Hyderabad to Coorg - Kodagu Exploration Drive

[Sridhar Tandra]

Hyderabad to Coorg / Kodagu Exploration Drive - Pre-Monsoon drive meet up - July 07/10, 2018

Start point - Gachibowli (ORR)

End point - Coorg

Start time - 5:00 am

Total Distance - ~800 kilometers (one way)

Objective - Drive to thank the monsoon showers and explore self while being in raw nature away from Luxuries

 

Participants:

1) Tata Tiago (Expresso Brown)

2) Volkswagen Polo (Red)

3) Maruthi Suzuki Baleno

4) Hyundai Creta (Star Dust)

5) Hyundai Creta (White)

6) Renault Duster (White)

 

Route Taken:

Hyderabad (Gachibowli ORR Entry Point) ---Bangalore --- Mysore --- Coorg

 

Places covered:

1) Tribal Style Stay in Coorg

2) Irrupu waterfalls

3) Mandalpatti Peak 

 

Plan:

Day 1 (July 07th, 2018):

 

We start off from the meet up point (Gachibowli ORR Entry Point) towards Mysore 
Stop by for breakfast at Food Pyramid, Kothakota 
We stop by for lunch just before entering Bangalore at Amaravathi Gardenia, Devanahalli
We reach Mysore to break down for the day

 

Day 2 (July 08th, 2018):

We start off from our Mysore accommodation towards our Resort in Coorg 
Have breakfast en-route and reach Evergreen County Resort, Virajpet, Coorg
We will check in into our resort, explore the resort and places around, Camp Fire & Dinner and break down for the day

 

Day 3 (July 09th, 2018):

 

Coorg exploration drive, check out Irupu Waterfalls

Drive back to Mysore by End of the Day and break down for the day

 

Day 4 (July 10th, 2018):

 

We start early to escape the Mysore - Bangalore traffic and proceed towards Hyderabad

 

Things to carry: 

 

1) Carry umbrella and rain coat (Must)
2) Toiletries, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Mosquito repellent cream and Glucose / Electrol (personal medical kit)
3) Camera kits and Telescopes if any star gazing enthusiasts or night photography enthusiasts
4) Most importantly loads of energy and positive attitude

 

I will let pictures speak more than words from here on, watch and enjoy!

 

Evergreen County Team welcoming India - Drive Team:

Exploring the Resort, It is a treat to eyes and nestled in to Nature!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have planned to explore Irupu falls after exploring the resort, we understood from the locals that there is a huge Tea Estate on our route to Irupu Falls, Couple of cars went ahead to check it out (Polo & Tiago) and we were the only one's to look at this beautiful View! We had to go back to the convoy with a bad news "Visitors are not allowed"

We continued our drive towards Irupu Falls, One should not miss this falls in Monsoon! Reach the falls, close your eyes and surrender yourself to the Mother Nature!! ❤️

 

 

We have reached back to the resort by the time light faded and gone for the Nature walk around the Resort and had a wonderful time with India Drive Members introducing themselves at the Camp Fire session followed by delicious Dinner at the Resort Restaurant (Secret Spices, Rest O cafe)!

 

 

 

After a Sumptuous Breakfast and an unforgettable Morning Coffee (Pictures Below) we checked out of the resort and headed towards our exploration drive towards Mandalpatti Peak (Heaven, I call this after exploring the place). We came across a Landslide en route Mandalpatti and we could not take our cars any further, for a moment it was a disappointment but that's when we got to know from the locals that we have to hire 4x4 vehicles to be able to reach Mandalpatti Peak. Without wasting any time, we parked our cars, hired those beasts and started enjoying some pure off roading fun and reached the Heaven!! We have spent considerable amount of time exploring the place with literally zero visibility and clicking pictures. We have reached the car parking location back by about 5 pm with a super Maggi break (Special Thanks to our Instant Chef Bhargav) and started our drive back too Mysore!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like all the other Drives, we had to end this Drive too wishing if we could have continued it for another Infinite number of days!! 

 

Aideu from Sridhar Tandra until next Drive Meet!!❤️❤️

[Gowtham]

Thank you Sridhar for sharing it so early.

Nice pictures!

I would have taken weeks to compose a log. 

 

It was a great drive.

It was great meeting new members and old friends .

From Sai to Krishnan, each and every member contributed to make the drive successful.

 

All the old memories flashed up!

Driving together, covering for each other on highway, discussing about the drive and the list is endless...

 

Will share my pictures tomorrow.

This time, I have used only mobile to click pictures. ?

