Are you looking for peace?? Some time off from daily rush and spend the time with nature and feel the cool breeze and sound of running water. Chikmagalur is famous for its serene environment, lush green forests and tall mountains. It is also famous for the coffee and is often referred to as the coffee land of Karnataka. Locals says that Baba Budan from Arab walked till this place hiding the coffee seeds in the beard and they grew it on the mountain which is now known as Baba Budangiri mountain. It said that during the time coffee was not introduced to India and it was prohibited to take the coffee out from Arab. Sunrise and the Sunset from coffee mountains is breath taking, though you have to climb the hill to get the view.
Next day we visited Sringeri Sharada Peetham , which is an ancient temple built in 1342AD. In this temple you will find the devotees fiding the fish which as per the locals are sacred fish and belongs to temple, no one can kill them. The size of each fish was around 10kgs.
There are 20+ places to visit near Chikmagalur, though the places are not far but due to the ghats and curves you can't drive in speed. Also depends on the season, you will get water falls and fog. You can have Jungle Safari, Star Gazing, River Rafting, Mountain and Forest Trekking. You can visit the place any time of the year, but I will say to avoid summers as you can;t walk much.
Where to Stay?
We booked our stay at RiverWoods Home Stay and it was so relaxing. I will say if you've booked River Woods, you need not to think for something else. You did one of the best thing in your life. The place is so calm and peaceful that you will get the refreshment for your soul and mind. The 350 acres place and the vintage cottage surrounded by coffee plantation will relax you like anything. You can go on a morning walk where the fog will welcome you with the pleasant smell of the forest and coffee flowers. The stay is so nice that you will get the real meaning of home stay.
Breakfast and food prepared by Lalitha Aunty is really awesome, mouthwatering and finger licking. She never repeated the dishes and was always happy to serve. It's really good to see her food preparation and presentation. She serve the food with a smile which is really adorable.
Highly recommended place for nature lovers, people who want Me time, who want to relax and who wants a quality family time. Having the bonfire at night, star gazing and barbeque will add extra points for the place. A river nearby, where you can just sit and relax or play within gives you a reason to stay back for an extra day at River Woods. You'll get playing cards, ludo, bat and ball, football, badminton if you want to play. You will have enough books and novels, if you love reading. Everything is placed so nicely that you will just love it. The decoration is so unique that I bet you will try something at your place copying the idea from River Woods. Not to miss, visit the Royal Cafe for a filter or cold coffee, you will love the place and the coffee.
How to reach?
You can reach from Bengaluru by road which is 244kms via NH75 which will take nearly 4-5 hours without break, this is the best way as per my recommendation. I will suggest to start in the morning as by afternoon or early evening you will reach the town. As it's a small town with ghat roads we should take proactive precautions and measures.