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Road trip · Itinerary · Karnataka

Bangalore to Coorg Chikmagalur Road Trip
3-Day Itinerary

Read12 min
Words2,400
PublishedMay 2026
BySelfDriveBLR

Trip at a glance

Total distance
650 km
Driving time
14.5 hrs
Nights
2
Best season
May–Jun
Budget (per person)
₹7K–9.5K
Hill stations
2
You drive out of Bangalore on a Saturday morning, the city receding in your rearview. Six hours later you're standing in a coffee estate near Chikmagalur, the air cool and carrying the faint bitterness of fresh roast. Day two takes you through winding ghats to Coorg, and by Sunday evening you're watching the sun set over the Western Ghats from Raja's Seat — a full weekend, two iconic hill stations, and 650 km of Karnataka's best driving roads.
Day Route Distance Drive time Night stay
Day 1 Bangalore → Chikmagalur 245 km 5 hrs Chikmagalur
Day 2 Chikmagalur → Coorg 145 km 4 hrs Madikeri
Day 3 Coorg → Bangalore 260 km 5.5 hrs —

Best time for this itinerary

May–June sits right at the transition between summer and the southwest monsoon. Chikmagalur in May sees daytime highs around 29°C — warm but comfortable in shade. June brings the first monsoon showers: temperatures drop to 24–27°C and the hills turn an electric green. Coorg follows a similar pattern. May evenings are pleasant at 20°C; June gets 600–800 mm of rain, so pack a quality rain jacket. The waterfalls are at their most dramatic in June, and the coffee estates are lush.

Driving conditions: May is dry and straightforward. From June onward, the Shiradi Ghat stretch between Chikmagalur and Coorg gets slippery — start early, drive with lights on, and watch for fallen branches. Crowds are thinner than the October–March peak, so you'll find better homestay rates and emptier viewpoints.

How to reach Bangalore

This itinerary assumes you're starting from Bangalore. If you're flying in, Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) connects to all major Indian and international cities. Bangalore City (SBC) and Yeshwanthpur (YPR) are the main railheads. Pick up your rental car from SelfDriveBLR and you're ready to roll.

The itinerary

Day by day

Day One
01
Bangalore → Chikmagalur
245 km · 5 hrs

Bangalore to Chikmagalur
Coffee country bound

6:00 AM — Leave Bangalore via Mysore Road or NICE Road onto NH-75. 8:30 AM — Breakfast stop at Kamat Lokaruchi, Hassan. Fuel up here — the next reliable station is in Chikmagalur town.

Midday: Take the 22-km diversion to Belur for the Chennakeshava Temple, a 12th-century Hoysala masterpiece built over 103 years. The stone carvings on the exterior walls are extraordinarily detailed. Entry ₹25 for Indians, open 6 AM–8 PM.

Afternoon: From Belur, 40 km of winding road brings you to Chikmagalur. Check in by 1:00 PM. Lunch at Town Cafe or The Coffee Chapter — try the neer dosa with chicken curry or the mushroom ghee roast.

Evening: Drive 10 km to Hirekolale Lake, a small reservoir surrounded by coffee estates. The light hits the water beautifully in the late afternoon. If you have energy, drive up towards Mullayanagiri for sunset views over the valley.

Day 1 facts
Drive time
5 hours (with stops)
Toll cost
~₹150
Fuel (round trip)
₹1,600–1,800
Stay area
Chikmagalur town
Day Two
02
Chikmagalur → Coorg
145 km · 4 hrs

Chikmagalur to Coorg
Ghats, waterfalls & spice route

5:30 AM — Start early for Mullayanagiri sunrise. Drive to Seethalayanagiri base (14 km), park, and trek the last 2 km to Karnataka's highest peak (1,930 m). On a clear day you can see the Kudremukh range and the Arabian Sea. Breakfast at Siri Coffee plantation cafe after descending.

9:30 AM — Jhari Waterfalls (Buttermilk Falls), 8 km from the base. A 200-ft cascade through a narrow rock cleft, surrounded by coffee estates. ₹20 entry. The jeep track requires 4WD — park at the top and walk 15 minutes.

11:00 AM — Start the drive to Coorg via Mudigere, Kottigehara, and SH-27. This stretch has some of the best driving roads in Karnataka — well-surfaced but narrow, with tight hairpin bends through dense forest. Lunch at a roadside estate cafe (thali meals ₹200–₹300).

3:00 PM — Arrive in Madikeri. 4:30 PM — Raja's Seat, Coorg's most famous sunset viewpoint. ₹10 entry. 6:30 PM — Walk Madikeri Fort and Omkareshwara Temple. Dinner at Coorg Cuisine Restaurant or Raintree — pandi curry (pork slow-cooked with Coorg spices) is the signature dish.