[Sridhar Tandra]

4 minutes ago, Ranger said:

Thank you Sridhar for sharing it so early

Thanks to you and @sagar Gowtham for this wonderful drive! I hope I did not miss anything important from our drive

[sagar]

Great work on drafting the drive report so early @Sridhar Tandra. Very well composed with some superb pictures. You have covered every event on each day  

We had a lovely time throughout the drive and I would carry no second thought in rating this in my best drive meets. I am still recovering from the trance to get back to my day to day chores.

All the crew members have supported well throughout the drive and were very proactive in helping one another.

More than the drive, It was the whole crew which had bought more light to the whole event this time.

I once again thank every one of you for making this a grand success.

Keep revving safe. Let's explore more  

[Sridhar Tandra]

Great work on drafting the drive report so early [mention=594]Sridhar Tandra[/mention]. Very well composed with some superb pictures. You have covered every event on each day [emoji4] 
We had a lovely time throughout the drive and I would carry no second thought in rating this in my best drive meets. I am still recovering from the trance to get back to my day to day chores.
All the crew members have supported well throughout the drive and were very proactive in helping one another.
More than the drive, It was the whole crew which had bought more light to the whole event this time.
I once again thank every one of you for making this a grand success.
Keep revving safe. Let's explore more [emoji3] 

Thank you very much for all that you guys do for us Sagar! Looking forward for more drives with ID family

[ksa171983]

Nice one @Sridhar Tandramust have been one amazing trip driving those 4x4's.

looks like it rained throughout the journey .. so kind or monsoon drive rather than pre-monsoon drive ..

 

[Sridhar Tandra]

2 minutes ago, ksa171983 said:

driving those 4x4's

Unfortunately we did not drive them, we had designated drivers / owners I should say to drive those beasts

[NaveenTraveller]

Wonderful Place Pics and People [emoji1305][emoji1305][emoji1305][emoji1305][emoji1305][emoji1305][emoji1305][emoji1305]

[prabhum]

 WoW @Sridhar Tandra you nailed it. Excellent log...Abhi vuthaari nahi monsoon drive kaa nishaa......tumhari log ne fhir chedaadiyi. Pictures do speak what the trip was all about. Looking forward for next coming rides ?

[Sridhar Tandra]

5 minutes ago, prabhum said:

you nailed it. Excellent log

Thank you very much @prabhum garu! Looking forward for more drives with all you wonderful people!! ❤️

[veeran]

17 hours ago, Sridhar Tandra said:

 

Like all the other Drives, we had to end this Drive too wishing if we could have continued it for another Infinite number of days!! 

 

Aideu from Sridhar Tandra until next Drive Meet!!❤️❤️

 

brilliant pictures.

[Sridhar Tandra]

8 minutes ago, veeran said:

brilliant pic 

Thank you @veeran

[sahil]

brilliant pic 

Super

[Sridhar Tandra]

Just now, sahil said:

Super

Thank you @sahil

[sahil]

Is there any drive meetup planned during Aug 15th week?

With 2 days leaves will get 5 days off.

[Sridhar Tandra]

11 minutes ago, sahil said:

drive meetup planned during Aug 15th week?

Most of our members would have already planned for that holiday @sahil Let's wait to hear from our Admins about next drive meet up's!  We should have regular Weekend meet up's now since Monsoon started. Looking forward to see you buddy

[sagar]

12 hours ago, Sridhar Tandra said:

Most of our members would have already planned for that holiday @sahil Let's wait to hear from our Admins about next drive meet up's!  We should have regular Weekend meet up's now since Monsoon started. Looking forward to see you buddy

 

Let's have a breakfast meet and think of alternative plans and dates while we explore the surrounding places  

[Vinith]

Any plans for this weekend?

[Gowtham]

17 hours ago, ksa171983 said:

so kind or monsoon drive rather than pre-monsoon drive

 

Agree on it.
But we need a reason to go on a drive again(August). ?

 

56 minutes ago, Vinith said:

Any plans for this weekend?

 

Vikarabad is on the cards. 
This weekend is too early.

But we will plan something in this month.

[JaganM]

It was a awesome drive that I had with loads of energy, which carried for all the days. Special thanks to “Mr. Krishnan” the example of energy. Also to all the group member who made it to feel more like a family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sridhar Tandra]

1 hour ago, Ranger said:

weekend is too early

I will be Tirupathi this weekend and you will see Gundu Boss next!

[RajG]

Report so soon. ?
It is a good one Sridhar.

[Sridhar Tandra]

Report so soon. [emoji85]
It is a good one Sridhar.

Thanks@RajG [emoji4]

[Asher]

Few Clicks from me. [emoji3]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sagar]

Wonderful pictures @Asher Keep posting

[Sridhar Tandra]

Thanks for those lovely pictures @Asher Aanedo Aanedo  

[Gowtham]

On 7/14/2018 at 4:25 PM, Asher said:

Few Clicks from me

 

Fantastic shots!

