Our journey began before sunrise in Chennai and eventually took us from India's east coast to its west coast. Between the two were buses, a rented Tata Hexa, hill roads, river water, roadside meals and plenty of conversations.
The prices and road conditions below come from our 2018 trip. They are part of the travel memory, not current booking information.
From Chennai to Bengaluru
I woke at 3.30 a.m., got ready in half an hour and booked an Ola to the CMBT area in Koyambedu. My friends were already there, but at 4.30 a.m. we could not find a bus to Bengaluru.
A Parveen Travels operator mentioned a 6.45 a.m. departure that would reach Bengaluru around 1 p.m. That sounded better than the eight-to-ten-hour journeys we had sometimes experienced. We passed the waiting time in conversation.
At about 6.15 a.m., the six of us had breakfast at Sangeetha Veg Restaurant: idli, pongal, crisp dosa and tea. The bill came to ₹369. We eventually boarded a Tranzking Travels bus, with the fare recorded as ₹700.
The journey was comfortable. We were given headphones, water and a wet napkin. After about three hours, the bus stopped at Hotel Anandhas between Vellore and Ambur, where I had an orange juice for ₹58. I then slept until we approached Hebbagodi.
Collecting the Tata Hexa
We had booked a Zoomcar self-drive vehicle for three days. My notes recorded ₹12,911 before fuel, including a ₹3,000 refundable security deposit and an allowance of 863 km. These were the terms of our booking at the time.
We found the Tata Hexa at Hebbagodi. It was locked, so I used the app to open it. The instructions explained where to find the keys and vehicle documents, including the registration, permit and insurance papers.
Once we had checked everything, I started the engine and drove towards Tumkur Road. Our road trip had properly begun.
Food and Tea on the Way to Hassan
The highway was wide and smooth for much of this stretch. We stopped to fill ₹5,000 worth of diesel, then ate at Sri Vajra Family Restaurant nearby.
We ordered tandoori roti, paneer butter masala, egg bhurji, dry mushroom and chicken Hyderabadi masala. The ₹1,380 meal filled us up, although I was less impressed by the food and did not find the atmosphere particularly family-friendly.
At 6.15 p.m., we paused at Manya Tea Shop before Shravanabelagola on the Bandadka–Bengaluru road. Tea, biscuits and a cool breeze made the ₹120 stop memorable.
After Hassan, the road became patchy and sections were under construction. We reached Sakleshpur and found a room at Hotel Durga International for ₹3,000.
Manjarabad Fort and Sakleshpur
Sakleshpur brought coffee plantations, green hills, rain, temples and a cooler climate. Tea, coffee and spices shaped the landscape, while homestays offered another way to experience local food and hospitality.
Places on our list included Manjarabad Fort, railway-bridge trekking routes, Bisle viewpoint, Agni Gudda, Kukke Subramanya Temple and Betta Byraveshwara Temple. Access to any trek or protected area should be checked separately.
We visited Manjarabad Fort, the star-shaped fort associated with Tipu Sultan. The uphill walk led to views of green hills and dense vegetation.
On the way down, we bought tender coconut for ₹35. The cool hill weather seemed to have chilled the water naturally, and it tasted wonderful.
Breakfast and a Stop by Kempe Hole
Before continuing towards Bisle viewpoint, we stopped at Hotel Sri Ganesh in Maranahalli, Sakleshpur taluk. We had sweet kesari, dosa and a mellow cup of coffee.
The road ahead ran through dense vegetation beside the river I recorded as Yettinahole or Kempe Hole, a tributary in the Netravati system. Near Shree Chowdeshwari Temple, we walked down towards the water.
The pebbles, hills and sound of the current drew us in. We spent about an hour bathing in the river, then returned to the temple and sat quietly for a few minutes. I remember the feeling of the city's stress disappearing in the water.
The Drive to Bisle Ghat Viewpoint
Bisle viewpoint opened onto a broad sweep of mountains. My notes named Pushpagiri, Dodda Betta and Kumara Parvatha among the ranges visible from the area.
The approach was demanding: narrow, steep, winding roads, with sections that felt almost off-road. Our 44 km return detour from the Kukke Subramanya temple road took around two and a half hours.
The scenery rewarded the effort, but the drive required patience. Kukke Subramanya Temple was another stop to consider in that part of the journey.
A Meal at Koila on the Way to Mangaluru
We continued towards Mangaluru on stretches of NH75, NH73 and NH66. The roadside settlements and landscape reminded me of Kerala, and we passed communities with a visible Muslim presence.
At Koila, hunger led us to Hotel Taj. We tried a dish I noted as katlappam, along with parotta, fish and tea. At ₹250, it was a satisfying and inexpensive meal for our trip.
Panambur Beach After Sunset
We reached Panambur Beach at about 8 p.m. and missed the west-coast sunset we had hoped to see. Even so, the sea breeze and the rhythm of the waves made the stop worthwhile.
After an hour, we booked a room at Red Rock Resort in Surathkal for ₹4,000. Our stay included breakfast and swimming facilities. The next morning brought another chance to enjoy the coast.
A Morning at Surathkal Beach
Surathkal Beach was beautiful and felt relatively quiet during our visit, with college students among the people around us. I remember the sand, open sea and fishing activity.
A boat outing with local fishermen is something to discuss with an operator, with suitable sea conditions and safety arrangements in place.
Returning Through Sakleshpur
We returned by the same broad route: Mangaluru, Sakleshpur, Hassan and Bengaluru. The complete road journey came to about 989 km.
In Sakleshpur, we stopped at Bharani Mess for donne biryani. The meal cost ₹750 and was delicious. Two more coffee breaks carried us through the return drive.
At 2.28 a.m., we returned the vehicle at Hebbagodi. Fortunately, a Chennai-bound bus was still waiting at Electronic City for another passenger, and we were able to board.
The Moments Between Destinations
We had missed a sunset, found unexpected meals and spent longer than planned on difficult roads. Yet those details became the story of the trip.
For me, the journey mattered as much as the destination. The conversations, unexpected stops and small discoveries were what I brought home.
Thank you for reading.
Photographs and Media From Our Road Trip
