You must have heard or seen tea gardens but have you ever heard of or seen a coffee estate. We have never till we went on this trip.
Famously know as the Land of Coffee, Chikmagalur is a city in Karnataka where coffee was introduced in India.
Chikmagalur owns Karnataka’s highest peak named Mullayangiri. Other than coffee estates and mountains, there are plenty of waterfalls, lush greenery, lakes, and temples in the surroundings of Chikmagalur.
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A perfect destination to go on a trip with parents
We were accompanied by our parents on this trip and the best part was that they were able to reach the highest peaks of Karnataka and see the pristine waterfalls located in the dense jungles with less walking thereby not exhausting themselves to reach these locations. The way to these spots is motorable.
Also the diversity that this destination offers is vast. There are temples, coffee estates, mountains, waterfalls, lakes, and experience of Malnad’s way of life.
How to reach Chikmagalur
We boarded a flight from Delhi to Bangalore. From Bangalore, Chikmagalur is around 250 km and it takes around 4.5 to 5 hours to reach. It’s all a smooth highway drive.
Another way to reach Chikmagalur is via Mangalore which is at a distance of 113 km. Mangalore also has an Airport.
Preferable means of transport in Chikmagalur
Most of the locations are there on the outskirts of the main town of Chikmagalur. So we self-rented a car from zoomcar.in for the entire duration of our trip. It made things easy for us.
We highly recommend booking a car for this trip. It costs us somewhere around INR 8,000 ( including petrol) for 5 days owing to a discount on Zoomcar.
Note: – Do thoroughly check the car before taking it. Take a test drive of the car and also take photos of any damage in the inside and outside of the car. Take receipts of the fuel from the petrol pump if you have opted for a scheme (with fuel).
Best time to visit Chikmagalur
October to February (winters) is the best time to visit Chikmagalur. We visited in the last week of February. The weather was a bit hot during this time but it was pleasant at night.
Accommodation in Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur seems to be like any other small town in India. You might not get fascinated by the main town. The beauty lies in the outskirts of Chikmagalur. You can consider staying in a homestay around coffee plantation or book a hotel around the main town.
We preferred staying in the main town owing to its proximity to most of the food options and market from here.
There are plenty of stay options for every budget available in the town and you can book them online. One budget option can be Treebo Trend Orchid Hotel in MG road Chikmagalur.
Top Things to do in and around Chikmagalur
| Exploring the beautiful temples of South India around Chikmagalur |
| Exploring Chikmagalur |
| Go a bit offbeat to experience both tea and coffee estates together |
1. Exploring the beautiful temples of South India around Chikmagalur
South Indian temples in Karnataka are famous for their intricate stone sculptures and carvings. These sculptures depict gods and goddesses, dance forms, the daily life of people and scenes from Mahabharata and other religious scriptures. These are such pieces of art that will make you fall in love with them.
If you are going to Chikamagalur from Bangalore, explore the following temples on the way to kick start your trip.
The Hoysala temple, Halebeedu
One of the finest examples of Hindu Architecture, this 12th-century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is well known for its intricate carvings. These carvings depict legends from several Hindu texts. Not only the exterior, but the interior of the temple is also equally beautiful. The temple is around 35 kms from Chikmagalur.
Chennakeshava Temple, Belur
It has Tiers of minute sculptures consisting of rows of elephants, lion faces, ornamental frieze, female sculptures in between pillars, and the stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The carvings are minute in detail. It took a century to complete. It’s dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is around 25 kms from Chikamagalur.
Sharvan Bela gola
It is one of the most important pilgrimages in Jainism. 140 kms from Bangalore and 115 kms from Chikmagalur. There is verdant greenery and serene ponds around. It takes some steps to reach the temple.
2. Exploring Chikmagalur
Mullyangiri peak
Around 20 kms from Chikmagalur town, Mullyangiri is the highest peak in Karnataka.
You can drive up to the parking which is at the base of Mullyangiri Peak, from there it’s just 0.5 km in the form of steps to reach the top. There is a temple at the top but the major highlight is the view of the mighty Western Ghats which you get to see in clear weather. On a clear day, the Arabian sea is what you can see from the top.
