Featured image courtesy: Borrbo

As Bengaluru readies itself for the Independence Day long weekend, the big question remains: Where do we go that’s not overrun, overhyped, or overpriced?

While Kodagu (Coorg) and Ooty get all the attention, just 225 kilometres away lies Sakleshpur — a lesser-known patch of green magic, with mist-kissed hills, hidden waterfalls, and coffee-scented mornings.

And the best part? You can do it all under Rs 20,000.

The escape route: How to reach?

It’s Thursday evening, 14 August. You and your friends hit NH75 post-work, music playing, monsoon breeze streaming through the windows, the road trip already setting the tone for a memorable weekend.

Whether you choose a self-driving Zoomcar (Rs 1,800 per head for a group of three to four) or hop onto a KSRTC sleeper bus, you’ll wake up in the quiet heart of the Western Ghats — where the signal drops and the air smells like wet earth.

Where to Stay in Sakleshpur?

Forget fancy hotels — Sakleshpur’s real charm lies in its homestays.