Into The
Jungle

Into The Jungle

Early morning start from Bangalore, hitting the road before the city properly wakes up. The drive itself is half the reason we're doing this trip — through Mysuru, into Bandipur and eventually the forests of Masinagudi, easily one of the most beautiful road trips in South India. Keep your eyes outside the window: elephants, deer, peacocks and the occasional gaur are regulars along this stretch. Wildlife spotting sometimes starts long before the safari does.

We'll reach our forest stay by afternoon, grab lunch and slow things down for a bit. The property sits right on an elephant corridor with a watering hole that's often visited by wildlife. Come evening, we swap the roads for rugged 4x4 gypsies and head into the Nilgiri foothills — muddy trails, mist rolling over the hills, and viewpoints you simply can't reach in a normal vehicle. Back to the resort for dinner, stories and a night of getting to know the group.

Before The Jungle Wakes Up

Early morning. We head into Mudumalai Tiger Reserve just as the forest begins to wake up — this is when the park is at its best, mist hanging over the trees, birds going absolutely mental and wildlife slowly beginning to move around. Elephants, deer, gaur, langurs, and if the jungle gods are feeling generous… maybe even a tiger.

After the safari, we stop by Theppakadu Elephant Camp, one of India's oldest elephant camps, before heading back to the resort for breakfast. Freshen up, check out, and begin the drive back towards Bangalore. One last stop before we call it a weekend — Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple, sitting high above the forests and often surrounded by clouds during the monsoon, with unreal views over Bandipur. Then a customary Mysuru food stop — legendary dosas, a strong filter coffee, maybe a sweet treat — before one final nap in the tempo on the way home.