Shimoga, Western Ghats, Mysore and Ooty

Your trip begins in the evening at the bus station in Pune. Board your booked bus to travel overnight across Maharashtra and into Karnataka towards Shimoga. Settle into your seats for the overnight journey.

Arrive at the Shimoga bus stop around 7:00 am. Meet your driver and transfer to a private vehicle for the drive towards Kemmangundi, pausing along the route for breakfast. Visit the 11th-century Hoysala temple at Amruthapura and the historic Shree Kodandarama Swami Temple. Continue to Kemmangundi and check into Kemmangundi Hill Resort for lunch. In the afternoon, board a 4x4 jeep to travel through dense forests to Hebbe Falls. Spend time exploring the cascade and taking photographs before returning to your resort in Kemmangundi.

Drive from Kemmangundi to Chikkamagaluru. On arrival, check into Ibbani Heritage Homestay and take time to relax. Enjoy an authentic regional lunch served at the homestay. In the afternoon, head out to explore Jhari Waterfall, also known as Breezy Falls. Proceed towards Baba Budangiri (Datta Peeta) to view the sacred hills and the nearby waterfalls. In the evening, return to the homestay for a locally prepared dinner and an overnight stay.

Depart Chikkamagaluru for the twin heritage towns of Belur and Halebeedu. Take a guided archaeological tour of the Chennakesava Temple in Belur and the Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebeedu to inspect their intricate stone carvings. Continue your drive with a stop at Belavadi to view the star-shaped Hoysala temple. Afterwards, drive into the Western Ghats to Sakleshpur. Check into Neervana Resort and unwind. You can optionally head out for dinner at Durgashree Mess to sample local Malenadu dishes.

Spend the day exploring Sakleshpur. Begin by visiting Manjarabad Fort, an eight-pointed star-shaped fortification built by Tipu Sultan that overlooks the surrounding Western Ghats. Depending on available time and interest, you may visit other regional sites such as Agni Gudda Viewpoint, Bisle View Point overlooking the rainforest, Kadimane Estate for coffee and spice plantations, Hadimane Waterfalls, or Jenukal Guda peak. Return to your resort in Sakleshpur for the evening.

Drive from Sakleshpur towards Mysore. Stop at Shravanabelagola to see the Gommateshwara Bahubali statue atop the hill, reached via six hundred steps or an optional palanquin service. Continue to the historic island town of Srirangapatna to tour the Tipu Sultan Fort and Summer Palace ruins. Arrive in Mysore, check into your hotel, and drive up Chamundi Hill to visit Chamundeshwari Temple and overlook the city. If time allows, visit Vrindavan Garden for its musical fountain show. You can dine at local restaurants such as Annapoorna, MTR, or Gufha Restaurant before sleeping in Mysore.

Depart Mysore towards Ooty. Your first stop is the star-based Somnathpura Temple for a guided tour of its Hoysala architecture. Continue to Nanjangud to visit the ancient Nanjundeshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Next, proceed to Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary inside the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve for a wildlife safari, watching for elephants, deer, gaurs, and carnivores. After the safari, continue your drive uphill across the border into Tamil Nadu, concluding with your drop-off in Ooty.