Bangalore to Chikmagalur- A Detailed Travel Guide (2024)

Bangalore and Chikmanglur Tour Package

₹ 11,998 ₹ 10,000 per adult

5 Days Chikmagalur Honeymoon Package From Bangalore

₹ 19,200 ₹ 15,500 per adult

2 Days Chikmagalur Tour Package

₹ 8,500 ₹ 6,800 per adult

4 Days Chikmagalur Package from Bangalore

₹ 20,000 ₹ 20,000 per adult

3 Days Chikmagalur Tour Package

₹ 13,500 ₹ 9,950 per adult

Chikmagalur Tour Package From Bangalore

₹ 15,000 ₹ 10,500 per adult

Misty Trek to Ballalarayana Durga Fort Chikmagalur

₹ 2,125 ₹ 1,700 per adult

Bangalore - Chikmagalur - Hampi Tour Package

₹ 31,100 ₹ 26,800 per adult

Kudremukh Trek, Chikmagalur

₹ 2,500 ₹ 1,850 per adult

Kurinjal Peak Trek, Chikmagalur

₹ 5,650 ₹ 2,799 per adult

Netravathi Peak Trek, Chikmagalur

₹ 2,900 ₹ 1,906 per adult

Camping in Sakleshpur

₹ 2,000 ₹ 1,689 per adult

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Bangalore to Chikmagalur Distance

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Bangalore to Chikmagalur Route Map

The scenic Western Ghats are abundantly sprawled with beatific forests and mountains and many rivers and waterfalls making it an amazingly scenic drive to Chikmagalur.

Bangalore is connected with Chikmagalur via National Highway as well as State Highways. The best route is via NH 75 which is around 243 kms and takes about 4 hours without considering traffic.

This first drive through the NH 75 usually follows this route map and is the shortest distance between Bangalore and Chikmagalur-Bangalore > Yediyur > Channarayapattana > Hassan > Belur > Chikmagalur

The second route map is on NH 75 via NH 73 which is around 247 kms and takes about 5 hours to reach the end destination –Bangalore > Kunigal > Yediyur > Dasarighatta > Arsikere > Chikmagalur

The third route map perhaps is the longest and can be taken if traffic jams are anticipated on the other two popular routes. The distance measures out to be around 298 Kms via NH 48 and takes around 6 hours to reach Chikmagalur -Bangalore > Tumkur > Sira > Hiriyur > Ajjampur > Kadur > Chikmagalur

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Best time to Visit Chikmagalur from Bangalore

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Bangalore to Chikmagalur by Bus

If you prefer to take a road trip without needing to think about driving yourself, one of the alternate options is to cover the distance by bus. There are several buses, both public and private that ply between the two cities. Moreover, this is also a more economical option of travel.

Types of Buses and Names- There are several travel options including AC and non AC seater and sleeper buses. Government-run KSRTC buses can be boarded at Kempegowda bus stand, also known as Majestic. There are at least 6 private travel operators in this popular route including Cauvery Travels, VRL Travels, Sri Balaja Travels, Safari Travels, Greenline Travels and Holidays and Himachal Volvo Tour.

Starting Point (Bus Stops)- The buses originate from several convenient pickup points at Bangalore, some of the common boarding points are Majestic, Yeshwantpur Govardhan Theater, Goraguntepalya, Navarang Circle, Jalahalli Cross, Eighth Main Circle Dasarahalli, and Nelamangala Circle.

Timings of buses- Most of the buses leave Bangalore late in the evening, after 6 pm and usually up to midnight.

Number of hours journey- In order to cover the total distance of approximately 250 KM, it can take anywhere from 5 to 7 hours to reach from Bangalore to Chikmagalur, depending upon the number of stops during the trip as well as the traffic and road conditions on the day of travel.

Approximate Fare- The fares start from INR 500 and go all the way to around INR 900 depending upon the type of bus and services offered.

With convenient options, the overnight bus journey tends to be a favourite mode of travel for travellers who prefer to reach Chikmagalur early in the morning. The state run KSRTC buses, especially the multiaxle Airavat Club Class buses are becoming a favoured option by many travellers as these tend to be driven by experienced drivers to assure safety and economical travel. In addition, passengers on these KSRTC buses are provided with blankets and water bottles as well.

