The coffee capital of Karnataka, Chikmagalur is a hill station renowned for it’s green nature and pleasant weather. The perfect escape for city dwellers tired of the humdrum activities and the accompanying cacophony of busy urban life. The hospitality and the traditional cuisine that the native villages and a Chikmagalur home-stay can offer the more adventurous of travelers is a most recommended experience.
There are a number of hills around with and waterfalls and streams to be found at regular intervals. The most prominent tourist activities are sightseeing and trekking in this tiny hamlet that rests on the foothills of the towering Western Ghats. The verdant greenery and several other attractions enthralls visitors and will have you enjoying the beauty of mother nature at its purest like never before.
The pristine location amid the extensive sprawling Western Ghats throws up umpteen mind blowing views of thick forests and lush greener throughout the numerous trails. Mullayanagiri, Baba Budangiri, Kemmangundi, Hebbe Falls, Kalhatti Falls, the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary and many such spots are popular with those inclined towards hiking or trekking. Visitors to the region are mostly from the IT capital Bangalore who stay overnight in a Chikmagalur resort.
The various hill peaks offer you the opportunity to enjoy the panoramic views of the marvelous surroundings. This makes it undoubtedly the favourite place for a weekend getaway trip from Bangalore or an offbeat homestay in the middle of greenery. Chikmagalur is famous among solo as well as group travellers due to the welcoming nature of the locals and the numerous venues for tourist activities.
A trip to the Kudremukh National Park is at the top of all things to do while visiting Chikmagalur. Located about 100 km from Chikmagalur town, the park is located in the pristine environs of the Western Ghats, at an altitude of 1,800m above sea. The high altitude brings several benefits, with one being the climate. The locale experiences serene conditions and mild weather across the year, even in the middle of the harshest summers in the rest of the region.
Of special note is the peak shaped like the head of a horse. Known as Kudremukh or “horse’s face” it is the favorite destination of visitors to the park. The entire region is thickly covered with dense foliage and a number of tea and coffee plantations.
The park fall under the aegis of the Global Tiger Conservation Project with a grade of Priority-I. While on a Chikmagalur tour or a stay in a resort, one should not be surprised at the impressive wildlife and flora that can be witnessed in this place. The park is a jungle in it’s purest sense with no dearth of wildlife. Apart from tigers, there are several other species of wild animals such as leopards, bears and the Indian Bison. Of special note is the large number of barking deer as well as the spotted variety.
Three rivers originate from the region, namely the Bhadra, Tunga and Nethravati. The park has an impressive array of the various exotic plants and flowers on display. The medicinal eucalyptus plant can be found in abundance as is the silky oak.
Related Post: There is much more to Chikmagalur than plantations and treks
