It was my fourth trip to Bengaluru, India’s technology hub, and I had already explored most of the city’s famous tourist attractions. With a free day ahead, I wanted to make the most of it, so a friend recommended visiting Nandi Hills, a small hill fortress just 60 km from Bengaluru.
About Nandi Hills
Located in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka, Nandi Hills is renowned for its enchanting sunrises and serene atmosphere, attracting visitors from distant places. In addition to its natural beauty, you can also visit the Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple, Tipu Sultan’s summer palace, and the Visvesvaraya museum for sightseeing opportunities.
Starting our trip before dawn
At 3:30 AM, my friend and I set out on our journey with the aim of catching the sunrise on time. To avoid the stress of driving, we opted for a shuttle. You can also book this guided tour to make the most of your time. During our trip to the hills, we stopped at a local tea stall for a caffeine boost, as we had been awake for over 15 hours. Surprisingly, it turned out to be quite enjoyable. 😛
The long queue near the parking
We reached the hills in about 2 hours. Upon arrival, we encountered a long line of cars, accompanied by the unpleasant scent of diesel fumes. After waiting in line for 30 minutes, we reached the parking area. The ticket counter also had a lengthy queue, so we decided to split up to save time. However, by the time we got to the counter, the sun was already up, but the dense fog made it difficult to see. Furthermore, the weak mobile network made it challenging for us to reunite.
Pro Tip: Park your car in the lower parking to save time and money.
Ticket: ₹150 for two, including parking.
Hiking up to the viewpoint
At 6:15 AM, we started our ascent through the dense forest. The hiking trail consisted of both level paths and steps and was well-marked. After a 15-minute walk through the lush forest, we reached the first viewpoint. The thick fog prevented us from having a clear view, but I still enjoyed exploring the surrounding flora and fauna, searching for birds and insects.
Nandi Hills in November
Nandi Hills presents a different appearance each season, and the view accordingly transforms. My friend recounted his experience from his previous visit as viewing a sheet of clouds. In contrast, my experience was mainly dense fog, strong winds, and cold weather. However, as the haze dissipated, I was able to take in a stunning panorama of the surrounding hills, which was equally captivating.
Breakfast at KSTDC restaurant
The viewpoint had multiple eateries offering South Indian breakfast and fast food options like Maggie and sandwiches. One such place was the KSTDC restaurant located at the KSTDC hotel Mayura Pine Top. We decided to have our breakfast here as it was a popular choice among tourists and promised to provide tasty food. Our orders of Idli Sambar and Plain Dosa lived up to our expectations, and we were content with both the flavor and the service.
Don’t forget to check out my detailed review of MTR Lalbagh
Exploring the monuments and other sites at Nandi Hills
On the return journey, we made some stops at historic locations. One of them was Nehru Nilaya, an old white British-style bungalow that was once used as a summer retreat house by Sir Mark Cubbon. Today, it serves as a guest house run by the Horticulture Department of India and is not open to visitors. Despite that, we managed to sneak into the garden to admire its beauty from the outside.
Next, we visited Tipu’s Drop, a popular viewpoint that offered a panoramic view of the Nandi village and surrounding mountains. This place got its name from Tipu Sultan, the king of Mysore, who pushed prisoners off the cliff as punishment.
We continued our journey down the hill and stumbled upon the summer resort of Tipu Sultan. The resort was a two-story wooden structure built with brick and mortar, and it exuded a rustic charm. Moreover, the old carvings and sculptures were still intact, which added to its charm.
Our delightful adventure concluded at 9:30 AM. The destination offered a harmonious blend of history and nature. We had a great time exploring the remnants of Tipu Sultan and immersing ourselves in the beauty of the natural surroundings.
4 Comments
A place to visit. Thanks for the information
You’re welcome 🙂 Do share us your experience (y)
Have heard a lot about this place. Looks like a nice place to visit.
Yes it is a nice place for a short getaway! 🙂