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Bangalore to Chikmagalur by Train

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Bangalore to Chikmagalur by Air

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Shravanabelagola

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Gorur Dam

Hassan district boasts of many a tourist spots and of places to visit and see. One such spot is the Gorur Dam which is a Hemavathi reservoir built in the 1900’s across the Hemavathi River, a tributary of Kaveri. The dam is named after a famous Kannada literary personality called Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar. It is a sight to behold and makes for a great picnic spot with a beautiful garden right next to it.

When the gates of the reservoir opens up and the gush of water falls down, it is another sight to behold. In the morning time you can see all the water birds coming to the reservoir. The best time to visit the dam is from October to March when the reservoir has more water and the area has a lot of activities around it. It is 22 Kms from Hassan and 192 Kms from Bangalore.

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Shettihalli Rosary Church

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Manjarabad Fort

Located in Sakleshpur, a town in the Hassan district, Manjarabad Fort is a beautiful Star shaped fort, built by Tipu Sultan in 1792. The fort was erected in a strategic location as a defensive location for enemy reconnaissance and to store ammunitions.

Its strategic location use to help soldiers keep an eye on the British Army making its way from Mangalore. The beautiful fort has an Islamic style architecture, arched entranceways and is designed to be at the same level unlike the other forts.

The fort has an underground tunnel that used to lead to Srirangapatna and later was used to dump dead bodies. It is around 227 Kms from Bangalore and around 60 Kms from Hassan. You can have a great majestic view of the Western Ghats from the fort. A drone camera can well capture the wonderful aerial view of the forts star shaped structure.

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Halebeedu

Halebeedu used to be the regal capital city of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th-13th century. The name literally translates to mean the “old city” or the “ruined city” and used to be called Dwarasamudra, meaning entrance to the ocean. Located in the Hassan district, Halebeedu is steeped in Hoysala architecture and there are a lot of shrines which has been erected during those times.

Some of the famous temples are the Hoysaleswara, Kedareshwara and Shanteshwar, most of these shrines have been built out of chloritic schist which is a soft rock and allows for minute carving without damaging the foundation.

Seeped in history and nature, it not only makes for an amazing place to visit, but is also an archaeologist delight. It doesn’t have too many options for stay besides one basic State tourism accommodation, so most people stay in Hassan and visit. It is just 40 Kms from Hassan and around 230 Kms from Bangalore.

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Belur

Belur and Halebeedu are called the twin towns due to its proximity and along with Shravanabelagola, it forms the Golden Triangle of Karnataka tourism. Belur is situated on the banks of the alluring river of Hassan and just like Halebeedu, is steeped in the Hoysala architecture and is home to many temples and shrines showcasing that era’s architectural workmanship. It is 53 Kms away from Chikmagalur and was the second capital to the Hoysala Empire and was also known by the name of Vellapally.

It is quite famous for its regal and majestic temples, which are still in use by their devotees. One of the main attraction of this place is the Chennakesava temple which was built to honour Chennakesava, another form of Lord Vishnu. The grand opulence can be seen in its design and architecture. The other attraction close to this temple is the step well or Pushkarni which is to the right side of the entrance.

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Yagachi Dam

Around 3 Kms from Belur and around 20 Kms away from Chikamagalur, this dam was built in 2001 and is a popular visiting spot. Yagachi Dam is built across the Yagachi River, another tributary of river Kaveri, as a reservoir with the objective to harness the water resources for the purpose of irrigation and making drinking water available to the Hassan, Belur and Chikmagalur region.

In a place filled with religious temples and shrines, this place hosts a bunch of water sports and various activities are there in Chikmagalur to titillate your adventure bone.

If you love the adrenaline rush from the adventure sports, don’t give it a miss. The boat rides, jet skis, speed boats, banana boat ride, kayaking and canoeing offer the travellers plethora of fun and frolic to enjoy the whole day. Carry an extra pair of clothing and you will be set. Do find out the timings for the water sports.

