For caffeine lovers, the question has always been – to coffee or not coffee? Well, the answer is always to coffee. But if you have a penchant for travel along with coffee, then Chikmagalur should make it to your travel list. Located between picture-perfect hilly landscape and a misty skyline, you have to see Chikmagalur to believe. This is the place where coffee was first cultivated in India, and it still produces some of the country’s finest beans. Here’s what makes this quaint town every coffee lover’s dream destination.
1. A Bean-To-Cup Tour
To get into the nitty-gritty of your morning cuppa, you can take a tour in Chikmagalur’s biggest coffee estate called the Jayanthi Coffee Estate. Meander through the estate while your tour guide describes the fascinating process of manufacturing coffee. The first step includes the cherry-picking, after which the fruit is sent for de-pulping and then drying of beans. The next step is to send the coffee to the factory where the coffee beans are kept for roasting and grinding. It is then packaged and sent for distribution. The estate welcomes tourists with a warm heart and explains the entire process.
At Jayanthi Coffee Estate, you can explore the terrain, stop to check the soil and the plant and of course, pick what is ready. They will even take you through a tasting process of the different kinds of coffee, and give you tips on how to brew the perfect cuppa. The tour will give you an insight into the journey that coffee makes from the plantation to our mugs. In addition, you can savour a yummy lunch in the middle of forested coffee estates. The view of the surrounding mountains adds to one-of-a-kind dining experience. Book your coffee tour here.
Shop for Jayanthi Coffee here and use the promo code CURLY2020 to get discounts.
2. A 4D Coffee Experience
Now moving to the most fascinating attraction of Chikmagalur, World of Coffee. Visit this cafe for the best coffee experience in the hill station. Apart from the delicious coffee, this cafe has many more exciting experiences to offer. They have an interactive coffee wall which is also India’s first 3D interactive coffee wall. The wall lights up with fascinating facts about coffee just by placing a palm. Oh, in addition, they also have an aroma station to entice you.
The tasting section of the cafe includes a brewing bar, a bakery as well as a coffee challenge zone. The brewing bar has brewing equipment from all across the world. You can sit here for hours watching the staff brewing coffee in many fascinating ways. Besides, the cafe also serves some of the best delicacies in Chikmagalur. The world of coffee is a one-stop destination for everything related to coffee. And if you are visiting Chikmagalur, this one should be on top of your list.
3. A Coffee Estate Stay
If you are travelling for the coffee, make sure you stay in a plantation with a view of coffee shrubs. Acres and acres of coffee estates adorn the town’s landscape and make for a very inviting stay. See how coffee is cultivated in the farms by living on the estate and don’t forget to sip a warm, comforting mug of your favourite beverage. Curl up on a sofa and read a book, with coffee breaks and delectable local cuisine.
4. The Perfect Climate
Situated in the foothills of the Western Ghats Chikmagalur has a pleasant climate throughout the year. However, we love visiting Chikmagalur during monsoon when the rains make this hill station more inviting with lush greenery and cascading waterfalls. Add to it the picturesque backdrops where you can enjoy your perfect cup of joe.
5. The Beautiful Vistas
The hill station is also home to some stunning waterfalls to mesmerise you. One such waterfall is the Kalhatti Falls where the water cascades from about 400 feet providing a beautiful view for visitors. Did you know that Karnataka’s highest peak, Mullayanagiri, is also located in Chikmagalur? It is 2000 metres tall and offers stunning views of the marvellous hill station. The spot is a true delight for trekkers.
As a getaway, Chikmagalur indeed transports you to a parallel existence. For any city animal, the sound of silence is deafening here. There is a sense of being cut away from reality. And there is the coffee.