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Exploring Chikmagalur: Waterfalls, Wildlife, and Serene Cafes
Day1: From Bangalore to Chikmagalur:
Our original plan to visit Wayanad got washed out due to heavy rains, so we decided to pivot and head to Chikmagalur instead. 🚗💨 We had already booked a Zoomcar and sorted out our accommodation in advance to make sure everything went smoothly.
I kicked off the journey from Bangalore, where I was based, while my friends came from Hyderabad. We rolled into Mysore around 10 a.m. and grabbed a cab to the Zoomcar pickup spot, which was about 3 kilometers away and set us back around 300 rupees for all seven of us. 🏙️🚖
When we arrived, one car, a Swift, was ready to go, but the Nexon was still being cleaned. After a quick 20-minute wait, the Nexon showed up. We checked in via the app, recorded some thorough videos for future reference, and finally hit the road. 🚗📱🎥
I took the wheel of the Swift, with Ali as my navigator and Dheeraj chilling in the backseat. We made a pit stop to fuel up and check the tire pressure, gearing up for our 170 km journey ahead. ⛽🚦
About 20 kilometers into the drive, we stopped for breakfast at a restaurant called Gandhagudi on the Mysore-Chikmagalur highway. We devoured some fantastic dosas (the smaller set dosas) and Harsha gave the Pongal a try, which we jokingly compared to dal rice. 🍽️😋
Fueled and ready, we continued on our way, covering about 100 kilometers in 2.5 hours. We took a break at a tea shop to refresh ourselves, as the rain began to fall. With another 50 kilometers to go, we just hoped the weather wouldn’t throw us off course. 🌧️☕️
We rolled into our property around 4:30 p.m. The cottage we had booked was stunning—surrounded by lush greenery, with horses trotting about, chances for horse riding, peacocks calling, and a well-maintained swimming pool and lawn. It was like something out of a dream! 🏡🐎🌿
After freshening up, we ventured out for lunch based on Google reviews and stumbled upon a gem called Katte Biriyani, run by a mother-daughter duo. Their hospitality was top-notch, and we enjoyed a flavorful chicken soup followed by biriyani served in coated leaves. The biriyani was deliciously authentic, and we also nibbled on some kababs. The chicken biriyani was around 200 rupees and the mutton biriyani was 300 rupees. 🍛👍
Post-lunch, we channeled our inner kids at Arun Ice Creams, indulging in some delightful ice cream and marveling at how Arun had become a household name. Back at the property, we played Uno, chatted, and I edited reels for my Instagram. We then ordered food from the property, which was less than stellar, but we were so exhausted from the day that we didn’t even care. 🍦🎉
With Day 1 in the books, we were brimming with excitement for Day 2 and the adventures it promised. 🌟✨
Day2: city hopping along with Hirekolale lake and Ayyankare lake view.
Our second day started off with a cool, drizzly morning. After freshening up, we took a quick tour of our property before heading out for breakfast. Naturally, I couldn’t resist ordering dosa—my South Indian staple—and with biryani on the lunch menu (no substitutions, thank you very much! 😂).