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Kudremukh National Park

Declared as a reserve forest in the year 1916 and a National Park in 1987, Kudremukh National Park is rich in flora and surrounded by many coffee and tea plantations. It was declared as a National Park for preservation and conservation of wildlife and biodiversity. The pristine and huge national park is home to a rich wildlife like tiger, leopard, Malabar giant squirrel, common langur, wild dogs, sloth, bear, sambar, spotted deer etc. and has around 190 species of birds besides reptiles like snakes and tortoise.

The park is around 90 Kms from Chikmagalur city. It has been named Kudremukh, the literal translation of which means Horse's face, due to one of its eponymous peaks which resembles a horse’s face. The Park also makes an excellent choice for Trekkers, having long winding trails rolling down the mountain range. You will have to seek the permission of the forest ranger to trek inside the park though. Another main attraction inside the park is the Kadambi waterfalls cascading down making that beautiful tinkling noise over the hilly terrain.

The best time to see the wildlife is between December and February. There are several options for accommodations near the park and travellers can also choose to stay in the forest rest areas inside the park, but have to book in advance. The fees for the park is INR 200 for Indians and INR 1000 for foreigners.

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Hebbe Falls

Hebbe Falls is located within a coffee plantation 10 Kms away from Kemmangundi hill station. Known for its mineral-rich and herbal qualities, these beautiful waterfalls are a sight for the sore eyes. It is almost 250 feet tall and can be either reached by vehicle or reached by doing a down way trek of 8 kms to the falls. The white foaming water makes for a stupendous sight within the greens of the nature. The tall mountains glorifies the falls especially when it makes its way down to hit the lake at the bottom.

The cascading water hits the huge boulders on the way to split into two main streams of water and becomes the Chikka Hebbe and Dodda Hebbe falls. Chikka means small falls and Dodda means big falls and hence the respective names. The water is known for its healing properties due to it being rich in minerals and is known to cure skin diseases. The surrounding areas and the coffee plantation can also be explored when visiting the falls.

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Mullayanagiri

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Kemmangundi

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Baba Budangiri

These beautiful mountain ranges of Mullayanagiri, Kemmangundi and Baba Budangiri used to be collectively known as Chandra Drona Parvatha. These mountains are rich with minerals and herbs and during the monsoon season when all the water cascades down in a stream of water falls, they are known to have healing properties and many locals and travellers drink its water for that reason. The serene and tranquil mountains call out the nature lover in you and you would want to explore every inch of this place.

The monsoon season particularly has each and every inch of the range carpeted in green and seasonal colourful flora, the fragrance of which fills up your senses and leaves the travellers wanting more. There are many treks in and around Chikmagalur, which can be explored. This magnificent mountain is known for the shrine that was built for the Sufi Saint Hazrat Dada Hayat Kalandar, and the best part is that it is visited by Muslims and Hindus alike as a place of worship.

One of the most interesting attractions in these mountain range are the three beautiful caves that is known to have the three Siddhas buried in them. They host a festival every year in these caves, which will be worth the trip.

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Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated around 38 Kms from Chikmagalur, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is the 25th Project Tiger Reserve and boasts of having around 33 tigers besides other wildlife animals like Boars, Sambars, Chitals, and Leopards etc. It is situated between the Western Ghat ranges of Chikmagalur and Shimoga and is enveloped by the Baba Budangiri Hills giving it a most wonderful lush green ambience. The sanctuary got its name due to the Bhadra River which flows through the rich and dense forest providing for the wildlife and the flora around.

Families can make a day trip from Chikmagalur to visit this huge Sanctuary and have an educational and informational trip for their young ones too. The sanctuary is ideal for a visit between 6.30- 8.30 am and from 4- 6 pm to capture the activities of the wildlife at its peak. More than 120 species of trees grow here and is actually a true sanctuary for almost more than 250 species of birds which are endemic to the Western Ghats.

You can also spot some exotic butterflies, which are rare to find elsewhere. There are activities like trekking and jungle safari which can be explored too, besides water-based adventures, camping, bird watching and rock climbing. You will need to pay INR 350 to book a vehicle and INR 150 to carry your camera inside.