We need some more ?

[prabhum]

Super clicks Ashwin

[Asher]

5 hours ago, sagar said:

Wonderful pictures @Asher Keep posting

Thank you @sagar. Sure thing, stay tuned for more pictures. ?

[Asher]

2 hours ago, Sridhar Tandra said:

Thanks for those lovely pictures @Asher Aanedo Aanedo  

Thank you @Sridhar Tandra. Thank you for presenting us with quick & wonderful report.

[ksa171983]

@Ashernice pics .. ..

[Asher]

2 hours ago, prabhum said:

Super clicks Ashwin

Thank you @prabhum sir.Personally,  I like the pictures of your car in the Green Scape Background. ?

[Asher]

2 hours ago, Ranger said:

 

Fantastic shots!

We need some more ?

Thank you @Ranger & @sagar . You guys gave me and everyone in the trip so much to remember. More photos coming through. ?

[Asher]

9 minutes ago, ksa171983 said:

@Ashernice pics .. ..

Thank you @ksa171983. ☺️

[Sridhar Tandra]

44 minutes ago, Asher said:

Thank you for presenting us with quick & wonderful report

Jaldi hi milenge, weekend drive pe jaayenge, janda paatenge

[Asher]

15 minutes ago, Sridhar Tandra said:

Jaldi hi milenge, weekend drive pe jaayenge, janda paatenge

Jai Ho India- Drive! ?

[Asher]

A few more...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sagar]

I loved the picture clicked on the top of the Mandalpatti peak..  It reminds me of the video shown during the trip @Asher  

[Sridhar Tandra]

Subba Rao garu became "The Hulk" looks like giving all of them opposite to him a "Hulk Punch"  

[Gowtham]

A short picture log from my side

 

Regroup point at toll,

It is a ritual for India-Drive members to regroup at toll booths

Team work at Palli time  ?

Lunch stop at Bangalore outskirts

Our stay at City of Palaces (Mysuru)

Group picture in the morning and 

Nature walk in the night, don't miss those old school lights.

In nature walk there is elephant (foot or shit)? A haunted house? and  why did he ask us safety pin?

He want to scare the elephant with it? ?

It is raining? None cared!

Nature at its best

"The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which bridge to burn"--Quote (unknown)
But this bridge is perfect for a picture

To understand the scale of waterfalls, look at the size of India-Drive members near the view point

Looking at the view,
I overhead someone saying,

I will work on those fields and during evenings I will keep my legs in the water and have chilled beer!

Next day it was a land slide, I heard all our members ran faster than P.T Usha ?
Though everyone is safe but we missed the action..?
Anyone captured a moment while people are running? Please share it

A proper 4x4

Heart in mouth situation!

Flag says it all, there is no room for error.

After 5 kilometres of hardcore off-roading
We reached the hill top, this my first sight!

Any guess about the activity going on under those umbrellas, will get a cookie!

That is our lunch stop in the middle of a forest, a small local hut.

We cooked our own food!
How often we get a chance like that?

Few members were cooking, few helping, few eating , few admiring those jeeps, few roaming around in nature..

Money can't buy passion!
This jeep owner has loads of it.

Into the clouds

A group picture after experiencing the nature stay,
This place is not about luxury, it is all about fun and memories.

This is the first time i have used mobile camera to captures the images,
I think there wont be a huge difference in photography between a SLR and Mobile camera (except in low light conditions)

Parting picture!

Thank you all for making the drive successful.

[Sridhar Tandra]

1 hour ago, Ranger said:

Anyone captured a moment while people are running? Please share it

I remember Bhargav doing it! ?

 

1 hour ago, Ranger said:

activity going on under those umbrellas, will get a cookie!

Cloud Computing ?

 

1 hour ago, Ranger said:

Thank you all for making the drive successful.

Beautiful pictures @Ranger Thank you for reminding those moments back today! Thanks again for organizing such a wonderful drive!!!

[prabhum]

Super writeup and beautiful pictures.

[sagar]

Great pictures @Ranger. I am waiting for @Omik to post his share especially the off trials towards mandalpatti.  

[ksa171983]

Now this pic is so bloody awesome ...

@Rangeryou have niche in taking beautiful pics as I had already mentioned in different posts ...

[ksa171983]

48 minutes ago, sagar said:

Great pictures @Ranger. I am waiting for @Omik to post his share especially the off trials towards mandalpatti.  

Even I am waiting since you mentioned this ?

