Chandratal Lake: Guide to the magnificient lake of Spiti Valley
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Chandratal Lake: Guide to the magnificient lake of Spiti Valley
Chandratal Lake – the most awaited part
₹ 13700
Chikmagalur: Women-Only
Chikmagalur has the vast expanse of coffee estates and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee that could make anyone fall in love with it. Little did we know that a handful of beans of coffee smuggled by a 17th century Sufi Saint would not just make coffee every household name, but also provide livelihood to the people of Chikmagalur.
Karnataka
Starts: from Bangalore
Ends: at Bangalore
Dates
Start: 4 AM, Nov 26 2021
End: 10 PM, Nov 28 2021
₹ 13000
About the Tour
Would you be interested in joining our hands on this refreshing getaway to Chikmagalur? It’s offbeat, beautiful, serene, and a power-packed itinerary that guarantees you utmost peace and a break from your busy routine life.
Chikmagalur has the vast expanse of coffee estates and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee that could make anyone fall in love with it. Little did we know that a handful of beans of coffee smuggled by a 17th century Sufi Saint would not just make coffee every household name, but also provide livelihood to the people of Chikmagalur. This also becomes the reason that the best coffee museum is in Chikmagalur itself. As a matter of fact, Chikmagalur, the land of coffee, is one of the least advertised places in Karnataka because it’s natural heritage is so rich that locals fear it would get destroyed by over-tourism.
Did you know that apart from coffee, Chikmagalur has also been generously blessed with many more natural wonders?
How beautifully Chandra Drona Mountain range dominates Chikmagalur and how curvy roads take us to the hidden waterfalls like in the wilderness of dense forests, simply captivates the visitors and makes them never wish to leave!
Mind you, none of these refreshing waterfalls such as Hebbe Falls, Jhari Falls, and Ukkada Falls are easily accessible but have to be reached by adventurous jeep rides followed by short walks. Chikmagalur is also home to the tallest peak in Karnataka, Mullyanagiri, which also forms a part of Chandra Drona Mountain Range. As a matter of fact, all adventures can be knitted together when it comes to Chikmagalur. Did you know that it is also home to Bhadra Tiger Reserve, and a safari through the tiger reserve has the highest probability of tiger spotting here, as it boasts of more than 33 tigers?
Last but not least, while returning to Chikmagalur from Bangalore, we get an amazing opportunity to stop at the historical temples of Halebidu and Belur, which are carved from soapstone, and exhibit a very intricate typical South Indian architecture. We would also visit the Bahubali statue in Shravanabelagola, which is the tallest monolithic statue in the world, and a pilgrimage site for Jains.
Trip Highlights
1. Hebbe Falls
Hebbe Falls is one of the most refreshing, and the magnificent waterfalls you would ever see in your life. Mind you, Hebbe Falls isn’t easily accessible by your private vehicle or a short walk. Located in the heart of the wilderness, one needs to hop on the jeeps operated by the Forest Department, undertake an adventurous ride of a couple of kilometers, and then walk for almost 800 meters to witness this beauty face to face. The sound of the gushing falls can be heard from the distance, and the fresh smell of greenery and the light aroma of coffee plantations, makes the whole experience very rejuvenating. Hebbe Falls are located in the buffer zone of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, very close to the lesser-known Kemmangundi Hill Station, but a little less than 100 km from the town of Chikmagalur.
2. Z point
Z point is a wonderful trekking spot located very close to the Hebbe Falls. It makes you feel truly in the lap of nature while experiencing the utmost peace, relaxation, and stunning views of green valleys. It is the simplest, yet a picturesque trek that you would ever do in the state of Karnataka. Z point has such a unique name because of the nature of its location as it offers a 360-degree view of its mesmerizing surrounding valleys. With a distance of 3 km, it takes almost 45 minutes to reach the top while witnessing a hidden waterfall in the forest, called Shanthi Falls. The first part of the trek is a plain walk through the forests while hearing nature’s music, while the last leg is a little narrow stretch where one needs to be careful of their surroundings.
3. Shanthi Falls
Shanthi Falls is an unexpected and pleasant surprise that you get while trekking to Z point in Kemmangundi in Chikmagalur. Just a couple of minutes before you reach the top, while walking on a narrow ridge, you come face to face with this hidden gem. It’s very tiny but a cute and refreshing waterfall. Be mindful about your steps around the waterfall as it’s mostly slippery here.
4. Statue Park
Statue Park is a tourist attraction located very close to the entry gate of Z point in Kemmangundi Hill station, almost more than an hour away from the Chikmagalur. Statue Park is a short interesting visit to relax in the evening as it offers a mesmerizing view of sunset. As the name suggests, the park boasts of many interesting statues, mainly animals though. A part of the Statue Park has a beautiful flower garden which is indeed a wonderful sight to visit.
5. Jhari Falls
No matter how tired you are, just the first sight of Jhari Falls would take away all your fatigue. Jhari Falls, also known as Buttermilk falls, is one of the most popular and the most visited waterfalls in Chikmagalur. The Jhari Falls is formed naturally by the springs in the mountains and flows over steep and slippery mountains making a lovely looking cascading waterfall. A pool forms below the waterfall where visitors can take a cool dip, swim, relax and play with the water. The dense forest and the coffee plantation surroundings accentuate the entire experience and make one feel insanely close to nature. For Jhari Falls as well, one needs to take the jeeps operated by the Forest department and go deep into the wilderness to experience the same.
