There’s nothing like escaping the daily grind and immersing oneself in the tranquility of nature. And what better way to do it than with my husband and our adventurous little dog, Sophie, by our side? Our recent trip to Sakleshpur and Coorg was filled with lush greenery, stunning viewpoints, and serene temples, offering us the perfect getaway.
| Click on the links below to read the blogs on the next days of this trip: | Before Lunch | After Lunch |
| Day 1: Pune to Sakleshpur train journey | Overnight train journey from Pune to Arsikere | Reach Arsikere railway station at 8:00pm. Journey from Arsikere to Sakleshpur by cab. |
| Day 2: Sakleshpur sightseeing | Shri Bettada Bhairaveshwar Swamy temple | Kaginahare view point |
| Day 3: Halebidu sight seeing | Manjarabad Fort | Hoysala Temples of Belur and Halebidu |
| Day 4: Bylakuppe Tibetian settlement sight seeing | Bylakuppe Tibetian settlement, Namdroling monastery golden temple | Chikhlihole Dam |
| Day 5: Coorg sight seeing | Bhagandeshwar temple, Talakaveri temple, Abbey falls, Omkareshwar temple | Madikeri Fort, Raja’s Tomb in Coorg |
| Day 6: Hassan sight seeing | Haluvagilu waterfall, Shettyhalli church. | Bucheshwara Temple, Sri Govindeshwara and Sri Nageshwara in Koravangala, boarded the train at Hassan junction |
| Day 7: Hassan to Pune train journey | Overnight train journey | Reached Pune railway station at 4:00 PM |
Day 1: Journey to Sakleshpur
We set out on the 9th of June 2024, embarking on a night train journey from Pune to Arsikere Junction by JU SBC EXPRESS (16507) which departs at 1:50 AM. We booked two tickets in a coupe in AC First class. This was Sophie’s first ever train journey and I was damn nervous. We reached Pune railway station at 11:00 PM to book Sophie’s ticket at the parcel office. It was too difficult to handle her for 3 hrs at the Railway station . She had become restless as she could see too many rats at the parcel office of the station. She was trying to escape from the leash to catch the rats. Finally the train arrived at 2:15 AM and we boarded it. Sophie, of course, was comfortably nestled in her cozy coupe, curious about the new adventure ahead. She slept throughout the journey. We took her outside for pee breaks at stations where the train stopped for more than 5 minutes. After a smooth train ride, we reached Arsikere at 8:00 PM and hopped into our pre-booked cab by DK Coorg Taxi service We had booked the same cab for the entire trip. The owner had confirmed over a call that their cab service is pet friendly. We reached Sakleshpur by cab in a couple of hours. We arrived at Falling Water Resort by night, where we were welcomed with a warm dinner and cozy rooms, perfect for a restful night after our long journey. Falling water resort is a pet friendly place in the true sense. There are no rules and regulations for pets as long as we don’t stain the bedsheets. They had an all meals inclusive package which consisted of unlimited breakfast, lunch, hi-tea with snacks and dinner. Sophie enjoyed being unleashed in the resort premises. The staff is extremely kind, helpful and empathetic towards pets. They provided accomodation and washroom facility for our driver. The resort also has a pair of swans in a cage-free environment.
Day 2: Temples and Waterfalls of Sakleshpur
The next morning, we had a delicious south Indian buffet breakfast consisting of lemon rice, idli, sambhar, chutney, dosa, puliyogire rice, coffee at Falling Water Resort . Post breakfast, we were ready to explore Sakleshpur. Our first stop was the Shri Bettada Bhairaveshwara Swamy Temple, perched atop a small hill. The scenic trek up to the temple rewarded us with breathtaking views of the surrounding hills. Sophie, ever the explorer, seemed to enjoy the fresh mountain air as much as we did.
Shri Bettada Bhairaveshwara Swamy Temple is situated atop a hill called “Pandavara Gudda,” approximately 35 kilometers from Sakleshpur town. Believed to date back to the era of the Hoysala dynasty, this centuries-old temple is steeped in history and myth. At its heart is a swayambhu (self-manifested) idol of Kala Bhairava, a fierce form of Lord Shiva. Local legends even claim that the Pandavas once sought refuge here during their exile.
More than just a spiritual retreat, the temple is a haven for nature lovers. Surrounded by the lush, rolling hills of Sakleshpur, it’s a peaceful spot with breathtaking views and opportunities for trekking and exploration.
Getting there involves a drive along a concrete hill road — wide enough for two vehicles, but with steep gradients and sharp bends — adding a bit of adventure to the journey.
In the afternoon, we visited the Kaginahare Viewpoint. It is a 15-20 minutes flat ground walk through dense vegetation. We came across a dead snake on the pathway. So it’s advisable to keep pets on leash. After reaching the view point, we were stunned by the panoramic vistas of the Western Ghats. Kaginahare view point is not crowded at all and it is advisable to go there in groups. Beware of snakes. We spotted a small snake on the way.
This lesser-known viewpoint is an absolute must-visit — serene, scenic, and blissfully free from crowds. The route to the top is narrow and best suited for vehicles with at least 180mm ground clearance. However, the road is too tight for two-way traffic, so drive with care. Motorcycle enthusiasts will especially enjoy the ride, as the winding path adds a sense of adventure. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of peacocks or deer along the way, making the journey all the more memorable.
After spending some time there, we headed back to the resort for a relaxing dinner. We had authentic south Indian buffet dinner at Falling Water Resort.
To read the next blog on Coorg Day-3 click here
Where did we stay ?
Falling water resort, Sakleshpur
Whispering Woods Coorg
Where did we eat ?
Falling water resort, Sakleshpur
Hotel Coorg Gavadana
ITIHAKALA RESTAURANT ( Veg Hotel) HALEBIDU / BELUR
Hotel UDUPI BRAMHINS PURE VEG
[…] To read the previous blog on Coorg Day-1 & 2 click here […]