Monsoon memoirs

The Wild Side
Wayanad
For Bangaloreans fed up of the treacherous city life, there's a respite just six-hours away. A drive to Wayanad is the most scenic ride around the city, with the backdrop changing drastically as you enter God's own country- Kerala. While Kerala has several tourist attractions, Wayanad is one of the lesser known, with some of the most wildly scenic landscapes.

Surrounded by mountains and thick forest regions, Wayanad is relatively cooler than other places in Kerala, but still humid through-out the year, except during monsoons when the weather is pleasant and clouds fl oat near to the foothills. Make sure you carry a raincoat, when venturing out in Wayanad, because when it rains, it pours. Its thick forest area o ers a number of trekking options to tourists, but it is surely not for the faint hearted. Be warned-the forest is home to several carnivorous animals like tigers and cheetahs. Venture on these treks with professionals, who are most likely to choose the monsoon season to do so.

Monsoon Perks The Kabini and Kalindi rivers that dissect through Wayanad are a beautiful sight during monsoons. If you are going on a wild safari in the nearby Nagarhole National Park during monsoons, these river fronts are great places to sight wildlife. Wayanad is very popular among seasoned trekkers for its Brahmagiri trek among other routes. Mostly these treks are taken up during monsoons when small rivulets and streams become active. Also, other seasons are too hot to undertake the trek.

Where to Stay Creek in the Wild, a small, intimate resort facing the famous Brahmagiri hills and nestled amidst thick forest with a river dissecting it from the main town, is the perfect setting for a magical weekend. The experience of crossing a river to reach the resort, followed by a warm and personal welcome by the hosts, a cosy little cottage to rest thereafter, is sure to lure the nature lovers to its lap. Where Thirunelly Road Cost Rs 2,250, including all meals Contact 9840351137

Mystic Hills
Chikkamagaluru
The smell of freshly ground co ee is characteristic of Chikkamagaluru, which incidentally is also the place where co ee was fi rst planted in India. But that is not why Chikkamagaluru is touted as the best monsoon getaway from Bangalore. This lazy town on the foothills of Baba Budan hills has numerous waterfalls and streams to its credit and rains bring out their glory to the fullest.

The mountains in Chikkamagaluru are part of the Western Ghats and are the source of huge rivers like Tunga and Bhadra, which makes Chikkamagaluru abundant in water resources, which are further fed by rains. Chikkamagaluru is otherwise a calm, serene town full of scenic surprises with hills and valleys, snow-white co ee blossoms. The road trip to Chikkamagaluru, via Hassan and Shrirangapatna, is also one of the ones that roadies swear by. The highway may not be the most scenic, but it is defi nitely one of the most comfortable to ride on.

Monsoon Perks The drive to Hebbe falls, near Chikkamagaluru is treacherous and bumpy, and if you are adamant to do it, better do it in the monsoons when this 500 ft tall waterfall is foaming white all the way down. The semicircle pool of the waterfall is fi t for swimming and is a lot of fun during rains when it fi lls up to the brim.

Where to Stay HalliBerri o ers some beautifully designed cottages. Experience a planter's life at HalliBerri, which is rustic, simple and yet luxurious. The cottages are located in the midst of co ee estate at the foot of the Baba Budan Hills. They are built to o er a co ee country experience close to nature and di erent from a traditional resort getaway. Where Kambihalli Estate, Santaveri Post, State Highway 57, Chikmagalur District, Athigiri Cost Rs 6,500, including breakfast Contact 9819491067

Rain Over Me
Ooty
The thought of Ooty invariably evokes the visual of Bhagyashree crooning love songs to Salman Khan in Maine Pyaar Kiya, but this popular tourist place is famous among Bangaloreans more as a monsoon getaway. Nestled amidst four peaks-Doddabetta, Snowdon, Elk Hill, and Club Hill-Ooty's real beauty is when it is lush green after the rains.

A toy train ride in Ooty is a must-do to feel the nerve of this hill station. Pass through unnamed waterfall, caves and tunnels as you chug through the spectacular landscape, and the wonderfully uplifting smell of eucalyptus fi lls up the senses. The pretty resort town of Ooty was founded by the British Collector of Coimbatore, John Sullivan, around 1820 to enable the sahibs to escape the searing heat of the plains. Sullivan's legacy is one of the most popular hill stations in India today, drawing everyone from families to honeymooners to wildlife enthusiasts. Ooty's rolling green hills, extensive gardens, lake and waterfalls make it a perfect setting for an invigorating holiday.

