Escape the hustle and bustle of Bengaluru at these five getaway destinations this long weekend

Top five last-minute holiday destinations from Bengaluru for the upcoming Republic Day weekend.

Published on: Jan 24, 2024, 08:46:13 IST

By Yamini C S

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As the Republic Day fast approaches, many residents in Bengaluru look to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and make use of the long weekend by going on mini vacations. January 26, a government holiday, is a Friday, followed by the weekend, therefore, here is a list of the top five places you can escape to for a last minute holiday from around Bengaluru:

Travellers from Bengaluru may go for the popular Nandi Hills and Gokarna, while some might want to explore less known places such as the Gudibande fort. (Representational Photo/Bloomberg)

1. Gudibande Fort - The fort is at a distance of 100 kilometres from the city. It offers a lot more than just a hike, with the vast landscapes, hills, rivers and tiny villages, according to travel blogger Musthaq Ahamad.

ALSO READ | Popular tourist spot Nandi Hills gets electric train connectivity from Bengaluru. Details

2. Nandi Hills - Whether you want to relax and watch low-lying clouds at the top of the hill, or go for a trekking and camping experience filled with adventure, this is the right place for you. Nandi Hills is open all days of the week from 6am to 6pm and is located an ideal 60 kilometres away from Bengaluru city. For the adrenaline junkies, you can even go paragliding at Nandi Hills. The best part is the connectivity, as this popular weekend destination now has an electric train service between Chikkaballapura and Devanahalli.

3. Shivanasamudra - This is best known for its twin waterfalls - Barachukki and Gaganachukki - and is located near Mandya district of Karnataka. Having enhanced connectivity and ease of travel due to the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway, Shivanasamudra is a vibrant sight especially during the monsoons.

ALSO READ | Long weekend leaves Bengaluru's Nandi hills choked with heavy traffic. Watch

4. Hampi – This city in Karnataka is a UNESCO World Heritage site with historical monuments all around. The place is surrounded by breath-taking landscapes and architectural brilliance of the great Vijayanagara empire. If you are fond of south Indian history and Dravidian architecture, Hampi should definitely be in your travel plans for this long weekend. It is at a distance of 370 kilometers from Bengaluru.

5. Gokarna – The go-to place for youths, Gokarna suits best for a serene long weekend This temple town in Uttara Kannada district is a perfect destination as it is surrounded by many calm and clean beaches for one to relax and rejuvenate. Gokarna is also solo-travel friendly with many backpacking hostels in town. Do not miss visiting the spectacular Murudeshwar temple which is just an hour away from Gokarna.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yamini C S
Yamini CS is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. She is part of the India News desk, where she works on a wide range of stories cutting across civic issues, city-based developments, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics, and international affairs that have an impact on India. Her role involves tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and on-ground sources, and presenting news in a clear, accessible format for a digital-first audience. A significant part of her work includes handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court verdicts, political developments, civic disruptions, protests, weather-related alerts, and unfolding national or international incidents. Through live coverage, she focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they evolve. Before moving to the broader India News desk, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru desk at Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances, and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her grounding in city reporting and sharpened her focus on citizen-centric journalism. She began her career as a correspondent with Reuters after completing a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continue to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading across genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which help her maintain balance in a fast-paced newsroom environment.Read More

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