Must Read: Camping Experience in

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Sharadamba Temple

Around 86 Kms West of Chikmagalur, in Sringeri town, is this beautiful Temple of Sharadamba established by Shri Shankaracharya and is a famous pilgrimage centre for the disciples of Adi Shankaracharya. This was established in the 8th century when Sri Shankaracharya also established the Sharada Peetham Matha.

The temple is resplendent with the Devi Saraswati's idol and every year during Dussera and other major festivals, the temple is invaded by thousands of worshippers who come to pay their respect.
A religious place, Sringeri is a beautiful town situated on the banks of River Tunga. There is an enchanting mythological story behind the establishment of the Temple and the Matha which is one of the 5 mathas around India.

It is said that Sri Shankaracharya spent 12 years in this place and built 4 other temples around the matha, namely- Kalabhairava Temple, Durga temple, Anjaneya Temple and Kali Temple. He built the Sharadamba temple and established a sandalwood idol of Sharada Devi in a standing Posture, which was later destroyed during the Muslim invasion and soon was replaced with a golden idol of Sharadamba in a seated posture.

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Kalhatti Fall

Around 50 Kms north of Chikmagalur, Kalhatti falls are just 10 kms away from Kemmangundi Hill Station and offer a view from the Chandra Drona hills. Also known as the Kalahasti falls and if the legends are to be believed, it is said that Sage Agastya has prayed here for a very long time. The falls are not remarkably tall but make for a wondrous sight when it flows over the Veerbhadra Temple which is right in front of the falls. The temple was supposed to have been built during the Vijayanagar times.

The temple has three stone elephants carved on the entrance over which the waterfalls cascade down and it is believed that these waters can cure all skin ailments if bathed or drank from. There are many devotees who believe this and make sure to get some for their personal use. During March/April an annual fair is held for Lord Veerbhadra, which is attended in huge gatherings by devotees and travellers alike.

There are many trekking opportunities too for trekkers with the base in Tarikere, 35 kms from Kemmanagundi. Trekkers can enjoy the panoramic view of the verdant valleys resplendent with colourful flora. Accommodations are also available in the Horticulture Guesthouse in Kalhatti.

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Coffee Museum

Chikmagalur is known for its coffee plantation spread all over the Chandra Drona Hills and in the Hill stations of Mullayanagiri and the nearby mountain ranges across Western Ghats. House to many a coffee plantation it is but an extension of the place to help travellers and coffee aficionados understand the rich history and culture behind the origin of coffee drinking. An initiation by the Coffee Board of India, the museum is located behind the Zila Panchayat office and can be visited during weekdays between 10 am to 1 pm and again between 2 pm to 5.30 pm. It is one of the most beautiful sightsin Chikmagalur.

The museum building is lined with pots on either sides growing coffee plants in them and makes for a pretty sight with the green beans hanging from their branches. There is a whole educational tour inside the museum about the coffee's journey from a bean to the cup. There is a quality and evaluation center as well which you can see and get an insight of what goes on while choosing coffee of high quality. The Coffee Museum makes for a fascinating trip and if you have a couple of hours to spare from soaking in all that the Ghats have to offer, then do come for an amazing aroma filled tour of this museum. It is a guarantee you won’t be leaving without buying a few coffee beans yourself.

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Eagle Eye Resort

Located at Hoscote Coffee Estate, sprawling over 130-acre plantation, Eagle Eye Resort is in Chikmagalur district an hour away from the main Chikmagalur town, at a distance of around 48 Kms. The Resort boasts of being a base for all kinds of travellers alike- the spiritual, the adventurous, the religious, the wildlife lover, the trekker, the coffee aficionado, the nature lover, the honeymooner, the family, the group traveller etc.

The resort has most of the attractions and tourist spots accessible and within a short distance from their place. Located in the lush green, it offers a variety of accommodation to choose from –standard rooms, cottages, villas, skywalk villas, waterfall villas, tree house, glass house, there is something for everyone.

