Start your day early from Sonda with a scenic drive toward Kodachadri—stop at the Sonda Rajeshwara Betta temple area for fresh morning air and a quick glimpse of the surrounding hills. Continue along the winding route, pausing at small roadside viewpoints and the verdant paddy fields near Hosanagara, and if time permits make a short detour to the Hanuman Gundi Falls trailhead for a brisk walk and views before lunch.
After a relaxed riverside lunch in Hosanagara or at a local dhaba, head toward Jogigundi and Kunchikal Falls viewpoints, taking time to admire the Western Ghats’ valleys from the roadside pullouts; visit the nearby Kavala Caves or the ancient Idagunji Ganapati shrine if you prefer culture over trekking. Drive onward to Shimoga (Shivamogga), stopping at the Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari for a short wildlife experience or at Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary if migrating birds are present.
Arrive in Shimoga by evening and unwind with a stroll along the Tunga riverfront or a visit to the old town bazaars to sample local Malnad cuisine like akki rotti and korri gassi. Finish the day with sunset views at the Ghati Subramanya temple approach or a calm dinner at a riverside restaurant, reflecting on the day’s hill vistas and waterfalls before overnighting in Shimoga.