Grand Canyon of India - Gandikota, Belum Caves Bike Ride

Grand Canyon of India is one of the best place I ever visited in India. Twice I have been there but the memories with are still fresh and young. One must visit the place have to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Watch the below video which I have visited:

How to plan your trip to this place. Read more on my previous post:

Grand Canyon of India

http://www.kmdmello.in/2014/12/the-travel-reminiscenes-gandikota-grand.html

Belum Caves

http://www.kmdmello.in/2014/12/the-travel-reminiscenes-belum-caves.html

Horagina Betta Night Trekking

Horagina Betta Night Trek was another memorable trek.
Source: The Travel Reminiscence: Horagina Betta Night Trekking

Horagina Betta also known as Brahmagiri, 65 kms from Bangalore is one of the major hillocks on route to the Nandi Hill Mountain.Horagina Betta has been rarely visited by trekkers. The peak has a very beautiful Lord Shani-Eshwara temple. The evergreen forest patch on top of the hill being a favored wintering location for many migrant species of warblers, flycatchers and thrushes. Due to the presence of Nandi Hills which is a popular tourist destination. Horagina Betta has been rarely visited by trekkers.I have mentioned 2 options for trek. If it is night trek since vehicles are not allowed to enter nandi checkpost better to take 2nd option. If it’s a day trek one can take option 1. There no vehicle parking in option 1 but bikes can be parked nearby. But option 2 has unofficial parking place.     

Trek Ways: Two Options to Ascend!

1. Nandi hills road junction where we can find board of Shani-Eshwara temple (1hr).

2. Can start from Gangothri hotel. (2 -3 Hrs)

What we did: While ascending we took Second option and while returning in morning we came by First option.

Campfire: Can be done near Shani-Eshwara temple. 

Shelter: There are two open rooms if its rainy or cold near temple.    

Be Aware of: Can encounter Small snakes, Insects, Scorpions etc in the night.

Carry : Snacks, Water, energy food etc.Must take torch for night trek

Route: Bangalore - Chikkaballapur - Nandi Hills Cross -(4 kms) towards Nandi Hills .

Difficulty level: Moderate

Google Map: "Trail to Nandi One" Please follow the this you will reach the top.

View Point : 500 mts above temple, Take steps to go to view point.

Read More: The Travel Reminiscence: Horagina Betta Night Trekking

Mandargiri Trek

Source: The Travel Reminiscenes: Mandargiri Trek: 

Mandharagiri (Basadi betta), is a picturesque small hillock with jain temple near tumkur. Located opposite to Bangalore-Tumkur highway and 65 km away from bangalore, you can see an entrance arch in the main road stating the name 'Mandaragiri' and going by this way you can reach to a small village, Panditanahalli. Little distance from this place leads you to the bottom of the hill.You can park you vehicles at the bottom of Basadi Betta, and you can see a Mutt nearby.  Ensure that to get the keys of the temple from the priest in case he is not coming with you towards top. Once you reach top of the hill after climbing 435 steps, you are welcomed by the main door of the temple. After entering the main door now you are in a huge courtyard in the midst of four temples, two temples are dedicated to Bhagawan Chandranatha and one each one for Parshwanatha as well as Suparshwanatha. The idols are simple but wonderful. You can spend a while at Basadi Betta; rest and get pleasure from the cool breeze blowing via the many aisles of the mantapas. The far-away hills as well as the rocky landscape with small puddles present a lovely view. There is one more surprise when you open the rare door of the temple complex. You can see a beautiful lake called Mydala Kere down below the hill.

How to Reach :

Bangalore --- Dabaspet -- after 10km take right turn near Arch -- Mandargiri base.

Near by places: Mydala kere, Devarayanadurga (DD Hills), Madhugiri, Nijagalbetta Trekking.

Permission : Not required

Steps : Yes

Climbing time : 15 mins Max

Photo Courtesy : Mohan 

Other Places : Rayyakottai Trek  Revanasiddeshwara Betta

Revanasiddeshwara Betta/ SRS Hills Trek

Source: The Travel Reminiscenes: Revanasiddeshwara Betta/ SRS Hills Trek:

SRS Betta is consists of a massive Monolithic Stone surrounded by beautiful hilly region and located equi distance from Ramanagar, Channapatna and Kanakapura. Revanasiddeshwara Betta, a hill in ramanagara, 62 kms from Bangalore (Bengaluru) city and rising 3066 feet above sea level,The route to the top of Revanasiddeshwara Betta is extremely simple and does not require much physical agility. Beginning at the foot of the hill, where the entrance arch to the Renukamba Temple is, you follow the slabs of stone that have been laid out for visitors. These will lead you to wider steps that have been carved in the rock surface. They are easy to climb and because of their width, they present several opportunities for the tired to sit and rest a while. Revanasiddeshwara Betta is conveniently accessible, with autos plying right up to its foothills, and local buses connecting it to nearby towns and cities. There are chathras and lodges at the base. There is a road that goes to the middle of the hill and rest of the journey must be covered on foot. Be aware of monkeys.Can be found easily in google maps.

How to reach:

Bangalore --- Ramanagara bus stand --- Signal left turn --- SRS Hills.

Distance from Bangalore: 65km one way.

Climbing time: 30mins max

Parking Fees : 5rs

Nearest Places for Trek : HandiGundi Betta, Ramangara Betta Trek, KuntiBetta Night Trek