Once upon a time, there was a country that drank tea. The country and its countrymen were happy sipping this sugar-laden beverage until one Baba Budan Giri decided to give Coffee to his country, and thus began the coffee journey of India. It’s being said that Baba Budan Giri brought Coffee seeds to India and planted those in Chikmagalur.

How true is this story?! I can’t comment. What I , however, have seen is huge fields with coffee plantation with strong and addictive smells, uplifting your moods & spirits. If there must, Chikmagalur should be the Coffee Capital of India just like Munnar is the Tea Haven.

Situated in the foothills of Western Ghats, the place has a cool climate, apt for Coffee plantation. Apart from the scenic beauty, winding roads and crispy air, Chikmagalur houses the highest peak of Karnataka- Mullayangiri.

Trek to Mullayangiri:

If you are not a fan of trekking, this is the trek for you. It’s not at all a gruelling trek, nothing that you can boast of. A few kilometres of uphill walking, and a few hundred steps post that. Do that, and you reach the top in no time.

A beautiful aerial view & a sacred temple await you at the top. Visit the temple, take a parikrama, and leave all woes there. There is a thing about small, hill-top temples. You just feel too good after reaching there, like someone has lifted a bug burden off your shoulders. And you are free to go about your business.

Ever felt that?

Chikmagalur is not about all trekking; it’s also about drinking Coffee (wherever you get the next chance), visiting nearby waterfalls & bathing in it (if you ain’t that pretentious types), and making new friends along with a truck load of memories.

I made many.

Chikmagalur is a day’s drive away from Bangalore and is definitely a weekend getaway unless you plan to grow & cultivate coffee there.

Do go. Why? Because it’s there.