Often referred to as the coffee land of Karnataka, Chikmagalur is surely an astonishing place to be at. It is visited by a lot of people every year and the beauty of its location makes the entire place even more of a gem. To be precise, Chikmagalur is situated at the foothills of the Mullayanagiri range. Not just this, Chikmagalur is also one of the finest hill stations in Karnataka.
Additionally, Chikmagalur is considered to be a heaven for adventure seekers too. There is a huge list of amazing things that can be done here in Chikmagalur. Needless to say, some of them are heart throbbing and relentless.
Here we present a list of things to do in Chikmagalur
1. Camping trip
Hill Stations and camping are two integral things. They are inseparable and also must try. If you are fond of living in the wild under the sheet of stars, then camping is going to be one of the best things to do in Chikmagalur. You can enjoy this activity in the forest or the mountain range. There are several camping service providers like:
- Bhadra Nature Camp
- My Camp India
- Campers Retreat
- Camp Alpha
These are the leading camping service providers and you can enjoy the thrill at any of these places.
2. Mountain hike or trek
Another very popular and amazing thing to do in Chikmagalur is the mountain hike. People of all age groups love taking hikes. And one of the best places to go for a trek is to the Z Point peak which is located in Kemmangundi. If you are one of those who love trekking then Chikmagalur is still going to rock you because there are multiple trekking trails too. You can opt for any of these:
- Kemmangundi Trek
- Sakleshpur Railway Trek
- Kurinjal Trek
- Kumara Parvatha trek
- Agumbe Ghat
- Kudremukh trek
Some of these treks are in Chikmagalur and some around the hill station. But you will enjoy each of them without a doubt.
3. Wildlife spotting
Important facts about Kudremukh National Park | |
Location | 20 km from Kailasa in the Chikkamagaluru district |
Visiting Hours | 10 am to 5 pm (Monday to Sunday) |
Trekking timings | 6 am to 5 pm (Monday to Sunday) |
Entry Fee | For Indians- 200 INR
For Foreigners- 1000 INR |
Activities to enjoy in the national park |
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Best time to visit the national park | October to May |
Important facts about Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary | |
Location | Behind Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tarikere, Lakkavalli, Karnataka |
Safari timings | 6:30 am to 8:30 am and 4 pm to 6 pm (Monday to Sunday) |
Entry Fee | Jeep safari: 6 people jeep- 400 INR per person
Canter or bus- 25 people capacity- 300 INR per person |
Best time to visit the park | October to May |
Why should you definitely visit here |
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Chikmagalur is blessed with a few national parks around, including Kudremukh National Park and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. These are the best places where you can see many species of animals, reptiles, birds, and insects. You can visit here and take a Safari inside the wildlife sanctuary and national park with your family or friends. If you are a wildlife enthusiast or a bird watcher; the time spent in the national park will be immensely enjoyable.
Also make a note that Bandra wildlife sanctuary is one of the four national parks and sanctuaries where you can spot a black panther. This is a very rare species of wild cat but you can spot it here if you are lucky.
4. Coffee estate homestay
Already we have established in the very first line that Chikmagalur is the coffee destination in Karnataka. There are several coffee estates that can be visited and noticed throughout the hill station and even around. And if you want to take this feeling to a different level, you can book your overnight stay in a plantation homestay. Yes, that’s possible. Here are some options where you can stay to get this feeling:
- Plantation Resort
- Nature Craft Homestay
- Shanthi Kunnj Homestay
- Clover Leaf Homestay
You can have a look at these amazing coffee estate Homestays and enjoy your time around.
5. Kudremukh nature visit
If you didn’t know, the beauty of Kudremukh National Park has left a lot of people astonished and it is a natural retreat for a lot of people. A lot of people visit here during their trip and spend quite some time here. Especially those who are on their rejuvenating trip visit here. So, if you want to spend some time staying close to nature then this place can serve you right. Nature lovers will have a great time at the Kudremukh nature parks and gardens because they can spot a lot of different species of flowers and plants. This is what people love about Chikmagalur amongst the other things; its natural beauty, isn’t it? Nature lovers will have a great time at the Kudremukh nature parks and gardens because they can spot a lot of different species of flowers and plants. This is what people love about Chikmagalur amongst the other things; its natural beauty, isn’t it?
6. Tea estate visit – Explore hillside tea estates
Chikmagalur is a hilly area and people can enjoy the vibes of a hill station here. This hill station city of Karnataka is also visited by people on honeymoon, families, and solo travelers. All of this is because of the amazing places one can enjoy during their trip. If you are also headed towards Chikmagalur, ensure that you do take a trip to the tea estates here. The hillside tea estates of Chikmagalur are not just beautiful but soothing too. The air here has the aroma of tea and the estates are highly peaceful. You can enjoy your time clicking photographs and enjoying the beauty of this place.
There are several tea estate managers and owners who offer tourists a complete tour of their estate. And at the end of the tour, you also get to enjoy a cup of tea. And if you liked any of those, you can simply buy them from their shops.
7. Temples visit
As we have already mentioned, Chikmagalur is one of those destinations in India where all kinds of people visit. One of them are those who love visiting religious places and they go on pilgrimage too. This way they get a lot of amusement and a chance to offer their prayers to the Lord. If you too are visiting Chikmagalur you can try and visit these amazing temples that are present at the hill station. Here are some temples of Chikmagalur:
- Amruteshwar Temple
- Sringeri Sharada Peeth Temple
- Sri Parsawanath Tirthankara Jain Temple
- Sharadamba Temple
- Vidyasankara Temple
- Kodanda Ramaswamy Temple (Shree Kodandaramachandra Swamy Temple)
8. See ancient Hindu culture at Halebidu
So now when you are visiting Chikmagalur on your next trip; there is not always peace and serenity people think about. If you are one of those, then book or hire a cab to Halebidu. It is approximately 35 km from Chikmagalur and is among the finest destinations to visit around here. Amongst the other things to do with friends in Chikmagalur, this one is quite dominant and you will surely love it. This entire place is renowned for its ancient temples and one of the famous amongst them is Hoysaleswara and Kedareshwara Temples.
9. Get a spa massage or scrub
Have you planned to enjoy a spa massage or scrub on your visit to Chikmagalur? Isn’t it one of the unique things to do in Chikmagalur? Still, over the past few years, there are multiple visitors who get this done in the serene and calming environment of the hills. Chikmagalur is a phenomenal destination where you get the services of multiple types of spas including Ayurvedic Spa, Swedish Massage, as well as hot stone massage.
10. Drive through the scenic Charmadi Ghat
Imagine driving through the scenic beauty of the Ghats and you are driving a car or riding a bike with your partner or the entire family. The weather is balmy and you are enjoying every bit of it. Isn’t that wonderful? Charmadi Ghat is one place that offers you the picture just imagined. While you explore the entire place, there are small and big waterfalls every now and then, delightful sights to watch, and nature at its best.
Conclusion
Chikmagalur might be a small hill station or town, but it has all the power to make you feel amused. It is one place where people love spending time without a doubt. Also, Chikmagalur is one of those destinations where people enjoy their time solo, as a couple, or with family. So, why don’t you try exploring this place next time you make a plan.
See Also: Things to do in Coorg