Bangalore - Nagarhole - Cochin

aju2484

Hi I have a few questions about my trip to India. After extensive reading on this site i still have some questions. I would be grateful if someone can help me out.

I am planning to fly in from Delhi to Bangalore on 4th of January. If i was to take an early morning plane, would i be able to land in Bangalore and get a car and driver to go to Nagarhole for the evening safari?

In Nagarhole I want to spend 2 nights. I understand that we go along a road from mysore, then pass the park gate, and drive a bit more before reaching a park centre - from where the safaris depart. I want to spend 2 nights in or near the park? If so how would i book it from overseas? Anyone know the costs associated? Karnataka forest website is not very helpful in this regard.

I then want to catch the train leaving from goa to cochin at an intermediate station like Cannanore. Is it possible to get from Nagarhole to Cannanore (or any other station with trains to cochin)

Would I be right in assuming that I will have to keep the car and driver, from Bangalore til Cannanore. Or would I be better off bidding him goodbye, and finding someone else from Nagarhole to Cannanore. Can someone give me rough cost for the car and driver?

There will be two of us, and I'm not too picky. Small car and basic accomodation will do.

pmvelu

Hi Aju,

Yes, From Bangalore you may get a Cab to Nagarahole NP. As you are planning for 2 Days in Nagarahole NP and wated to be near, I would Say Jungle Lodges Resorts owned Kabini River lodge is best [Karnatak government Owned but high-end]. It's near Kabini Dam's Backwaters and it's a place meant for Wildlife Enthusiasts with the itenary & theme related to wildlife.

So, From Bangalore Airport, Get a Taxi straight to Kabini River lodge. you may have a look at their website for more details.

For your second Question, Keeping a Cab for 2 days with you will be waste of Money. Once you are done , you can again hire a cab to Calicut [ Calicut is more connected and nearer than Kannur for Nagarahole NP]. If you want budget option, you ask ask the hotel guys to drop you in Mananthavadi[ Hardly 20 kms in one of the most pathetic Roads which only Jeeps can take] from where there will be ample buses to Calicut. As your destination is Cochin /Ernakulam, Calicut is more optimal than backtracking to Kannur /Cannanore.

Hope this helps. If you need more info, Please Post.

Regards
Velu

aju2484

Thank you so much for your help velu. I was hoping that you would answer since you have been very helpful to others on this board regarding nagarhole NP.

I have looked at Kabini and i really like the activities they offer but they are probably out of my budget. I am traveling with my brother, therefore we are both quite happy to get something more basic. I was looking at other posts, and they recommended Kutta. Do you know if there will be homestays available in Kutta during early january(4th-6th)? Or will I have to pre-book? And how do I book for Nagarhole safaris? Is it done at the park or through the web as well?

Thanks for the help with the onward itinerary. It was real hard to find information regarding this.

pmvelu

Nice to know you got the required information Aju.

Yes, JLR is too costly.

If you are not particular about staying nearer to Nagarahole NP,
you can just drive direct to Nagarahole NP and do one of their Safaris [ Safari timings 6 - 9 am and 3 - 6 pm ]. It will be a Min-bus kind of forest vehicle and for each person they will charge 85 Rs and the safari is for aorund 1 Hours 15 Minutes.

May be you could do that and continue to Mananthavadi[Around 30 kms from Nagarahole NP] after exploring tholpetty WLS and Thirunelli temple on the way and get a bus from mananthavadi to Calicut for your onward journey.

In Kutta & Iruppu Falls area, there are many a plantation stays and home stays and I did not have any personal experience with any of them. What I would say is , you can just ask your taxi driver to drive towards kutta / Iruppu Falls and you will see many a signboards on stays, and may be you can just see them and book . Except long weekends, it's very easy to get a room is what I would say.

And one more difficult option you could try which will be both Budget /Safe as well as you will be within the Nagarahole NP itself. There are few forest department gueshouses within the NP for which the only way to book is to contact Forest Department OFfice at Bangalore. You could try that and if you get a confirmed reservation, I would say that would be the best .If you get this option, even you can try out Jeep Safari within the NP [ Around 800 Rs / Jeep and it will be only for you 2]


Hope this helps. If you need info, Please post.

All the Best

Regards
Velu

aju2484

Thanks for your help velu. It looks like i might opt to stay in the forest department guesthouses. Do you know how i can contact them from overseas? A phone number? One last question. During Januray 4th-6th, will there still be new year or season holidays. I am just wondering if it will be busy during that time in nagarhole.

Thanks again

Ajan

pmvelu

Hi Aju,

Normally Nagarahole NP Forest Rest houses[ FRH] are booked well in advance and Yes Jan 2nd , 3rd will be extension of NEw YEar and will be long weekend for Local tourists too.

I do not have the contact number of Forest department but I saw one another IMer who did blocked FRH successfully over here. I would suggest you to post in the thread asking for Contact numbers and how he is able to book Nagarahole FRH .

Suggested itinerary for a 4 day trip to Nagarhole / Thirunelli

All the Very Best

Velu

aju2484

Thanks for your help velu. I have posted in the other forum but no luck so far.

Thanks Heaps for your help.
Aju

pmvelu

Oh Bad. Hmmm..

May be you can PM [Private Message] "nkumar" [India Mike member] who is from Bangalore and who did stayed in Forest Rest houses [FRH] in Nagarahole in the past. He may help you with the contact numbers.

P.S:- Not sure whether you will be having "PM" permissions. I will send a "PM" to him and let's hope for the best.

P.S2:- I tried sending PM to nkumar but I think he decided to disable incoming PMs [That's what I infer from the system thrown error message]

All the best .

Regards
Velu

n kumar

Hi aju2824,
You are visiting the nagarahole FRH during the peak season. I will try to contact some of my friends here and let you know.
with regards,

danield

Try Jungle Inn or King's Santuary at Nagerhole. Both are privately owned by locals and run well. They both should be available by doing a web search. I beleive they are both on route the way your trip is panning out.

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Stuck on India

Narayan moorthi

Hi Anju
the information detailed by Velu is accurate and clear
I will suggest you another option..
There is nothing much in staying 2 nights in Nagarhole NP since the only thing you can do there is A safari ,that is a matter of just 2hrs,Kabani activities are very good but you avoided that because of cost reasons
Considering this I will suggest you an alternate option
from banglore you take a taxi to Wayanad(perfect road and good drive) or you fly to Calicut ,which is the nearest air port and from there you can drive to Wayanad through Ghat roads.

by two days you can explore three wild life sanctuaries ,I am sure
that too two independent jeep safaris to Muthanga wild life sanctuary,and Tholpetty wild life sanctuary and your first destination Nagarhole NP
all are adjacent continues one

the stay cost at wayanad also little less when compared to Coorg
If you need only budget accomodation the best choices are some hotels
"Issac regency,mint flower,hotel brahmagiri etc.." are some decent options..

if you can afford little more there is a jungle specialist "Green leaves habitat" at wayanad

another option is kuruva island resort..

The stay near Irippu water falls is also a good options as Mr Velu said I saw many no of boards offering home stay services in that area.

There is a small shop called "Ramkund " in Kutta town(near the only Bank branch there ,I forget the banks name) and I remember they are also providing the home stay service and it is a decent shop for your petty shopping.

If you are opting the Wayanad stay ,I am sure the hotel fellows or the wild life expert I mentioned will help you to arrange a pick up and will give you a travel plan
Calicut is the nearest rail head and you must book your tickets in advance since the rail tickets usually sell out very early here
I dont have any contact nos of these people but just search these topics in net and I am sure you will get loads of information regarding this