Chikmagalur is another place which is a top coffee producer after Coorg in Karnataka. A weekend dedicated to Chikmagalur sightseeing can reward you with varied landscapes and significant sites dating back to different eras. It is blessed with pleasant and heart-warming climate throughout the year which makes it a ‘must-see’ hill town in the state of Karnataka. Therefore, when you are choosing the best deal among the numerous Chikmagalur sightseeing packages, the weather is not a parameter to be worried about. Chikamagalur is an enchanting coffee town set at a height of 3400 feet above sea level. It is situated at a distance of 148 KM from Mangalore and 178 KM from Mysore. Sightseeing tour in Chikmagalur includes trek destinations like Mullayanagiri Hill, Bababudangiri also known as Chandra Drona Parvatha, Z point, and Ballalarayana Durga Hill. It is believed to be a land of coffee and waterfalls- the very famous of which are Hebbe Falls, and Kalhatti Falls, these stunning beauties will cast a spell on you.
Partake on a challenging trek of Kodachadri Hills in Shimoga district which requires close to two days of climbing and descending. Kodachadri hill is the 10th highest peak in Karnataka which is crowned at an elevation of 1343 M. While you make your way up to the stunning hilltop, you will be greeted with a number of magnificent sites such as the gorgeous Hidlumane Waterfalls and the historical Shivappa Naika's Fort at Niagara. The hilltop is famous for the orange magical streaks in the sky post-sunset and people from around Karnataka make sure to witness the surreal sunset from this hilltop. Chikmagalur sightseeing packages mostly include Kudremukh National Park which is also a UNESCO heritage site, the verdant grasslands of the Mullayanagiri Peak, the streams, waterfalls, and springs of Kemmangundi hill station which is home to Mullayanagiri peak etc.
Inam Dattatreya Peetha which is located at Baba Budan Giri Hills and is considered one of the sacred sites in Karnataka also registers itself in sightseeing tour in Chikmagalur along with Sharadamba Temple which holds a great significance in the lives of the locals. It is dedicated to Goddess Sharada Parameshwari with a Dravidian style architecture. On your trek to Kudremukh, you can also take a tour of Varaha Parvata which is located right next to Kudremukh at an elevation of 1458 meters above sea level. It is another UNESCO world heritage site in Chikmagalur.
The three main rivers of the valley Tunga, Bhadra and Netravati flow originates at Varaha Parvata which is also known as Gangamoola Hill. It also gives the onlooker a chance to glance at the Hanuman Gundi waterfall and Kodambi falls which are very close to the National Highway 66. Embark on a trip of about two hours to this beautiful hamlet named Kudremukh and trek the rugged and rejuvenating trails of the region until you reach the topmost point of Kudremukh. This green retreat is peace to the eyes and heart. It is recognized as a horse-faced peak which is nestled amid forested environs and is spread over an area of 600 sq km.
Quite near to Kudremukh lies the Bhadra River which is around 45 Km from Chikmagalur and is a mandate addition in the Chikmagalur sightseeing list. It is known to very few that one can indulge in an exhilarating rafting session in the Bhadra River. Bhadra River is a part of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary and is poured by several tributaries on the western ghats like Thadabehalla, Somavahini, and Odirayanahalla. Irrespective of the time, this land of coffee is blessed with scenic landscapes of tempting streams, verdant hills, groovy thickets and gurgling rivulets.
A well-crafted Chikmagalur tour dedicated to the natural beauty of Chikmagalur will take you to the cascading wonders of the region, the magnificent waterfalls such as Honnmanalla Falls, Datapeta Manikyadhara Falls and Kavikal Anndi Zari Falls promise to take your breath away. For an enthralling wildlife escape in Chikmagalur, head to the sprawling campus of 490 sq. km where Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is situated. There are myriads of things to spend an indulgent holiday at Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, right from the water sports like river rafting and kayaking to the strenuous rock climbing and trekking coupled with camping and bird watching. Around 3.5 km long trek and a nature trail leading to Tavarekere where one finds a fascinating watering hole can be a part of this wildlife tour. Apart from all the above, if you want to spot tigers then look nowhere else than Doddahadlu and Chandanahadlu, one can also visit Melgiri and Kesarhalla for heart-warming panoramas.
While you are in Chikmagalur, plan on taking some fine quality coffee beans and berries back home. To collect an assorted range of coffee beans, powder, and berries, move to the National Coffee Research Center. The local food items namely Akki Roti, Kakadu, and Nendran chips etc. are a part of Malnad cuisine and the staple food of Chikmagalur is mostly prepared based on coconut and spices. Spicy Fish curry and rice is something that is prepared in every household and you can devour on some of this authentic smackingly tasty food on your Chikmagalur sightseeing tour. Chikmagalur is a land of sheer unending beauty and no matter how many sightseeing points you cover on your sojourn here, you will always miss on a lot and will never have enough.
