🌄 Day 4: A Perfect Ooty Day – From Tea Aroma to Kathiyawadi Flavors

 Date: 21st October 2025

Location: Ooty, Tamil Nadu

The morning in Ooty felt like stepping into a postcard — cool, misty, and peaceful. Nestled high above the town, our Casa De Damor Villa offered a breathtaking panoramic view of the hills wrapped in fog. The fresh mountain air instantly lifted our spirits for another exciting day ahead.

☕ A Delicious Start to the Day

We began our morning with a traditional South Indian breakfast — soft idlis, crispy uttapams, and steaming sambhar served with coconut chutney. The warmth of the food perfectly matched Ooty’s pleasant chill.

🍫 From Beans to Bliss: Chocolate & Tea Factory Tour

Our first stop was the Chocolate Factory, where we watched how cocoa transforms into the smooth, delicious chocolate Ooty is famous for. The aroma inside the factory was heavenly — irresistible for every chocolate lover! 🍫

Just next door was the Tea Factory, another must-visit experience. Watching the entire tea-making process — from fresh green leaves to aromatic tea powder — was fascinating. The tasting session offered different tea flavors, from masala to cardamom, making it a sensory delight. 🍃

🏔️ Exploring Doddabetta Peak

Next, we headed towards Doddabetta Peak, the highest point in the Nilgiris. Standing at the viewpoint, we were surrounded by clouds and stunning vistas of Ooty town below. It was the perfect spot for photos and a reminder of nature’s vast beauty.

We had our lunch nearby, enjoying the cool breeze and mountain serenity before heading to our next destination.

🌺 Evening at Botanical Garden

By early evening, we reached the Government Botanical Garden, one of Ooty’s most famous attractions. The vibrant flower beds, green lawns, and centuries-old trees made it feel like walking through a living painting. The colorful blooms and peaceful ambiance made for a soothing end to our sightseeing day.

🍽️ Home Comfort: Gujarati Dinner in the Hills

Before returning to our villa, we picked up some groceries from the local Ooty market. Later that night, we prepared a traditional Kathiyawadi dinner — bajra rotla, tikhari, and marcha — the true flavors of Gujarat, cooked with love in the Ooty chill.

The night ended with music, laughter, and endless chitchat, as we sat wrapped in blankets at our villa, cherishing the perfect blend of travel and togetherness. 🌙❤️

🏰 Day 3: From Royal Heritage to Hills – Mysuru to Ooty Journey

 Date: 20th October 2025

Route: Mysuru → Ooty (Approx. 125 km)

The morning in Mysuru began with a calm and cozy vibe. Sunlight streamed through the curtains of our Earth Villa, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air — the perfect start to a travel day.

☕ A Relaxing Start at Earth Villa

We enjoyed a homemade breakfast prepared at the villa — a simple yet satisfying spread of toast, fruits, tea, and coffee. It felt refreshing to start the day with comfort food amidst nature’s peace.

After breakfast, we packed our bags, checked out from Earth Villa, and got ready to explore one of India’s most iconic landmarks before heading to the hills.

🏯 Royal Majesty: Mysuru Palace

Our first destination of the day was the famous Mysuru Palace, a grand architectural marvel that reflects the city’s royal heritage. The intricate carvings, colorful glass ceilings, and golden thrones inside the palace were truly mesmerizing. Standing in the grand courtyard, it felt like stepping back into the era of kings and queens.

The palace, officially known as Amba Vilas Palace, is a blend of Indo-Saracenic architecture and remains one of the most visited monuments in India. Don’t forget to catch the evening illumination if you ever visit — it’s breathtaking!

🍛 Lunch & Scenic Drive to Ooty

After spending a memorable morning at the palace, we stopped at a local restaurant for lunch before continuing our journey towards Ooty — the “Queen of Hill Stations.”

