Everyone wants some time off after a long week of work. If you are staying in Bengaluru, you can easily plan a perfect 2-day trip nearby. Dotted with pretty lakes and hills, weekend destinations around the city are a prime destination for trekking, caving, canyoning, etc.
Here are some of our top picks for the best weekend retreats within 200 kilometres of Bengaluru:
Bheemeshwari
Located around 100 kilometres from Bengaluru, Bheemeshwari is breathtaking. Set amidst the Mekedatu, Gaganachukki and Barachukki Waterfalls, the beauty and serenity of the place will win over your heart.
Tourists get to witness a large variety of animals such as crocodiles, leopards, wild boars, deer and several exotic bird species. The region is also known for fishing, trekking, water rafting, and is home to the famous ‘Gaming Fish-The Mahseer’.
Best time to visit: March to June
Savandurga Hill
If you love trekking, Savandurga Hill must make it to your bucket list of trekking expeditions. Around 48 kilometres from Bengaluru, Savandurga hill is one of the largest monolith hills in Asia. It’s important to be informed about the trekking guidelines as the terrain can be a bit difficult to manoeuvre. However, the panoramic view from the top and unique night trekking opportunities make this trek an unforgettable experience.
Best time to visit: November to May
Bandipur National Park
This is a go-to place for every nature enthusiast. The Bandipur National Park spanning over 874 square kilometres boasts of incredible landscape and a diverse range of flora and fauna. Located around 204 kilometres from Bengaluru, this park is now home to over ten thousand animals including Tigers, Indian Elephants, Gaur, Vipers, and Dung Beetles.
Best time to visit: July and September
Shivanasamudra Waterfalls
The sheer glow of the water at the Shivanasamudra Waterfalls is majestic. Located 130 kilometres away from Bengaluru, Shivanasamudra is widely known as Asia’s first hydroelectric power station that was set up in the downstream of these falls. The two large parallel streams cascade down through a rocky bed, from a height of over 320 feet. The currents here are quite strong and the gorge quite deep. The lucid contrast of the frothy falls against the dark rocks makes it unbelievably picturesque.
Best time to visit: July to January is the best time to visit while August to October is the peak season.
Hampi
Situated on the banks of Tungbhadra River, Hampi is popular for its rich history and incredible ancient architecture. Marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this village is home to a plethora of ruins and an intriguing mythological past. Hampi was the capital of Vijayanagara Empire, and was an extremely important part of the empire from 1343 to 1565. The ruins of Vijayanagara Empire in and around Hampi, are spread over an area of more than 26 Sq.km. Hampi Festival, held for 3 days in November, is the most important festival celebrated here. It is organised by the Government of Karnataka, with dance, music and processions.
Best Time to Visit: October to March
