Manchanabele Lake Camping

• Sunset
• Estate walk
• Bonfire

A short afternoon drive out past the old banyan country to the Manchanabele backwaters, with the tents already pitched and the evening given over to tea, the bonfire and a properly dark sky.

1. 15:00Pickups begin at RMZ Ecospace. First pickup at RMZ Ecospace, Bellandur, then Banashankari, RR Nagar and Kengeri; exact spots and live location go on the trip WhatsApp group. exact spot and live location shared on the trip WhatsApp group. Pack a warm layer, a torch and closed shoes.

2. 15:30Depart Bengaluru. Out past Kengeri and off Mysore Road towards Ramohalli, where the city thins quickly into ragi fields, coconut groves and granite hillocks.

3. 16:15Dodda Alada Mara, if traffic allows. A short leg-stretch at the Big Banyan Tree, a single tree whose aerial roots spread over a few acres. Right on the way; skipped if the roads are slow.

4. 17:00Arrive at camp, settle into your tent. Tents are pitched by the reservoir with sleeping bags ready. Take the first half-hour to wander to the shoreline, where Savandurga's bulk rises across the water.

5. 17:45Sunset walk along the backwaters. The Arkavathi backwaters turn copper as the light drops; herons and kingfishers work the shallows. Stay on the bank, as the reservoir bed is uneven and unsafe for wading.

6. 18:30Evening snacks and tea by the water. Hot tea and snacks as the hills go dark and the first stars come out over the reservoir.

7. 20:00Bonfire dinner and games. Dinner served around the fire, followed by music, games and the kind of conversation that only happens with no signal to distract anyone.

8. 22:30Lights out, or stay up for the stars. Far enough from the city for a genuinely dark sky on clear nights. The camp quietens down so early risers can sleep before sunrise.

• Sunrise
• On the water

An early start for first light over the reservoir, a calm-water kayaking session while the mist is still lifting, then breakfast and an unhurried drive back that has you home before lunch.

1. 06:00Wake-up and sunrise by the reservoir. Sunrise falls between roughly 6:00 and 6:45 depending on the season. Mist often sits low on the water, with Savandurga silhouetted behind.

2. 06:45Sunrise kayaking session. A guided paddle on the still morning water, the best hour for birdlife along the banks. Life jackets on throughout, and no swimming in the reservoir.

3. 08:30Breakfast at camp. A warm breakfast after the paddle, with time to dry off and linger over a second cup.

4. 09:15Free time by the water. Walk the shoreline, read in the shade or simply sit with the view before the drive back.

5. 10:00Pack up and depart. Roll up your sleeping bag, do a last sweep of the tent for chargers and torches, and board the Tempo Traveller.

6. 11:30Drop-offs in Bengaluru, trip ends. Dropped back along the same Mysore Road pickup points. Sunday traffic can shift this by half an hour either way.