As we drove through the dense forests and winding roads, nature unfolded its beauty at every turn. The route passed through parts of the Bandipur and Mudumalai Forest Reserve, where we were lucky enough to spot a few deer, monkeys, and peacocks along the way — a thrilling experience indeed! 🦌🐒

🏡 Arrival at Casa De Damor, Ooty

By evening, we reached Casa De Damor, a private villa nestled amidst the misty hills of Ooty. The cool mountain air, the scent of eucalyptus trees, and the peaceful surroundings instantly made us fall in love with the place.

We settled in, enjoyed a warm cup of tea while admiring the valley view, and spent a quiet evening planning our next day’s adventures in this beautiful hill town. 🌿

🚗 Day 2: Exploring the Royal Route – From Bangalore to Mysuru Brindavan Gargen & Local Delights

 Date: 19th October 2025

Route: Bangalore → Mysuru (Approx. 150 km)

After a relaxing night in Bangalore, our second day began early with a sense of adventure. At around 8:00 AM, our cheerful driver Kiran Kumar from Kiran Kumar Travellers arrived to pick us up for our scenic road trip to Mysuru, nearly 150 km from Bangalore.

🛕 First Stop: Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna

Our first stop was the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangapatna, one of the most revered and ancient temples of South India. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple stands as a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture. The peaceful chants, artistic stone carvings, and the sacred aura created a divine start to our journey.

🚘 Second Stop: Payana Vintage Car Museum

Next, we visited the Payana Vintage Car Museum, a hidden gem for automobile enthusiasts. The museum showcases an impressive collection of classic cars — from royal vintage beauties to elegant models of the 20th century. Each car tells a story of heritage and craftsmanship, giving a nostalgic glimpse into Mysuru’s royal past.

🍛 Traditional South Indian Lunch

By noon, it was time for a delicious traditional South Indian lunch. Served on fresh banana leaves, our meal featured steaming rice, sambhar, rasam, crispy papad, and sweet payasam — a true taste of Karnataka’s hospitality and authentic flavours.

🏡 Arrival at Earth Villa, Mysuru

Around 3:00 PM, we reached our cosy stay, Earth Villa in Mysuru. Surrounded by greenery and earthy vibes, it offered a peaceful retreat after our long yet delightful road trip. We took some rest and got ready for an enchanting evening.

🌸 Evening Bliss at Brindavan Gardens

At 5:00 PM, we visited the world-famous Brindavan Gardens. The beautifully landscaped lawns, colourful flowers, and the iconic musical fountain show made the place come alive as dusk set in. The rhythmic lights and water dance were truly mesmerising.

🌙 Night Vibes: Mysuru Dosa, Music & Fun

On our way back, we couldn’t resist stopping for the city’s famous Mysuru Dosa — crispy, flavorful, and absolutely satisfying. The night continued at our villa with laughter, music, and a little dance — wrapping up the day on a perfect note! 🎶💃

✈️ Day 1: Surat to Bangalore Flight Experience – Start of Our South India Journey

Date: 18th October 2025
Route: Surat → Bangalore

After days of excitement and planning, the day finally arrived! I started my much-awaited trip from Surat to Bangalore on the evening of 18th October 2025.

🏙️ Departure from Surat

By 3:00 PM, I reached Surat Airport — the atmosphere buzzing with travelers and the energy of new beginnings. After completing the check-in and security process, I had a little time to sit back and soak in the airport vibes.

✈️ Airborne Moments

At exactly 5:00 PM, our Air India Express flight took off smoothly. Watching Surat shrink below the clouds was a mesmerizing sight. The short flight was comfortable, and within two hours, I could already feel the cooler breeze of Bangalore welcoming me.

🌆 Arrival in Bangalore

We landed safely at 7:00 PM. The moment I stepped out of the airport, Bangalore’s pleasant evening weather felt like a warm embrace after Surat’s humidity.

🚗 Ride & Rest

I booked an Ola cab and headed straight to my relative’s home. After a cheerful reunion and some refreshing conversations, we went out for a delicious dinner — the perfect way to start the trip.

