, this is a great spot for some bird-watching and photography amidst a village setting, with the Shimsa River for company.
Srikanteshwara Swamy Temple, Nanjangud (170.3 km from Bangalore) If the pilgrimage tag of this place does not attract you, visit for the spell-binding Dravidian style of architecture. This ancient temple is adorned with numerous sculptures and ornate pillars that will appeal to connoisseurs of art & architecture. You could also take a dip in the holy Kapila River to atone your sins!
Gundlupet (205.7 km from Bangalore) If you have already admired the splendor of Srirangapatna, which lies on the same route, then stop a while at the historic village of Gundlupet. Enjoy the architecture of the Vijayanagara Temple or hike to the Parvati Betta or Gopalaswamy Betta for panoramic views. The village is also famous for its vibrant sunflower and marigold fields.
Bandipur National Park and Mudumalai Reserve (230.7 km from Bangalore) The drive to Ooty will take you through the heart of these reserves. While travelling in your car is a joyous experience in itself, it is worth taking the actual forest jeep safari. Consider staying here for a day before continuing your sojourn.
Bison Valley, Bellikal (514.9 km from Bangalore) The Bison Valley is a place to enjoy the lush greenery of the abundant tea gardens of the region. You can indulge in animal spotting, trekking, jeep-safari, rock-climbing etc while here. From here Ooty is just a short distance away.
With these wonderful pit-stops enroute, your drive to Ooty will be filled with exciting experiences and activities. Once in Ooty immerse yourself in the rich colonial heritage of the town and spend your days visiting the famous spots like Doddabetta Peak, Botanical Gardens, Rose Gardens, Ooty Lake etc. And the next time you plan a road trip, keep this guide handy!