Leave Bangalore by private car or board pre‑booked train/bus. Road drive via NH75 (through Hassan) takes ~4–5h depending on traffic; trains go to Kadur/Tarikere and require a taxi for the last 30–40km. Book train seats or bus/volvo in advance for this busy weekend.
Arrive and check in; if you chose a coffee‑estate stay you’ll get a calm, late check‑in experience and often complimentary evening snacks. Confirm late check‑in with the property.
If arriving late, use your hotel/estate restaurant for dinner; many local restaurants close by 10pm, so plan to eat at the stay. Expect Malnad comfort food and fresh filter coffee in the morning.
Drive up to Mullayanagiri (highest peak in Karnataka) for dawn and panoramic views; the area is usually accessible from ~6:00am–6:00pm but confirm local restrictions for early access. The short walk to the summit is steep but rewarding.
Have a hearty Malnad breakfast—fresh filter coffee, idli/ragi rotti or akki rotti—either at your coffee‑estate stay (recommended) or a well‑rated local cafe in Chikmagalur town; estate breakfasts are especially fresh.
Visit the Baba Budangiri hills (close to Mullayanagiri) to see the shrine and rolling grasslands; temple visiting hours typically run morning to evening (approx 6:00am–8:00pm) — wear comfortable shoes and carry water.
Eat a Malnad thali or local speciality — Town Canteen (a popular local spot) serves authentic regional dishes; confirm opening hours (usually opens for lunch). Great way to sample local flavours like akki rotti and Malnad curries.
Book a guided tour at a nearby coffee plantation (many estates run tours between ~9:00am–4:00pm). Learn about bean processing, sample fresh filter coffee and take short estate walks—book a slot in advance.
Relax at Hirekolale Lake for calm sunset views and reflections of the Western Ghats; generally accessible daylight hours—good for photos and a short evening stroll.
For a comfortable dinner choose your hotel/resort restaurant (The Serai has good dining if you’re staying there) or return to Chikmagalur town for local favourites. Try local fish or vegetable stews typical of the Malnad region.
Book the morning jeep/vehicle safari in advance — safaris commonly run around 6:00am–9:30am (check the forest dept schedule). A morning safari offers the best chance to spot gaur, deer, birds and possibly leopard signs.
Drive toward Kemmanagundi/Hebbe Falls area; Hebbe Falls requires a jeep ride and a short trek and is usually open daytime (confirm local jeep timings and jeep availability with your stay). Expect muddy trails in monsoon—carry good shoes.
Stroll in Chikmagalur town, buy roasted beans from reputed estate shops and pick up spices or local honey. Shops are generally open 9:00am–8:00pm; ask estate hosts for trusted vendors.
Have an early breakfast, settle bills and pack up. Confirm vehicle or train/bus timings the night before and ensure you leave with buffer time for traffic.
Start the return drive/train journey to Bangalore. Road travel typically takes ~4–5 hours; trains from Kadur/Tarikere require a taxi transfer of 30–40km to the station—factor that into planning so you meet your preferred arrival window in Bangalore.