There can be nothing better than the fresh and intoxicating coffee aroma that you can enjoy on your trip to one of Karnataka’s famous places. This small city is located at 3,500 ft above sea level, and the air here gives you so much peace. We are talking about Chikmagalur places that look over beautiful, lush valleys filled with peace and serenity.
Traveling across all the Chikmagalur places will be therapeutic- both mentally and physically. Moreover, it is not a very commercial and crowded area which means it is even more soothing for your soul. On the other hand, you want to spend some quality romantic time with your partner. There are several Chikmagalur places to stay that won’t disappoint you.
Tourists who have already explored the best Chikmagalur places state that the air here is so refreshing that you may not want to go back home once you are there. The next time you are planning to visit Karnataka, there are some Chikmagalur tourist places that you should not miss at all.
We are here to help with a list so that you can save some research time. The places that you will find in the list below are of the best tourist spots that we have derived from a compilation of the best reviews all over the internet.
What are the best Chikmagalur places to visit during your upcoming trip?
Here are some places that will mesmerize you with natural beauty, serenity, and a soothing atmosphere. These are very well connected. Therefore, visiting each one in a chain won’t be a problem. Moreover, you may take some help from a local person or the hotel staff from where you are staying.
Mullayangiri
If you want to begin exploring the best Chikmagalur places by getting the most fantastic bird’s eye view of them, then this is where you should be. Mullayangiri is part of the Chandra Drona range, one of the highest Shimoga to Chikmagalur tourist places.
Besides admiring the natural beauty, you can also indulge in some adventure. For example, Mullayangiri is a perfect spot for trekking, and the trails are pretty challenging. So, why not begin the lap with some solid physical activity? There is no way you won’t like this idea!
Baba Budangiri
As the name suggests, the name of the peak comes from a Muslim Saint, Baba Budan. This is one more part of the same Chandra Drona range, which is again a perfect spot for trekking. However, Baba Budangiri is more than just adventure activities.
On the one hand, here you can witness magical scenic beauty. While on the other hand, Baba Budangiri is a perfect example of communal harmony. It is one of those places in India where people can see the sense of values, tolerance, and respect the residents have for each other.
Hebbe Falls
You may already be aware that Chikmagalur waterfalls are some of the essential parts of this place. Yes, this place in Karnataka is a visual treat if you like waterfalls because there are quite a few of them. The Hebbe Falls forms almost the heart of the famous Kemmanagundi Hills and is located approximately 168 meters high.
The best part about visiting this spot is that it feels like nirvana. Imagine immersing yourself in the white, cool waters from the Hebbe Waterfalls. It is undoubtedly one of the most refreshing and blissful experiences ever.
Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple
The Annapoorneshwari Temple looks straight out of a painting considering its location. It sits perfectly on a high hill area on the banks of the Bhadra river. This temple is one of the most popular in this list of the best Chikmagalur places.
You will always find local people crowding the temple along with tourists. The name of the main deity here is Annapoorneshwari, which means the Goddess who fulfills food requirements. Here, anna means foodgrains, and poorneshwari means the one who fulfills the requirement.
Tourists who have already been to Chikmagalur before often recommend this place. It is for an insight into the religion and culture of the local people. Moreover, visiting a temple or any place of worship is always a very fulfilling experience overall.
Sringeri Sharada Peetham
If you are a sucker for beautiful construction, history, and architecture, this must be visited. The Sringeri Sharada Peetham is a famous historic place of national importance. The monastery stands here since the 8th Century, and Adi Shankara was the one who gets the credit for this beauty.
The Sringeri Sharada Peetham is present on the banks of the Tunga River, which is part of all history books. Besides, the experience of visiting this holy place is unique because you feel a sense of calm. Some people say it is the piousness of this location, while some praise the serenity of the surroundings here.
Chikmagalur Coffee Museum
Coffee is the pride of Karnataka, and Chikmagalur is a patron of the same. You get some world-class coffee varieties when you are in this place. Moreover, as mentioned above, tourists love that the air in Chikmagalur also smells like fresh coffee.
Now, visiting the local cafes for their exclusive filter coffee is, of course, a must. However, if you are keen to know about South Indian filter coffee history and get an insight into the plantation techniques, you must visit a special place.
We are talking about the Chikmagalur Coffee Museum under the supervision and management of the National Coffee Board of India.
Kallathagiri Falls
As mentioned above, there are quite a few Chikmagalur waterfalls that will steal your heart, and here is one of the names. After a day of exploring, trekking, and exhaustion, the sound of cascading water will calm your soul and rejuvenate your mind. For people who visit Chikmagalur, especially for weekend staycations, the Kallathagiri Falls are the primary attractions.
Hirekolale Lake
There are some tourist places where you can do a lot and still feel dissatisfied, and there are somewhere doing nothing that still gives you so much pleasure. Well, Chikmagalur falls under the second category. It is where people come to take a break from their mundane life, pollution, and exhaustion.
