Chikmagalur
Chikkamagaluru District, Karnataka
- Time needed
- 2 nights / 3 days
- Distance
- 245 km away
- Entry
- Varies by sight; Mullayanagiri trek is free
- Best time
- Sep – Feb
Chikmagalur is where coffee was reportedly first planted in India, by a Sufi saint named Baba Budan who is said to have smuggled seven coffee beans in from Yemen in the 1600s — the Baba Budangiri hills nearby carry his name. Mullayanagiri, the state's highest point at just over 1,900 metres, is a manageable half-day trek to a summit temple with wide views.
The district works well as a slower version of Coorg — fewer tourist crowds, similarly good plantation stays, and a stronger trekking scene around Kemmangundu and the Baba Budangiri range. Weather turns genuinely cold and misty at higher elevations from December through February.
Highlights
- Mullayanagiri summit trek, Karnataka's highest point
- Baba Budangiri hills, tied to coffee's arrival in India
- Kemmangundu hill station and viewpoint
- Coffee estate stays, quieter than Coorg's
Good to know
- Mullayanagiri's summit road has a vehicle limit past a certain point — check current rules, sometimes only jeeps are permitted the final stretch
- Carry warm layers for December–February mornings, temperatures drop close to freezing at altitude
- Less touristy than Coorg, which means fewer dining options after dark — plan meals with your homestay
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