Chikmagalur Itinerary For 3 Days – 72 Hours In Chikmagalur

Located 241 KM or a 4-hour drive from Bangalore, Chikmagalur is a beautiful hill station in the Karnataka state of India. This beautiful hill station is also known as the Coffee Land Of Karnataka. With its pleasant weather, beautiful mountain ranges, amazing waterfalls, lakes, coffee plantations and ancient temples, Chikmagalur attracts tourists from all around. In this comprehensive Chikmagalur itinerary, we will take you on a journey through the exciting journey of Baba Budangiri, Mullayanagiri Peak, Z Point, Hebbe Falls, Jhari Falls, Kudremukh, Bhadra wildlife sanctuary, river rafting, and hidden gems of this captivating destination.

Whether you’re seeking tranquility, thrilling adventures, or a rendezvous with nature, Chikmagalur has something for everyone. Join us as we unravel the beauty, adventure, and serenity that await you in Chikmagalur. Let the journey begin!

Best Time To Visit

September to May is the best time to visit Chikmagalur. During these months the climate stay pleasant with avg temperature of 14 to 35 degree Celsius. Also, the cool breeze through the mountains makes the weather perfect for sightseeing and adventurous activities like trekking, hiking, rafting and biking. The winter season (September to February) is perfect for activities like trekking & hiking and summer (March to May) is best for exploring the top tourist attractions of Chikmagalur.

How To Reach

In the last couple of years, Chikmagalur becomes a hotspot among travelers. Therefore, Chikmagalur has excellent connectivity via road and railway. And if you’re coming from other parts of the country then Mangalore has the nearest airport around 150 KM away from Chikmagalur.

Chikmagalur Itinerary For 3 Days

Day 1:

• Start Your Day Early in the morning
• Z Point – 2 to 3 hours
• Hebbe Falls – 2 hour
• Coffee Plantation
• Kodanda Rama temple

Day 2:

• Start your day by seeking blessing at Veera Narayana Temple in Belavadi
• Mullayanagiri Peak – 2 hours
• Jhari Waterfalls – 2 hours
• Baba Budangiri 2 hours
• Manikyadhara Falls – 2 hours

Day 3:

• Rafting in Bhadra River
• Enjoy the Sunset at Hirekolale Lake

Day 1 In Chikmagalur:

1. Z Point, Kemmanagundi (58 KM)

• Start your trip early in the morning around 5 PM as in the afternoon the way to Z point gets overcrowded with lots of cars and bikes.
• You would need around 1 hour to reach the starting point of Z point from Chikmagalur.
• This is the perfect time to enjoy the stunning sunrise at top of the point.
• Try to pack your breakfast.

Z Point is one of the best short treks in Karnataka that is famous for offering amazing views of the Western Ghats. Located 57 KM away from Chikmagalur, Z Point is one of the best places to visit on your 2 day trip to Chikmagalur. To reach the top of the point you need to cover a 3 KM trek that traverses through the thick forest, steep hills, beautiful waterfalls, wonderful views and refreshing breeze. While going towards the point don’t forget to stop at Shanti Falls which is located around 1.5 KM from the starting point of the trek.

Trip Duration – 2 to 3 hours

After completing the trek eat your packed breakfast and leave for Hebbe falls.

2. Hebbe Falls (66 KM)

After admiring the beauty of Z Point, let’s head up to Hebbe Falls which is located around 8 KM from the Z Point. Situated amidst the dense forest and high mountain peaks, Hebbe Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Karnataka. The journey to the waterfall makes it more beautiful as the way is surrounded by dense forest and coffee plantations. To reach there you need to take a jeep from the forest counter that charges around 3200 INR per jeep (6 to 8 people) including return. After covering the 13 KM by jeep you need to take the short trail of 1 KM to reach the bottom of the Hebbe Fall.

Don’t forget to take bath in the water of Hebbe Falls as the water comes through the mountain then it is believed that water is infused with medical herbs offering healing qualities for skin diseases.

Trip Duration – You must spend 2 to 3 hours enjoying this natural wonder at its best.

You can explore both Z Point and Hebbe Falls before 12 PM in the afternoon. If you get more time then you can also explore the Kalhatti Falls which is located 14 KM from Hebbe Falls. Now, after exploring these places have lunch and move back to Chikmagalur to explore Coffee Plantation.

