Cabs
Chikmagalur sightseeing by cab

Chikmagalur in 1 day: what to see, in what order

One day is the hills: leave town at 06:15 for Mullayanagiri, then Seethalayanagiri, the Baba Budangiri shrine and Manikyadhara Falls before the morning pass slot ends at 12:00, and Hirekolale Lake on the way back. It is about 84 km by cab, back in town by about 14:00.

5 places84 km by cabtimed against opening hours
How long do you have?
Day 1

Mullayanagiri, Baba Budangiri and Hirekolale

Leave town at 06:15 to be on the hill road early in the morning pass slot. Mullayanagiri at about 06:55, with two hours for the steps to the top, then Seethalayanagiri on the way down. Baba Budangiri's Dattatreya Peetha at about 10:10 and Manikyadhara Falls at about 11:05, so you are done on the hill before the morning slot ends at 12:00. Hirekolale Lake at about 12:45 on the way back. About 84 km by cab, back in town by about 14:00 for a late lunch, with the afternoon free for a coffee estate walk. Book the vehicle pass for 06:00 to 12:00 the day before.

06:15 to 13:515 places84 km by cab
  1. 1Mullayanagiri
  2. 2Seethalayanagiri
  3. 3Baba Budangiri (Dattatreya Peetha)
  4. 4Manikyadhara Falls
  5. 5Hirekolale Lake
  6. Back
  1. Leave Chikkamagaluru town
  2. 1

    Mullayanagiri

    2 h here
    Mullayanagiri
    Photo: రవిచంద్ర, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The highest peak in Karnataka, at about 1,930 m. From the car park a flight of about 500 steps climbs to a small Shiva temple on the top, with views over the Western Ghats, the coffee estates and, on a clear day, the plains to the east.

    Peaks, falls & lakesVehicle passes for the hill road in two slots, 06:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 18:00; book online for your cab's number before you go. The road closes on red-alert days and festival days

    Tip: Carry a jacket: it is cold and windy at the top. The steps are steep and slippery after rain. There is little phone signal, so carry a printout of your vehicle pass.

  3. 2

    Seethalayanagiri

    30 min here

    A small mutt and Shiva temple on a ridge about 2 km below Mullayanagiri, on the same road. It is a quiet stop with a wide view of the hills, and a common place to wait out the fog.

    Shrines & templesOn the same pass road as Mullayanagiri: 06:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 18:00. No published temple hours?

    Tip: Plans by the district may make this the last point for cars on busy days, with shared jeeps going on to Mullayanagiri. Ask your driver what the rule is on your day.

  4. 3

    Baba Budangiri (Dattatreya Peetha)

    45 min here
    Baba Budangiri (Dattatreya Peetha)
    Photo: Gpkp, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A cave shrine in the Baba Budan hills, holy to both Hindus, as the seat of Dattatreya, and Muslims, as the shrine of the Sufi saint Baba Budan. The story goes that Baba Budan brought seven coffee beans from Yemen in the 1600s and planted them here, the start of coffee in India.

    Shrines & templesAbout 06:00 to 18:00 (listings differ: some say 08:00 to 17:00). The road needs the same online vehicle pass as Mullayanagiri, in the 06:00 to 12:00 or 13:00 to 18:00 slot?

    Tip: Dress modestly and leave shoes at the entrance. The shrine and the whole hill road close to tourists for several days round Datta Jayanti in December.

  5. 4

    Manikyadhara Falls

    45 min here
    Manikyadhara Falls
    Photo: User:Amarrg, Public domain

    A thin waterfall that drops off a rock face like a curtain, about 3 km past the Baba Budangiri shrine. Pilgrims stand under it, and the hillside round it is open grassland with long views.

    Peaks, falls & lakesDaylight, about 06:00 to 17:00, on the same pass road as Baba Budangiri; small entry fee at some times?

    Tip: About 200 steps down and back up. The road past the shrine is rough in places: a low car may have to go slowly. The falls are biggest from July to October.

  6. 5

    Hirekolale Lake

    45 min here
    Hirekolale Lake
    Photo: Rinyogi03, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A reservoir about 10 km from town that supplies Chikkamagaluru with water, with Mullayanagiri and the Baba Budan hills standing behind it. It is a calm place to sit after the hill road, with a path along the bund.

    Peaks, falls & lakesOpen in daylight, about 06:00 to 18:00 (one listing says 17:00); free

    Tip: There are no shops or toilets at the lake, so carry water. Swimming is not allowed.

  7. Back at Chikkamagaluru town

Drive times come from road routing without traffic. The hill roads to Mullayanagiri, Baba Budangiri and Kemmangundi are narrow and winding, so allow more time, above all in fog. In heavy monsoon rain the district closes the hill road and tourist spots by order, so check the morning you go. Opening hours marked ? are not yet confirmed, so check them before you go.

Book a cab for this day

Call or message a local Chikmagalur operator with this plan. Tell them your hotel and dates, and they send a price for the car and driver.

1 × full day, 8 h / 80 kmSedan, SUV or InnovaPrice from the operator

We are still listing Chikmagalur operators. Write to [email protected] and we will put you in touch.

Opening times for this plan

The hours we planned around. Check before you go on a public holiday.

PlaceOpenBest timeVisit
MullayanagiriVehicle passes for the hill road in two slots, 06:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 18:00; book online for your cab's number before you go. The road closes on red-alert days and festival daysEarly morning, before the clouds come up the valley.2 h
SeethalayanagiriOn the same pass road as Mullayanagiri: 06:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 18:00. No published temple hours?On the way down from Mullayanagiri.30 min
Baba Budangiri (Dattatreya Peetha)About 06:00 to 18:00 (listings differ: some say 08:00 to 17:00). The road needs the same online vehicle pass as Mullayanagiri, in the 06:00 to 12:00 or 13:00 to 18:00 slot?Mid-morning, after Mullayanagiri.45 min
Manikyadhara FallsDaylight, about 06:00 to 17:00, on the same pass road as Baba Budangiri; small entry fee at some times?Late morning, after Baba Budangiri.45 min
Hirekolale LakeOpen in daylight, about 06:00 to 18:00 (one listing says 17:00); freeAny time; it is quietest on weekdays.45 min

More or less time in Chikmagalur?

12345123© OpenStreetMap contributors

Chikmagalur in 2 days

Mullayanagiri, Baba Budangiri and Hirekolale · Belur, Halebidu and Belavadi

See the 2-day plan →
12345123123© OpenStreetMap contributors

Chikmagalur in 3 days

Mullayanagiri, Baba Budangiri and Hirekolale · Belur, Halebidu and Belavadi · Kemmangundi, Kalhattigiri Falls and Ayyanakere

See the 3-day plan →

All 17 places in Chikmagalur

Every sight with what to see, opening times and how long to stay.

See all places →

Questions people ask

Can you see Chikmagalur in one day?

The hills, yes: Mullayanagiri, Seethalayanagiri, Baba Budangiri, Manikyadhara Falls and Hirekolale Lake, about 84 km. Belur and Halebidu need a second day, and Kemmangundi a third.

Why start so early?

The hill road runs on an online vehicle pass in two slots, 06:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 18:00. Starting at 06:15 fits all four hill stops into the morning slot, and the top of Mullayanagiri is clearest before the clouds come up.

Can I do Belur and Halebidu instead?

Yes. If you have only one day and like old temples more than hills, the Belur and Halebidu day from the 2-day plan works on its own: about 90 km, back by about 15:50.