Need Suggestions for Karnataka Plan around December

@kshil here is one more for you covering Hampi, Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal

Hi..

Another info is that if you are doing that direct route from Madikeri(which is closed now)in daytime, you may request the forest guard there and pass by. I did this in the reverse direction and they allowed me. But, the journey might be a little slower and need to be a little careful.

Plan in such a way that you reach Horanadu in the evening, so that after darshan and dinner, you might relax and plan for leaving early the next day. As I had told earlier, I left Mysore by maybe 10 AM and reached Horanadu by 9.30 PM after visiting Shravanabelagola, Halebeedu and Belur. On the return, I stared a bit late, i.e after darshan and lunch, visited Shringeri and a very short stop at Agumbe and reached Kollur for darshan. So this might be easy. I also did some browsing around and found some articles which might be of interest to you.

http://travel.paintedstork.com/blog/...eaches-ii.html
http://www.udupirounds.com/malpe-beach.php
http://harinair.wordpress.com/2008/0...upi-karnataka/
http://payaniga.com/2008/09/digest-r...est-coast.html
http://www.itslife.in/2011/05/maravanthe-beach
http://www.oktatabyebye.com/travelog...Karnataka.html

Will have this further updated.

Regards

Prasanna

Thanks Aarosh, once again for digging out another brilliant thread for me.

There are two roads we are discussing on Madikeri - Kasaragod:

1. Madikeri - Sulya - Mularia - Kasaragod (This road is temporairily closed from Madikeri end)
2. Madikeri - Bhagamandala - Panathur - Kanhangad - Kasaragod

Apart from

3. Madikeri - Virajpet - Iritty - Taliparamba -Kanhangad - Kasargod. (This is much longer and not direct route as such)

So which road you taken and where you need permission from forest guard? I believe it's route 2 through Bhagamandala which is through dense forest region.

Very good links, thanks for sharing them, can anyone tell from where this snap of Kaup beach is taken? Is it from the top of lighthouse? Is it allowed to climb up the lighthouse? I read somewhere it's having a specific time to let visitors into the lighthouse, can anyone throw some light?

I am surprised to read this, my idea was in India the Forests remain open between November to May/June everywhere. You meant this forest was closed in Middle of February and it was just closed a week before you reached, right?



Thanks for clarifying this part, I am sure now I have a fair idea on what these places could offer.


Can you once again check the link, it seems to be dead.

Yes kshil, that snap of Kaup beach is taken from the light house. I think the timings are between 4 and 6 in the evening.



Check this for Vonkla's journal

Hi kshil,
We had also that idea, but it was really closed. Since we did a ride along the road we were at the entrance so we have seen it ourselves.
As far as we remember the reason was 'seasonal', but we are not sure.



Here is the correct link for Badami and Hampi Mumbai-Dehli in three months

Sorry, can't really recommend a best route for this sector since I have only done bits and pieces of it. I think the Chitradurga--Hospet suggestion, as you noted, is far too much extra distance.

The road from Thirthahalli to Riponpet, in your third option, was not in very good shape when I rode on it about a year ago.

I would go for the shortest distance, realizing that you may run into some bad stretches of pavement no matter which route you take. So Shimoga--Harihar--Haveri--Gadag--Ron--Badami would be my choice.

I will be in Karnataka in the period October to December. Perhaps our paths may cross. Please post your final itinerary with dates when you get it all worked out.

Hi...

I was referring to the Mangalore - Madikeri road through Sulya.

Regards

Prasanna

Kaup is an excellent option, I was studying this coastal front in details and found it's a must visit and I also read lighthouse is opened for public between 4.00pm to 6.00pm in Wiki but then finding some recent report mentioning its open between 9.00am to 6.00pm. I hope 2nd one is true and I really want to enjoy that great view. Also there is an old fort at Kaup it seems. Needs to do some search for that.

Thanks again Aarosh.

Vonkla, the WLS remains open only for fixed time in morning and evening (7.00 to 9.00 and 3.00 to 6.00 something like that), hope you haven't been there in between when it was closed. Actually it's really surprising that a WLS is closed in Mid Feb which is one of the driest Month in the region.

