Start your trip by heading to Mullayanagiri, the highest peak in Karnataka, to witness breathtaking views at sunrise. The 3-km trek to the summit is moderately challenging and takes roughly two hours. After that, head to Baba Budangiri, the second-highest peak in Karnataka, around 45 minutes away. There's a Dargah (mosque) and cave called the Manikyadhara Falls, which is especially beautiful after the rains. Don't forget to pack some snacks and water for the road.
Start your day by heading to one of the coffee plantations nearby and seeing firsthand how coffee is grown and processed. Next, drive to Hebbe Falls, which is a lovely spot for a picnic lunch. It takes around 45 minutes to reach the falls from the parking lot, but it's worth it for the views. The falls themselves drop into two stages, and you can choose to bathe in the lower stage's icy-cold water pool. Day 2, like Day 1, will end in the town of Chikkamagaluru.
If you have more time, you could consider visiting the ancient Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebid, which are both around two hours away. Alternatively, you could spend an additional day in Chikkamagaluru and visit the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. If you have less time, you may consider visiting either Mullayanagiri or Baba Budangiri for sunrise and then visiting a coffee plantation. You can also visit Kemmanagundi or Z Point if you want to stay away from the crowd.