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5 places to visit from Bengaluru (without getting on a flight)

With most workplaces encouraging employees to work from home, now may be a good time for you to get away from the city and spend, say, a fortnight or even a month away from the big city life. Chances are you’ve not stepped out of your home, except to buy groceries so you likely wouldn’t mind a change of scene.

Even though airlines are flying out of Bengaluru, a long drive in a car is probably most recommended. And so, as part of our ongoing series on where to go without getting on a flight, we are listing out five places to visit from Bengaluru:

1. Kodaikanal

Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal; Photograph: Wikimedia Commons

Even as Ooty remains under lockdown, Kodaikanal is open for tourists. After being closed for five-and-a-half months, the hill station is welcoming tourists.

However, you cannot simply drive up to Kodaikanal as you would have done in the past. You will need to apply for an e-pass from the district administration to visit it. Kodaikanal has been opened following an appeal from the tourism industry to open up activities and tourist sites.

Some, such as Rose Garden, Bryant Park, and Chettiar Park are now open though you could well check into a great hotel and have a good time by taking socially distanced walks.

2. Coorg

Coorg
Coorg; Photo: Suhas Doosra/Pixabay

Unlike Kodaikanal, Coorg doesn’t require an e-pass for anyone travelling from within Karnataka. If you can show you’ve been in the state for more than a fortnight, you will be welcomed in Coorg, no questions asked. Several resorts and homestays in Coorg have opened their doors for guests so you will be spoilt for choice.

3. Chikmagalur

Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur; Photo: Bishnu Sarangi/Pixabay

Chikmagalur has been largely COVID-free, which makes it a great place to get away

to. It helps that the beautiful hill station has its share of five star resorts as well as budget home stays. After your day’s work, you can simply walk out of the door and be welcomed by fresh air and greenery all around you, which is more than what we can say about our flat in the big city, right?

4. Bylakuppe

Bylakuppe
Bylakuppe; Photo: Wikimedia Commons

On the way to Coorg from Bengaluru is a tiny village called Bylakuppe. It is not as popular as Ooty and Kodaikanal, so for most part Bylakuppe was a happy detour you took when you were driving to Coorg.

However, today you can stay here and spend some days or indeed weeks in Bylakuppe. The hamlet is a Buddhist centre so there are several monasteries, wall paintings, stupas etc here. It helps that the place is stunning and pristine. And the Airbnbs are particularly inexpensive.

5. Gandikota

Gandikota
Gandikota; Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Talking of hamlets, Gandikota is yet another place that deserves more than just a stopover. The stunning gorge through which the River Penna flows makes it one of the most beautiful places you likely hadn’t heard of unless you were living in Bengaluru, Chennai or Hyderabad from where it is almost equidistant.

The gorges of Gandikota have been compared to the Grand Canyon, which may well be an unfair comparison given that the view here is possibly far more pleasant than the arid landscape of the Grand Canyon.