Their various facilities include multi-utility swimming pool, Game room, outdoor activities like fishing, camping, boating, rock climbing at Vidyagiri, Ecotourism like guided tour to the coffee plantation and trekking in and around the Estate etc.

Not too deep a dig for the pockets, the rooms should be booked in advance and if booked via any Bangalore to Chikmagalur packages, it can be priced at budget prices too. The tariffs on this rooms for two people (with meals inclusive) can vary from INR 2500/- per day to 4500/-.

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Kalgreen Valley Resort

Located in Kalasapura Estate, in Koppa Taluk, Kalgreen Valley Resort is just 5 kms away from the Koppa bus stand and around 77 Kms from Chikmagalur town. The resort makes arrangement for Plantation visit, trekking and boating and also guides to all the nearby locations within 1 Km distance like Andagal Temple, Church, Bathrakali temple.

There are 18 houses and villas in the estate and they are all priced very reasonably. This resort in Chikmagalur boasts of many facilities like private lake, conference room, swimming pools, multi-cuisine restaurants etc.

Rooms come with basic amenities like TV, AC, laundry, 24-hour room service and rooms in budgeted price. So if you want a decent room, in a low price Kalgreen offers you all that and more while making you stay in the lap of nature surrounded by calm and lush green of the mountain range.

There are no cancellation charges on the rooms booked if done through travel websites and the room Tariffs can vary from INR 1500 for a standard non A/C room to INR 4000 for a huge family room for a night stay.

Check Out: Best Resorts to stay in

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JenuKallu Resort

JenuKallu Resort is located at the foothills of the JenuKallu mountain range, near Devaldkere village and is at a distance of around 57 Kms South of Chikmagalur. Enveloped by the hills and ranges, the resort gives you a breathtaking view of the exotic surroundings- the untouched and unspoilt wilderness, the majestic mountain backdrop, the lush green of the flora, the gushing streams and the wafting fragrance of the many exotic flowers, all give you a sense of a heady feeling and this vacation will stay back with you long after it is over and make you want to come back for more.

The resort has many facilities, the main of which is giving you the entire plantation to explore and become one with nature. You can get a guided tour and see how the coffee plantations thrive and what goes into its cultivation. There are other activities that JenuKallu offers on requests like trekking in the JenuKallu Mountains, jungle treks and various outdoor game activities like kite flying, football, volleyball, fishing, campfires, etc.

The resort not only offers rooms with modern facilities and amenities but all camps and tents for pitching in and around the vast expanse of its estate, and make you feel one with nature. The Tariffs for rooms per person per night is around INR 3500.

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The Serai Resort

Just 7 kms from Chikmagalur town, this upmarket resort is pricey but gorgeous in its setting, not only on the outside but on the inside as well. Boasting of amazing luxurious rooms, to fine dining and multi-cuisine restaurants and lounges, the resort offers a plethora of activities for its guests and has an amazing “Inspired by Coffee” packages for their guests.

They have estate villas with pools and Jacuzzis, estate villas with terrace and residence villas all come with amenities like a private pool, private dining area while also having a beautiful bar lounge called the Blue Sky Lounge, where you can chill out after a long day amidst nature and wanting to unwind.

The Serai Resort caters to a lot of foreign tourists and that’s why has a lot of planned packages that you can avail of which allows for the resort to take care of your travel and exploring needs. The tariffs are mentioned on the website and vary from INR 29000 to INR 88000.

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Taj Gateway Resort

Around 6 Kms from Chikmagalur town on KM road, this property of Taj, is a rare combination of modern colonial and boho chic. Airy and nestled in the lush green, this beautiful resort has a vibe which is hard to ignore.

It has standard rooms and cottage rooms and the Tariff varies from INR 9,500 to INR 10,500 per night.

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The Estate Café

Close to the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (in Muthodi forest), this café is housed in a 140 year old plantation. Beautiful rustic and cozy, it serves only the local estate grown Arabica coffee and the local Malnad style cuisine. It offers plantation walks to its guests and has all clean amenities with an ample parking space.
It can also hosts events like birthdays and official parties. Just 20 minutes away from Chikmagalur town, it is very popular with the locals and travellers alike. Their local grown coffee is a must have and its sandwiches are well complimented.

