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Chikmagalur sightseeing by cab

Chikmagalur in 2 days: what to see, in what order

Two days covers the hills and the temples. Day one is Mullayanagiri, Seethalayanagiri, Baba Budangiri and Manikyadhara Falls in the morning pass slot, then Hirekolale Lake, about 84 km. Day two goes south to the Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebidu, and Belavadi on the way back, about 90 km.

8 places174 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. 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
Day 2

Belur, Halebidu and Belavadi

South to Belur for the Chennakeshava Temple at about 08:50, then the Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu at about 11:10, with lunch in Halebidu. On the way back, the quiet Veera Narayana Temple at Belavadi at about 14:25. About 90 km by cab, back by about 15:50. Works on any day.

08:00 to 15:473 places90 km by cab
  1. 1Chennakeshava Temple, Belur
  2. 2Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu
  3. Lunch
  4. 3Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi
  5. Back
  1. Leave Chikkamagaluru town
  2. 1

    Chennakeshava Temple, Belur

    2 h here
    Chennakeshava Temple, Belur
    Photo: Dineshkannambadi (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0

    A Hoysala temple begun in 1117 for King Vishnuvardhana, now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The outer walls are covered in carved elephants, dancers and gods, and the brackets under the roof hold the famous madanikas, carved women in dance poses. Inside, the lathe-turned pillars shine like metal.

    Hoysala templesOpen 07:30 to 19:30 every day; free. The inner shrine may close for about an hour after 13:00

    Tip: Shoes go to the counter at the gate, and the stone gets hot by noon. A guide at the gate is worth it: they point out carvings you would walk past.

  3. 2

    Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu

    2 h here
    Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu
    Photo: Karthikbs23, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The twin-shrined Shiva temple of the Hoysala capital, Dwarasamudra, from the 1100s, and part of the same UNESCO site as Belur. Its outer walls carry bands of carved elephants, lions, horsemen and scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Two big Nandi bulls face the shrines, and the ASI museum and two Jain basadis are a short walk away.

    Hoysala templesAbout 06:30 to 18:00 (listings go to 18:30); free for Indian visitors. The ASI museum next door is open 09:00 to 17:00; one listing says it closes on Fridays

    Tip: Walk all the way round the outside: the best carving is on the walls, not inside. The Jain basadis and the Kedareshwara temple are a few minutes' walk south.

  4. Lunch, about 1 h. Your driver will know a place nearby. The times after this include it.
  5. 3

    Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi

    45 min here
    Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi
    Photo: Santhoshbapu, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A Hoysala temple from about 1200 with three shrines, to Narayana, Venugopala and Yoga Narasimha, joined by a long pillared hall. It is far quieter than Belur and Halebidu, and the carved ceilings and the figures in the side shrines are as fine.

    Hoysala templesUsually open in daylight, about 08:00 to 18:00; no published hours?

    Tip: Few people stop here, so you may have the halls to yourself. Village roads lead in; the last stretch is narrow.

  6. 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 these 2 days

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.

2 × 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
Chennakeshava Temple, Belur07:30 to 19:30 every day; free. The inner shrine may close for about an hour after 13:00In the morning, when the light is soft on the carvings.2 h
Hoysaleswara Temple, HalebiduAbout 06:30 to 18:00 (listings go to 18:30); free for Indian visitors. The ASI museum next door is open 09:00 to 17:00; one listing says it closes on FridaysLate morning, after Belur.2 h
Veera Narayana Temple, BelavadiUsually open in daylight, about 08:00 to 18:00; no published hours?Afternoon, on the way back from Halebidu.45 min

More or less time in Chikmagalur?

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Chikmagalur in 1 day

Mullayanagiri, Baba Budangiri and Hirekolale

See the 1-day plan →
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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.

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Questions people ask

Is 2 days enough for Chikmagalur?

Yes, for the main sights: the hills round Mullayanagiri and Baba Budangiri, and the temples at Belur and Halebidu. Add a third day for Kemmangundi and Z Point.

Which order should the days go in?

Either. The hills day needs the vehicle pass for that date, so book it first and put the Belur day round it. On a red-alert rain day the hill road may close: make that the Belur day.

Where should I stay?

In or near Chikkamagaluru town, or at a homestay on the Mullayanagiri side. Belur is about 30 km south of town and Mullayanagiri about 22 km north-west by road.