Here is my detailed guide to our couple’s trip to Singapore. Finally, we fulfilled our wish of a fun vacation on Singapore island.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
- Singapore Itinerary
- What to eat in Singapore?
- My Pro Travel Tips For Singapore
- Must-Pack Items for Singapore Trip
A trip to Singapore has been on the cards for a long time. And somehow, we just delayed it for one reason or the other. This August, we decided to fulfill the prolonged desire for a short vacation in Singapore. The Island City was too irresistibly accessible with many direct flights from India. Tickets were booked, bags packed and with a long list of must-see places we landed in Singapore.
Singapore Itinerary
We did all sorts of touristy and fun things in Singapore. From spending a day at Bird Park, enjoying dinner at Clarke Quay, to getting clicked at Universal Studios, we did it all.
The tourist destinations we toured during our brief stay in Singapore are:
- Bugis Street
- Chinatown
- Sentosa Island
- Universal Studios
- Jurong Bird Park
- Marina Bay Sands
- Gardens by the Bay
- Riverside and Civic District
- Singapore Zoo Night Safari
A piece of useful advice to help you plan a better itinerary, attractions like Universal Studios and Sentosa Island require one full day to get explored. And places like Riverside, Marina Bay Sands, and Gardens by the Bay are best enjoyed after the sunset. So plan your schedule accordingly.
There are well-updated official websites of most of these attractions. I recommend browsing through them before making your layout to check the ticket price/show timings/opening hours/holiday calendar etc.
For Bird Park + Singapore Zoo + Night Safari + River Safari, you can buy a 4-in-1 pass online at a concessional price. In fact, for Universal Studios, you can also buy a premium pass online to skip the long ride queue.
What to eat in Singapore?
If you plan a trip to Singapore, be ready for a diverse gastronomically gratifying experience. The love for the Hawker Centers defines Singaporean Cuisine that goes beyond national and political boundaries.
So when you eat local dishes, you ingest a blend of Malay , Chinese, Indonesian, Indian and Western Cuisines. And one is spoilt for choices in Singapore. It is a food-crazy culture.
During our trip, for breakfast, we stick to the neighborhood bakeries serving the most delicious Kaya Toast, eggs, Iced Kopi C, and an array of local sweet and savory bakes. These small cafes serve decent sandwiches and poached eggs as well.
As the sun sets, the scene at hawker centers gets more lively, hustling – bustling with food lovers. It is best to sit at one of these places, savor the local flavors, and latch into an interesting conversation with your fellow diners. The servers and the cooks at these small food joints are super friendly and helpful.
One more piece of good news, Roti-Prata House and Indian Food Joints can be easily discovered in Singapore.
Our must-try recommendations – are Singapore Chicken Rice, Chili Crab, Laksa, Satay, Ice Kacang, Popiah, Curry Puff, Kaya Toast, and Kopi.
My Pro Travel Tips For Singapore
Eat at hawker centers — Meals are cheap, delicious, and freshly prepared. And it is probably the best way to taste the local flavors of Singapore.
Travel via MRT/Buses — Public transport in Singapore is quite efficient and well connected. And probably this is the most budget-friendly way to navigate through Singapore. At times we used Uber cabs as well, the drivers are quite hospitable, and they don’t hitch back from building an engaging conversation with you.
Stay at Airbnb — This is a good way to socialize with the local folks and closely observe their culture. You can book in advance according to your budget and requirement. Don’t be shy. Interact with your host and learn much more about the vicinity you are staying.
Shop at supermarkets: Explore the nearby supermarkets for daily needs such as – munchies/beverages/battery packs etc. One, you get products at a good price. Second, it is a great self-learning and an eye-opening experience. Trust me on this one!!
Must-Pack Items for Singapore Trip
- A pair of running/sports shoes . Walking is one thing you cannot skip in Singapore. So pack your most comfortable footwear for the trip.
- A high SPF sunblock/sunscreen , sunglasses, and a sun-protecting hat/cap if you can. Don’t even think of stepping out in Singapore without these essentials during the day. An umbrella for unexpected showers or a sunny day (optional if your baggage space permits).
