BENGALURU: The hot season is here and Bengalureans are aching to get away from the bustling traffic of the city streets at every chance they get.
A brief 54-km drive from the heart of the city would take you to Shilhaandara, a resort in Ramanagaram. Located in the midst of the rocky hills of the region, the establishment offers fun adventure activities in an ambience reminiscent of a rustic palace.
A tunnel-like path with a mock, rocky finish and curvaceous dancers sculpted onto the walls leads into the resort. Walk past Harihara – the dining area where breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet is served – and Madhushala, the lounge bar, into the central lawn. A dozen tents of various sizes are pitched on the ground, in front of Ponna, a stage of sorts built of rocks.
Guests can freshen up at the clean, roomy restrooms and grab some high tea before exploring the choice of adventure sports at the resort.
A zipline of 750 metres, supposedly South India’s longest, stretches from the resort to the nearest hill. Certified instructors will test the facility and the health condition of the guest before fitting them with the safety gear. For people weighing under 50 kg, there is a bungee trampoline. A quad-bike course, where one can ride the all-terrain vehicle through a rough patch; a paintball shed, where matches can be organised; zorbing, where you one get into a giant ball and roll about are among other options here.
There are plenty of hills around for those up for a quick morning trek to watch the sunrise. You could crank it up a notch and do some rock climbing as well, under the guidance of experts.
For those seeking a quieter, more relaxing weekend, there are games like billiards, table tennis, carrom, chess, foosball and darts. After a game or two, one can take a dip in the pool before heading for lunch.
Nataraja Mantapa, a space for rain dancing, opens in the afternoon. Artificial drizzle fills up the room as the temperature quickly drops. Guests can get respite from the scorching sun by grooving to the tunes played by the guest DJs.
The construction is new and rooms for overnight stay are still in the pipeline. This is good news for those with an adventurous side, for you get to camp in tents under the starry sky with a view of the rocky hill nearby. An artificial moon is fastened to the zipline at night, flooding the lawn with silver light.
The management plans to organise laser shows on local history in the future. “We will project light beams onto the nearby hill,” says S N Ramesh, managing director, Rashi Eco Tourism Limited.
“We are also trying to get permission to build an artificial waterfall from the hill. We have written to the deputy commissioner about it,” he adds. A day-trip, inclusive of lunch and refreshments, will cost you anywhere between `650 and `2,500, depending on the activities that you pick.