We inquired about local attractions, but unfortunately, major spots like Mulyangiri, Z Point, and other nearby areas were closed due to rain. ☔️ Disappointed but undeterred, we turned to Google Maps for alternative destinations and discovered Hirekolale Lake and Ayyankare Lake and Dam. We decided to check out Hirekolale Lake first. It was about 30 km from the main town and took us roughly an hour to reach. The drive was a visual feast, with gorgeous roads and stunning scenery all around. 🚗🌲
When we got to Hirekolale Lake, we felt adventurous and decided to explore further. As we wandered into the surrounding forest, we were lured by the soothing sound of flowing water. We followed the sound and stumbled upon a small stream trickling down from the hilltop into the forest. It wasn’t exactly a waterfall, but the adventure of exploring off the beaten path was well worth it. 🌳💧
Returning to Hirekolale Lake, we admired the vast expanse of water, which was quite full thanks to the rainy season. Despite the drizzle, we managed to snap some fantastic photos. We chatted with a group of college students who recommended two more offbeat places: Ukkada Waterfall and Bhadra Jungle Safari. Their suggestions lifted our spirits and gave us something new to look forward to. 📸🌧️
Next up was Ayyankare Lake, about 25 km away, which took us around 45 minutes to reach. The rain-soaked roads were a bit tricky, especially for me, as I’m not exactly an off-road driving pro. 🚙💨 But it turned out to be a great learning experience. At the lake, we walked over to a nearby dam where we saw a significant water flow and a crowd watching the spectacle. One particularly brave soul stood at the edge of the dam like a lone warrior, which was pretty impressive. 💪🌊
After exploring the dam, we found a cozy spot nearby to relax and chat. We bumped into the same daring individual again, shared stories, and even took a photo together. Meeting new people and exchanging stories is what makes travel so memorable. 🤝📷
Returning to the parking area, we snacked on some local treats like bhaji and golgappa (with a unique pea stuffing, quite different from what we’re used to in Odisha and Bengal) and had some chai. It was already around 3 pm, so we decided to head to town for lunch. Google led us to Maya’s Restaurant, which had great reviews. We enjoyed some starters—chicken kabab and chicken lollipop—along with mutton biryani and a vegetarian thali. The food was absolutely delicious! 🍲😋
While settling the bill, I discovered that the head chef was also from Odisha (Kalim Khan from Puri). We had a delightful chat, shared a few laughs, and even took a selfie together. I made sure to capture this moment for the blog. 📸👨🍳
Finally, we returned to our property, relaxed a bit, and planned to visit a nearby café. With the India-Sri Lanka match on, we enjoyed a light dinner and wrapped up the day, hoping for even more excitement and joy the next day. 🏏🍴🎉
Day 3: Ukkada waterfall and Bhadra Tiger Reserve:
We kicked off our day bright and early, setting off for Ukkada Waterfall, about 45 kilometers from our property. After a hearty breakfast featuring my beloved dosa, we hit the road around 8 AM. The drive through the hilly terrain was as beautiful as it was winding, with stunning views and a few tempting homestays that I’ll definitely bookmark for future trips. 🌄🚗
We stopped to snap some photos of the lush greenery, and that’s when we bumped into Rana’s car. To our surprise, Rohan was outside, meticulously inspecting his clothes and removing leeches that had been feasting on him. Yikes! 😱 We quickly checked ourselves and thankfully found no leeches, though the thought was enough to make us shudder!
As we neared Ukkada Waterfall, we parked at a nearby café, Ukkada Café, since the road ahead was a muddy mess. The café owner suggested we hire a jeep for the last stretch to avoid getting stuck. We took his advice and grabbed coffee and a local dish—tomato rice with coconut chutney. It was a new taste adventure for me, and I loved it! ☕🍚
Our next step was a 20-minute jeep ride over a bumpy road to the assembly point, where we heard horror stories about leeches. Despite the warnings, only three of us decided to brave the waterfall. The 400-meter trek through the steep, dense forest was tough but totally worth it. With some help from a local, we navigated the tricky paths and finally reached the waterfall. Nature’s beauty was jaw-dropping! 🌲💦
After soaking in the waterfall’s splendor, we headed back to the café for a hearty lunch of tomato rice and chutney. The hospitality was top-notch, and the jeep ride up and down cost us 200 rupees per person, while the tomato rice plate was just 80 rupees. 🍽️👍
By 3 PM, we set off for Bhadra Tiger Reserve. Ali, Dheeraj, and I opted for the reserve visit, while the others headed back to the property. We booked a jeep for 600 rupees per person (accommodating 10 people) instead of the bus, which was 500 rupees per person (for 25 people). The forest officer, in a generous move, let us go despite the bus being full, saying, “Government will bear the losses, you guys can enjoy.” It was a nice touch that added to our excitement for the safari. 🐾🚙
Though we didn’t spot any tigers or elephants, we did see peacocks and deer, and the safari itself was a fantastic experience. By evening, around 6 PM, we started heading back to the property. On the way, we stopped at The Estate Café, known for its coffee gardens and charming British vibe, which was a perfect end to our day. ☕🌿
The next morning, we bid farewell to Chikmagalur with hearts full of wonderful memories. We checked out of Mysore, visited the Mysore Palace, and caught our train back to Hyderabad at 4 PM. And with that, our trip came to a close—until next time, with new stories and adventures. Goodbye for now! 👋🚂✨
Last pic we have taken in hyderabad railway station.