- To munch during the day-long excursions, carry energy bars, healthy trail mixes, nuts, and dark chocolates. These keep you energized the entire day. Pack your favorite sipper as well. You need plenty of fluid to beat the heat.
- Instead of fashionable handbags, stick to trendy backpacks. You can stuff your snacks, water, passport, power bank, face towel, and more. Plus, they are super comfortable to carry around.
- Cotton/linen/soft lycra are the fabrics that will keep you cool in Singapore. Light fabric clothes with dull colors help to keep the heat at bay and absorb sweat. Tight-fitting denim could not be your best sidekick in Singapore.
- Don’t miss out on carrying a loaded iPad and kindle. There is plenty of time while traveling via buses/MRTs. You can sit comfortably and do reading or browsing.
- Most of the places in Singapore have free Wi-Fi access. But if you are a social media freak and believe in sharing live updates, take a local sim (easily available at Seven Eleven or similar places) or activate your international data services.
- Too much sun at the beach. Too much wine with dinner. Or too much walking during the day. A good pain reliever is all you need by the end of the day. Consult your physician before including one pain relieving ointment and tablet in your travel bag.
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Looking for a quiet getaway from the Bangalore city life? Then Dubare Elephant Camp, Karnataka is the perfect place for you. Deep into the woods, beside river Kaveri, there stood a breathtakingly peaceful property of Jungle Lodges and Resorts. Dubare Elephant Camp is the joint venture of the forest department and the Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd in order to promote wildlife tourism at its natural best.
We started our ride from Bangalore on a crisp Saturday morning, almost at the time of sunrise in our Kawasaki Ninja 350cc. And exactly before lunchtime, we reached our destination. The highway till Dubare Camp is moderately decent. And have ample of good pit stops on the way for fuel or a quick bite. Driving or hiring a cab is the best plan to reach this place. The camp is nestled totally off the highway. So it’s highly recommended to use Google Maps or a printed map for the exact directions.
If you speak the local dialect then you can seek the help of the natives as well to confirm the directions. While you are about to arrive at the camp give a call to the concerned person at the camp informing him about your arrival time. The polite staff of the camp will take care of parking your vehicle while a small steamer boat transports the guests to the property. Imagine crossing the weirdly peaceful and calm river dodging the extended branches of the trees that are kissing the river. One rarely enjoys such scenes while living in a concrete jungle.
Entrance at Dubare Camp
So are the guests greeted by the elephants on arrival? Definitely no. In fact, there are no elephants to be seen around the lodges. The team saves the best for the last. Till then you familiarize yourself with the surroundings, dig into the delicious lunch spread at the rustique dining area whose foundation is submerged in the river and the windows provide an incredible tranquil view of the river. An occasional squirrel might join you for the lunch making its way through the tree branches sneaking into the dining area.
Post lunch, you can wander around, capture the beautiful surroundings into digital frames or take a quick power nap. Around 4 pm, the jeep safari into the deep forest begins under the guidance of an expert naturalist. Make sure to carry your binoculars for the same. You are definitely going to need them.
The camp is located in the Coorg district, hence enjoys idyllic weather conditions. Monsoons (July to mid-September) are difficult, but the swollen river makes it all the more interesting and the surrounding foliage is alive and vibrant. The post-monsoon months until the Spring is the ideal time to visit the camp as the weather is perfect. I would not recommend this place for summers, as the afternoons are humid, dull and dry.
Evening Jeep Safari
As the sun sets, the silence of the Jungle is muddled by the sounds of the nocturnal critters. They kinda provide a thrilling background score to enhance your wild experience. And the crocodile warning signs near the river bank definitely scare the city folks like us.
One useful advice – go to bed early. I know it is difficult not to build an interesting conversation over the scrumptious dinner besides bonfire. But at Dubare Elephant Camp schedule is followed very seriously. Next morning, you will have a wake-up call around 5 am. Wake up to the birdsong, mist engulfed surroundings and greet the morning with a cup of tea/coffee. Get ready, wear your jogging shoes, as you are going to join a trained naturalist on a Jungle trail that too walking.
