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Mullayangiri, KR hills and Bababudangiri-The Chikmagaluru paradise

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The Chikmagalur region of Karnataka is a treasure- I found this place to be the king of natural beauty, and it’s just 6 hours away from Bengaluru and closer to Mysuru. The main talk is about green stretches and exciting trekking trails. You can trek for three days or so and cover the whole region if the forest department permits. The post-monsoon view is a treat to the eye- whether it’s KR hills, Mullayanagiri or Bababudangiri. There are tea and coffee estates and many forests which make the trek worth it though you can reach all these three places by your vehicle too-but you still need your feet to talk a bit- anything for mother nature-right!

5 Reasons why you must visit Chikmagaluru:

  • Chikmagalur lies in the foothills of the Mullayanagiri Range at a height of 3400 feetknown for its vast range of hills,forested areas ,tranquility and huge coffee plantations.
Views of Mullayanagiri Valleys
Views of Mullayanagiri Valleys
  • Kemmanagundi or KR hills has the highest peak of Karnataka, Mullayanagiri.This is around 2000 m in height and is a must trekking paradise for anyone who wants to get started as a trekker .Red soil and rains pose challenge to the trek. The view from top is just over the moon. There’s a Shiva Temple at the top as well.
  • Kemmanagundi has beautiful spots and must visit ones like Hebbe Falls, Z Point, Kalhatti Falls which are great visits just post-monsoon.
  • Baba Budangiri,the second-highest peak in the mountain range, is must visit for its picturesque hills and valley coupled with endless green meadows.
Shanthi Falls,KR hills
Shanthi Falls,KR hills
  • A protected area and Project Tiger area, the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best tourist spots in Chikmagalur. The Sanctuary is located between the districts of Chikmagalur and Shimoga and is at approx 35 km from Chikmagalur. This is must visit to view the tigers as well as the Bhadra Reservoir.

Location  : Chikmagaluru is 250 kms west of Bengaluru.Mullayanagiri is about 20 km, Bababudangiri is around 30 km and Kemmanugundi or KR hills is 60 kms from Chikmanagaluru.

K.R. Hills,Kemmangundi
K.R. Hills,Kemmangundi

Tourist Attraction on the spot:

Mullayanagiri peak, Bababudangiri, KR hills : Shanthi Falls,Hebbe Falls, KR park, Z point, Kalhatti Falls

Tourist Attraction in Vicinity:

You can visit Jog Falls , Murudeshwar ,Udupi ,Gokarna,Coorg and Sringeri within 400 km range.

The glory of romantic sunset in a shy of drizzle
The glory of romantic sunset in a shy of drizzle

Distance Charts:(Chikmagaluru)

The deadblock trekked up wrong-Mullayangiri
The deadblock trekked up wrong-Mullayangiri

How to Reach Chikmagaluru:

Road Routes:

Bengaluru-Hassan-Chikmagalur-Mullayanagiri-Bababudangiri-KR hills

Greenhouse at KR hills
Greenhouse at KR hills

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM MY EXPERIENCE:

1)The late September to Early November is the suggested corridor to view these places in utmost greenery without facing much rainy spells-you don’t want to trek here in even drizzles.

2)Continuing on my first point , Mullayanagiri and all neighboring hills have that red soil which becomes damn slippery after even a drizzle-unless you are in proper boots-you are gonna fear slip roll and then anyhow manage to be at the top.It’s gonna make you think -no treks next time but we adventurous junkies are shameless-we’ll do trek but easier ones in right seasons next time!

3)Have snacks and water with you in a small bad and keep it light when you trek to any of these regions.Have a mini umbrella with you all times-either to get away from sun or from downpour.

4)Bababudangiri has a waterfall coupled with amazing views far and wide-local buses is only way to be here but ,it’s worth it. Green pastures with lots of tea plantations with a trail going to Kudremukh down the line is what you see!

The plains from KR hills
The plains from KR hills

RAIL:Chikmagaluru has a railway station of its own but trains are pretty few.Hassan will be a better stop from where you can catch a state bus.

