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Showing posts from 2023

Vagamon Heights

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After enjoying the morning Jeep drive to Ullupooni, we decided to relax at the resort. For the evening, we planned to visit Vagamon Heights, following the suggestion of the resort staff. We could drive our vehicle to Vagamon Heights, which is on the outskirts of the main Vagamon city. From there, it's a 15-minute Jeep drive to the activities area. Vagamon Heights offers various activities for visitors, such as boat rides, kayaking, zip-lining, rock climbing, and more. We could choose activities based on our interests. The package included a Jeep drive and a couple of activities. We opted for the boat ride, kayaking, and zip line. If you go for the complete package, it's around Rs. 1400/- for all the activities. However, since we chose specific activities, we got it for Rs. 500/-, which included the Jeep ride, boat ride, and kayaking. Later, we paid an additional Rs. 200/- for the zip line. I was expecting it to be crowded, but fortunately, the place was peaceful, and we had a g...

Uluppuni Wildlife Sanctuary

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When we planned our trip to Vagamon, we had a list of places to visit. However, upon seeing the crowd in the city, we decided to spend our time at the resort. While chatting with a resort member, he suggested trying the Ulupunni Wildlife Sanctuary. He explained that there’s a quick 3-hour tour package, starting with a Jeep ride to the Sunrise point, followed by visits to various viewpoints. They asked us to be ready by 5:30 AM, and the jeep was punctual, providing us with a thrilling off-road experience. We were the first vehicle to reach the viewpoint, allowing us to capture some great pictures. The drift at this point was particularly awesome. From there, we could see the backwaters of Idukki Dam, making the view spectacular. Although it was a cloudy day and we couldn’t fully enjoy the sunrise, the morning drive was still delightful.  Next, we headed towards Uluppuni waterfalls and caves. The final highlight of the drive was a river crossing in the jeep, adding a fun element to o...

Vagamon

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We planned a trip to Vagamon during the Christmas holidays, aiming for a place that wouldn’t be too crowded. Vagamon isn’t very popular, so we thought it would be less crowded. Vagamon is about 550 kilometers away from Bengaluru, and it takes around 12 hours to reach there. To save time, we decided to drive overnight, leaving Bengaluru around 9:00 PM and arriving at our destination by 11:00 AM the next day, with a few breaks along the way. However, as we drove, we noticed the roads were quite crowded. Seeing this, we decided to stay at the resort and relax instead of exploring further. It turns out our assumption about Vagamon being remote was wrong. The area was no longer secluded, with many tea estates transformed into homestays and resorts. Most of the surroundings were filled with homestays. We booked a stay at  Falcon Crest Resort , located on the outskirts of town, where it was comparatively less crowded. While exploring the area, we managed to take some nice pictures of bird...

Scuba Dive at Kundapura

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Kundapura now offers a new exciting reason for adventure lovers – scuba diving. Having tried scuba diving before in Andaman, I was eager to do it again during our family vacation in Kundapura. The resort staff helped us get in touch with Meridian Adventures. Mr. Vishak Hebbar from Meridian Adventures called and booked our slots for the dive. Since we went on weekdays, we were the only group for the dive. The cost for an individual dive is 3000 INR per person, and it's recommended to book at least a day in advance. We were asked to assemble at 7:30 AM near Meridian Adventures, where they briefed us about the day's plan. They informed us that it would be a half-day event. The dive spot was near Shiroor, about 45 kilometers from Kundapura. We took a boat ride, but it took around 2 hours to reach the designated dive spot. They mentioned they are working on a new double-engine boat to reduce the travel time to approximately 45 minutes. They also offer pick-up from Shiroor for those ...

Mangrove Forests Kundapura

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In Kundapura, Udupi district, tourists now have a new attraction – a peaceful boat ride through beautiful mangrove forests. This area, located along the Panchagangavali River in Kodi, Kundapura, has become a popular eco-tourism spot. The forest department played a crucial role by planting mangroves over the last decade, increasing the plantation areas in the backwaters by 450 hectares. The mangroves not only protect the shore but also enhance eco-tourism activities. Recently, about 15 hectares in Kodi were planted with mangrove seedlings, and now, these thriving mangroves create a lush green canopy for boat rides in the serene backwaters. Visitors can enjoy wildlife watching & recreational angling in this picturesque environment. The boat ride through the enchanting mangrove forests in Kundapura costs Rs. 1500 per trip and can accommodate up to 15 people. It's a great way for a group of friends or family to enjoy the serene beauty of the backwaters and experience the diverse ec...