Bangalore to Mesmerising Malnad | Step by Step Road Trip guide

Bangaloreans are blessed. We are within five hours of reaching hills for a serene and quiet holiday amidst nature. Malnad – as western ghats region in Karnataka is called – is an ideal place to explore. Driving in the hills is soothing to the body and soul! Western ghats, a bio diversity hot spot is now a UNESCO World heritage site.

So, why not spend few days exploring the vibrant and beautiful valleys, the rivers and peaks of this region. Here is a recommended itinerary for a lovely holiday in the hills.

Bangalore – Chikmagalur – Sringeri – Agumbe – Tirthahalli – Jogfalls – Bangalore

Click on the route map here –  Route Map 

Road Condition – Excellent

Leave Bangalore around 7 AM. Have breakfast of tasty thatte idlis and Masala Dosa in Shark Dhabha after Solur. If you feel it is too early, then have excellent breakfast in Swathi Delicacy before Yediyur or Dhruvatare after Yediyur or Mayura at Bellur cross, On the way, visit Halebeedu and Belur known for exquisite Hoysala temples.

Reach Chikmagalur for lunch. Rest for a while and drive to Mullayana Giri to witness lovely Sunset.

Road condition – Good

After breakfast drive to Bababudan Giri and on the way stop over for lovely Jhari Falls and Honnamamanahalla falls. After vsisting the cave temple of Dattaterya and dargha drive onwards to Kemmanagundi. Carry packed lunch.

Visit Hebbe falls – few KMs of trek – and Kalhatti falls. Stop, look and enjoy vistas of beautiful valley. Have a picnic lunch in one of the nice meadows in Kemmanagundi.

Return to Chikmagalur via Tarikere after visiting beautiful Hoysala style Amrutheshwara temple at Amrutapura.

Road condition – Good

If possible get up early to watch sunrise from Mullayanagiri. It is an amazing experience.

After watching sunrise and breakfast, go for safari in Muthodi Wild Life sanctuary. (check out timings from your home stay/hotel). On the way stop over at Mallandur Sunset point for a nice valley view. Return for lunch. Rest.

In the evening drive down to Ayyanakere – a beautiful lake – and on the way back have excellent masala dosa in Town canteen in Chikmagalur. Visit M G Park for Musical fountain display – kids will love it – and return to home stay/hotel.

Road Condition – Good with broken patches

Leave Chikmagalur after early Breakfast. Reach Sirimane falls and enjoy the lovely falls. Drive to Sringeri. Visit temple of Sharadamba and ashram. Have lunch in Mutt.

After lunch drive to Agumbe. Visit Barkana falls – few KMs of trek – and reach sunset point for witnessing magnificent sunset over the arabian sea. If you are early for sunset, drive to Kundadri hills on the way to Tirthahalli for beautiful views of Malnad valley and also sunset.

Drive to Tirthahalli and rest in home stay.

Road Condition – Good

After breakfast drive to Kavale Durga. Climb the hill fort for a beautiful view of Sharavathi valley. Get down from the fort and drive to Nagara to visit 15th century fort and royal ruins. Return to Home stay for Lunch.

After lunch drive to the beautiful memorial to one of the greatest poets of India – KUVEMPU. Explore 150 year old heritage house and climb up  a small hill to view lovely vistas.

Road Condition – Good

If possible get up early to watch nice sunrise at Navilukallu Gudda close to home stay. After watching Sunrise, enjoy the waters at Tunga river in Chippalagudde. Return to home stay for breakfast.

After breakfast drive to Jog falls. On the way visit 15th century jain monuments at Humcha. Reach home stay in Jog falls for lunch. Rest a while after lunch. Around 4 PM, drive to Jog falls. Enjoy the beauty of falls. Night stay at home stay.

After early breakfast visit Bhuvanagiri, Burude Jog falls and return for lunch.

After lunch, drive to Hasirumakki for a cruise on the backwaters.

Return to Home stay.

Road condition – Excellent

After breakfast drive back to Bangalore. On the way visit 15th century temple of Aghoreshwara at Ikkeri on the outskirts of Sagara.

Visit lion and tiger safari at Tyavarekoppa before Shimoga. Return home by evening.

The best options for stay while touring Malnad are home stays. Here are our recommendations

Chikmagalur – Bettadamalali Homestay (our favourite)  Thotadahalli Homestay (our favourite) and Coffee bean Home stay (our favourite). If you are willing to splurge then look at options of Flameback lodges, Taj Gateway and Serai.

Tirthahalli – Bananki Homestay (our favourite) ,  Kolavara HeritageDevangi Athitya 

Jog falls – Mutthuga Homestay  Gundimane Homestay

a) This holiday is to drive around and enjoy the vistas of Malnad. Hence take your own time. If find it is taxing, then cut down some of the items in itinerary.

b) Road conditions in the hills of western ghats are generally good with odd pot holes and broken patches.

c) Many places have been left out from the itinerary like Horanadu, Charmadi. If you can stretch another day or two you can cover those places.

d) Hill driving requires patience. Drive safe and enjoy the vistas.

e) Driving up Mullayana Giri requires some expertise…..especially the last three KMs. If you find yourself not upto it, park the car at foot hills and walk up. It is a nice trek.

f) Winters in this region will be chilly. Carry light woolens.

Lastly, the road conditions may change due to various factors. It will be good to join a road trip enthusiasts’ FB group HVK Forum managed by H V Kumar, the doyen of road trip in India. You can get the latest updates on the road conditions in this very active group.

We strongly suggest that you download customised RoutO app from H V Kumar. HVK as he is fondly called, provides you customised route maps, live support on the road trip and will also help you with hotel accommodation as well. Check out all details here.

RoutO – The Right Route & Travel Support For The Motorist Traveller

We encourage you to explore more around Bangalore! Do check these posts below.

10 Wonderful Weeklong Road Trips from Bangalore with Day Wise Itinerary! – http://traveltwosome.com/exciting-road-trips-from-bangalore/ 

7 Wonderful Weekend Trips from Bangalore (Covers Saturday & Sunday) with Day Wise Itinerary – http://traveltwosome.com/weekend-getaways-from-bangalore/

What has been your experience of Malnad ? We would like to hear from you. Please share it in the comments below.

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