[Anand Singh]

Super Cool Pictures @Sridhar Tandra. Waiting for next drive to join  

[Gowtham]

18 hours ago, Sridhar Tandra said:

Beautiful pictures

 

18 hours ago, prabhum said:

Super writeup and beautiful pictures.

 

16 hours ago, ksa171983 said:

Now this pic is so bloody awesome

 

Thank you all.

 

16 hours ago, ksa171983 said:

Even I am waiting since you mentioned this

 

Yes, We are waiting for the eye feast. 

But he will take sweet time to edit and compose the pictures. 

We should push him this time. ?

[Sridhar Tandra]

13 hours ago, Anand Singh said:

Super Cool Pictures @Sridhar Tandra

Thank you @Anand Singh Looking forward to see you

 

4 hours ago, Ranger said:

We should push him this time. ?

@Omik Where are you brother!!!

[ullas]

Awesome meet up team.. pictures speak a lot of fun involved  

[RajG]

Wow..fantastic.

Beautiful pictures guys.

Loved the reports..expecting more.

 

On 7/17/2018 at 3:58 PM, Sridhar Tandra said:

Cloud Computing 

 

haha, I was expecting the same. 

Hope we are on the same page, regarding cloud computing. 

 

On 7/17/2018 at 3:58 PM, Sridhar Tandra said:

Anyone captured a moment while people are running?

 

Did it happen, when you guys are going? 

[RajG]

On 7/18/2018 at 1:13 AM, Anand Singh said:

Waiting for next drive to join

 

Count me in for the next drive. 

[Sridhar Tandra]

4 hours ago, RajG said:

Did it happen, when you guys are going?

It already happened by the time we have gone, but while we were checking it out there was a slight tremble on the hill! That's when we started running back towards our cars

[RedCruiser]

I confess, i have missed something seriously good. And, it was an India-Drive meet up in Coorg.

Awesome photographs coupled with excellent write up makes it even more soothing to read as is the greenery and mist in the snaps. Was abroad for a month and so could'nt make it for this drive. 

Surely, if you wanderlust guys are planning one in August, then do count me in.

 

 

[sagar]

On ‎7‎/‎21‎/‎2018 at 5:35 AM, RedCruiser said:

I confess, i have missed something seriously good. And, it was an India-Drive meet up in Coorg.

Awesome photographs coupled with excellent write up makes it even more soothing to read as is the greenery and mist in the snaps. Was abroad for a month and so could'nt make it for this drive. 

Surely, if you wanderlust guys are planning one in August, then do count me in.

 

 

You did miss an amazing drive meet which had the most vibrant crew.  We hope you don't miss the next drive meet  

[karthik]

7 hours ago, sagar said:

We hope you don't miss the next drive meet  

 

So when is the next meetup planned?

[sagar]

On ‎7‎/‎23‎/‎2018 at 5:12 PM, karthik said:

 

So when is the next meetup planned?

 

We should plan to do one soon.. We will keep you posted on the next drive

[karthik]

4 hours ago, sagar said:

We will keep you posted on the next drive

 

Waiting..

Any plans during August 15th weekend?

[ksa171983]

On 8/1/2018 at 9:44 AM, sagar said:

We should plan to do one soon.. We will keep you posted on the next drive

August aagaya

[Gowtham]

On 8/3/2018 at 12:16 PM, ksa171983 said:

August aagaya

 

Towards the end of August we are considering a short getaway under 400 kilometres.

Idea is to complete the trip in 3 days including a weekend. 

Currently, Hampi and waterfalls exploration is on the top of the list.

[ksa171983]

2 hours ago, Ranger said:

Currently, Hampi and waterfalls exploration is on the top of the list.

Let's put waterfalls above Hampi .. Hampi offlate as lost its glory of ruins..

Apart from the bridge and Tungabhadra river i feel there is nothing much to add to it .. Been there around 1 year back and that is what I felt..

 

[RajG]

2 hours ago, ksa171983 said:

Hampi offlate as lost its glory of ruins.

 

Have to agree with your point.

But I feel Hampi has many hidden areas.

 

You can't visit all the places on foot or cars.

Would recommend taking a moped. I can assure you that will find some beautiful places. 

 

[ksa171983]

4 minutes ago, RajG said:

Would recommend taking a moped.

would love that

[sagar]

How about we draw a plan to Hampi and hire mopeds for our trip there  Luna ride is what I'm dreaming about

[Guest Sachin Shetty]

Quick update

Started at 10PM from Hyderabad.

Took a short break at Nandi Hills

We took Nandi Hills to Devanahalli village road.

Connected to Kunigal and Madikeru higheay.

This route has less traffic compared to Bangalore-Mysuru-Coorg