About Chikmagalur

Country: India | State: Karnataka

Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days

Nearest City to Chikmagalur: Mangalore (148 Kms), Mysore (178 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Chikmagalur: September to April

Peak Season: March to May

At a distance of 40 km from Kadur, 62 km from Hassan, 148 km from Mangalore, 178 km from Mysore, and 240 km from Bangalore, Chikmagalur (also known as Chikkamagaluru) is a hill town located in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. Situated at an altitude of 3,400 feet at the foothills of Mulliyangiri range, Chikmagalur is one of the best hill stations near Bangalore and among the must include places in Karnataka packages.

Situated in the Deccan plateau, Chikmagalur city belongs to the Malnad region of Karnataka. The Western Ghats start from this area. The Yagachi River is originated from the surrounding hills. Chikmagalur is famous for its serene environment, lush green forests and tall mountains. Baba Budangiri, Mulliyangiri, and Kemmanagundi are among the must include places in your Chikmagalur Tour Packages.

Chikmagalur literally means 'the Land of the Younger Daughter'. It is said to have been given as a dowry to the youngest daughter of Rukmangada, the legendary chief of Sakrepatna and there is also a place called Hiremagalur, Land of the Elder Daughter which is a part of the Chikmagalur town now. Some old inscriptions reveal that these two places were known as Kiriya-muguli and Piriya-muguli.

Chikkamagaluru is also famous for coffee and is known as the coffee land of Karnataka. It is the place where coffee was cultivated for the first time in India. It was Baba Budan, a Muslim saint who brought coffee seeds from Yemen in 1670. Later, when the Europeans came to India, they took over the plantations and started trading coffee and tea. Chikmagalur can also be visited along with Coorg Tour Packages, and Mangalore Tour Packages.

Chikmagalur is a wonderful destination to visit with many tourist spots, from pilgrimage sites to coffee plantations and wildlife tourism destinations to adventure sports destinations. Hirekolale Lake, Baba Budangiri, Mulliyangiri, Ayyanakere Lake, Belavadi, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Manikyadhara Falls, Amruthapura, Horanadu, and Kemmanagundi are the important tourist places in Chikmagalur.

Mangalore airport is the nearest airport which is at a distance of 158 km from Chikmagalur. The Main railhead near Chikmagalur is Kadur (40 km) and Birur (47 km). Chikmagalur is well connected with the State-owned bus services to other major cities in the state. It has buses from Mangalore, Bangalore, and Hubli.

Accommodation options in Chikmagalur are plenty that ranges from star hotels and luxurious resorts to budget hotels. Main festivals celebrated in Chikmagalur include Ganesha Chaturthi, Deepavali, Ugadi, Dussera, and more.

The climate of Chikmagalur is pleasant all year round but the best time to visit the place is from September till March.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Average
STD Code: 08262
Languages Spoken: Kannada, English
Major Festivals: Ganesha Chatruthi (Sep), Deepavali (Nov), Ugadi (Mar), Dussera (Oct)
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Chikmagalur

By Air

Nearest Airport: Mangalore - Mangalore Airport (158 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Kadur (40 Kms)
Birur Junction (47 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Chikmagalur (0 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Chikmagalur

Adventure | Nature

#1 of 37 Places to Visit in Chikmagalur

About Mullayanagiri

At a distance of 20 km from Chikmagalur and 23 km from Baba Budangiri (by road), Mullayanagiri is a mountain peak located in Chikmagalur. With an altitude of 1950 m, it is the highest peak in Karnataka, and among the must-include places in Chikmagalur Packages. Known for its serene ambiance and nature's raw beauty, this peak is adorned with verdant grassland, rugged rocks, and a good trek path that is also quite popular among adventure enthusiasts. Mullayanagiri is also known for coffee plantations that are situated nearby.

History of Mullayanagiri

Regarded as the highest peak between the Himalayas and Nilgiris, Mullayanagiri is one of the best places for trekking in Karnataka. The peak gets its name from a small temple at the summit, which is dedicated to a Tapasvi Mullappa Swamy, who is believed to have meditated at the cave near the summit.