6. Kavikal Gandi
Kavikal Gandi, also known as Horse Show Viewpoint, is an enthralling viewpoint located on the Mullayanagiri – Baba Budangiri road. It offers a mesmerizing view of Chandra Drona Mountain Range and works well as a photo point for the visitors of Chikmagalur.
7. Baba Budan Giri Shrine
Baba Budan was a 17th century Sufi Saint who introduced the magical drink of coffee to India. While returning from Mecca to India, he tasted coffee and fell so much in love with it, that he decided to bring it here. He quietly smuggled 7 coffee beans by hiding them in his beard from Mocha, a port city of Yemen, and planted those beans in Chikmagalur. Soon, the coffee became a backyard plantation of every household in Chikmagalur and even a source of livelihood. As a thankful gesture to the kind Sufi Saint, the people of Chikmagalur named an entire mountain range after him named Baba Budan Giri.
We will visit the Shrine of Baba Budan Giri which is located in a beautiful cave that is very well lighted up but stays cold and damp throughout the year.
8. Shooting Point
Shooting Point is a mesmerizing viewpoint just a couple of kilometers away from Baba Budan Giri Shrine. It offers a 360-degree viewpoint of nearby valleys. Shooting Point offers an opportunity to make pretty pictures and spend some moments of peace here.
9. Honnamma Falls
Honnamma Falls is a manmade waterfall in Chikmagalur. The water to the fall flows from a nearby coffee estate, which eventually falls on what seems like to be a flight of stairs, and hence the waterfall is formed. Honnamma Falls is the most easily accessible waterfall in Chikmagalur and is indeed a one time visit.
10. Mullayanagiri Peak
Located at an altitude of almost 3050 feet, Mullayanagiri Peak is the highest peak in Karnataka. It is in fact a part of Chandra Drona Mountain Range of Western Ghats in Chikmagalur. There is a steep 3 km trek to the top of Mullayanagiri which takes us through serpentine trails while our cheeks are caressed by cool breeze and birds creating wonderful music. The view offered by the top of Mullayanagiri is true bliss and a therapy for the tired soul. There is also a small temple located on top which is dedicated to Tapasvi Mullapa Swamy who, as per the mythology, observed meditation for years over there. That’s also how the Mullayanagiri Peak got its same, from Mullapa Swamy.
11. Coffee Plantation Tour
It would be a sin to return from Chikmagalur without visiting a coffee plantation! We would visit the private coffee plantations of your resort, romance with the beans, understand about their farming, when are they harvested, why are they grown in the shadow of tall trees, and when are they harvested.
12. Shravanabelagola
Shravanabelagola is very famous for its Bahubali/ Gomateshwara statue, located on Vindhyagiri Hill, which is 57 feet in height, and actually the tallest monolithic statue in the world. Did you know that one can see Bahubali statues from as far as 30 km? It’s a nude statue, built-in 983 A.D., and has been carved out with the utmost perfection. One needs to climb almost 620 steps to make it to the BahuBali/ Gomateshwara temple but the magnificence and the grandeur of the place make the effort worth a climb. Shravanabelagola is also one of the most important Jain pilgrimage towns in South India.
13. Hoysaleshwara Temple
Hoysaleshwara Temple, popularly known as Halebidu Temple, is a spectacular Shiva Temple built by the Hoysala dynasty in the Halebidu town of Karnataka. You would be thrilled to know that it took over almost 190 years and the 6 generations of Hoysala Kings to get this temple completed. It is a twin temple, where one temple has masculine aspects whereas the other has feminine aspects, however, both equal and joined at their transept. There are also two huge Nandi shrines located outside the respective temples.
Completely carved out from the soapstone, the Halebidu temple is nothing less than divine black beauty. The temple structure was put together by interlocking different potions above one another. The temple area is surrounded by a beautiful garden and situated on the banks of a large man-made river. The sunset viewed from Hoysaleswara Temple is very picturesque.
14. Chennakeshava Temple
Chennakeshava Temple, located in Belur town in Karnataka, is a 12th-century Hindu temple dedicated to the God Vishnu, located on the banks of the Yagachi River. This temple was also built by the Hoysala dynasty, and one of the most interesting things is that it took over three generations and more than a century to finish the construction. The temple is extremely beautiful and exhibits remarkable architecture, inscriptions, and sculptures.
15. Siri Coffee
Siri Coffee is one of the most popular cafes that is visited by tourists not just to drink good coffee, buy freshly grounded coffee powder, but also to witness this huge and beautiful statue of Mother Nature. As a matter of fact, Mother Nature’s statue is a very famous spot and tourists love getting clicked with it.
16. Bonfire & Group Games
Stay excited for this part as usual!
17. Unforgettable social experience
Our small group size ensures a personal touch, and our group leaders make sure to bond the entire group like long lost friends. Hence, along with an amazing travel experience, you are in for a great social bonding.
Your Itinerary
Booking/ Query
To book this trip, please Call/ WhatsApp/ Email using the below-mentioned details.
If you have any questions or concerns, then please feel free to contact us using the below-mentioned details. Alternatively, fill this form and our team will get back to you at their earliest.
Call/ WhatsApp : +91 9999 74 9677
Email: chandni@transformingtravels.com
Photos
Please note that last time Chikmagalur was done for a mixed group and that’s why you notice mixed group in the below photos. Nov 26-28 trip is planned only for women.
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