He overloads you with an array of information. Don’t mind!! Remember whatever you can. Once the jungle trail ends, a Coracle boat is waiting for you by the side of the river. With a blanket of mist floating over the river, nature really puts its best show at this wee hour. Absorb every moment of this magical ride. Because it is definitely a rare display of mesmerizing natural beauty.
Morning Jungle Trail
Coracle Boat Ride
And then finally it’s the time to meet the giant mammals – the elephants. The sole purpose for which you have come to the camp. I think never in my life again I could be this close to an elephant. They come in groups, guided by their respective handlers, and they are seriously massive. With a calm persona, not intimidated by the human presence, they glide into the river like a professional swimmer. And then you get to give them a bath. Can you imagine giving a huge elephant wash and scrub like your pet? Yes, you get to do that at Dubare Elephant Camp.
A trained naturalist is at hand to explain the various aspects of the elephant history, ecology, and biology. And there are those naughty baby elephants in the group. They rarely miss a chance to play tricks in the water. The elephant adventure is not over yet. You get to feed these elephants as well. After all, who doesn’t like a good breakfast after the relaxing bath?
Post eating if these elephants are in a good mood, they can give you a ride as well. Whether it is a Jeep Safari into Dubare forest with a trained naturalist, watching wildlife documentary or sitting beside the campfire under the stars, Dubare Camp brings you more close to the mother nature. It instills a sense of responsibility and respect towards the wild ecosystem.
Must-Pack Items for Dubare Camp
- A pair of running/sports shoes. You get to do a lot of walking in the wild surroundings. So pack your most comfortable and covered footwear for the trip. You must also consider packing a pair of flip-flops or sports sandals. That comes handy while getting into the water with elephants.
- Dress for comfort and safety. Casual, comfortable, clothing is suitable throughout the year. Do avoid bright colors and stick to muted shades of green, black, grey and brown. The more you meld with the background, the better. Pack a pair of extra clothes as you definitely want to change post giving elephant bath.
- Wearing clothes in layers is the smart way to cope with fluctuating day/night temperature in the camp. Must pack a pair of sweatshirt or jacket for the wee morning hours.
- You’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors. Don’t forget your cap/hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, torch, binoculars and of course the camera.
- I know you will not miss any of these – mobile/laptop/iPod/kindle charger. There is rarely any mobile network in Dubare so don’t worry much about the mobile charger.
- Do not forget to put your prescription medicines and pain relief ointment. You will not get them anywhere around the camp.
- Try to restrict your luggage to one item – may be one backpack. For no reason, traveling with hefty luggage in a wild expedition is always the cause of the uninvited trouble.
- If you are traveling with the kids or family. Better to pack your favorite munchies/aerated beverages/snacks as you won’t get these items at the camp.
Other useful clues:
- Browse through the website of Jungle Lodges and Resort . Reach out to them over a phone call to discuss the pricing, cottage type, and facilities. Their corporate office is in Bangalore and the staff is quite helpful.
- Book in advance. There is a limited number of accommodations at Dubare Camp . If you are planning to visit around holiday season then it is better to book in advance via their official website.
- It is difficult to source gourmet or a variety of ingredients in the middle of the jungle. Still the kitchen team at the camp layout a fabulous spread of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. If you have certain food preferences/allergies then it is better to tell the kitchen team. They are more than happy to customize the menu as per your liking. They take every feedback positively.
- Don’t expect luxuriously star hotel like facilities. But definitely, the cottages are spacious, well-built, nicely maintained and laced with all the basic facilities required to spend a night in the jungle. And trust me that rustique appeal adds to the entire jungle adventure experience.
- At Dubare Camp, credit/debit cards are not accepted for the payment. So either make the payment in advance or carry enough amount of cash. Also, there are no ATM’s nearby.
- Beware of faux elephant camps in the area. Always ask for Jungle Lodges and Resort rather than looking for an elephant camp.
. ….and what weekend at Dubare taught me, “Nature is one of the finest art of God. Let’s respect it for that.”
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