Chikkamagaluru district

At about 1,930 m the highest peak in Karnataka, a grassy summit of the Baba Budan range near Chikkamagaluru topped by a small Shiva shrine (Mullappa Swamy); a motorable road climbs to a saddle, from where a short stepped path leads to the top and sweeping Western Ghats views. This trek guide belongs to the Chikkamagaluru planning base in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (nature option in Kochi)

A sacred mountain range north of Chikkamagaluru named after the Sufi saint Baba Budan, credited with first bringing coffee to India; its cave shrine (the Dattatreya Peetha) is revered by Hindus and Muslims alike, and the ridge has grassy trails and viewpoints. This hill station guide belongs to the Chikkamagaluru planning base in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (nature option in Kochi)

A calm irrigation lake ringed by coffee hills a few kilometres from Chikkamagaluru town, a popular spot for sunset views over the water with the Baba Budan range behind. This heritage guide belongs to the Chikkamagaluru planning base in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (see option in Kochi)

One of the largest lakes in Karnataka, a centuries-old tank below the Baba Budan hills near Sakharayapatna, ringed by farmland and hills — a quiet birding and sunset spot. This heritage guide belongs to the Chikkamagaluru planning base in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (see option in Kochi)

A tiger reserve on the Bhadra river around Muthodi, its dry and moist deciduous forest sheltering tigers, elephants, gaur, sambar and rich birdlife; jeep safaris run from the Muthodi range. This wildlife guide belongs to the Chikkamagaluru planning base in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (nature option in Kochi)

A Hoysala temple of 1196 CE to Amrutesvara (Shiva) at Amruthapura in Tarikere taluk, on a star-shaped plan with a fine tower, a long inscribed hall and detailed friezes — a quieter cousin of Belur and Halebidu. This temple guide belongs to the Kemmanagundi planning base in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (see option in Kochi)

The temple of goddess Sharadamba at Sringeri, seat of the Sharada Peetham — the first of the four mathas founded by Adi Shankaracharya — on the bank of the Tunga river; a major centre of learning and pilgrimage. This temple guide belongs to the Sringeri planning base in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (see option in Kochi)

A 14th-century temple in the Sringeri math complex blending Hoysala and Vijayanagara styles, famous for its twelve zodiac pillars set so that sunlight falls on the pillar of the solar month, and for its finely carved outer walls. This temple guide belongs to the Sringeri planning base in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (see option in Kochi)

A pretty tiered waterfall in the forests near Kigga, about 20 km from Sringeri, where the stream steps down mossy rock into a pool that is safe for a paddle in season. This waterfall guide belongs to the Sringeri planning base in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (nature option in Kochi)

At about 1,894 m the second-highest peak in Karnataka, a "horse-face"-shaped summit in the Kudremukh National Park; a permit-controlled day trek crosses rolling shola grassland and streams to the top. This trek guide belongs to the Kudremukh planning base in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (nature option in Kochi)

A waterfall inside the Kudremukh National Park, reached down a long flight of steps, dropping around 30 m into a rocky pool amid rainforest; also known as Soojipara. This waterfall guide belongs to the Kudremukh planning base in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (nature option in Kochi)

A riverside temple to Adi Shakthyathmaka Annapoorneshwari, goddess of food and nourishment, at Horanadu on the Bhadra, where every pilgrim is offered a free meal; a key stop on the Sringeri–Kalasa temple circuit. This temple guide belongs to the Kudremukh planning base in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (see option in Kochi)

A thin, sacred cascade on the Baba Budangiri slopes where pilgrims stand in the spray, believed to have healing powers; reached by a short walk down steps from the road near the Dattatreya shrine. This waterfall guide belongs to the Chikkamagaluru planning base in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (nature option in Kochi)

A waterfall at the foot of the Chandra Drona (Baba Budan) hills near Kemmanagundi, where the stream drops past a Veerabhadra temple set into the rock; fullest in and just after the monsoon. This waterfall guide belongs to the Kemmanagundi planning base in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, with route context, best-time notes and verified inventory categories for stays, food, operators, shops, wellness and transport as they are approved. (nature option in Kochi)