Thread Starter
#1
Background:
Being Christmas vacation time, we decided to take a small break and visit my in law’s place in Davangere (about 280 kms from Blore on NH4). Then a thought came to my mind as to why not plan a small holiday with family. So started exploring options and zeroed in on 2 places – Kemmangundi near Chikmagalur or Dandeli. Having decided about the place, started looking out for stay options & had to drop Dandeli due to non-availability of accommodation. Searched on Trip Advisor for stay options at Kemmangundi and read positive reviews about ‘Valley of Birds’ home stay. Called up the concerned person and blocked the stay. So now we were all set to zoom in the Punto…….
Basic stats:
Places visited: Davangere & Chikmagalur
Route: Bangalore – Davangere-Kemmangundi-Chikmagalur-Davangere-Bangalore
Total distance: @ 1000 kms
Overall mileage (including highway drive, ghat drive): @ 17.8 kmpl as per MID
The journey:
Finished office @ 5.30 pm on Friday and started the first leg of journey, Bangalore to Davangere. Being a holiday time, phew got stuck in bad city traffic. By the time I could get out of city it was almost 7.30 pm. Reached Davangere by 11 pm and had a good night sleep.
Sat (22nd Dec) morning @ 9 am started the journey towards Kemmangundi with family. So Punto was now fully loaded with 5 adults and luggage.
Route taken: Davangere – Channagiri – Bhadravati – Tarikere – Kemmangundi. Distance: @ 150 kms . Of this @ 10 – 15 kms was really a bad stretch to drive. My heart was pouring for Punto over those bad patches. But thanks to superb GC, even with full load did not scrape a single time. On the way, visited a place called Shanti sagar lake. Man! This lake is really huge!! It is regarded as one of the largest in Asia. I think the first being in the state of Orissa.
- Reached Valley of Birds homestay, Kemmangundi @ 1 pm and was welcomed by amazing hospitality. We enjoyed a simple and superb lunch, took a power nap and started towards Kalhathgiri falls which is @ 15-20 kms away from the homestay
--> Sun (23rd Dec) : Enjoyed delicious Puri – Bhaaji breakfast and started the journey towards Mullyyangiri, the highest peak in Karnataka which was @ 60 kms from the homestay. The route was very scenic coupled with good roads. Off course Punto’s prowess added to the excitement factor. As we started climbing the altitude, the excitement enhanced. Final 2-3 kms of the climb was breath taking. Narrow roads with steep fall on one side which tested the car’s & driver’s capabilities. But once reaching the peak, everything else was forgotten. We were mesmerized by the nature’s beauty and views offered. Let the pics do the talking
Returned to Chikmagalur at lunch time and after lunch started journey towards Davangere, which was @ 200 kms drive. Spent couple of relaxing days at Davangere enjoying Butter masala dosas, mirchi bajji etc
Finally started towards Bangalore on 26th Dec early morning
Thanks everyone for reading the TL !!
Being Christmas vacation time, we decided to take a small break and visit my in law’s place in Davangere (about 280 kms from Blore on NH4). Then a thought came to my mind as to why not plan a small holiday with family. So started exploring options and zeroed in on 2 places – Kemmangundi near Chikmagalur or Dandeli. Having decided about the place, started looking out for stay options & had to drop Dandeli due to non-availability of accommodation. Searched on Trip Advisor for stay options at Kemmangundi and read positive reviews about ‘Valley of Birds’ home stay. Called up the concerned person and blocked the stay. So now we were all set to zoom in the Punto…….
Basic stats:
Places visited: Davangere & Chikmagalur
Route: Bangalore – Davangere-Kemmangundi-Chikmagalur-Davangere-Bangalore
Total distance: @ 1000 kms
Overall mileage (including highway drive, ghat drive): @ 17.8 kmpl as per MID
The journey:
Finished office @ 5.30 pm on Friday and started the first leg of journey, Bangalore to Davangere. Being a holiday time, phew got stuck in bad city traffic. By the time I could get out of city it was almost 7.30 pm. Reached Davangere by 11 pm and had a good night sleep.
Sat (22nd Dec) morning @ 9 am started the journey towards Kemmangundi with family. So Punto was now fully loaded with 5 adults and luggage.
Route taken: Davangere – Channagiri – Bhadravati – Tarikere – Kemmangundi. Distance: @ 150 kms . Of this @ 10 – 15 kms was really a bad stretch to drive. My heart was pouring for Punto over those bad patches. But thanks to superb GC, even with full load did not scrape a single time. On the way, visited a place called Shanti sagar lake. Man! This lake is really huge!! It is regarded as one of the largest in Asia. I think the first being in the state of Orissa.
- Reached Valley of Birds homestay, Kemmangundi @ 1 pm and was welcomed by amazing hospitality. We enjoyed a simple and superb lunch, took a power nap and started towards Kalhathgiri falls which is @ 15-20 kms away from the homestay
--> Sun (23rd Dec) : Enjoyed delicious Puri – Bhaaji breakfast and started the journey towards Mullyyangiri, the highest peak in Karnataka which was @ 60 kms from the homestay. The route was very scenic coupled with good roads. Off course Punto’s prowess added to the excitement factor. As we started climbing the altitude, the excitement enhanced. Final 2-3 kms of the climb was breath taking. Narrow roads with steep fall on one side which tested the car’s & driver’s capabilities. But once reaching the peak, everything else was forgotten. We were mesmerized by the nature’s beauty and views offered. Let the pics do the talking
Returned to Chikmagalur at lunch time and after lunch started journey towards Davangere, which was @ 200 kms drive. Spent couple of relaxing days at Davangere enjoying Butter masala dosas, mirchi bajji etc
Finally started towards Bangalore on 26th Dec early morning
Thanks everyone for reading the TL !!