The Great Indian Summer Break to the Jungles.

We in Mumbai consider our self blessed when we have those rare long weekend break that starts with a great Friday and goes to a great Monday or Tuesday. This break is big enough for us to spread our wings and move out of the city which is full of noise stress and pressure to a place that reminds us of small things of life that brings us closer to the nature and make us relaxed. In this great summer I got such an opportunity. Not wasting any time I moved out to the state of Karnataka towards Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary. This forest is famous for its great Bison (Indian Gour) and spotted dear. I think that this is one o the few places in South India where you can even enjoy a white water rafting over the River Kali. Dandeli is around a 12 hrs or 670 Kms away from Mumbai in the state of Karnataka. Trains and busses connect the forest area. I had taken the Chalukya Express from Dadar to Londa station. Londa is around 32 Kms from the property I had stayed which is in the heart of the jungle and on the banks of River Kali. The Bison River resort had arranged a pickup for me and my wife from the station. The movement we entered this property I started to feel relaxed and in sync with the nature. This resort had 24 cottages all over looking and facing the river. The entrance is tastefully designed as a jungle hut and is well lit. They have a small pond which has 4 great turtles and fishes that clearly announces that welcome to the wild. On our request the property gave us a room that face the first rapid on the Kali River for the white water rafting crowed. The resort in itself is quite peaceful and relaxing. You can spends an entire day doing nothing and just enjoy the sound of fast gushing waters of river kali and the presence of your partner or friends. The water moving over the boulders and rocks gives a sound of a child jumping flat on its bed. The sound has a special effect I would say a sound with remarkable effect on your body and soul. Bison River Resort has something for every age and every class of people. If you are looking for action and adrenal pumping stuff then the Action Zone desk handled by Mr. Rajesh Lshet is your solution. Rajesh is an experienced person and been in the resort since last 10 years. His team member Rohit and Muthu are also a major asset and make you feel comfortable and relaxed when you are taking an action packed adrenal pumping adventure activity. I and my wife had opted for a white water rafting with the resort for the first day. I had a passion towards water. Unfortunately neither me nor my wife are great swimmers so we were little worried on hearing that the river is app 80 feet deep. The trainers on board were of great help. The told us about the trick of rowing, and floating over the water. The guy was good at his job. He went on the level of telling us to jump overboard to get the fear out of us. The journey down stream was full of rapids and excitement. If you get a chance of staying at the Bison River resort I would personally suggest taking the white water rafting with them. The charges are economical and worth the cost. The resort has the facilities for all sorts of adrenal pumping adventure laden sports starting from white water rafting, rippling, fishing, nature walk, night drive to the backwaters or walk in the jungles, coracle ride which is a good way of bird watching and full of excitement etc.Even they have different full day and a half day trip and hiking to great places like Vincholi rapids. Little Tibet, Kavala Caves, crocodile trek, Tribal village visit etc. I am a guy who was not much interested in bird watching but the visit made me a bird watching lover. I was the lucky one who saw a variety of birds that I had only seen in children’s Britannica and other books. Seeing them in personal and close was very exciting and fun. The only issue that I faced was of not getting the connectivity of my lap top in the resort which I would say was perfect. The resort doesn’t have TVs in the room but who needs it when you can enjoy the nature in action live and have so many things to concentrate on. All the mobile connections work in the resort so being in touch with outsiders was not a problem. The visit gave me a new look to life and told me its not about just grinding your self to survive in a city where you don’t have even enough time for your friends and family. Life is about relaxing and enjoying the nature, having peace in life and being a part of nature. I would swear to god that visiting the resort was far better then the going to a spa for messaging relaxing treatment. Nature is a best and economical relaxing media. Luckily this year we are having great long weekends. I would suggest using them to the fullest of desire. Do visit nature to be away from the fast life in a metro. Life is a cake and these breaks are icing on it. Make an optimum use of it. Believe me I had the best sleep in the resort then any where else that made me relaxed and healthy to face the world when we came back. How to reach there: Connectivity is not at all an issue Mumbai: Chalukiya express is a great train departure 9.30 pm and arrival the next day at 10.30 pm at Lounda The resort is 35 KMs from the station and takes you through the forest. Resort would arrange a pickup for you if you tell them. There are even taxies that you can use. I was in touch with the below address for my travel planning. This company has other resorts in India as well. They would be able to assist you at all time with the right way to reach them. Indian Adventures - Wildlife Adventure & Resorts257, S.V. Road, Bandra (W), Mumbai - 400050 India.Tel no.: +91 22 26408742 / +91 22 26433622 Fax no.: +91 22 26458401