Mullayanagiri .....

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Pilgrimage | Adventure

#2 of 37 Places to Visit in Chikmagalur

About Baba Budangiri

At a distance of 29 km from Kemmanagundi & 36 km from Chikmagalur, Baba Budangiri is a mountain in the Baba Budan range of Chikmagalur. At an altitude of 1895 meters, Baba Budangiri is the second-highest peak in Karnataka, and among the must-include places in your Chikmagalur Tour Packages. The main peaks in the Baba Budan range are the Mulliyangiri and Baba Budangiri which are collectively known as the Chandra Drona Mountain Range as they naturally form the shape of a crescent moon. This is one of the popular Chickmagalur tourist places.

History of Baba Budangiri

Also known as Dattagiri, the mountain is named after the Muslim saint, Baba Budan who is worshiped by both Hindus and Muslims. Baba Budan was a 17th-century Sufi saint who came to India from Saudi to spread the message of Islam and peace. According to legend, he introduced .....

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Heritage

#3 of 37 Places to Visit in Chikmagalur

At a distance of 25 km from Chikmagalur, 40 km from Hassan, 154 km from Mysore, 165 km from Mangalore, and 217 km from Bangalore, Belur is a historical temple town situated in the Hassan district of Karnataka. It is one of the best heritage sites in Karnataka, and among the most famous places to visit near Mangalore.

Belur is one of the well-known Karnataka tourist places as it is home to the renowned Hoysala Temple dedicated to Lord Chennakesava. It is the best of three Hoysala temples nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Sites (the other two being the temples at Halebid & Somnathpur). The Hoysala temples are known for minute & intricate carvings and sculptures with metal-like polishing. Sri Chennakesava Temple is one of the must-visit places as part of Belur tour packages.

Among the most popular tourist places to visit near Bangalore, Belur .....

Distance (From Chikmagalur): 26 Kms
Trip Duration (From Chikmagalur - Including Travel): 4 Hours/Half Day
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Nature

#5 of 37 Places to Visit in Chikmagalur

At a distance of 11 km from Baba Budangiri, 11 km from Mullayanagiri and 18 km from Chikmagalur, Kavikal Gandi, also known as Horse Shoe Viewpoint, is a popular viewpoint in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka.

Located on Mullayanagiri - Baba Budangiri road, Kavikal Gandi is a prominent hill viewpoint in Chikmagalur region. There is a check post on the road. The horse shoe viewpoint can be easily reached by climbing up about 50 steps from this check post.

There is a small idol of Hanuman at the foot of the hill. Atop the hill, someone has recently drawn a painting of Swami Vivekananda. This hill is always windy and pleasant. From the viewpoint one can get a breathtaking view of Chandra Drona mountain range.
Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

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Backwaters

#6 of 37 Places to Visit in Chikmagalur

At a distance of 10 km from Chikmagalur & 50 km from Kemmanagundi, Hirekolale Lake is a beautiful manmade lake situated in Chikmagalur. It is one of the well-known tourist places in Chikmagalur.

Surrounded by high mountains, this beautiful lake is awe-striking for every spectator, and mustinclude places in Chikmagalur Tour Packages. This lake was built to supply water to Chikmagalur town and assist in the irrigation of lands in all the villages situated nearby.

The lake is encompassed by gorgeous surroundings and offers a serene retreat for people coming along with friends and family wishing to have a great time. It also offers the most fascinating views of the landscape during sunset and is a delight for photography lovers who are looking to add an idyllic sunset shot to their travel .....

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Waterfall

#7 of 37 Places to Visit in Chikmagalur

About Jhari Falls

At a distance of 12 km from Baba Budangiri and 23 km from Chikmagalur, Jhari Waterfalls is a beautiful waterfall situated near Attigundi in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. This is one of the popular waterfalls in Chikmagalur and among the best Chikmagalur tourist places. It appears like a thin line of water cascading down when you look at the waterfall from close quarters hence it is popularly known as Buttermilk Falls.

