Break free from your lockdown blues— Here are 9 perfect locations from Bengaluru for your first post-COVID trip!

By locking us inside, the pandemic has only made our urge to connect to the world more profound. The excitement of planning a trip from scratch, the research, the anticipation — these lil’ things have always fuelled us to trade the comfort of the couch for unknown adventures. If anything, travel gave us something to look forward to even when we weren’t travelling. While travel looks different now and some cities are still locked down, waiting out the pandemic is not the only way to start travelling either. As many cities continue to exit lockdowns and restart businesses, travel is slowly crawling its way back into the picture—in the form of short getaways or staycations close to one’s place.

If all you long for is but a short escape from the confines of your home, routine and hours of staring at the screen, your search ends here. Book a staycation from Bengaluru to get away for a weekend, to celebrate a secluded anniversary party or perhaps to just grab your laptop and go for a workcation.

Why Staycations?

For starters, a staycation is a holiday involving domestic destinations, weekend trips or quick escapes close to one’s city. In a world bitten by the corona bug where international travel continues to be in limbo, staycations are by all means the immediate salvation for the vacation-deprived. On the bright side, travellers with increased awareness about staycations no longer view them as the last resort for lack-of-choice situations but as a means to travel without compromising on health and hygiene.

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Why are staycations safe?

While the world bunkered in, we at Pickyourtrail spent the past months contemplating how travel will look like in the post-COVID era. After talking to our customers, stakeholders and travel lovers day in and day out, we learnt that safety and hygiene is the most pressing concern you need addressing before heading out.

In this regard, we’ve meticulously hand-picked nothing but the best from the current travel eco-system—best travel options close to your home that are perfect for kickstarting your post-COVID trip. Driven by extreme commitment to assure travellers a safe and hassle-free stay, they truly have stepped up their standards to cater to the “new normal” in every stage of the customer journey. Check out the list of best places near Bengaluru for kickstarting your post-COVID trip, their unique safety measures, documents required for travelling, and more.

Best places to visit from Bengaluru right now

If you are on the lookout for venturing a bit further to Bengaluru, visit one of the beautiful hill stations situated in the outskirts of Bengaluru. They hardly take more than 4:30-5 hours to reach by road and are well worth visiting for 3 days or more.

1. Evolve Back, Coorg

Enter the 300-acre paradise set in Coorg and leave your everyday routine for nature-themed alternatives. Take a walk back into nature, pamper yourself with ayurvedic spas, savour farm-to-plate feasts, and stay in your private pool villa. Situated 260 km away from Bengaluru, the hotel takes 4-5 hours to reach by road.

Important: Carry your personal ID proof and vehicle RC book with you for border checking.

Levelling up their widely recognized cleanliness and sustainable ethos, Evolve Back hotels have launched online self check-in portals and elevated housekeeping protocols to ensure the safety of their guests.

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2. The Tamara Coorg, Coorg

The Tamara Coorg is a plush 5-star nature retreat that in every aspect synonymizes with the wild, raw beauty that Karnataka is. Apart from staying in rooms with breathtaking views all around, turn your leisure mode totally on while your resort curates hand-picked nature-based activities for you! The distance between Bengaluru and the Tamara Coorg is 265 km, and you can reach in 5 hours by road.

Important: Pack for the journey as well, as you might not find any restaurants en route.

Social distancing guidelines and safety signs are put up all across the property, and COVID-proof masks and PPE kits are made available in every single room and lobby.

3. Taj Madikeri Resort and Spa, Coorg

Taj Madikeri Resort and Spa Coorg is a 5-star luxury getaway in a land lost in dense rainforest. Stay in quintessential kodagu style rooms and let the resort amaze you with its unmatched hospitality service. With glass-doored spa rooms and temperature-controlled infinity pools, the hotel is a level up in the league of nature resorts. You can drive yourself or hire a ride to reach the hotel located 265 km from Bengaluru.

Always driven by the supreme commitment towards providing unmatched hospitality to guests since 1903, the Taj group has adapted to the new normal in a deliberate and efficient manner. Every hospitality agent has been trained on advance safety standards and contactless payments have replaced physical touch.

4. Ambatty Greens Resort, Coorg

Ambatty Greens Resort is a picturesque 4-star golf resort that is nestled amidst rolling meadows and towering mountain ranges. The resort guarantees a vacation away from the noise of the city, with easy access to outdoor adventures such as trekking and canoeing. The distance between Bengaluru and Ambatty Greens Resort is 260 km, and it takes 4:30-5 hours to reach.

