Its between 280-300 kms from Bangalore depending on where you start from.
It takes between 5hrs 20mins with one break, and 6hrs 30mins with plenty, to get there.
The route:
Bangalore-Mandya-Srirangapatna (slick 4 lane all the way) – turn towards Ranganthittu and take the bypass to Hunsur Road (20 kms of backroad) – Hunsur – Periyapatna – Kushalnagara – Madikeri. The roads are done up recently and smooth all the way!
At the Thimmiah Circle as you enter Madikeri, take the 2nd left (along the Petrol Pump) onto the road towards Mangalore – and a few kms later is the first left turn towards Bhagamandala/Talacauvery. A little ahead the (better looking) road goes left to Virajpet, but you need to continue straight towards Bhagamandala. You’ll soon climb up a hill at Appangala, and down it to the Spice Research Institute, after which there’s a fork where you need to continue on the left (straight?) one. The next fork has a left to Napoklu, but you need to continue straight and cross Cherambane, and then come to Chettimani Village.
At the entrance of the Chettimani Village is a signboard announcing the elevation of the place – 2592 feet MSL – from where the turnoff to Linger is exactly 2.1kms. After the Chettimani Village you’ll cross a temple on your left, of which you can merely see the roof, and a milestone announcing “Bhagamandala 6″. From this milestone, go about 500 mtrs and there’s a small little mud road just before a bus shelter on the left of the road there. A 100 metres on this mud track brings you to Linger, and a few relaxed days ahead. Ideally, call Harish as you cross Madikeri, and he’ll wait for you at the bus stop before your turn off the main road.
The last 100 metres to Linger
Food!
Mysore Road itself has lots of options for food – Coffee Days, Kadambam, Kamats, etc. Then there’s a couple of small places just before you get to Hunsur, a CCD between Periyapatna and Kushalnagara and then you can get some stuff at Kushalnagara, but not much else.
See you there, and drive safe.
