Coffee-growing hill town in the Western Ghats, near Karnataka's highest peak, Mullayanagiri.
FamousHill-stationTrekWaterfallWildlife
Chikmagalur sits among coffee estates in the Malnad hills and is a base for short treks, viewpoints and waterfalls. It suits couples, families and first-time trekkers who want cool weather and plantation scenery within a day's road trip of Bengaluru. Wildlife fans can add a jeep safari in Bhadra Tiger Reserve.
Trip planner
Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| September to March | The main season. Clear to misty days suit sightseeing, treks and estate walks; December and January are the favoured trekking months, and December to February is the coffee harvest. |
| March to May | Warm and dry. Fine for sightseeing, though waterfalls run thin. |
| June to September | Monsoon, with heavy rain peaking in August. Hills turn green and falls are full, but fog and rain can limit outdoor plans. Rafting on the Bhadra is offered roughly June to October. |
Karnataka's highest peak at about 1,930 m, with a small temple on top. From the Sarpadhari trailhead it is a 3 to 4 km walk, ending in roughly 400 to 500 stone steps.
A hill shrine revered by both Hindus and Muslims, linked to Baba Budan, who is credited with bringing coffee to the region. It also has caves and viewpoints.
A waterfall inside a gated coffee estate on the Baba Budangiri side. Best seen in the morning and strongest in the monsoon.
A quiet reservoir with hill views close to town, popular around sunset.
A hill station at about 4,500 ft, once a summer retreat of the Mysore Maharaja, with a horticulture garden. A 3 km walk from the Raj Bhavan passes Shanti Falls and ends at the Z Point viewpoint.
A 168 m waterfall in two tiers in forest near Kemmangundi, reached by a 4x4 jeep ride or a walk through plantations. Best from August to January.
A small museum run by the Coffee Board of India on coffee growing and processing, behind the Zilla Panchayat office in town.
Part of Bhadra Tiger Reserve, about 500 sq km, with elephants, gaur and over 250 bird species. Jeep safaris run in the morning and late afternoon; booking ahead is advised.
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| Budget level | Type | Price per night |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Budget hotels and hostels in town | ₹800 to ₹1,800 |
| Mid-range | Coffee estate homestays and mid-range hotels | ₹2,500 to ₹5,000 |
| Luxury | Plantation resorts | ₹8,000 to ₹20,000 |
Malnad-style home cooking with rice, lentils, vegetables and coconut is served at estate stays and local eateries; fresh filter coffee is everywhere.
Vegetarian meals are part of the local cuisine, and the Horanadu and Sringeri temples serve free meals to devotees.
| Budget level | Stay per room | Food per person | Local transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹1,200 | ₹400 | ₹150 per person |
| Mid-range | ₹3,500 | ₹900 | ₹2,500 per vehicle |
| Luxury | ₹12,000 | ₹2,500 | ₹3,500 per vehicle |
Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.
No permits are needed for the main sights. Book Bhadra jeep safaris in advance.
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Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.
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