Chikkamagaluru is coffee country. The hills here were where India's first coffee plants are said to have taken root, and today the district is a patchwork of estates, shola forests, grassland peaks and waterfalls, with Karnataka's highest summit rising just outside town. Savari Holidays provides taxis in Chikmagalur for hill sightseeing, plantation stay transfers and outstation trips to Bangalore and Mysore. Our drivers are at ease on the steep roads to Mullayanagiri and Kemmangundi, and our SUVs handle estate tracks comfortably, while sedans suit trips that stay on the main roads.
Chikmagalur's attractions sit at the end of winding hill roads, often far apart and with patchy public transport. Some, like Hebbe Falls, are reached only by jeep from a base point; others, like Mullayanagiri, have parking and access rules that change with the season and crowd levels. A driver who knows these details will save you time and help you plan around them.
This is the classic first day. The road climbs from town to Seethalayanagiri and then to the base of Mullayanagiri, at about 1,930 metres the highest point in Karnataka. A short climb leads to a small temple on top and views across the Western Ghats. The same range continues to Baba Budangiri, where a cave shrine is revered by both Hindus and Muslims and the legend says coffee seeds were first planted in India. Manikyadhara Falls and the Galikere viewpoint are along the way. Weekends and holidays can be very busy, and access arrangements on the summit road are sometimes regulated, so start early.
Kemmangundi, once the summer retreat of the Mysore royal family, has terraced gardens and the Z Point viewpoint. Hebbe Falls is nearby, reached by jeep through a coffee estate. Kalhatti Falls and the Kalhatti Veerabhadra temple sit on the road between Kemmangundi and Lakkavalli, at the edge of the Bhadra Tiger Reserve.
A longer day heads south-west to the grasslands of Kudremukh National Park, the Annapoorneshwari temple at Horanadu and the Sharada Peetham at Sringeri on the banks of the Tunga. The roads pass through dense forest and are especially scenic after the monsoon.
Hirekolale Lake, just outside Chikmagalur, is beautiful at sunset with the Mullayanagiri range behind it. Ayyanakere, a historic lake near Sakharayapatna, and the Coffee Museum run by the Coffee Board make easy half-day outings.
The Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebidu are roughly an hour from Chikmagalur. Many visitors add them on the way in or out, or as a separate day combining heritage with the coffee hills.
Many visitors stay on working plantations around Chikmagalur, Mudigere, Aldur and Kalasa. Roads to these properties can be narrow, steep or unpaved, and phone signal may be weak. When booking, share the property name, location pin and your host's contact. Our drivers will coordinate with the host, and we will suggest an SUV if the access road calls for it.
The town has a railway station with a limited number of trains, and Kadur and Birur junctions on the main line are about an hour away. The nearest airports are at Mangalore, Bengaluru and Shivamogga. We pick up from all of these and drive you straight to your stay.
For other destinations such as Mangalore, Udupi or Coorg, ask us for the best route. The fare table on this page shows one-way and round-trip options.
An Ertiga, Innova or Innova Crysta is the most practical choice for the hills, with better ground clearance for estate roads. A Swift Dzire or Toyota Etios works well for couples staying in town and visiting the main sights. Friends' groups, office teams and family reunions can book a Tempo Traveller or Force Urbania; note that the narrowest estate roads may not suit the largest vehicles.
September to March is the best period, with clear skies and cool weather; the weeks right after the monsoon bring lush green slopes and full waterfalls. Coffee blossoms appear briefly around March and April after the first showers. The southwest monsoon, from June to August, is dramatic but very wet, with slippery roads, low visibility on peaks and leeches on trails. Summer days are warm but nights stay pleasant.
Fares include fuel and driver allowance. Toll, parking and state permit are extra.
Yes. We cover Mullayanagiri and Baba Budangiri, Kemmangundi and Hebbe Falls, Kudremukh, Horanadu and Sringeri, and places close to town like Hirekolale Lake.
Yes. Share the location and host's contact when booking. We will suggest an SUV if the access road is steep or unpaved.
Our cab takes you up the hill road to the base area, followed by a short climb to the summit. Access arrangements can change on busy days, so an early start is best.
About five hours via Belur, Hassan and NH 75, depending on traffic near Bengaluru. Direct drops to the airport are available.
September to March offers the most comfortable weather. Late September and October are especially lovely, with green hills and full waterfalls after the rains.
Talk to our travel desk for a quote, extra stops or a bigger vehicle. We answer 24/7.
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