Tourist Guide to Chikmagalur - Coffee Land of Karnataka
With its numerous coffee farms, Chikmagalur has a constant scent of coffee in the air. Chikmagalur is a famous tourist destination and a brief vacation for international visitors, known for its steep mountains, rich green woods, and calm environment.
Chikmagalur, also known as the 'Coffee Land of Karnataka,' is a lovely hill station in Karnataka, located in the foothills of the Mullayangiri Range.
Chikmagalur is primarily known for its coffee, as it is the country's leading producer. Taking a trip around one (or a few) of the city's numerous coffee farms is a must-do activity if you are a coffee fan as well as a nature lover. Many of these coffee estates not only offer guided tours of the plantations but also offer homestays within the estates, allowing you to truly wake up and end your day with the scent of coffee in the air.
The Mullayangiri trip, the Kemmanagundi walk, and the Baba Budangiri trek are just a few of the excellent trekking trails available in Chikmagalur. Mullayangiri is Karnataka's tallest peak and the ideal site to see the sun rise from behind the mountains.
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Directions to reach Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur is well connected by road, with frequent bus and taxi services to and from Bangalore. Mangalore Airport is the closest airport. The Chikmagalur railway line is being built and should be operational in 2013. As a result, the nearest railway station is Kadur (40 kilometres), which tourists can utilise to reach the city.
When is it best to go to Chikmagalur?
Chikmagalur is best visited between the months of September and March, which are the winter months. The start of the monsoon season (early July) is also an excellent time to visit Chikamagalur, with pleasant weather all year. However, the month of August should be avoided because it receives a lot of rain.
Where to stay?
Below we have listed out the best places to stay in Chikmagalur.
Trivik Hotels & Resorts, Chikmagalur
10.3 km from city centre
Facilities: Parking, Bar, Wifi, Food
5-star resort with 4 room options
₹16,000 onwards
Trivik Hotels & Resorts is surrounded by magnificent natural sceneries and coffee plantations on top of the Mullayangiri Hills in Chikmagalur. The hotel has luxurious rooms with elegant and royal decor, providing an improved luxury experience. Each accommodation has a view of the mountains that is unobstructed. Guests can relax by the infinity pool, pamper themselves with a spa treatment, or take leisurely walks through the plantations. A gaming area, gym, multi-cuisine restaurant, bar, and BBQ facilities are among the other attractions.
The Blossom Resort
18.1 km from the city centre
Facilities: Parking, Pool
₹4,999 onwards
Would you like to spend a few days in the company of Mother Nature? The Blossom Resort in Chikmagalur is an absolute must-see. The guests can enjoy a stunning view of the majestic mountains from their spacious rooms with wooden flooring and comfortable beds, which are surrounded by flora. The hotel also includes many amenities such as an indoor pool, a kids' club, a garden, a children's playground, an on-site restaurant, and more. Visitors can participate in a variety of interesting activities as well as relax in the tranquility of the location.
Chikmagalur cuisine
The richness and spice of the local cuisine, known as Malanadu cuisine, are primarily complemented by the flavours of coconut milk, with rice and fish curry as staples of the local dish. Because of the coffee plantations, the town is also known as "The Land of Coffee." As a result, fresh and local coffee must be consumed here.
Akki Roti, Kakadu, Nendranga chips (banana chips), and other foods are popular in this town. This restaurant serves authentic Kannada cuisine as well as traditional North Indian fare.
Where to visit?
Below we have listed the top tourist attractions in Chikmagalur that you simply cannot miss out on!
Baba Budan Range
The Baba Budan Range of the Western Ghats of India is located to the north of the Karnataka district of Chikkamagalur. Baba Budangiri is a mountain in the Baba Budan Range famed for its shrine to Hazrat Dada Hayat Khalandar, a Sufi Saint (also known as Baba Budan). This is a popular Hindu and Muslim pilgrimage place that attracts many visitors. Because the temple here is related to Hindu God Guru Dattatreya, this famous mountain range is also known as Dattagiri Hill Range. This mountain range has one of the highest peaks in the world, with a height that falls between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris.
In addition to climbing and trekking, the Baba Budangiri Hills are known for their distinctive forest variety. Between Mullayanagari and Baba Budangiri, there is a fantastic trekking track. In addition, all adventure seekers can go through the jungle to witness Deviramma Betta's old shrine. The neighbouring mountain ranges can be seen from Sitalayanna Giri. Baba Budangiri to Mullayanagri (12 km), Budangiri to Gaalikere (4 km), Budangiri to Manikyadhara Falls (7 km), and Attigudi Junction to Baba Budangiri (6 km) is the most well-known hiking paths.
