Chikmagalur, India Reviews and Ratings

Like Coorg it's a city of plantations but somehow seems to have escaped the hype. It's 260km from Bangalore and the roads are very good. Head out via Tumkur road to NH4 towards Pune (Leave early because this road gets jammed). Turn left off NH4 on to NH48 towards Hassan near Neelamangala. At Hassan fork off to Belur and cross Belur to reach Chikmagalur. The road from Belur to Chikmagalur is a fresh road and a absolute dream to ride on. The home stay concept is not as developed as Coorg so there are fewer options for budget travel. We stayed at Nature Craft homestay (Ansar - +91-9972161237) which is run by a very hospitable muslim family. Cost was 950 per head/day including 3 meals for big clean rooms. At Chikmagalur there's a few spots that you must visit. The highest peak in Karnataka Mulyangiri is 20km from Chikmagalur. Your vehicle will take you almost to the top and then it's a short hike to the tip of the mountain. The peak just pops up in the middle of the plains and there are stunning views of the plains once you get up to the top. Then there's Bababudangiri which is a holy shrine for both hindus and muslims. If you go further down from the shrine there's another great view point with fantastic views of the valley. There's also a minor but holy waterfall here where tradition says you have to have a bath and then leave behind the clothes you had a bath in there! As a result the falls are strewn with old tattered clothes. Not a very pleasant sight. Moving on from Bababudangiri I suggest you take the old road to Kemmanagundi. It's around 30kms and the road is nothing but moon craters but it's a very scenic route. About 8km before you reach Kemmanagundi there will be a diversion for Hebbe Falls. These are very impressive but the road is in bad state and fit for 4x4's only. There are jeeps you can hire to take you there. If you go post monsoon like I did be prepared for leeches! :-) Did not see much in Kemmanagundi. Apparently it's just one hill.