Things to do in Coorg:

• Brahmagiri Peak trekking
• Mandalpatti sunset drive
• Barapol river rafting
• Ponnampet microlight flying
• Exploring nature-based attractions

Read more about Coorg activities here.

5. Gateway Chikmagalur – IHCL SeleQtions, Chikmaglur

Gateway Chikmagalur is a posh 5-star resort that unlike its cosmopolitan Taj counterparts, is an escape in the lap of nature. Plan your honeymoon vacation or anniversary celebrations in the endless offering of Gateway Chikmagalur—treehouse-like dining areas, grand deluxe suites and lakeside picnics are just a start.

Gateway Chikmagalur belongs to the ITC group of hotels that follows the same comprehensive safety measures across all of its properties as stated above. Your safety is in good hands, to say the least. The 244 km ride from Bengaluru to the hotel is a beautiful road trip by itself.

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Things to do in Chikmaglur:

• Mullayanagiri mountain trekking
• Visiting Hirekolale Lake
• Taking a dip in Manikyadhara Falls
• Long drive to Yagachi Dam

Read more about various other places to visit in Chikmagalur here.

6. ITC Windsor, Bengaluru

ITC Windsor, Bengaluru is part of ITC’s iconic 5-star hotel chain that offers a seamless blend of urban comfort and the old-school charm of South Karnataka. Your search for the best luxury stays, workcations or family outings at the heart of the city ends here, where you are literally spoilt for choices of stay. Currently, Bengaluru is not under lockdown and you don’t need any kind of special pass to travel within the city. 

ITC hotels have always capitalized on their responsible luxury ecosystem, which is taken to the next level this time by the launch of WeAssure initiative—assuring customers safety and hygiene by partnering with the best names in medical and disinfection industries.

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7. Welcomhotel, Bengaluru

Welcomhotel is yet another jewel in ITC’s crown, and one of the most unique luxury properties in Bengaluru. Trade your everyday routine for responsible luxury and pampering hospitality, take advantage of world-class amenities and dine in the finest restaurants. Explain your choice of stay with your hospitality agent and enjoy exclusively curated experiences.

ITC group follows the same prudent safety measures across all of its properties as stated above. From pickups to contactless check-ins, prep yourself for fully revamped safety standards at ITC hotels!

8. The Taj West End, Bengaluru

The Taj West End is an award-winning 5-star hotel that’s best suited for family staycations and business meets. The rooms are situated amidst aromatic gardens, thus giving you an uber-comfort stay with an equal outdoor experience. You will never feel confined by the four walls here. The hotel avoids crowding by capping attendance, and you can feel assured that your family’s safety is in best hands.The Taj West End falls under ITC group of properties, and their collaboration with health experts such as the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) and DNV GL redefines safety standards in the new normal. Guest luggage will be thoroughly sanitized, guests can avail contactless check-in and even the reception desks are equipped with protective screens.

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9. Our Native Village – Eco Resort, Bengaluru

Our Native Village is a different experience altogether, which offers the authentic rural Karnataka experience touched up with cosy amenities. Relax your mental knots and slow down in time by availing the rejuvenating spa sessions and nature walks. Just a weekend away, this resort is perfect for celebrating family and friends get-togethers. The hotel is situated 40 km away from the city hotspot, you can drive yourself or request the hotel for pickup.

The resort is frequently disinfected with hospital-grade solutions and every food station has an appointed food safety HOD to oversee the process. on top of that, health experts and medical professionals are on the standby 24*7 to attend to any situation.

Things to do in Bengaluru

• Long drive to Nandi Hills
• Visiting a wildlife sanctuary
• Visiting a nearby hill station
• Road trips around Bengaluru
• Exploring offbeat attractions

Documents required for interstate travel in Karnataka:

As of Jun 27, 2020 update – Karnataka is not under lockdown except for a few containment zones. Hence, you don’t need an ePass to travel within Karnataka borders. It suffices to carry your personal ID proof and vehicle RC copy with you for border checkpoints and hotel check-in. Travel as we know is a breath of fresh air no matter the situation we are in. Give your mind some breathing time to adjust to the new normal by heading out somewhere close, and enjoy your first trip in months in a hassle-free manner.

Loved these quick travel destinations from Bengaluru? Book your staycation now.

Check out the rest of the list —

Best Places to Visit Near Delhi
Best Places to Visit Near Kolkata