It does not take much of a decision to choose a place for a Saturday trek , but it really takes a lot of convincing to rope in people as your co-trekkers(just two of them for the day). This time the choice of place turned out to be MANDYA , the SUGAR District of KARNATAKA. Kunti-Betta is a small hillock located in the town called Pandavapura of the same district.
It all started from the BANGALORE MAJESTIC bus station at 13:30 hours, ( as usual solid three hours delay from our actual plan due to laziness and personal commitments). The route framed by us was
---Bangalore → Mandya → Pandavapura→Kunti-Betta---
Due to lack of buses from Majestic, we traveled up to SATELLITE bus stand. Unlimited buses ply through MANDYA from there. Boarding one of those would land you at the destination at 15:45(Window seat would be ideal for a quick nap). An inquiry with one of the drivers at the mandya bus stand helped us board the bus to PANDAVAPURA . This travel would be so scenic that one could not resist looking out even though the cool breeze would force you to doze off. At 16.30(after reaching Pandavapura),we bargained a local auto-rickshaw to drop us at Kunti-Betta.
Alas we started climbing the much awaiting Temple steps. There were two hills to choose, of which we chose the one on the right to start the trek. It was a much traveled and easier path that all we have to do is to follow the trails. Certain places were equally tough and slippery to climb which turned out to worthy because the view from the top was awesomely scenic (Hill on one side, paddy fields on the other and lake in the front was naturally framed for perfect clicks). After many a clicks and plays we were lying on the flat rock for the breeze to sway the heat off.
It was nearing dusk when we reached the base and started walking towards the main road for a drop till the PANDAVAPURA lake. Take a few strolls along the lake side and i bet , one would not believe the view out there. The lakes, trees ,hills and adding to the beauty was the setting sun, all combined would automatically make you utter the word "PERFECT". We played along the lakeside with few clicks followed by a tea and snack session to treat our drought throat .
The journey of return followed its own steps as we boarded back the last bus towards MANDYA at 19.30, followed by a dinner at MANDYA at 21.00 and reaching BANGALORE MAJESTIC at 23.00 . The clock stroke 00:00 when we hit our beds raising a doubt in our minds--- Should we wish GOOD NIGHT or GOOD MORNING?...
Alas it turned out to be an eventful day. In case of own transport, I would advice one to go for a early morning trip so that the afternoon session can be used to cover other areas in Mandya district.
In order to assist future treks, details including timings and fare have been approximately jotted down below.
DETAILS:
Date:14April, 2012,Saturday
Co-Trekkers: Oliver, Balaji
Trip:
13.30-- Bangalore MAJESTIC to Satellite Bus stand, KSRTC(8km, bus fare: )
13.50-- Satellite bus stand to Mandya, KSRTC (92km, bus fare: 67rs)
15.45-- Mandya to Pandavapura, KSRTC (24km, bus fare: 18rs)
16.30-- Pandavapura to Kunti-Betta, Auto (4km approx, fare:70rs, It is pretty costly for a distance of just under 4 km, bargaining more helps)
17.00-- Start the trek from the base
18.15-- Trek down and walk toward lake
19.30-- Pandavapura to Mandya(same route and fare)
21:00-- Dinner at Mandya
21:15-- Mandya to Bangalore Majestic, KSRTC (100km, bus fare:73)
23:00-- Reach Bangalore Majestic
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Any day can turn out to be a holiday if you know how to do it~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It all started from the BANGALORE MAJESTIC bus station at 13:30 hours, ( as usual solid three hours delay from our actual plan due to laziness and personal commitments). The route framed by us was
---Bangalore → Mandya → Pandavapura→Kunti-Betta---
Due to lack of buses from Majestic, we traveled up to SATELLITE bus stand. Unlimited buses ply through MANDYA from there. Boarding one of those would land you at the destination at 15:45(Window seat would be ideal for a quick nap). An inquiry with one of the drivers at the mandya bus stand helped us board the bus to PANDAVAPURA . This travel would be so scenic that one could not resist looking out even though the cool breeze would force you to doze off. At 16.30(after reaching Pandavapura),we bargained a local auto-rickshaw to drop us at Kunti-Betta.
Alas we started climbing the much awaiting Temple steps. There were two hills to choose, of which we chose the one on the right to start the trek. It was a much traveled and easier path that all we have to do is to follow the trails. Certain places were equally tough and slippery to climb which turned out to worthy because the view from the top was awesomely scenic (Hill on one side, paddy fields on the other and lake in the front was naturally framed for perfect clicks). After many a clicks and plays we were lying on the flat rock for the breeze to sway the heat off.
It was nearing dusk when we reached the base and started walking towards the main road for a drop till the PANDAVAPURA lake. Take a few strolls along the lake side and i bet , one would not believe the view out there. The lakes, trees ,hills and adding to the beauty was the setting sun, all combined would automatically make you utter the word "PERFECT". We played along the lakeside with few clicks followed by a tea and snack session to treat our drought throat .
The journey of return followed its own steps as we boarded back the last bus towards MANDYA at 19.30, followed by a dinner at MANDYA at 21.00 and reaching BANGALORE MAJESTIC at 23.00 . The clock stroke 00:00 when we hit our beds raising a doubt in our minds--- Should we wish GOOD NIGHT or GOOD MORNING?...
Alas it turned out to be an eventful day. In case of own transport, I would advice one to go for a early morning trip so that the afternoon session can be used to cover other areas in Mandya district.
In order to assist future treks, details including timings and fare have been approximately jotted down below.DETAILS:
Date:14April, 2012,Saturday
Co-Trekkers: Oliver, Balaji
Trip:
13.30-- Bangalore MAJESTIC to Satellite Bus stand, KSRTC(8km, bus fare: )
13.50-- Satellite bus stand to Mandya, KSRTC (92km, bus fare: 67rs)
15.45-- Mandya to Pandavapura, KSRTC (24km, bus fare: 18rs)
16.30-- Pandavapura to Kunti-Betta, Auto (4km approx, fare:70rs, It is pretty costly for a distance of just under 4 km, bargaining more helps)
17.00-- Start the trek from the base
18.15-- Trek down and walk toward lake
19.30-- Pandavapura to Mandya(same route and fare)
21:00-- Dinner at Mandya
21:15-- Mandya to Bangalore Majestic, KSRTC (100km, bus fare:73)
23:00-- Reach Bangalore Majestic
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Any day can turn out to be a holiday if you know how to do it~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
