Why does the sun shine so harsh on the plains, asked my 7-year old. At a loss to explain the reason, I was thinking of some convincing answer when my 4 year old chipped in with a witty and innocent reply- “so that we can escape to the hill stations for vacations”. The smart and naughty kid that he is, the answer was on expected lines but it really got me thinking. I was convinced with my little devil’s response. Summers are here and it was time again to escape to the hill spend quality time together as a family.

Being in Bangalore, the best spot I could figure out this time was Chikmagalur as it is close and quite cool with many delights to offer to the children. My husband and I discussed about the vacation and voila! he agreed. Two days later, we were at Chikmagalur, an emerging tourist hub of Karnataka. We went through a good deal of sightseeing and saw lots of places but some stick out because we had the best time there. The jewels include:

Kudremukh National Park

The park derives its name from a hill located in the area that is shaped like a horse, called Kudre in Kannada. The picturesque setting of this place and the salubrious climate instantly brings peace to your mind. Set in the pollution-free environment of Western Ghats, it looks all the more enchanting with the widespread tea and coffee plantations. We loved the serenity over here but what got our kids excited were the spotted deer. Found in large numbers along with other wildlife species, they proved to be the real adventure for my two sons.

Baba Budangiri

A sacred hill spot, Baba Budangiri bears a touching testimony to the rich religious cultural melting pot that is India. Here you come across a holy cave, said to be inhabited by a Hindu and Muslim saint who lived together. Awed and moved, I said my prayers to protect my family and keep all of us together while the kids played around, with their carefree dad.

Hebbe Falls

Waterfalls have always been a favorite of my husband and I did not know, I shared his interest until we reached here. The joyful sound of splashing water running down the hills and the scenic wonders produce a powerful sensation inside you, completely recharging your batteries. The long trek to the spot is totally worth it and our kids relished every moment despite the tough terrain.

Coffee Museum

This is a befitting tribute to the large coffee plantations found in this region. Here you are taken on an informative tour of coffee production. Set in charming greenery, the museum is lined with posters and models, explaining the intriguing details that go into the making of the captivating coffee.

Our short trip to this hill station was indeed re-energizing for our soul. If you too feel the sun is being harsh on your city, come to Chikmagalur. You will cherish it forever.

Try a homestay the next time you are in Chikmagalur. A couple of suggestions would be Woodways & Gonakal.