AIR: Hassan/Mysuru/Bengaluru are some airports close to Chikmagalur.

ROAD: A road from Bengaluru runs straight through Hassan to Chikmagalur on a smooth metaled road,But,the road to Mullayanagiri or KR hills is not smooth, quite rough with lots of patches-maybe because half the year it rains here!KSRTC offers good bus services upto KR hills.

Map:

Bengaluru-Hassan-Chikmagalur-Mullayanagiri-Bababudangiri-KR hills road rourte Map
Bengaluru-Hassan-Chikmagalur-Mullayanagiri-Bababudangiri-KR hills road rourte Map

Time to Visit:

September to January is a good time visit these places.

The peak of Mullayangiri is 3 kms uphill
The peak of Mullayangiri is 3 kms uphill

Spend Time With:

Friends,Groups,Solo,Couple,Family(if used to hilly roads)

Food and Lodging:

Hotels are not there at Bababudangiri or Mullayanagiri but you’ll find some resort or government guest house in KR hills. Chikmagalur is cheap and best for hotels for these places.And have snacks and plenty of water for all these places as there are hardly any shops as such except maybe at peak and KR hills. Chikmagalur has restaurants with local food-shall not be an issue.

Expense:

A 2 day trip to these places cost(only if buses follow your time patterns):

The gateway to Z-point,KR hills
The gateway to Z-point,KR hills


Food:INR 80/person/day(3 times a day)X2
Transport: Private bus will cost some 150 bucks to Mullyanagiri trek base point and Bababudangiri to and fro. For KR hills ,there’s state as well as private buses costing about 120 INR to and fro(In case you book a car to Mullayanagiri to and fro,that can cost you around INR 2500)
Lodging:INR 700/day X1(one night stay at Chikmagalur)
Entry Fees :Zero

The stairs to foothills of Mullayanagiri
The stairs to foothills of Mullayanagiri

Total: 1450 INR(INR 3900 if you book a car for Mullayangiri)

Nearby Attractions(Chikmagalur)

Bababudangiri
Bababudangiri
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The Ooty Hill station
In Tourist destinations around Bangalore

Ooty-Udhagamandalam and Coonoor-The queen of hill stations in South India

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Want a weekend gateway to forest areas from Bengaluru-Look no further -Wayanad in Kerala and the adjacent district of Karnataka that is Coorg is waiting for you. When the monsoon calls it quits leaving a trail of fresh air and green aura, that’s when you should be here, seeing overflowing Iruppu Falls, the gigantic Cauvery river at Talacauvery, the tea estates in Wayanad, and beautiful treks like Pakshipatalam or Brahmagiri trek.

15 Reasons why you must visit Ooty and Coonoor:

  • Ooty is one of India’s most visited year destinations and should be on your charts if you make it to south India.
Doddabetta Peak
Doddabetta Peak
  • You could go boating in the beautiful Ooty Lake or to Pykara lake to enjoy a boat ride in paddle boats, motorboats, or rowing ones with your friends or family. Cycling and horse riding around the lake is equally enjoyable.
  • The Nilgiri Toy Train, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must rail journey in India, starting from Mettupalayam to Udagamandalam and crossing about 250 bridges and 16 tunnels. You can halt at places like Coonoor, Wellington, and Lovedale on the way to Ooty.
  • Four hundred feet Kalhatti Falls in Bellikal is known for lush greenery around the falls and birds unique to this region.
The Nilgiri railways dotting the plains of Ooty
The Nilgiri railways dotting the plains of Ooty
  • Visit Doddapetta park, which houses the highest point, the Doddapetta peak offering beautiful views of Nilgiri hills and Chamundi hills and the sunset through telescopes and binoculars.
  • Coonoor, another hill station near Ooty, is famous for its tea plantations and is at a good height of about 2000 meters offering splendid views of the valleys and vast hilly regions.
  • Dolphin’s Nose is located about 1500 m above sea level and is one of the most frequented places by tourists in Coonoor. There are canyons and valleys with lush green hills, along with a clear view of the Catherine Falls.
  • Three kilometers from Coonoor, Highfield Tea Factory, is a place for tea lovers to learn how tea is processed, packaged, and shipped. You can also get some tea for your friends and family, chocolates, and eucalyptus oil.

