Weekend getaway from Mysuru · #9 of 10
Chikmagalur
Karnataka's coffee capital in the Baba Budangiri foothills, 183 km out - the longest haul here, worth a full two days. Estate stays, Mullayanagiri (the state's highest peak) and Hoysala Belur on the way home.
Trade city chaos for 48 hours of aromatic coffee trails, misty ridge climbs up Mullayanagiri, sacred Baba Budangiri viewpoints, and stunning 12th-century stone carvings at Belur on your way back.
Getting there
It is the longest haul in our catalog, so roll out of Mysuru by 6 AM to beat traffic and arrive before lunch.
Day 1 - Saturday
Fresh brews and standing on Karnataka's rooftop- 16:00 AMDrive
Drive Mysuru to Chikmagalur
Cruise through KR Nagar and Hassan as flat highways give way to lush Malenadu foothills - roll your windows down for the last twisty, emerald hour.
- 210:30 AMFood
Coffee breakfast
Roll into India's coffee capital just in time for a piping hot South Indian breakfast and a freshly brewed, frothy estate filter coffee.
📍 Chikmagalur, Karnataka
- 311:30 AMActivity
Coffee estate tour
Stroll beneath silver oaks on a guided plantation walk, check out bean-pulping yards, learn arabica vs robusta, and sip freshly roasted samples.
📍 Chikmagalur, Karnataka
- 41:30 PMFood
Lunch
Tuck into authentic Malnad soul food - crispy akki rottis and spicy bamboo-shoot curries served either right at your estate or in town.
📍 Chikmagalur, Karnataka
- 53:00 PMSight
Mullayanagiri summit
Wind up the scenic ridge and climb to Karnataka's highest peak at 1,925 m, where an ancient Shiva temple perches over endless rolling grasslands.
📍 Mullayanagiri Peak, Chikmagalur
Tip · Weather up here turns on a dime! Pack a windbreaker and head down before thick evening fog rolls in.
- 66:30 PMStay
Estate homestay
Check into a cozy plantation homestay tucked in the woods - expect crackling evening bonfires and hearty home-cooked Malnad feasts.
📍 Chikmagalur, Karnataka
- 78:00 PMFood
Estate dinner
Gather around for a warm, comforting spread of traditional home-style Malnad delicacies prepared fresh by your hosts.
📍 Chikmagalur, Karnataka
Day 2 - Sunday
Sacred ridge adventures and timeless Hoysala stone- 87:30 AMFood
Breakfast at the estate
Wake up to birdsong and a leisurely plantation breakfast paired with another unbeatable mug of single-origin coffee.
📍 Chikmagalur, Karnataka
- 99:00 AMSight
Baba Budangiri
Drive the jaw-dropping ridge to Baba Budan Giri, a revered Sufi and Hindu shrine nestled right where India's first coffee seeds were planted.
📍 Baba Budangiri, Chikmagalur
- 1012:00 PMFood
Early lunch in Chikmagalur
Refuel with a quick, delicious local lunch in Chikmagalur town before pointing the car south towards home.
📍 Chikmagalur, Karnataka
- 111:30 PMDrive
Drive to Belur
Take a breezy one-hour drive south towards Hassan for a detour that takes you straight back to the 12th century.
- 122:30 PMSight
Chennakeshava Temple, Belur
Marvel at King Vishnuvardhana's 1117 CE UNESCO-listed marvel, filled with jaw-dropping bracket dancers and intricate stone carvings.
📍 Chennakeshava Temple, Belur
- 134:00 PMDrive
Drive back to Mysuru
Cruise back to Mysuru via Hassan and KR Nagar in roughly 3.5 hours - cue up a podcast and plan a relaxed dinner for when you arrive.
Where to eat
This is ground zero for Indian coffee history - grab freshly roasted beans right from the plantation to take home.
Do not miss soft akki rotti, steamed kadubu, and earthy bamboo-shoot gravies native to these rainforest hills.
Pit stops around Hassan and KR Nagar fry up legendary, golden-crisp butter dosas that melt in your mouth.
When to go
The absolute sweet spot: emerald-green hills, thundering waterfalls, and crystal-clear mountain vistas.
Crisp, chilly mornings and golden sunshine make this the prime window for conquering Mullayanagiri's trails.
Dramatically lush and romantic, though heavy downpours bring thick fog and slick mountain hairpins.
Good to know
- Because of the driving distance, treat this strictly as a dedicated two-day getaway rather than rushing it.
- Mullayanagiri gets packed by late morning on weekends, so aim for an early climb or a late afternoon ascent.