Baba budangiri peak
It’s a range of mountains in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. There is a panoramic view of the valley having resplendent green forests, and grasslands. Other than this there is a shrine over here which is famous among locals. Its 10 kms from Mullyangiri Peak. These two peaks are exactly opposite to each other.
Jhari falls/ Buttermilk
Surrounded by coffee plantations and dense forest, the waterfall is formed naturally by springs in the mountains and is on the way to baba budangiri peak from Mullyangiri peak.
Hirakolale lake
― William Shakespeare
Located amidst mountains, this man-made lake is sure to allure nature lovers. The place is peaceful and the sunset from here is a no miss.
3. Go a bit offbeat to experience both tea and coffee estates together
Kalasa
Located on the banks of river Bhadra, this beautiful town is famous for its coffee and tea plantations. It is 92 kms from Chikmagalur.
Kalasa is an offbeat destination and here you can enjoy life which is altogether different from the one in the city. Staying with locals in a homestay which is surrounded from almost everywhere by tea and coffee plantations and exploring the nearby locations in a (4 x 4) jeep were the major highlight of Kalasa for us. Our parents were the happiest to be at such a remote and beautiful location.
Jeep Tour in Kalasa
The owner of our homestay in Kalasa arranged for a Jeep tour for us and we went to the locations which were pristine beyond our imagination.
The tour cost four of us INR 3500 and it took around 4-5 hours. We went to some of really remote locations and loved the tour to bits.
Accommodation in Kalasa
Hasiru Thaana Homestay
Situated amidst mountains of tea and coffee plantations and Equipped with basic amenities, the homestay will give you a true Malnad experience.
We booked the homestay from malnadstays.com and recommend to book this beautiful place for an outstanding Malnad experience with them.
Food options in Chikmagalur
Siri Coffee
This restaurant is no less than a scenic spot. And the food here is equally delicious. We had one of the best cold coffees here.
MG Road of Chikmagalur
Its is a bustling lane in the main town of Chikmagalur. Here you will find restaurants which serve not only the South Indian delicacies but also North Indian delicacies. Some of the restaurants we tried were:-
Mayura
Famous for its North Indian food, Mayura was the one we went to at least 3 times for our 3 days stay in Chikmagalur town.
Mahalaxmi Sweets
It was like chaat and sweet shop without sitting area. The snacks (especially chaat) they serve is amazing.
World of Coffee
The place justifies its name. You will feel as if you have entered another world altogether. Along with serving some of the best coffees of India, they will take you deep inside the world of coffee.
Street food stalls at MG road
These street food stalls serve the cheapest yet delicious south Indian and other cuisines. We had ‘Ragi’ Dosa here for the first time.
Suggested itinerary of Chikamagalur
Day 1: Reach Banglore in the morning
- Drive to Chikmagalur
- Have Coffee at Café 75 on the way
- On the way visit Hoysaleshwara Temple, Halebeedu
- Reach Chikmagalur
- Visit hirakolale lake
- Reach your place of stay
- Dinner at Mayura on MG road
Day 2 : Roam around in Chikmagalur
- Breakfast at Siri Café
- Visit Mullyangiri peak
- Visit Baba budangiri peak
- Go to Jhari falls
- Lunch at a restaurant on MG Road
- Dinner at Town Canteen
- Street food in Chikmagalur
Day 3 : Kalasa
- Breakfast on the way
- Reach Hasiruthana homestay
- Go on Jeep Tour
Day 4 : Back to Chikmagalur
- Lunch at Siri Coffee
- Reach your place of stay for some rest
- Visit Belur temple
- Dinner at MG road
Day 5 : Back to Bangalore
- Start early from Chikamaglur to Banglore
- Visit Shravan Belgola on the way
- Catch your flight/ train back home
To know the budget of this trip join us and we will mail you the details.
Chikmagalur is a destination where you can go to the highest peak of the State without trekking/ walking, where you can dip yourself in nature while standing below a pristine waterfall, where you can watch most peaceful sunrises and most memorable sunsets. Its a destination where you can go with your friends or family and had the best of your time together.
There are plenty of locations to go on a trip but when it comes to going on a trip with parents, we really become picky. Isn’t it? Where you went with your parents last?
Just wanna remark on few general things, The website design and style is perfect, the written content is very good :D. Ricardo Salmen
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