VANAMCOVE 
Soliga hills of wildlife and heritage
Why this weekend?
The day-by-day plan
Day 1 · The sacred hill
- Temple climb
- Summit views
- Village stops
- Camp evening
Day 2 · The reserve
- Camp safari
- Stream walk
- Departure
Geography & terrain
BR Hills — the Biligiri Rangana hills — rise from the Mysuru plateau in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka, 130 km south of Mysuru — a forested range between the Cauvery's country and the Tamil Nadu border, its summit holding the ancient Biligiri Rangaswamy temple.
History & culture
The range's sanctity is the mula-sthana of the region — the Biligiri (silver-hill) Rangaswamy of the worship whose car-major festival draws the border congregations; the hill's forests and the Soliga adivasi community's long tenure gave BR Hills its conservation story, with the K Gudi camp of the reserve holding the wildlife-tourism legend of the region.
Where to stay
Things to do
- Guided jeep safari, BRT Tiger Reserve₹800 · morning slot, book onlineBook
- Shola forest trek with naturalist₹600 · 3 h, easyBook
Fees & timings
- Sanctuary entry (varies by vehicle)
- ₹50
- Vehicle fee (per day)
- ₹400
- Entry total
- ₹450
Eat & drink
- Hill-town eateries — The simple plates of the ranges
- Camp kitchens — The reserve boards of K Gudi
- Mysuru return — The city's fuller menus
Getting there
- Train
- None close — drive required
- By car
- 3.5 h via Kanakapura–Hosur road (150 km)
Practical info
- Connectivity: Patchy — forest lodges only
Practical tips
- Safari permits open 30 days ahead on the forest website — set a reminder
- Nights are genuinely cold in December — carry a jacket
- The BRT temple crowds on Sundays; go at first light
Frequently asked questions
What are BR Hills?
The Biligiri Rangana range of Karnataka — a forested sacred hill with the summit temple and the K Gudi camp.
Can I see wildlife?
Yes — the reserve's safaris and walks run from the K Gudi camp.
How long do I need?
Two days cover the temple, the views and a camp safari.
The climb to the temple starts in darkness and ends in cold, pink light — the plains below you a sea of haze, the forest dripping with mist. Through the day the shola is dark and mossy, the bird calls echoing off the tree trunks, and the grassland edges open into views that feel like the Himalaya at a fraction of the size. At night the temperature drops and the lodge fireplace becomes the centre of the world, the forest alive with the sawing call of sambar. It's a weekend that gives you tigers in the morning and cold mountain silence at night — the best of both Indias, three and a half hours from home.
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