Height of Jhari Falls

Situated on Chickmagalur - Baba Budangiri Road, Jhari Falls is a 2 tier waterfall that is tucked within the dense forests and coffee Plantations of Western Ghats. The waterfall is created by the springs generated in the mountains. The waterfall tumbles down the natural step-like structure formed by rocks from a height of 50 to 70 m. A pool is formed by the waterfall below which allows visitors to swim and play in the water. If you .....

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Backwaters

#8 of 37 Places to Visit in Chikmagalur

At a distance of 5 km from Sakharayapatna, 63 km from Chikmagalur and 25 km from Chikmagalur, Ayyanakere Lake is an ancient lake situated at the eastern base of Baba Budan Range hills. This is the biggest lake in the Chikmagalur district and the second largest lake in Karnataka. Ayyanakere is also called as Dodda Magoda Kere and it is surrounded by beautiful hills. It is one of the prime places to visit in Chikmagalur.

Ayyanakere Lake is one of the important places to visit during your Chikmagalur Tour. This lake believed to have been constructed by Rukmangada Raya, a ruler of Sakharayapatna. It was renovated in 1156 AD during Hoysala's rule. The sprawling lake was built to supply water for was agriculture. It supplies water for irrigating 21,560 hectares of land in the region.

Ayyanakere .....

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Nature

#13 of 37 Places to Visit in Chikmagalur

At a distance of 1 km from Chikmagalur Bus Stand, the Coffee Plantation tour is one of the top things to do in Chikmagalur. Chikmagalur is also one of the most popular tourist places to visit near Bangalore as part of Karnataka tour packages.

Famous for coffee plantations and a beautiful span of greenery and hills, Chikmagalur attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world for a splendid holiday getaway. The cascading waterfalls, grasslands, wildlife sanctuaries, and high peaks are some of the most amazing attractions in Chikmagalur that will surely attract your attention. Besides, the coffee plantation walk is one of the famous activities that lure many tourists where you can explore the beauty of dense coffee estates and gain knowledge about the process of growing coffee.

The Plantation walks are considered to be one of the most popular things to do in Coorg. The tour provides you an .....

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Museum

#14 of 37 Places to Visit in Chikmagalur

At a distance of 6 km from Chikmagalur Bus Stand, Coffee Museum is a museum situated at Dasarahalli locality of Chikmagalur, Karnataka. It is one of the must include places in Chikmagalur tour packages.

An initiative of the Coffee Board of India, the Coffee Museum is a unique repertoire of the coffee business, right from growing to the brewing of the beans. Also known as Coffee Yatra Museum, the museum was built to create a thematic display of the coffee history, processes like picking, drying, and grinding along with the different varieties. Starting from the origin to the growth of coffee, the museum covers everything and hence can be said to be an educational as well as a relaxing recreational tour that takes you on a journey through the Indian coffee world!

The museum offers one of the best coffee descriptions in the world as it provides an excellent documentary about the origin and the growth of coffee in the region. One entire floor is dedicated to a gallery which showcases .....

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Wildlife

#4 of 37 Places to Visit in Chikmagalur

At a distance of 12 km from Mallandur village, and 39 km from Chikmagalur, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area and a tiger reserve, situated amidst the Western Ghats in Chikmagalur and Shimoga districts of Karnataka. It is one of the most popular Wildlife Sanctuaries in Karnataka, and among the must-visit places as part of Chikmagalur Tour Packages.

Spread over an area of 490 sq. km, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is also known as Muthodi Wildlife Sanctuary. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Chikmagalur. The region was declared as a natural reserve, known as the Jagara Valley Game Reserve, in 1951 by the Government of Mysore. In 1974, the reserve was named the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sanctuary boasts of a substantial tiger .....

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Top 5 Chikmagalur Packages