Travelling with the boys when they were younger was nowhere close to relaxing. Even though we did give it a go on several occasions, it almost always ended up with us being more exhausted and stressed than when we started out.
As the boys are growing older, things are getting much easier and a lot more fun too. After our mammoth vacay to the US in the summer, last weekend we headed out for a short overnight trip with a group of friends to Bheemeshwari which is about a 3 hour drive from Bangalore.
In no stretch of imagination would I call myself a jungle person, but I actually had a lot of fun and so did the boys. We stayed in log huts at Jungle Lodges & Resorts and even though the rooms weren’t anything fancy, we all had an amazing time with the adventure activities on offer. There was zip-lining, burma bridges and other tree top rope activities. There were also mini kid-friendly versions of most of these for the little ones. The coracle ride across the Cauvery River was thrilling with major rapids but one grouse would be it was too risky for kids even with life jackets and we were told otherwise.
All said, it was nice break from city life. Good company and pleasant hospitality made it an awesome weekend getaway.
Price Point:
We spent about Rs 13,000 for one night for 2 adults – kids under 5 weren’t really charged. Prices are higher for those with kids above 5. The cost included all three meals and activities.
Pros:
– Fun adventure activities and rope activities for all age groups
– Located on the banks of River Cauvery which provides a serene, calming backdrop.
– Cut off from crowded and busy city life, Bheemeshwari provides an honest experience of the wilderness.
– Cordial hospitality and good simple food.
Cons:
– Absolutely no network. If you can’t digest the idea of being digitally disconnected for a couple of days, than Bheemeshwari is a complete no-no for you. The only network that works here is BSNL.
– The coracle ride though thrilling is risky for kids and those who have a fear of falling into the water. Be prepared to get wet.
– The rooms and facilities are clean and but not lavish. If a luxurious retreat is what you’re looking for, this ain’t it.
– Monkeys are everywhere. I mean everywhere. You need to be really careful about carrying around food. A monkey actually latched the door to my log hut when I was inside alone. Luckily I found it funny and was rescued a while later 🙂