Thanks for the journal link, it's excellent write up and you really travel with so much time and get into many places where we may never find time to go. You are lucky

JP thanks for writing in, Even if we are not sure yet, thoughts of an experienced traveler like you certainly gives me more confidence now in taking Shimoga--Harihar--Haveri--Gadag--Ron--Badami route as I am sure except Haveri - Gadag stretch, for all the remaining part KSRTC buses ply, so it can't be a no road atleast I hope. I would check if I find a bus route between Haveri and Gadag

It's my pleasure JP, I would certainly update my detail itinerary once it gets a better shape but it would take following route:

Bangalore - Mysore - Bandipur - Kalpetta - Thirunelly - Kabini - Madikeri - Bekal - Kasaragod - Mangalore - Malpe - Maravanthe - Murudheshwar - Gokarna - Jog - Lakkavalli - Kemmangundi - Belur -- Aldur -- Kalasa - Kudremukh - Agumbe - Thirthahally - Shimoga - Harihar--Haveri--Gadag--Ron--Badami-- Hospet --Hampi --Chitradurga -- Bangalore.

I would be in touch with you and hope to meet you somewhere on the way.

Thanks Prasanna, When you last visited this road between Madikeri and Kasaragod and where exactly you were asked to get permission from forest dept? I was thinking the second route is through deep forest region.

Thank you all for your help in shaping up the itineraries. I have almost frozen the plan and started booking few places already, would update when I would be about to complete it.

Few questions if anyone can answer:

1. Hampi - Bangalore Airport, how much should be the drive time and what should be ideal route to avoid heavy traffic. I would like to visit Chitradurga fort in between in a 2 hours span and I would need to reach Airport latest by 5.30pm in evening. I heard NH13 between Hospet and Chitradurga should be best avoided due to truck traffic and bad road.

2. Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary - Has anyone visited that place? Is there any specific time to visit or it's open during the day time?

3. I am aware of RNS at Murudheshwar and Gokarna hotels but can anyone tell me any options (Not very luxury) between Gokarna and Murudheshwar, around Honnavara from where my next day's journey would be saved. I have 2 days to spare 19th and 20th December (Mon and Tuesday) Do you think I should get something around this place on spot during that time. It would be a rush time but as Christmas holidays would start a week later, I am not sure what to expect. Do you suggest pre-booking in that region during 19/20 th Dec (Weekdays they are)

From a lesser known beach , Murudeshwar off late has become a popular destination. Huge gap between supply and demand for accommodations during peak season. As a back-up plan you can opt staying at Bhatkal(30 min journey from Murudeshwar). The hotel is bang opposite KSRTC Bus Stand- From memory I recall the name "Cola Paradise"-KSTDC recognized- attached restaurant-basic, clean and budget type.

Thanks a lot Yourfriend for this information. But as I would be staying in Maravanthe the last night, Bhatkal would be too close to stop for next night, ideally even Murudheswar doesn't fit my itinerary, The best would be something between Gokarna and Honnavar stretch. My personal preference would be as follows if hotels are available, else I have to change my plan according to hotel available.

18th Dec - Stay at Maravanthe (This is fixed)
19th Dec - Maravanthe - Byndoor - Murudheshwar - a small detour to Apsarakonda Falls - Honnavar - Kumta - Gokarna (Would like to stay at Gokarna but seems options are limited / costly and may not be available during that time)
20th Dec - Morning exploring the OM / Kudle Beach and after lunch take a drive to Yana and then finally stay at Hannovar for night.
21st Dec - Honnavar - Jog - Lakkavalli (This is fixed)

So that's my planned itinerary but what I read Murudheshwar is better for stay with family where as nothing much to offer as it seems to be a crowded place and also night stay at Murudheshwar means wasting quite a big amount of time in journey.

So is anyone there who can help me to plan the 19th/20th Dec with proper accommodation option? I won't prefer a noisy beach with lots of people and ofcourse would like to have something quiet that is more suitable for a family with kid.

Also if anyone can help with first and second question of last post.

So anyone please with the answers to post number 85, atleast first two questions? It's unbelievable that no one knows on the better route from Hampi to Bangalore Airport and the time that could take.

Kshil,

You may want to try with team-bhp.com and for sure the information you are looking for might already be there. All the best in your search.

Good that almost 90% of our plan has now taken some meaningful shape.

Cheers
Velu

hi kshil,
The distance between hampi to bangalore is around 360 kms via chitradurga and the time required is around 7 hours and the distance is more or less the same via bellary-anathapur.
The road from hampi to chitradurga is roughly 140 kms and the road condition was bad with patches and some ditches 2 years back.
If you have to visit durga you have to take this route and at dobbespet take a deviation towards doddaballapur and then to the airport.
I have never visited bear sanctuary,
with regards