Nestled in the southwestern part of the Karnataka region, Chikmagalur is one of the most serene places to explore. With the long weekend around, you can have a perfect getaway if you visit this place. The name Chikmagalur, if translated to English means young daughter’s town. It is also known as the Land of Coffee. So if you are a coffee lover, then you will love visiting various coffee estates here. Here is a full guide on how you can reach Chikmagalur from Chennai and the places you can explore there.
How To Reach?
The distance between Chikmagalur and Chennai is 596 km via road. You can take a car, train or bus. Chikmagalur has its railway station, but there are no direct trains between these stations. Birur is 50 kilometres away from Chikmagalur. The small town doesn’t have an airport and the nearest airport is Mangaluru. You can hire a cab to reach the final destination.
Places To Explore
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
Spread across an area of 429 sq km, the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is home to more than 120 species of trees, 56 exotic butterflies species, and more than 300 species of birds. You can witness Malabar parakeets, ruby-throated bulbul, leopards, crocodiles and many more. Don’t forget to carry binoculars. There are no entry fees as such, but the fee for a jeep safari is Rs 400 per person for Indian nationals and Rs 1,200 per person for foreign nationals. The bus safari costs around RS 300 per person.
Hebbe Waterfalls
River Bhadra drops in two stages at Hebbe waterfall — one is called Dodda Hebbe (big falls) and another is called Chikka Hebbe (small falls). It is surrounded by greenery and a little trek. It is said that the waterfall contains exotic herbs with medicinal qualities. There is no entry fee to the waterfall.
Mullayanagiri Peak
One of the most popular destinations of Chikmagalur is nestled in the lap of nature in Mullayanagiri. The weather and temperature here is pleasant and calming. You have to trek to reach the top of the peak. You can visit the peak between 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Coffee Estate Tour
Chikmagalur is famous for its coffee and it is the first place in India where coffee was cultivated. During your trip, you can take a tour of these estates, which are filled with the strong aroma of coffee and you can get the knowledge of how it is processed.
Horanadu Temple
Horanadu Temple in Chikmagalur is dedicated to the Goddess Annapoorneshwari. The temple was built in the 8th century. The majestic architecture and detailed designs are carved on the walls. Locals believe that with the blessings bestowed by the Goddess Annapoorneshwari, one will never go empty stomach ever again.
