The Indian summer is particularly hot and humid. Instead of traveling all the way to the hills of Kanchenjunga or Ooty or to the great Himalayas in the North, you can opt for a short family vacation to some of the coolest places in Karnataka. While these places may not be as cool as the hill stations of Uttarakhand or Himachal Pradesh, but can still provide a temperature drop and weather change.
Coorg
Coorg, locally called Kodagu, is the prime attraction of Karnataka tourism. The hill station offers an enticing aroma of its coffee, tea, and spice plantations. Coorg is home to several falls such as Abbey Falls, Mallalli Falls, Burude Falls, Iruppu Falls. Honnamana Kere Lake is the biggest lake in Coorg. Apart from this, there are temples like Rameshwara Temple and Omkareshwara Temple. Then, there is famous Namdroling Monastery that belongs to the Sangha Community. Adventurous people can also try their hands at white river rafting in Barapole River. One of the main tourist places in Coorg is the Nagarhole National Park and Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. Trekking route along the Brahmagiri Sanctuary traverses green grasslands, lush forests and several streams.
Belgaum
The city of Belgaum is popular because of the pleasant climate that is maintained throughout the year. The city records the lowest temperatures in Karnataka during the winters. Isn’t this enough to make the place a perfect vacation getaway to beat the summer heat? For the wildlife lovers, there is Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary. Other attractions include Jamboti, famous for its evergreen hill forests, Gokak Falls, Vajrapoha Falls. There are also some historical monuments and temples such as Kamala Basti Fort, Kittur Fort and Palace, Safa Masjid, and Jain Temple.
Kemmanagundi
Located in Chikmagalur district, the hill station of Kemmanagundi is surrounded by the Baba Budan Hills offers plenty of intricate gardens and fresh streams. The main attractions are Rock Garden, Hebbe Falls, Kalhatti Falls, Shanti Falls, Rajendra Hill, Mullayanagiri, the highest peak of Karnataka. Go for a short trekking trail to Z Point to enjoy the serene view of the distant grasslands of the Western Ghats.
Kudremukh
Located in the Chikmagalur district, Kudremukh is a haven for trekkers. The rolling meadow, dense forests, and the grasslands make this place a bio-diversity hotspot. Both the trails and the weather remain clear during the summer making it a perfect season for trekking. The Kudremukh National Park and Varaha Parvatha, a mountain range, are also worth visiting.
Kakkabe
Situated around 35km from Madikeri in Coorg, Kakkabe is best known for being the largest producer of honey in the Southeast Asia. The place is famous for its enchanting view of the Western Ghats and serene environs. The main tourist sites include Chelavara Falls, Kabbe Pass, Padi Igguthappa Temple, and Nalkand Palace.
Tadiandamol
With an elevation of 1748 meters above the sea level, Tadiandamol is the highest mountain range in the Coorg district. One of the main places of interest for naturalists and trekkers, the trail traverses through Shola forests where you encounter dense woodlands and several water streams making their way through the Western Ghats. The place makes for an amazing weekend vacation getaway for solo travelers.
Summer is all about visiting the cooler places and beating the heat. All you need to do is pack your bags and plan a trip to any of these destinations to enjoy your summer holidays with your family.