A Trip from Bandipur to the Queen of Hill Stations
Bandipur National Park is a treasured wildlife spot in Karnataka. According to the history of Bandipur National Park, it used to be the hunting ground of the Maharajas of Mysore. Counted among the most beautiful national parks of India, Bandipur National Park is cradled on the lap of nature’s charm and shares portions of two districts - Chamarajanagar and Mysuru. The national park is also a significant part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Plan a holiday at Bandipur that accompanies a trip to Ooty, famed as the Queen of Hill Stations. This compatible duo is convenient for both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu residents.
There are so many things to do in Bandipur National Park, jungle safari being the foremost one. In order to reach Bandipur, you need to reach Mysore first, for both the railway station and the airport. For international tourists, the nearest airport is at Bangalore. Bandipur National Park is 72.4 km from Mysore, whereas 219 km from Bangalore.
Reaching Bandipur, settle down in a resort and then set out for safari. Bus, gypsy and camper safaris are available in the morning and evening slots. On the first day go for the evening safar. Tigers, elephants, leopards, and gaur are the main residents of the national park. Other fauna residents of Bandipur encompass dhole, Indian pangolin, hyena, barking deer, mouse deer, Indian rock python, common krait, monitor lizard, chameleon, frog, avifauna and invertebrates.
The next day, go for the early morning safari. There are several other activities in Bandipur National Park such as trekking, camping, birdwatching and photography. You can also visit the Kabini River or the Nugu River and the Nugu Dam after the safari.
On day three, check out from Bandipur and head towards Ooty, covering about 41 km which takes up to 1.5 hours. On your first day at Ooty visit Ooty Rose Garden, Ooty Lake, Doddabetta Peak, and Botanical Garden. Return to your hotel or resort in the evening and get rest.
On the fourth day, enjoy the toy train ride to Coonoor on the Nilgiri rail Route. Without a ride on the toy train, the Ooty trip remains incomplete. The entire journey is accompanied by scenic wonders from the windows. Reaching Coonoor indulge in sightseeing at Tea Garden, Lamb’s Rock, Dolphin’s Nose and Sim’s Park. Return to Ooty from Coonoor in the evening and if your stamina permits, go for some shopping in the local market of Ooty.
With an extra day, plan a visit to Kotagiri, an offbeat hill station near Ooty, with an hour’s drive. The top attractions in Kotagiri are Catherine Falls, Kodanad View Point and Johnston Circle. Avalanche Lake and Emerald Lake are the other lesser-trodden spots very close to Ooty, which takes less than an hour to reach. There are so many options to explore once you reach Ooty.
Another alternative itinerary for the trip can be - On reaching Mysore; you can explore the city’s magnificence for a day before heading to Bandipur National Park. The rest of the itinerary remains the same. Apart from Ooty, other destinations paired with Bandipur Tour Package are Mysore, Nagarhole, Coorg, Bangalore, Thekkady, and Chennai. While returning from Ooty, the nearest railhead is Mettupalyam, at a distance of 51 km and the nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport, approximately 87 km away from Ooty.
