Travel Vlog to Mangaluru via Madikeri and Sampaje Ghat

Route Overview

• Unfamiliar route taken via Mysuru, Madikeri, and Sampaje Ghat.
• Passing through Husur, Periyapatna, Bailakuppe, Madikeri, and descending through Sampaje Ghats towards Puttur.
• Total distance ~400 km (~8 hours).

Key Stops & Food Experience

• Madikeri: Planned stop for lunch at Kur Cuisine, known for traditional Kodava dishes (akki rotti, mutton fry, etc.).
• Sampaje Ghat: Noted for foggy conditions and a challenging drive.
• Hotel Mookambika in Puttur: Planned but not visited due to time constraints.

Road Conditions

• Initial stretch through Mysuru to Husur had some narrow roads and slow-moving traffic.
• Post Bailakuppe, roads began to get scenic leading up to Madikeri.
• The Sampaje Ghat stretch faced heavy fog, requiring cautious driving.
• Encountered no road work or major disturbances compared to Shiradi and Charmadi routes.

Driving Experience

• Left Bengaluru at 8:30 AM, smooth drive except during peak office traffic.
• Mysuru Expressway significantly helped in reducing travel time between Bangalore and Mysuru.
• Maintained a steady pace, multiple mentions of safety and self-restraint while driving.

Challenges

• Narrow roads on certain stretches make overtaking difficult.
• Heavy fog reduced visibility during the Sampaje Ghat drive, slowing down the pace.

Insights

• Kodava cuisine exploration at Kur Cuisine: Akki rotti with mutton fry, baby eggplant dishes.
• Estimated 5.5 hours driving time to Mangaluru excluding lunch and filming breaks.

Conclusion

• Preferred this route for lesser roadworks and smooth drive, especially between Madikeri and Puttur.
• Possible improvements or quicker routes once ongoing roadwork on other routes complete.
• Overall an enjoyable and scenic drive, recommended for fewer road disruptions.

Useful Links

• Links to detailed drive and meal experiences available on Food Lovers TV and in the vlog descriptions.