A weekend getaway to Chikmagalur

Chikmagalur, a hill station of Karnataka, is one of the travel destinations for Bangalore weekend getaway. 

Chikmagalur trip is one of my first trip with my office colleagues. I used to travel either my home town or spend my weekend in Bangalore. It was my colleague Arjun & Charles, who came with an idea to go somewhere where we never been. 

As we had only two days (Sat & Sun), we had to shortlist the places for one day trip. While searching for destination to finalize one we came to know about Chikmagalur, which is one of the preferred destinations for nature lovers, trekkers and for weekend getaway from Bangalore. But, before we decide the final date for our trip, Arjun came to us and said he is busy this weekend and Charles was not ready if we are only two. We decided to drop the plan.

After a few days, one Friday, December 09, 2011, Arjun came with Charles and told his plan for going somewhere was dropped so let us go Chikmagalur same day night. I was shocked but also thrilled to see a picturesque destination. We three agreed to meet in Majestic Bus Stand after our office and check for available buses. 

The distance between Bangalore to Chikmagalur is about 236 km. We preferred KSRTC Karnataka Sarige Bus from Majestic Kempegowda Bus Station. We inquired in Majestic KSRTC depot for a bus by 9 pm and one conductor helped us with option of buses available and said if ready to wait till 11 pm, we can get a direct bus to Chikmagalur. Bus came around 11 pm and we reached Chikmagalur around 5.30 Am on next day December 10. 

We searched for some lodging or hotels in Chikmagalur, but as that day was Datta Jayanti celebrations at Baba Budangiri Hills, rooms and lodging were full. We roamed in Chikamagalur searching room and around 7 am, we had a tea at one tea shop nearby and discussing the plan. The shopkeeper uncle said, we can try rooms near bus stand a cross road called Indira Gandhi Road (IG Road). We searched there and we had one or two standard accommodation in the road. We chose an affordable stay near a mosque in Indira Gandhi Road. The receptionist spoke very friendly, he said due to Datta Jayanti at Baba Budangiri, there would be a huge rush of devotees, so it will be better if can avoid that place. He also said that he can help us to book a cab for sightseeing in Chikamagalur. We thanked him and booked a room for one day and requested to book a cab for us.

The Cab driver came around 10 Am and suggested plans for sightseeing. On the way we had our breakfast and started moving towards Mullayanagiri. The cab driver too was very friendly sharing jokes and he is also a good tour guide for us.

Charles, Me & Arjun at Mullayanagiri

View of Mullayanagiri road

viewpoint

Places we visited

• MULLAINGIRI: 1,926 meters above sea level, the highest peak in the state of Karnataka.
• SEETHALGIRI: on the way to Mullain Giri,
• Kemmangundi: beautiful gardens in the top of the hill station
• Kalathgiri Falls: 
• Hebbe falls:  8 kms away from Kemmannugundi

Places we missed

• BABA BUDDAN GIRI
• Guru Dattatreya Bababudanswaamy’s Darga
• Manikya Dhara Waterfall

Day 02: We visited temples 

Next Day December 11, 2011, we visited one jain temple and Kollapuradamma Temple in Indira Gandhi Road (IG Road).and left Chikmagalur. While on the way to Bangalore, we got down at Belur and visited Belur temple too.