Day 2 facts
Drive time
4 hours
Road condition
Good, narrow ghats
Fuel strategy
Fill in Chikmagalur
Stay area
Madikeri town
Day Three
03
Coorg → Bangalore
260 km · 5.5 hrs

Coorg sightseeing + return to Bangalore

Option 1 — Waterfall + culture (recommended for first-timers): 8:00 AM Abbey Falls (70 ft, best in June when the Kaveri is swollen. ₹30 entry). Then drive 8 km to the Tibetan Golden Temple (Namdroling Monastery) at Bylakuppe — home to 5,000 monks, free entry, stunning gold Buddha statues.

Option 2 — Wildlife: Dubare Elephant Camp, 15 km from Madikeri. Elephant bathing and feeding sessions (9–10 AM), river rafting (seasonal June–Sep). ₹60 entry, ₹400 for elephant interaction.

11:30 AM — Depart for Bangalore via Kushalnagar → Hunsur → Mysore → NH-275. Lunch at Hunsur or Mysore. Try to hit Mysore by 3:00 PM to avoid Sunday evening traffic. 7:00 PM — Arrive back in Bangalore.

Day 3 facts
Drive time
5–5.5 hours
Route
NH-275 via Mysore
Toll cost
~₹200
Last fuel stop
Kushalnagar / Hunsur

Where to stay

Chikmagalur (Night 1): Budget homestays near town (₹1,500–2,500), plantation resorts on Mullayanagiri slopes (₹2,500–4,500), or premium full-service resorts like The Serai or Gateway (₹4,500–8,000).

Coorg / Madikeri (Night 2): Budget homestays in Madikeri town (₹1,500–2,500), mid-range resorts on the Madikeri–Virajpet road (₹2,500–5,000), or luxury stays like Evolve Back Coorg or Orange County (₹7,000–15,000).

What to pack

For the drive: Driving license, RC book, insurance, PUC. Phone charger with car mount. Downloaded offline maps (network drops on SH-27). Cash for tolls and small payments.

For the hills: Light layers (18–27°C range), rain jacket (essential for June), comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent.

Budget breakdown

Estimated per-person costs for a 3-day self-drive trip based on 4 people sharing a car and staying mid-range:

Category Per person (₹)
Self-drive rental (3 days, ₹1,800/day ÷ 4) 1,350
Fuel + tolls (₹4,000 ÷ 4) 1,000
Accommodation (2 nights, mid-range) 2,500–4,000
Meals (3 days) 2,000–2,500
Entry fees + activities 300–600
Total per person (mid-range) ~7,000–9,500

Driving tips for this route

Start early every day. Hill roads are best driven in daylight. Fog and rain reduce visibility significantly after 4:00 PM in June.

Use low gear on descents. The Shiradi Ghat and Madikeri approach roads have sharp gradients. Shift to 2nd or 3rd gear and let engine braking do the work — don't ride the brakes.

Fuel strategy: Fill up at Hassan (before climbing to Chikmagalur), at Chikmagalur town (before Day 2), and at Kushalnagar or Hunsur (before the final leg).

Watch for wildlife. The forest stretches between Kottigehara and Madikeri have elephant and bison crossings at dawn and dusk. Drive at 40–50 km/h through these sections.

Mobile network. Jio has the widest hill coverage. Airtel works in towns but drops on ghat roads. Download offline maps before you leave.

Why self-drive

Your car, your schedule

Skip the cab calls and bus timetables. Pick up a self-drive car from SelfDriveBLR, hit the road when you're ready, and stop wherever the view demands it. Weekend packages from ₹1,500/day.

Book your ride

Frequently asked questions

What is the total distance of this Bangalore to Coorg Chikmagalur road trip?

The round trip is approximately 650 km — 245 km Bangalore to Chikmagalur on Day 1, 145 km Chikmagalur to Coorg on Day 2, and 260 km Coorg to Bangalore on Day 3.

Is it better to visit Coorg or Chikmagalur first?

For a 3-day trip from Bangalore, visit Chikmagalur first. It's closer to Bangalore (245 km vs 260 km), and the Chikmagalur to Coorg drive is a scenic ghat route that's more enjoyable than doing it in reverse.

Can you cover both Coorg and Chikmagalur in a weekend?

Yes. With 3 days and 2 nights, you can hit the highlights of both destinations. You won't see everything either offers, but you'll get a solid taste of both — coffee plantations in Chikmagalur, waterfalls and viewpoints in Coorg.

What is the road condition between Chikmagalur and Coorg?

The SH-27 route via Kottigehara is in good condition overall — well-surfaced but narrow. Some patches near Shiradi Ghat have potholes. In June, watch for wet patches and occasional fallen branches after rain.

What is the best self-drive car for this trip?

A compact SUV like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, or Maruti Brezza is ideal — enough ground clearance for hill roads, comfortable for long drives, and fuel-efficient. A hatchback works too if you're a confident driver.

How much does a self-drive car rental cost in Bangalore for this trip?

Self-drive rentals in Bangalore start at around ₹1,500 to ₹2,500 per day for hatchbacks and ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 per day for SUVs. Most companies offer weekend packages. Check SelfDriveBLR for current pricing.