Shivamogga, also written Shimoga, is the gateway to Karnataka's Malnad: a land of rivers, rainforests and waterfalls, with Jog Falls, Agumbe and the Sharavathi backwaters all within reach. The city itself is about 285 km from Bangalore, a five to six hour drive via Tumakuru and NH 206. Our Bangalore to Shivamogga cab serves families visiting home, students at the city's colleges and travellers heading deeper into the Western Ghats. If Shivamogga is just your starting point, we can plan a round trip that takes in Jog, Agumbe, Sigandur or Kodachadri.
| Vehicle | Seats | One way (285 km) | Round trip (570 km, 2 days) | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swift Dzire or Similar Compact Sedan | 4 People | ₹4,675 ₹15/km | ₹8,000 | Book |
| Toyota Etios Premium Sedan | 4 People | ₹4,960 ₹16/km | ₹8,600 | Book |
| Maruti Ertiga or Similar Compact SUV | 6 People | ₹6,200 ₹20/km | ₹10,400 | Book |
| Toyota Innova Premium SUV | 7 People | ₹6,770 ₹22/km | ₹11,000 | Book |
| Toyota Innova Crysta Luxury SUV | 7 People | ₹7,625 ₹25/km | ₹12,200 | Book |
One-way fares include fuel and driver allowance (minimum 130 km). Round-trip fares are for the same car returning to Bangalore, billed at the round-trip rate with a daily minimum. Tolls, parking and interstate permits are extra where they apply. Tempo Travellers, Urbania and mini buses are available for round trips.
The route leaves Bangalore on Tumakuru Road, one of the city's busiest exits, so an early start pays off. At Tumakuru, the driver turns onto NH 206, which runs west through Gubbi, Tiptur, Arsikere, Kadur, Tarikere and the steel town of Bhadravati before reaching Shivamogga. The road passes through coconut country around Tiptur, known for its copra, then gradually greener landscapes as you approach the Malnad. There are no forest closures, so travel at any hour is possible.
For many travellers, Shivamogga is the destination: the district headquarters, a growing education centre and home to many families with roots across Malnad. Drivers regularly drop at the bus stand, the railway station, Kuvempu University's campus at Shankaraghatta, hospitals in the city and residential areas across town.
About 100 km north-west via Sagara, the Sharavathi river plunges in four streams, known as Raja, Rani, Rover and Rocket. The falls are at their most dramatic during and just after the monsoon; in summer, water flow depends on releases from the Linganamakki dam upstream and can be thin.
Often called the Cherrapunji of the south for its rainfall, Agumbe sits about 90 km south-west via Thirthahalli. Its sunset point looks out towards the Arabian Sea, and the surrounding rainforest is famous for king cobras and research on them.
Sakrebyle elephant camp on the Tunga river, about 14 km from the city, is best visited in the morning when elephants are bathed. The Tyavarekoppa lion and tiger safari is close to Shivamogga too.
Thirthahalli, a pretty town on the Tunga, leads to Kuppalli, the childhood home of the poet Kuvempu, now a memorial set in quiet countryside.
The Chowdeshwari temple at Sigandur sits across the Sharavathi backwaters. Crossing used to mean a launch ferry; a long bridge across the backwaters has improved road access in recent years.
A peak in the Western Ghats near Kollur, reached by jeep or on foot, with sweeping views and a small temple linked to Adi Shankaracharya.
A round trip keeps the same driver throughout; the driver allowance for overnight stays is included in round-trip pricing.
From June to September, the Malnad receives some of India's heaviest rainfall. It is the best time for waterfalls and the greenest landscapes, but roads around Agumbe and Jog can be slippery and visibility poor. Drivers slow down and avoid night driving on ghat sections during heavy rain.
A Dzire or Etios handles the highway and city easily. For Malnad homestays with rough approach roads, an Ertiga, Innova or Innova Crysta is more comfortable. College groups and family functions often use a Tempo Traveller 12+1 or Force Urbania.
Fuel and the driver allowance are part of your quote. Tolls on the Tumakuru stretch and any parking at Jog, Sakrebyle or Agumbe are generally extra. Because Shivamogga is within Karnataka, no state-border paperwork is involved.
The drive is long enough to deserve a couple of breaks. Tumakuru has plenty of breakfast places near the highway junction, and the Siddaganga Math, a well-known religious and educational institution, is just outside the city. Further on, Arsikere and Kadur are convenient for tea and lunch. History lovers can detour to the Hoysala temple at Arsikere, or from Tarikere to the Amruteshwara temple at Amruthapura, a fine and little-visited Hoysala monument close to the highway. Tell your driver in the morning and he will plan the stops around your arrival time.
A coconut-growing town on NH 206, known for its copra trade.
A steel and paper town on the Bhadra river just before Shivamogga.
A forest department elephant camp on the Tunga river near Shivamogga.
One of India's highest plunge waterfalls, on the Sharavathi river near Sagara.
A rainforest village with a famous sunset point and very high monsoon rainfall.
The birthplace and childhood home of the Kannada poet Kuvempu, near Thirthahalli.
About five to six hours for roughly 285 km, depending mostly on traffic leaving Bangalore via Tumakuru Road.
Yes. Jog Falls is about 100 km beyond Shivamogga via Sagara. It is best as part of a two- or three-day round trip.
During and just after the monsoon, roughly from July to October, when the river is in full flow. In summer the falls can be thin.
No. The highway route via Tumakuru and NH 206 has no forest closures, though ghat sections deeper in the Malnad are best driven in daylight.
Yes. Share the location and we will quote to the exact property and suggest a suitable vehicle for the approach road.
Talk to our travel desk for a quote, extra stops or a bigger vehicle. We answer 24/7.
Call +91 99725 37722WhatsApp us