Tired yet content, I finally hit the bed late that night, ready to explore the charm of Bangalore the next day!

Weekend Trek to Bhimashankar from Surat – Adventure, Spirituality & Nature

 A thrilling journey from Surat to the mystical Bhimashankar Jyotirling, filled with foggy roads, jungle trails, waterfalls, temple darshan, and campfire fun. This blog captures my recent trek with Yuva Yatri, where 30+ adventurers from Surat, Bharuch, and Vadodara came together to explore, celebrate, and create lifelong memories.

🚍 Surat to Bhimashankar – The Beginning

Our adventure began on Friday evening, 22nd August at 5:30 PM from Katargam, Surat. Led by our trek organiser Mr. Brijesh from Yuva Yatri, the bus made pickups from Botanical Garden and Decathlon, where more trekkers joined in.

The energy was already high with delicious evening snacks, chilled lassi, and even a surprise birthday celebration for one of the fellow trekkers. With 30+ people onboard, from different parts of Surat, Bharuch, and Vadodara, the journey felt like a mix of old friends and new companions.

As we moved towards Dharampur–Nashik road, the weather turned magical – foggy, cool, and mysterious, setting the tone for the trek ahead.

🏕️ Reaching Base Camp – Euphoria Wildlife Resort

By early morning, we reached our base camp at Euphoria Wildlife Resort & Camping, Bhorgiri. After freshening up, a classic Surti breakfast of khaman, fafda, and masala chai gave us the perfect boost.

Our guides – 4 from Surat and 1 local expert – briefed us with trek instructions. Carrying our packed lunch (thepla & dahi), we set off on the trail.

🌳 The Trek to Bhimashankar Temple

The 6 km jungle trek began with a mix of flat and inclined paths, rated as easy to moderate. The route was breathtaking – misty forests, chirping birds, and the soothing flow of the Bhima river running parallel.

With small breaks and photography sessions, we enjoyed every step. After about 3.5 hours, we finally reached the sacred Bhimashankar Jyotirling temple. Taking darshan on the last day of Shravan month felt truly divine and memorable.

🌧️ The Descent – Fog, Rain & Fellowship

Descending took about 2.5 hours, with light-to-heavy showers blessing our way. The fog, drizzle, and cool breeze made the return magical. Trekking alongside new friends, sharing laughter, and helping each other through slippery patches created a bond that will last long.

🍲 Dinner & Campfire Night

Back at the base camp, we freshened up and were treated to a delicious Gujarati dinner – kadhi, bhaat, roti, paneer sabji, gulab jamun, and buttermilk.

The night turned into a celebration with campfire, karaoke singing, garba, and dancing. For three hours, the jungle echoed with our joy. Though we slept late around 1 AM, the spirit remained fresh.

🏞️ Bhorgiri Fort & Hidden Caves – Day 2 Exploration

Next morning at 6:30 AM, after poha, toast, and tea, we set out for a short 1.5 km trek to Bhorgiri Fort. The trail was steep and slippery, but at the top awaited a Shiva temple inside a cave with 12 Jyotirlingas carved around.

We performed abhishek, prayed for everyone’s well-being, and explored another nearby cave with a water passage leading to Vaibhav Laxmi temple.

A further hike revealed an infinity-style natural pool, where some of us dipped in to refresh. On the descent, we enjoyed a waterfall shower before returning to camp.

🚌 Return Journey – Memories for Life

After lunch, we packed up and left at 2:30 PM. The return was long, with highway traffic, but dinner breaks with pav bhaji kept us going. Finally, on 25th August morning at 8:00 AM, we reached Surat – tired but filled with memories.

This trek with Yuva Yatri was not just about reaching Bhimashankar Jyotirling – it was about:

• Meeting amazing people from different cities

• Experiencing foggy roads, jungle trails, and waterfalls

• Spiritual darshan at one of the 12 Jyotirlingas

• Dancing, singing, and celebrating life around a campfire