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Explore Chikmagalur beyond coffee, with equal amounts of thrill and tranquillity
Coffee! Yes, we get it. It’s the first thing that comes to mind when someone so much as mentions Chikmagalur in passing. The respect is rightly earned. The smashing cup of coffee that has you running on all twos (instead of fours after waking up) probably originated in the prolific plantations of Chikmagalur. Yet, the city is more than just coffee.
This quaint little city and the nearby regions have a few neat travel tricks up their sleeves. Whether it’s a relaxed or an adventurous vacation, Chikmagalur, known officially as Chikkamagaluru, is every traveller’s delight. Waterfalls, trekking, thrilling safaris, and camping beneath the sparkling stars are other stimulating experiences Chikmagalur has to offer. Did we say it has coffee?
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It is believed that the great Adi Shankaracharya came to Sringeri to teach his disciples and stayed for 12 years after falling in love with the place. Today, the site is regarded as the first among the four peethas (centres).
Sri Vidyashankara Temple was built entirely from stone in the 14th century. The Hoysala and Dravidian style architecture of the temple is impressive. The Sri Sharadamba Temple here is associated with music, arts, knowledge, and wisdom. It is an immersive mix of philosophy, spirituality, and architecture you should not miss.
Pro Tip: Watch out for the 12-pillar architectural marvel. Each pillar represents a zodiac sign and is lit up by the rays of the sun in the order of the solar months.
Not everything has to be rushed. Sometimes, slowing down and shedding the garb of a typical tourist helps. Chikmagalur is perhaps one of the best places to experience this.
An idyllic lakeside picnic is one of the best ways to spend time. The lush green hills surrounding the placid waters make it even more scenic. Lose yourself in timeless joy!
Pro Tip: Head to Ayyanakere Lake and Hirekolale Lake with a picnic basket. Grab a camera, and maybe a frisbee.
Chikmagalur is Waiting!
A trip to Chikmagalur without hearing the word 'coffee' a few hundred times is like a Tarantino movie without shootouts. The city is a coffee paradise and its coffee culture will spill all over you. Even if you aren’t a coffee lover, you will be by the time you’ve had your last mug here.
At Chikmagalur, you can amble through sprawling coffee plantations or relax in a hammock with a book. Switch off and do nothing or engage in an aimless chat amidst a thousand shades of green. This defines Chikmagalur! Occasional animal sightings and spotting of uncommon birds will keep you occupied. This will add more kick to your coffee journey.
Pro Tip: Visit the iconic Coffee Museum to get a first-hand experience of coffee-making. You'll be taken through the origins of coffee beans, brewing, and everything in between. The museum is open from 10 am to 7 pm, Monday through Friday.
If imagine Chikmagalur as a place to just relax and put your feet up, hold your horses. Chikmagalur is fully capable of adding adventurous twists to your holiday.
Now let those horses go wild and free like the white water rapids of the Bhadra river as you navigate your raft. If you need to row solo, the Bhadra Dam nearby offers kayaking. Your adventures here will be a rejuvenating experience. The backdrop of the rolling hills and water will be an added incentive. Come, pick your adrenaline booster!
Pro Tip: Carry an extra set of clothes and a towel. The average cost of rafting is between INR 1,800-3,500. Kayaking will cost you around INR 500. Both sports are undertaken with proper safety protocols in place.
Chikmagalur is the starting point to many places rich in natural beauty best explored on foot.
The Kudremukh trek will take you through the geographical boundaries of the Kudremukh National Park. This 10-kilometre trek brings thick forests, open grasslands, and splendid wildlife into one proverbial frame. Your physical prowess will be tested, but you will also be rewarded with sights beyond words.
Pro Tip: Kudremukh Peak, at 6,214 ft, is the second-highest peak in Karnataka. Remember to take permission from the local forest authority before visiting.
Place a bet with your golf buddies for the first birdie at the Chikmagalur Golf Club. This club is easily one of the prettiest golf clubs in India, with the beautiful Western Ghats in the background.
Even if you are a novice golfer, the prospects of a hole-in-one will be impossible to resist. That’s not all. If you stay a night or two and play a few extended rounds, this 18-hole golf course also offers accommodation, dining, and a bar and lounge. Talk about a win-win!
Pro Tip: Aim for an extended stay and carry a pair of binoculars for bird-watching. The Chikmagalur Golf Club is merely a 10-minute drive from the city centre.
Away from the sights, lights, and sounds of the city lies the Baba Budangiri Mountain Range. Intrigue, piety, and thrills of untold stories from bygone years await you inside the three caves here.
Three Sufi saints are believed to have been buried in the Baba Budangiri caves and were also a shelter for Sri Guru Dattatreya Baba Budan Swamy. Hence, the shrine here is a unique place of worship for Hindus and Muslims alike.
There is something about the joys of camping that even the most lavish hotels cannot match. Thankfully, Chikmagalur hosts plenty of picturesque campsites to make your stay in the region memorable.
You can pitch your tent at the dedicated sites or rent it from agencies. Enjoy the fresh air, starry skies, bonfire stories, barbequed food, and peace amid the sounds of the wild.
Pro Tip: If you’re an amateur camper, opt for professional campsites to avoid the hassles of carrying heavy equipment. If you’re a pro, you know what to do.
I bathed in buttermilk while tripping across Chikmagalur.' How is this for a conversation starter? If you’re keen on seeing puzzled faces and getting your jollies out of it, take a dip in the plunge pool of Jhari Falls, also called Buttermilk Falls. Admiring it from a safer and drier place is also thrilling.
Jhari Falls is about 22 km from Chikmagalur. The exhilarating jeep ride to the waterfall will take you through dense forests and coffee plantations. So will the jeep rides to Hebbe, Kalhatti, and Hanumana Gundi Falls, which are about 2-3 hours away from Chikmagalur.
Pro Tip: Avoid the slippery rocks near the falls. Carry a towel and spare clothes if you plan on taking a dip.
If the call of the jungle and tiger trails is too tempting, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary will dial up the wild in no time. The sanctuary is also called Muthodi Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a Project Tiger Reserve and is home to over 30 tigers. This means that the probability of sighting more than one is high.
However, its wild assets are not limited to tigers. You are sure to cross paths with leopards, elephants, wild boars, sloth bears, many reptiles, and over 250 species of birds. There are plenty of state-run jungle resorts and lodges in the vicinity.
Pro Tip: Opt for a jeep safari and refrain from making loud noises.
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