Once we made it up the mountain and stepped out of the car, we were so shocked at the cold air! I hadn’t realized how high we climbed, although my stomach had and I was feeling so carsick. We’d had a long day already of seeing Nagara Fort and the cow sanctuary (more on that later).
Gonakal Homestay in Chikmagalur
The homestay welcomed us with the cutest soft dog at the front door. The style of this house is something I’ve seen in Goa where the inside is an open courtyard without a roof, and the rooms are all around the edge. What a brilliant idea for a homestay style place.
Although cold, the place had hot water, big cozy rooms with plenty of blankets, and hot chai waiting on us. Being the clean freak I am I always shower before doing anything else once I get home for the day. I put on my cozy clothes and had a yummy dinner with everyone: rice roti, jeera rice, a bean curry, papad, and waterever that dill-like salad is called that I love!
Desert was the sweet carrot desert with nuts. I’m not big on Indian sweets but managed to eat half. For breakfast; puffed rice and uppit which I hadn’t had before in South India and loved! Super spicy though.
I recommend bringing warm clothes if you come in the winter. We were here early November and it was cold. There is no cell service and WiFi is set up but wasn’t working during our visit. They grow coffee so you’ll have lots of good filter coffee here.
Hiking to the highest peak in Karnataka | Mulayengiri 6,300 feet above sea level
Oh wait, did I say hiking? I meant driving to the top and walking up 10 minutes of stairs because this was the second to last day of my month in Karnataka and I was dead-beat! The girls traveling with us were tired as well (backpacking India is hard work!)
It was a cloudy day but the view was stunning. Even though this is the highest, I think the views at Thadiyandamol were even better! There was a Shiva temple at the top, a few cows, and a cave. Caves just smell like bats and I don’t like walking in them so I kind of just peak in.
As always, I found an adorable dog to play with. She had orange eyes! She wanted in on the photo shoots and I think made the photos even better.
Practical Information:
- Location: This is in Mulayengiri in Chikkamagalur, Karnataka.
- Prices: 1,700 rs per night per person (not by room) including lunch, dinner, and breakfast the next day. Apparently this is an area more frequented by tourists so the prices are a little higher all over. I did think this was overpriced.
- I visited these spots while on my tour with goMowgli.
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I am so glad that you visited chickmagalur and mulliyangiri!! We went up to mulliyangiri last year in September and it was freezing cold and extremely windy!! Glad I had myself totally covered up.. Have you been to shimoga?? It’s a nice place to visit during the monsoons!! Very dense green all around but right now it is gonna be hot.. Also another suggestion to visit udupi and its nearby areas! Udupi has a lovely Krishna temple which is lit up with hundreds of oil lamps every evening, blissful experience!! And also check out St. Mary’s island nearby!
no i haven’t been to shimoga, i’ll have to look that up! thanks. Udupi I do want to see as well!
Wow, these photos are absolutely gorgeous! What a seriously beautiful countryside. And seeing all those cute pups brings a huge smile to my face. I totally want to go here!!
it’s nice to take a break from the chaos once in a while
If you like hiking, do visit Nepal. It is very close to India and I can assure you you won’t be disappointed!
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Wow! Great place! Karnataka is a gem. I have been to only Dandeli if you talk about remote places in Karnataka. I think I should consider Chikmagalur on my next visit to Bangalore. The homestay looks so good!
Dandeli is really nice too. The homestay was good- a little pricey, but really cozy and nice so if you have the budge it’s worth it
Bat caves stink! I can’t stand that awful smell! But then again, your photo of the Sarpadhari Cave entrance strongly entices me to want to explore this paticular cave. I am an old rock/semi-precious stone and mineral hound and I would have to try to figure out what minerals and lichens creates those phenomenal colors.
My imagination-self can envision an old holy man sitting outside this cave telling ancient tales of the creation of the universe using color metaphors with me walking aground wearing a gas mask respirator!LOL!
The Chimagalur Home Place’s architecture is gorgeous with some of the furnishings seeming to be antique. Fabulous accommodations.
hahaha you have a good imagination. Yes, the homestay was full of antique stuff. One cool thing they do is since they have a coffee plantation, when the tree/plant dies they keep the trunk and make tables.
Due to the darkness of the tree lamp in the photo, I thought it was ebony wood or something. I’ve never seen coffee stumps polished or lacquered. Beautiful. (But honestly, they could toss that funky red lampshade!)lol.
Excuse my home place instead of home stay lapse..this is a new concept for me. I stayed in private homes in Scandinavia. But back then, we just called them private homes with breakfast.
I just found your blog! India is a dream for me to visit, I look forward to following your travels! Looks like a beautiful trek.
Glad you came across the blog, thanks for reading
Ugh, also not a fan of bat caves. Bats….not my thing. Though there are so many fun things to see in caves!
Pictures really looks amazing and genuine. I was really not aware about the beauty of the Chikmaglur, after reading this blog I make up mind to visit this beautiful green city.