The tranquility and serenity of this place will attract you towards it time and again. The Hirekolale Lake is one of such places which is so rich in natural beauty. People find Hirekolale a perfect retreat spot, and the calmness of the surroundings is nothing short of therapeutic.
Manikyadhara Falls
When you already have Baba Budangiri on the list, there is no way that you will miss visiting the magical Manikyadhara Falls. Firstly, it is the final destination when you are trekking along the Budangiri trail. Secondly, there is no better way to refresh yourself after a tiring trek than to take a dip here. Besides, you can sit on the bank of the water pool and let the cascading waterfall soothe your body.
Tea plantations Chikmagalur
When you were thinking coffee is all that Chikmagalur has to offer, here comes a surprise for you. Well, the beautiful city is proud of its tea production too, and why not? The beautiful, lush tree plantations cover several acres of estates.
The estates adjacent to the Baba Budangiri trek are some of the most famous. Apart from taking a tour, you can also find out whether there is a tea tasting session. You will love the flavor of tea that grows here because of two particular reasons.
Firstly, it has a very light yet distinctive aroma, and the taste of the drink will be different from what you may have had till now. Overall, a tour of the tea plantations will be a memorable one undoubtedly.
Kadambi Falls
The list of beautiful waterfalls in Chikmagalur seems to be never-ending, and tourists don’t want it to end. Coming back to the Kadambi Falls, this spot is known for its seclusion. If you are thinking about how that can be enjoyable, well, it is the peacefulness that attracts people.
When you are at such a spot, there is so much time to think, analyze, and interact with yourself. You will agree surely that every person needs some quality time to be alone. This is when you get to know yourself better, and the banks of the Kadambi Falls will indeed serve the purpose for you.
Ayyanakere Lake
The largest Chikmagalur waterbody, the Ayyanakere Lake, is also one of the most popular tourist locations. The lake is spread over a significant area of more than 22 hectares, and the magnificence is why it looks so beautiful. Despite being a little crowded all through the year, missing it is not an option.
Ballalarayana Durga Fort
After exploring different locations for the whole day, it is finally time to witness the beautiful Chikmagalur sunset. Therefore, choosing the Ballalarayana Durga Fort as the last destination is the perfect way to plan your itinerary.
The Madugandi area is an ideal trekking location, and so the majority of tourists choose this as the last activity for the day. Apart from the sunset, the green view from the peak of the fort is excellent, and you will surely not want to miss it!
Ideal activities when you are exploring Chikmagalur places
Here are suggestions regarding activities that you can enjoy during the Chikmagalur trip.
Kayaking
Indulging in some kayaking here means you can enjoy the excellent view of the mountains home to forests and lush greenery. You are also already aware that Chikmagalur is famous for its waterfalls and other water bodies. So, it is evident that kayaking will be a memorable experience here.
Don’t worry about the security and safety part because you will be wearing lifejackets. Besides, there is a list of protocols that you must follow when you are participating in any adventure sports, and the rules are no different in this case too. The historic Hoysala Empire capital, Belur, is the hub for water sports such as kayaking.
Info:
- Opening and closing hours: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
- There will be safety protocols and life jackets for ultimate safety. Moreover, a professional team will be there to monitor your movement at all times.
- You should reach the location earlier to gain visual experience before participating.
River rafting in Bhadra
If you want to pep up your nature watching session, there can be no better way than river rafting. Let your adrenaline rush increase while you admire the calmness and beauty of the surroundings. Sometimes, it is good to step out of your comfort zone, and what better opportunity than this?
You will surely remember this as one of the most thrilling and enjoyable experiences of your life. Of course, safety is a huge concern when you indulge in adventure activities, which is no exception. So, you will find a group of professionals guiding you at every step.
Info:
- Opening and closing hours: 6:00 am to 4:30 pm
- It is always better to reach the spot before time so that it is more convenient to jot down tips and tricks from the instructor
- Finally, it is time for some blood to rush through your veins while you raft along the soothing waters of the Bhadra River.
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary safari
There can be no better way to immerse yourself in nature than to enjoy a wildlife safari. It is because this is how you can come closest to nature and its inhabitants. Moreover, you are more than lucky to spot a tiger or some other wild animals.
Of course, you must maintain silence so that the animals are not scared. As the name suggests, the sanctuary is on the banks of River Bhadra and is one of the best places in this hill station.
Info:
- Several slots are available starting from 6:30 am to 8:30 am and again from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Therefore, you can choose slots at your convenience.
- The cost of safari comes in a package pattern that will include the entry fees too.
- The whole experience will include nature sightseeing and a wildlife tour.
- You will have a driver cum guide for a more comfortable experience.
Final thoughts
Chikmagalur is a beautiful hill station in Karnataka, which is not a very conventional one. Despite it being very close to Bangalore, you are lucky to find a place that is still devoid of excessive crowd and noise. Therefore, if you are looking for the most secluded weekend getaway location, Chikmagalur is a perfect choice.
