In search of serenity

Even as the temperatures continue to soar, our hearts are set on that perfect holiday – picturesque beaches, lush forests or lofty hills studded with a cover of emerald that only wants to give you one thing – respite from heat. If you are working around the clock and have nothing but a weekend to spare, here’s our pick of off-beat destinations around Bengaluru for that quick summer’s getaway.

Camp calling
In the mood to put up some teepees? Poppalwadi is the place for you. Situated 487 kms from the city on the Goa-Karnataka border, this remote place allows you to stay in teepee tents, go on guided walks to a private waterfall, indulge in nature treks and night safaris. A sight of the Dudhsagar waterfall near by, is a bonus.

Hankon, a quaint village 12 kms away from Karwar (537 kms from Bengaluru), is another one worthy of mention. Spread over five acres by the gently flowing Kali River, this area is known for its exciting adventure eco-camps that are a must try this season – Give a shot at kayaking, canoeing, rafting, tubing or river crossing, even as you cross off rock-climbing and rappelling off your list.

Forests to ‘cover’

Situated about 628 kms from Bengaluru, think Ponmudi your Amazon. A carpet of thick tropical forest that rolls down the hills, this cover is home to 283 species of birds. While lazing around with scenic views, try birdwatching. Never too late to start an interesting hobby, right? Speaking of fiery forests, Agumbe deserves a mention here.

A 334 km drive from the city, this hill station in the Malnad region has much to offer. Whether you want to join conservation efforts at the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station founded by Romulus Whitaker, gaze upon farmers who breathe subsistence, hike to the many waterfalls like Barkana, Onake Abbi, Jogigundi or Kudlu Theertha or simply enjoy the weather, this is your place. “This place has a rainforest straight out of the movies! We got here on a whim because we needed something offbeat and man, we were happy! the highlight was the sunset point here, which was something out of this world,” says Rahul Kshetry.

Water to waddle

The secluded and relatively unexplored Kappil Beach is one of the less crowded beaches dotting Kerala that you must explore. The Kodi Cliff nearby gives you a 360 degree view of the Arabian Sea and is located six kilometers from the lofty Bekal Fort – all just 371 kms away from the city. If you’re a quintessential beach body, Devbagh should be your top pick.

Situated about 538 kms away, this island in Karwar offers everything from speedboat cruises to snorkeling, banana beach rides and para-sailing. With a flurry of delightful fish folk for company, you can also explore nearby islands like Kurumgad, Oyster-rock, Anjudeep and Sanyasi, learn the art of lighthouse keeping or take off to Goa which is only 8 kms away!

Head to the hills

If the mountainous terrains and treks are your calling, try the Mukurthi Hills situated about 279 kms from the city. Standing at a lofty 8,380 ft above sea level in an ecologically sensitive area, these are noted for their magnificent views and are also home to endangered fauna including the Bengal tiger. Also known as the High Wavy Mountains, Meghamalai is another group of cloudy hills that will take your breath away.

From tea estates, to exotic plants and animals, this area situated 487 kms from Bengaluru has it all. If you’re a bird lover, gaze upon everything from the regal great pied hornbill to the black napped oriole! “After breathing polluted air, this was a breath of fresh air,” says Dibyajyoti Deb, an analyst from the city. “What was even better was that, Meghamalai wasn’t crowded like we thought it would be. The drive there was scenic, we hiked up the hills and saw waterfalls and stayed at the Cloud Mountain Bungalow,” he tells us.