Location- Channenahalli ‘A’ Estate, Mallandpur- 577130

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Coffee Barn Café

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Town Canteen

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Siri Café

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Odyssey, The Serai

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Things to Carry

Despite planning well in advance, there are many a times when the plans go awry and your checklists are not ticked off when it is time to head out. So, while, for novice travellers, a checklist is a must and a handy tool, it doesn’t fail to do the same even if you are a travel expert. While you may carry the essentials and the basic necessities to survive a holiday here are a few reminders that come in handy while traveling:

-Don’t forget to carry a good camera. The Western Ghats calls for amazing picture worthy scenes and you don’t want to miss capturing that.

-Make sure that you travel light and carry extra blankets. You should pack in a light jacket for the nippy night times and early cool mornings. It gets very cold in the Ghats in the night time.

-Carry an umbrella to be ready for errant rains or make sure your hotel will provide you one when you visit. Call in advance for weather forecast and other travel tips.

-Don’t forget to pack in a mosquito repellent, especially for evening to late night visits to forests or while strolling in the expanse of nature. Some of the restaurants also have outside seating making it bug and mosquito friendly. It is always better to be prepared to give you the much needed relief.

-Pack some coolers to carry your drinks and food. The heat can beat down and a chilled drink along the way doesn’t make for a bad addition to the journey.

-Remember to check with your local friends or authorities as to what are the regulations for carrying liquor (if you plan on it) into the city and outside of it. Most people making road trips like to carry alcohol with them, sometimes the police patrols in the border are very strict and do regular checks. Please ensure that you don’t fall prey and are well informed. Or else there goes some part of your holiday.

-Carry your portable chargers, well charged in advance from home in case of emergencies. No one wants to end up in the middle of nowhere with no batteries left on their phones to call for an emergency.

-Once you are all stocked up, make sure to smile and laugh a lot and to enjoy the peace and carry the tranquillity in your hearts while visiting the beautiful Chikamagalur.

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Travel Tips for Chikmagalur Trip from Bangalore

A Delightful Stay Amidst Lush Greenery Of Chikmagalur

₹ 3,500 ₹ 3,000 per adult

Private Cottage Homestay in Coffee Plantations Chikmagalur

₹ 2,200 ₹ 1,800 per adult

A Getaway Amidst Lush Green Coffee Estates of Chikmagalur

₹ 5,800 ₹ 3,000 per adult

A Scenic Getaway Amidst Lush Green Valleys in Chikmagalur

₹ 9,999 ₹ 5,900 per room

Valley View Tree House Stay near Chikmagalur

₹ 4,598 ₹ 2,499 per room

A Boutique Homestay Tucked in Coffee Plantation of Chikmagalur

₹ 4,500 ₹ 4,200 per adult

Stream Edge Homestay In Sakleshpur

₹ 3,334 ₹ 2,500 per adult

Chikmagalur Homestay Amid Coffee Plantation,

₹ 3,165 ₹ 2,500

Camping In Sakleshpur

₹ 1,850 ₹ 1,100 per adult

Riverside Camping In Sakleshpur

₹ 1,950 ₹ 1,849 per adult

Bhadra River Camp Chikmagalur

₹ 2,667 ₹ 2,000 per adult

Devang Sanghrajka Riverside Camping In Sakleshpur

Abhinav S One Day Chikmagalur Sightseeing Tour

Deepti Hegde Exclusive Hilltop Heritage Homestay, Chikmagalur

Debojit Camping in Sakleshpur

Sudheesh Mohanan Chikmagalur Homestay Amid Coffee Plantation

Vineet Vijay Riverside Camping In Sakleshpur

Nemmara Parameswaran Nature Homestay in Chikmagalur

Rahul Sharma Stream Edge Homestay In Sakleshpur

Viworks Ventures Offbeat Homestay in Coffee Plantations, Chikmagalur

Vinoth Kumar Subramani Nature Homestay in Chikmagalur