Monsoon Perks The whole Nilgiri hill gets covered with new plantations during the monsoon. This is the time when all the hills are bustled with the colorful fl owers. Since the trickling in of crowd in monsoon season is lesser in Ooty, you can enjoy a quiet and tranquil time among the surrounding green hills. Where to stay Jungle Retreat in Ooty takes you to a pristine setting of wilderness, but in the lap of luxury. Run by the Mathias family, Jungle Retreat is a wilderness camp that borders the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary. Insulated within 35 acres of carefully cultivated and nurtured biodiversity, it is a haven for wildlife.

They have country-style cottages of di erent categories, with sprawling private verandas that a ord spectacular views of receding mountains and tropical jungles. These cottages are spread out across the campus, with some in blocks and some stand-alone. Where Jungle Retreat Road, Bokkapuram, Masinagudi, Nilgiri Cost Rs 1,700, including all meals Contact 9787321170

Coffee Retreat
Coorg
Also known as Kodagu, Coorg is a place with timeless beauty, thanks to the lush green co ee estates blanketing the whole landscape. Think of Coorg and a collage of blue mountains clad in mist, shimmering waterfalls and rolling co ee estates comes alive. Since Coorg falls in the Western Ghats, it is best visited during monsoons, when it gets high rainfall painting the landscape fresh green.

Coorg is easily accessible from Bangalore by car or bus, although most prefer travelling by a personal vehicle, because local transport in Coorg and Madikeri can be di cult to come by. We recommend you take this fi ve-hour journey by a car or on a bike, to make most of this scenic highway. Coorg is perfect for those days when you just feel like revving up the bike and heading to somewhere magical. Heavenly during monsoons with misty hills, lush forest, acres and acres of tea and co ee plantations, orange groves, undulating streets and breathtaking views, Coorg is for the travellers who seek peace and quiet.

Monsoon Perks Coorg has a lot to o er to the restless traveller during monsoons. All the trekking routes near Coorg attract maximum traction during monsoons. One must try one of the many picturesque treks-like Pushpagiri, Kotebetta, Thadiyandamol-during the monsoon season. Although leeches are nuisance in these jungles, the trek up is worth trying. Monsoons also rev up Coorg's rafting tourism when the Barapole Riveris gushing with ice cold water. Where to Stay Serene Woods o ers safe stay in beautiful cottages in the midst of a Jungle, with a private waterfall and a pond as a backdrop. The property is conveniently located near the main town, but once you take the turn towards the path leading to the property, it's the heaven of wilderness. Cost Rs 5,500 for two, including breakfast and dinner Contact 9482022348

Pristine beauty
Coonoor
Lesser known than Ooty, Conoor, the second largest hill station in Nilgiris o ers even better views and landscapes. We landed in Coonoor via a toy train ride, which was magical to say the least. As you travel upwards from bustling Ooty, the views become better and the serenity blissful. Coonoor has many attractions which are breathtaking, especially during monsoons when clouds fl oat beneath mountain tops. As monsoon advances, Coonoor's makeover into a green glory is an undeniable treat to the eyes.

Monsoon Perks The mountain train, which connects the beeline of hill stations from Ooty to Mettupalayam, about 56 km away from Coonoor is a treat you cannot miss during monsoon. Also, don't miss out on taking a dip under the Catherine falls and Law's fall during monsoons. The trek to Hidden Valley is also quite popular during monsoon season, as the green, lush landscapes combined with the breathtaking mountain views make this trek worth all of the physical exertion. The valley is fantastic when you get there, but half of the fun and enjoyment come from the actual trekking experience. Where to stay The Kurumba Village Resort. Just indulge in an olfactory trip and smell the spices and stare at the lush green valley that is almost like a comforting blanket; omnipotent and omnipresent.

The Kurumba Village Resort is huddled amidst a bed of spices in the Nilgiris. Stepping into this space is like stepping into seclusion. Yet there's a bustling sense of life; be it the bright yellow and orange colours used in its interiors that infuse a sense of warmth or the sheer greenness of the spice valley that subtly reminds us of the symbiotic relationship between man and nature. Nature walks are always fun, so don't complain if your cottage is a long walk from the lounge. Plus the 20 cottages that are part of KVR remain oblivious of each other. That, we are told, is mainly to prevent the cutting down of trees that abound this resort. The rooms at this eco-friendly resort are spacious and aesthetically done. Where Kurumba Village Resort, Hillgrove Post, Kurumbadi Cost Rupees Rs 8,000-9,000, including all meals Tel 8088855855