3. Coffee Plantation

After enjoying the beauty of Z point and Hebbe fall now it’s time to explore the Coffee plantation of Chikmagalur – The Coffee Land of India. Wandering in these Coffee Plantations is going to be the best part of your 2 days trip. There are many local coffee estates where you can go and witness some of the freshest coffee being planted and brewed. As you enter the coffee plantation you will be greeted by the sweet aroma of coffee beans. You’ll find many locals harvesting coffee beans. You can also try to harvest the coffee beans. These coffee plantations is heaven for coffee lovers.

• Top coffee estates in Chikmagalur – Taj Garden for Panduranga coffee, Arabic coffee available in Eagle Eye, Jungle Greens for Vanilla Coffee, Woodway estates for Blended Coffee and Riverwoods for Mysore Coffee.
• Pro Trip – Try to stay in these homestays and resorts to enjoy the coffee plantation. There are many coffee plantation homestays in Chikmagalur that keep organizing tours and activities in which they give brief about history and the process behind making the coffee powder.  
• Trip Duration – 3 Hours

4. Kodanda Rama temple (3.5 KM)

After enjoying all the natural beauty now it’s time to go to Kodanda Rama temple where you can seek some peace for your soul. Located 3.5 KM away from Chikmagalur at the Sampangi Rama Nagar of Hiremagalur, the Kodanda Rama temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. It is one of the most ancient temples of Lord Rama where the idol of Goddess Sita is placed at the right-hand side of Lord Rama.

According to the legends, this is the place where Lord Parshurama requested Rama to show the scene of his marriage. And due to that Sita is placed at the right side of Rama and Lakshmana to his left. This temple is also famous for its amazing Dravidian-style architecture. In the complex of the temple, you can see many idols of Lord Hanuman, Ram, Laxman, Yoga Narasimha, Kalinga, and Mardhana Krishna. Since it is located near the main town then you can visit it any day of the trip.

• How to reach: You can easily get a bus, taxi or cab from the main town to the temple.

Day 2 In Chikmagalur:

5. Veera Narayana Temple in Belavadi (29 KM)

Start your day with the blessing of Lord Vishnu at Veera Narayana temple of Belavadi. Located just 29 KM from Chikmagalur, the Veera Narayana temple was built in the 13th century by the Hoysala empire. The temple is situated in Belavadi town which is mentioned in the Hindu epic of Mahabharata. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Krishna and Venugopala. The Indian architecture is the main highlight of this temple especially the design of the idol of Lord Krishna is wonderful. There are 108 pillars in the sanctum and each of them is carved beautifully. Surely, with its design, peace and surroundings it is a must-visit place when you’re in Chikmagalur.

• Trip to duration – 1 to 2 hours
• How to reach – You can easily get a bus to taxi to reach up there.

6. Mullayanagiri Peak (20 KM)

After seeking the blessing of Lord Vishnu now it’s time to head up to the highest peak of Karnataka, Mullayanagiri Peak. Located 20 KM from Chikmagalur, Mullayanagiri Peak is situated at a height of 6317 feet. After parking your vehicle you need to climb around 550 steps to reach the top of the peak. There is a temple of Lord Shiva at the top of Mullayanagiri Peak. At the top, you’ll get amazing views of the Western Ghat ranges. Therefore, there you can capture some Instagrammable clicks.

• Trip Duration – 2 hours would be enough to enjoy the beauty of this peak.
• Pro tip – Try to come early in the morning to capture the amazing sunrise.

7. Jhari or Buttermilk Waterfalls (22 KM)

After the Mullayanagiri peak now it’s time to visit another famous waterfall of Chikmagalur, Jhari Falls. Located 11 KM from the Mullayangiri peak, Jhari Falls is surrounded by coffee plantations and dense forest. After reaching the entry point you need to hire a jeep that charges you around 700 INR per jeep (max of 6 people) including return. The 4 KM jeep ride to the fall is full of scenic views and adventure as the road condition is not so good. After reaching there you can easily spend an hour with the soothing sound of falling water and amazing views.

