Bangalore to Kabini trip

When: 28th Feb 2015..
Destination: Kabini - Karnataka
How and who all are: Myself(Apache 180cc), Arun(Apachi 180cc )

Odometer reading: 580Kms.

Route Map: Bangalore – Mysore– Hampapura - HD Kote –Kabini Dam - Kabini Backwaters -  Mysore - Bangalore.

Short and sweet description:

Kabini, well known for its dense forest and wildlife.

Must visit place for Wildlife photographers. Apart from this, those who wants the enjoy the ride through forest and calmness of the wilderness, this is the perfect place.

Travelogue:

Arun - Dude, our last trip was just 2 weeks back man. You again up for road trip..!!??

Me    - Hahaa….!! It’s gonna be last trip during this winter bro. Summer gonna start, we can’t roam like this during summer. Let’s plan somewhere.

Arun - hmmm, It’s gonna be only You and Me for this trip.

Me - yeah that’s true. No one else wants to join.

…. after lot of discussion, we have decided to go  “Kabini”. To be specific, Kabini Backwaters.

As per plan, by 5.30, I’ve reached meeting point “Hosa Road”. Within few minutes Arun also reached the spot. After usual talk for 5mins, we’ve started our Ride.

Took Nice Road to reach Mysore Road.

The mornings are very chilled. The wind on knees made me feel the chillness of the weather.

In 15mins, we are on Mysore road.

Hahaa… it’s very surprising to see very less  traffic on Mysore Road. That helped us to cruise at better average speed.

Just with a pit stop, crossed Srirangapatna. Within no time, entered Mysore outskirts.

Continued the ride on the ring road looking for the diversion towards “HD Kote”.

With the help of Maps, could able to enter road which leads to Kabini via HD kote.

The same road leads to Wayanad too.

As we proceed further, I could recollect the memories from Wayanad trip which I've done it during last year.

After riding for 10-15kms, stopped for having breakfast. As the entire stretch is via villages and forest, it’s bit difficult to find hotel.

I would suggest to have food before/inside Mysore.

Resumed ride after 30mins. After riding for few kms, could find a  milestone mentioning Kabini Dam.

We thought that, Kabini Dam is the place where it will allow us to reach backwaters.

After riding for 1.30hrs through villages and beautiful roads, we are able to reach Kabini Dam.

To our surprise, we couldn’t find any sign of route towards backwaters or forest.

Kabini Dam

Arun

Myself

After enquiring with the local people, came to know that the place which we are looking for is another 40kms from the Dam. To reach that place, we need to ride towards Kabini forest and take a left turn at the Kabini forest checkpost.

Route Map: "Kabini Dam" to "The Serai resorts Kabini"

Without wasting much time at Kabini Dam, started riding towards mentioned place.

Here comes the forest stretch. The curvy roads through dense forest and at some places breathtaking views are very refreshing. As we ride further, Left side we could see the river body which is running parallel to the road.

Could see lot of mud roads taking turns towards the water body. But everywhere it has been mentioned as way to xxx- resorts, yyy-resort.

We thought it’s gonna be private spaces maintained by resorts. So avoided lot of roads and simply continued Riding for another 1hour,

With the help of local ppl, we could able to reach one end of the road where “The Serai resorts” and “ Kabini River Lodges” are there.

Ooh No.. again resort space. God, pls show us a way to feel the Water.

As I turn right side, could see a small road of 100mtrs through which glimpses of backwater are inviting us. But we didn’t want to take a risk of entering private space and get into unnecessary trouble.

But, As we didn’t want to miss this chance. With some courage, slowly turned our bikes towards Water body.

Literally road goes in front of “Kabini river lodges”. As we moved further, could find some workers on the right side. seems like construction work is going on.

Couldn’t dare to move further. For a safer side, quickly asked them, “ is it fine if we take this road to access that(pointing towards backwaters) space.”

Before I finish my sentence, could hear a voice from left side saying “ Yes…Yes.. you can go. It’s for public only”,

That “Public” word literally made us feel like, we are the owner of the Backwaters and gonna rule it till we leave.

As we moved further, the view range of Backwater is increasing.

As we cross that stretch and enter the bank of river… literally we could see a breathtaking view of more than 200deg of area is covered with Water.

The last 1hour of hectic and confused ride has been paid off finally.

Left view of Backwaters from the place

Straightview of Backwaters from the place

Beasts are near Water

The view of Backwaters from far away

We've  spent almost 2-3 hours over there.
As we started feeling hungry, checked with near by resort whether they can arrange food for both of us. To our bad luck, no resort had prepared extra food for guests like us :-p.

Other than going to near by village to find a hotel, no other option exist.
So, started our ride back to Bangalore, after finishing the lunch in near by Village.
By night 10'o clock we have reached the Bangalore.

                                               Happy Reading

                       \m/ Happy Riding \m/