Location: Ooty is 300 km south of Bengaluru via Mysuru and 600 southwest of Chennai via Erode.

The lake in Ooty boasts good boating facilities
The lake in Ooty boasts good boating facilities

Tourist Attraction on the spot:

Ooty: Ooty Boat House, Botanical Garden, Rose Garden, Doddabetta Peak Telescope house, Nilgiri Mountain Railway Line; Coonoor: Pykara waterfalls, Sim’s Park, Catherine Water Falls, Rangaswamy Peak

Tourist Attraction in Vicinity:

You can visit Wayanad, Coorg, Mysuru, Thrissur, and Kozhikode as excellent destinations.

Thread Garden in Ooty
Thread Garden in Ooty

Distance Charts:(Ooty)

Rangaswamy peak near Coonoor
Rangaswamy peak near Coonoor

How to Reach Ooty and Coonoor:

Road Routes:

Bengaluru/Chennai-Erode-Coimbatore-Coonoor-Ooty(rail route)/Bengaluru-Mysuru-Ooty.

Tea estates in Ooty is pretty common and pretty to look
Tea estates in Ooty is pretty common and pretty to look

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM MY EXPERIENCE:

1)Ooty and Coonoor are pleasant hill stations throughout the year-I was here in May, and the climate was just mindblowing. So hop in anytime monsoons from June to September are better avoided.

2)Hotels can get damn expensive and scarce in summers, which is the peak season, so get yourself a booking or hard luck. Off-season getting a hotel is no big deal, even with no booking.

3) Some tours are organized to see tourist spots at Coonoor and Ooty. Check them out on relevant sites and travel agents in and around Ooty.

4)Buses are an excellent way to travel to some tourist spots and in and out of big cities to and fro Ooty. They are economical and have a good frequency.

5)Food at restaurants can be damn costly. What can save you bucks is having idli-dosa on the streets or small hotels-They are tasty authentic, and cheap! However, North Indian hotels will be a lot more expensive.

Flowers from Botanical Garden
Flowers from Botanical Garden

RAIL: Nearest railway stations are Ooty as well as Coonoor. There’s a toy train plying between Mettupalayam and Ooty, and Mettupalayam is connected to Coimbatore by a broad gauge line.

ROAD: You can come from pretty much anywhere to Ooty. TNSTC and KSRTC have excellent bus services directly to Ooty.

Map:-

Chennai-Erode-Coimbatore-Coonoor-Ooty road route

Bengaluru-Mysuru-Ooty-road-route

Time to Visit:

Except for rains-June to August-anytime is fine.

Catherine falls,Ooty
Catherine falls,Ooty

Spend Time With:

Family, Friends, Solo, Couple, Groups

Food and Lodging:

Food isn’t an issue but is costly, especially if you ask for out-of-context north Indian cuisines. Grab idli dosas, and you’ll do fine. Talking about hotels-in peak seasons, it’s not easy to get cheap, and the best hotels-its full jammed. Better book in advance through Goibibo, Makemytrip, or the Yatra website; that will save hassle and bucks.

Expense:

A 2 day wholesome trip in Ooty and Coonoor will cost:

Ketti Valley
Ketti Valley

Food: INR 150/person/day(3 times a day)X2

Transport: There are shared tours happening-you. I need to do a bit of google search -take it as INR 1000. Else you can hop for bus services for main spots only which will cost INR 500.

Lodging: INR 800/day X2 (1 day in Ooty and other at Coonoor)

Entry Fees include various places (varies): Assume INR 300 as there are entry fees on several sites (including boating on sharing basis)

Avalanche Lake or Emeralad Lake
Avalanche Lake or Emeralad Lake

Total: 3300 INR(INR 3800 if a shared tour is taken, which is a better way to go)

Nearby Attractions(Ooty)

The Ooty Hill station
The Ooty Hill station
Bhavani Lake
Bhavani Lake
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