Trip duration – 2 hours

8. Baba Budangiri Hill (33 KM)

Now it’s time to explore the Baba Budangiri mountain which is famous for its shrine of Baba Budan, a pilgrimage spot for Hindus and Muslims. There you can visit three caves with buried Siddhas. Also, this is the place where Baba Budan brought 7 Coffee beans from Yemen and planted the coffee for the first time in this region.

4KM to the left there is a lake named Galikere Lake where you can get clear water with beautiful views. And 4KM to the right of the parking area there is place Gali Gopura where you can experience the freezing winds.

Trip Duration – 2 hours

9. Manikyadhara Falls (33 KM)

After exploring Baba Budan Giri, you can trek to Manikyadhara waterfalls. This 30 feet high waterfall is an amazing place to capture the amazing beauty of the Western Ghats. Located 7 KM from Baba Budangiri Dattatreya Peetha, Manikyadhara is the best place to visit when you’re in Chikmagalur. It is considered a holy site for both Hindus and Muslims. There you can find lots of shops around the waterfall selling herbs and medicine. The best thing about this fall is that it doesn’t get drained even in summer.

Day 3 In Chikmagalur

10. Rafting in Bhadra River

Start your day 3 in Chikmagalur by rafting in the Bhadra River. Chikmagalur is heaven for adventure seekers and rafting is one of the most famous activities among adventure lovers. And the clear crystal water of the Bhadra River is best for rafting in Chikmagalur. The river originates from the Kudremukh in the western ghats and flows through the southern part of the Deccan Plateau.

The 8 KM stretch of rafting with 4 to 4 rapids of class 3 and above would excite any adventure lover. You need to work hard as a team to cross this 8 KM stretch of rapids and it would take around 1 and half hours.

Floating in the boat with your friends with the scenic splendor of the western ghats and Bhadra wildlife sanctuary will make your experience memorable.

• Best time for rafting – June to August
• Cost of rafting – 1800 to 3000 INR depending on the season

11. Hirekolale Lake

Now after the amazing experience of rafting, it’s time to enjoy one of the best sunsets of Chikmagalur at Hirekolale Lake. Situated just 9 KM from Chikmagalur, Hirekolale lake is a man-made lake. It is the main source of drinking water for Chikmagalur and other nearby towns.

Surrounded by the lush green mountains, this lake offers stunning views of the sunrise & sunset. These scenic views would excite any photographers so be ready with your camera. And don’t forget to capture the sunset shot.

Away from the crowd of the main town, this lake is perfect to enjoy quality time with family and friends. And the drive from Chikmagalur to this lake would be an amazing experience.

Where To Stay In Chikmagalur

Chikmagalur has no dearth of places to stay. From luxury resorts to budget hotels, comfortable homestays to friendly hostels and riverside camps to coffee estate homestays, Chikmagalur has various staying options. And here we listed we top 3 hotels in Chikmagalur which you must check –

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Chikmagalur Travel Tips

• Chikmagalur and other nearby regions are blessed with lots of attractions. So, to avoid any kind of inconvenience always plan your trip. And to get the best experience follow our 3-day Chikmagalur itinerary.
• A rental bike or scooter is the best option to travel around Chikmagalur. As the taxi charges are high and sometimes they stuck in traffic too.
• Apart from remote areas like Hebbe Falls, Kudremukh and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary the network connectivity is good in Chikmagalur.
• Avoid trekking or hiking during monsoon season as the path become slippery.
• Come back to your place before getting dark as there might be chances that you get attacked by wild animals.
• Travel slowly to enjoy most of your Chikmagalur trip.
• To avoid leeches while trekking always wear full sleeves and carry salt.
• Pack light woolen and full sleeves if you’re coming here in the monsoon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How many days are enough for Chikmagalur?

2 days and 3 nights would be the ideal time to explore the major tourist attraction of Chikmagalur. On day 1 you explore the Mullayanagiri Peak, Baba Budan Giri, Jhari Falls, and Manikyadhar Falls while on the second day, you can visit the Z point, Hebbe Falls, Kalhatti Falls, Coffee plantation and Veera Narayana temple.

Q2: Which month is best to visit Chikmagalur?

Feb, March, April, May and June are the best months to enjoy Chikmagalur. The temperature varies from 15 deg to 24 deg Celsius.

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