Weather - 22° C
Timings - 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Time Required - 2 to 3 hours
Mullayanagiri
Mullayanagiri peak, at 1930 metres above sea level, is in the Baba Budan Giri Range of the Western Ghats, only 45 minutes from Chikmagalur. It is the tallest point between the Nilgiris and the Himalayas, providing a serene haven for travellers with temperatures ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. This summit is endowed with green grassland, jagged boulders, and a nice walk trail that is also famous among adventure fans. It is known for its quiet ambience and nature's raw beauty. Mullayanagiri is also notable for its surrounding coffee plantations.
Mullayanagiri is well recognised as a destination for adventure seekers, particularly trekkers because it is surrounded by great trek tracks. Sarpadhari, a steep route, is the starting point for this 4 km walk. Other exhilarating hobbies such as mountain biking and road riding are also available. The location is ideal for individuals seeking tranquilly as well as guests seeking adventure.
Weather - 22° C
Timings - 24 hours.
Time Required - 1 day
Entry Fee - Free
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, which spans over 490 square kilometres and is located 38 kilometres west of Chikmagalur, Karnataka, is stretched over the districts of Shimoga and Chikmagalur. The panorama of the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, which is surrounded by Western Ghats hills, seems like something out of a movie!
Over 250 bird species, the most of which are native to the Western Ghats, are found here. At Muthod, the reserve also offers a 3.5 km long nature walk. Jungle lodges have one unique feature - River Tern Lodges are situated on the crest of a hillside overlooking Bhadra Reservoir, with panoramic views of the river on all sides.
Doddahadlu and Chandanahadlu are both Tiger Reserves, hence there are 30 tigers and 20 leopards that can be seen. Bhadra reservoir offers a boating safari. Talbidrekere is a local watering hole where you may witness a lot of animals. Melgiri and Kesarhalla are other good places to see wildlife.
Weather - 22° C
Safari Details:
Timings - 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Cost - Jeep - INR 400 per person (6 people)
Bus - INR 300 (For 25 people)
Kudremukh National Park
Kudremukh National Park is known for its picturesque splendour and is in the Himalayas. The 600-kilometer square region was designated as a national park in 1987, and it is one of the state's best-protected national parks. There is much to see and do at the Kudremukh National Park, from high-rising hills covered with a profusion of flora and wildlife to gorgeous trekking trails overlooking green grasslands. It is the second-largest wildlife-protected area in the Western Ghats zone.
The local tongue gives the area its name. Kudremukha means "horse-face" and refers to the park's tallest mountain peak, which from one side resembles the face of a horse. It is the second tallest mountain in Karnataka, standing at 1,894 metres (6,214 ft). Many endangered and endemic plant and animal species call the area home, with tigers, leopards, and wild dogs serving as the region's principal predators.
Conservationists successfully battled against the negative mining consequences on the environment in this town that grew up as an important iron-ore mining town. Kudremukh and its lush green surrounds are a nature and wildlife lover's dream, offering you a detailed tour of the Western Ghats.
Weather - 19° C
Timings - 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Trekking hours - 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Time Required - 3-4 hrs
Entry Fee - INR 1000
Raft in the Bhadra River
Chikmaglur, in Karnataka, is a paradise for thrill seekers. It is 45 kilometres from the Bhadra River, equidistant from well-known hill stations and wildlife locations in the Western Ghats including Sakleshpur, Kudremukh, and Charamadi Ghats.
The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, which begins in the Western Ghats and runs through the Deccan Plateau, provides rafters with a wonderful view of the lush vegetation of the Western Ghats, charming villages, and plantations. The tributaries Somavahini, Thadabehalla, and Odirayanahalla feed it. The rapids stretch over 8 kilometres, and the rafting activity takes 1.5 hours to finish.
Weather - 22° C
Time Required - 1 to 2 days
Price - Starting at INR 1200
Coffee Museum
The Coffee Museum in Chikmagalur is a unique showcase of the coffee industry, from bean cultivation to brewing. This museum was designed to recreate a themed exhibition of the history of coffee and the operations used to make the bean, such as picking, grinding, and drying.
One of the greatest coffee descriptions in the world may be found at the museum. In the museum you will also find a coffee evaluation and training centre. A small stairway leads to the coffee encyclopedia, which is nestled in pleasant green surroundings.
Weather - 22° C
Timings - 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Time Required - 1 to 2 hours
Entry Fee - INR 20
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