Making a detailed itinerary and organising schedules may not be the most romantic expectation you may have from your travelling experience. Still, it is essential to get the most out of every vacation you take. If you plan on taking a trip to Madikeri, a beautiful hilly town in the South-Indian state of Karnataka, we can help you with a list of things you can do to spend your time. Here are some places to visit in Madikeri.

When to visit Madikeri

Even though Madikeri is a hill station town, the summers get quite hot and humid. It has been generally advised by the locals that the best time to visit is from July to September and November to April. At this time, the temperature gets quite moderate, and you can enjoy frequent rain shoes that bring new life to the lush forests. 

Here’s how you can reach Madikeri:

By Air: If you are planning to travel to Madikeri by flight, the nearest airport is Kannur International Airport (CNN), located about 60kms from the city. From there, you can take a bus or cab to Madikeri. 

By Train: If you are planning to visit Madikeri by train, you can take a train from Mangalore station to Subrahmanya or Hassan which are the nearest railway stations to the city of Madikeri. 

By Road: Madikeri is well-connected to all the major Indian cities such as Mangalore (139 km), Bangalore (267 km), Coimbatore (307 km), and Kochi (389 km) by road.

16 Madikeri tourist places and things to do

Namdroling Monastery

Established in 1963 in Madikeri, you can spend your time meditating in Namdroling Monastery. It is home to over 5 thousand Lamas. It is a great space to simply relax and take your mind off of the hustle-bustle of daily life in the lap of serenity. It is also known as the golden monastery by the locals as it has an 18m tall gold-plated statue of Lord Buddha. If you are interested in exploring Buddist tradition and culture, you can take a more in-depth guide through the historical monastery. 

Source: Pinterest

Madikeri Fort

The fort was built in the late 17th century by Mudduraja, making it an important historical monument of Southern India. It is one of the more popular sightseeing Madikeri tourist places. Even after going through several renovations as time has progressed, some by the British rule in Modern Indian history, the Madikeri fort has a very rich historical and cultural value. You can visit the Madikeri Fort between 10 AM and 5:30 PM every day of the week except Mondays.

Source: Pinterest

See also: Escape sweltering summers by visiting the top 15 India’s coldest places

Abbey Falls

If you enjoy the beauty and peace of a natural waterfall, Abbey Falls is just your speed. This 70ft natural waterfall seems straight out of paradise that has become a tourist attraction, and rightfully so. Surrounded by lush greenery and crystal clear water, it is a great spot for a picnic with loved ones or a simple walk in the evenings. You can enjoy your time at Abbey Falls between 9 AM to 5 PM every day of the week for an entry fee of Rs.15.

Source: Pinterest

Galibeedu Trekking 

If adventure and exploring are more your speed, no worries! There are some amazing trekking spots near Madikeri that you can hike to. Walk uphill about 14km to a view worth all the effort and spend your time camping under the stars. If that sounds like something you are sure to enjoy, you can join several trekking groups that track through trails with much less footfall or go alone to enjoy nature alone.

Source: Pinterest

Talakaveri

Kaveri river that runs through the state originates at Talakaveri, making the place a very popular tourist attraction for devotees. The point of origin for the sacred river is of great religious importance to many tourists and boasts a bustling tourist market. Not only that, but since it is a point that is at such a high altitude in the Brahmagiri Hills, you can look forward to beautiful views of the Coorg valley and the lush-green mountain range. 

Source: Pinterest

Coffee Plantations

Another rich experience you may want to enjoy in Madikeri is visiting the various coffee plantations. Here you can learn all about how farmers in Madikeri are harvesting, processing, and even exporting natural coffee beans of internationally recognised standards of quality. This is an experience full of knowledge and curiosity as you walk through green coffee plantations. You may even be able to harvest some if you are lucky!

Source: Pinterest

Gaddige Raja’s Tomb

Dating back to the 1820s, the Gaddige Raja’s Tomb is a pillar of the historical richness of Madikeri places. It is the place of rest for the Kodavas Royalty. Moreover, the interesting piece of architecture is a renowned sightseeing spot not that far from the city centre.

Source: Pinterest

Raja’s Seat

Raja’s Seat in Madikeri is a place of quiet contemplation and meditation. If you are looking for a more relaxed and laid back experience, Raja’s Seat may just be the perfect choice for you. You can simply spend a quiet evening and meditate at this beautiful piece of architecture. 

Source: Pinterest

Chelavara Falls

Although a fair bit of distance from the main town, Chelavara Falls is a memorable and gorgeous spot to spend a day and take some gram-worthy pictures. The fast-running natural waterfall surrounded by lush greenery is especially fascinating during monsoon. You can enjoy activities like rappelling at competitive prices at Chelavara falls between 8 AM to 2 PM.

Source: Pinterest

Chettali

If you have the time, Chettali is a must-visit from Madikeri. Just a day’s trip and you can spend a night camping in this quaint lush village. Scenic views in the lap of nature are a great way to spend some time by yourself or with your loved ones. 

Source: Pinterest

Omkareshwara Temple

This simple temple dedicated to a shrine of Lord Shiva in the Hindu religion is a place of worship for many devotees, some of whom travel thousands of kilometres across the country just to pray at this temple. You can also enjoy delicious vegetarian Indian food at restaurants around the temple.

Source: Pinterest

Dubare Elephant Training Camp

If you are curious about Wildlife, this just might be the perfect spot for a nice evening. At Dubare Elephant Training Camp, you can put your time into making friends with some elephants in the woods. You can even ride these elephants if they like you enough and give you a special look at the beautiful forests on the mountainside. You can enjoy the activities between 9 AM and 11 AM  as well as 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM.

Source: Pinterest

Kaveri Nisargadhama

Kaveri Nisargadhma is a place that is open for activities all year round. You can visit the rabbit farm and peacock farm with your family and walk along the riverside through the woods. The river is also open for a dip if you feel too hot. You can spend a full day here filled to the brim with fun activities and replenish your energy at nearby restaurants. You can visit Kaveri Nisargadhama between 9 AM and 5 PM for an entry fee of Rs.10 for all adults.

Chingara Falls

If you are on your way from coffee plantations, you can add a small visit to Chingara Falls as a rest stop. You will be surrounded by a small waterfall that flows rapidly. You can spend some moments of peace here and admire nature at its best. You can enjoy the beauty of Chingara falls between 6 AM to 5 PM, for no entry fee required.

Source: Pinterest

Mandalpatti 

If you are a fan of sunrises and sunsets, Mandalpatti is the spot for you. Get to an altitude of above 1800m and enjoy a spectacular view of the lush forests in the Western Ghats. You can spend your time enjoying the beautiful sky and wind. 

Source: Pinterest

Bhagamandala 

Another popular location for devotees, Bhagamandala, is a temple at the point of confluence of the River Cauvery and its tributaries Kanake and Sujyoti. Here you can visit the temple for the sacred rivers as well as many other deities from Hinduism.

Source: Pinterest

FAQs

What is the perfect duration for your visit?

The perfect duration for your trip to Madikeri is 2 nights and 3 days, so you can enjoy the beautiful views of the town and the nearby locations at a nice pace.

What is the average cost incurred for your trip to Madikeri?

You can enjoy a full itinerary of activities in Madikeri under INR 10000.