The Best Shimoga Trip Plan and Travel Guide for 2024

Never heard of Shimoga (officially known as Shivamogga)?

Does Jog Falls ring a bell? Yes, Shimoga the home to Jog Falls – one of the tallest plunges in India. But this enchanting hill-town of Karnataka is more than just that.

This post is about the perfect Shimoga Trip Plan including a visit to the Jog Falls from Bangalore on a weekend.

Our first trip to Shimoga will be etched in our memories, not for the famous Jog Falls that we went for, but for the places, we discovered off-the-beaten-track.

This trip was special because we learned that not everything can be answered by TripAdvisor or even Google and that the “top things to do” are often subdued by the most “popular” (read commercialized) destinations.

So here's a 3-day itinerary for Shimoga trip plan. Pin the image below to save this post for later.

The post contains affiliate links for tours, hotels etc. This means if you make any purchase through the links in the post, I may get a commission without any additional cost to you.

Short on time? Steal This Shimoga Itinerary

I had written this travelogue of our Shimoga Road Trip to share all my excitement and learnings from the first trip we took. I hope you will enjoy reading and embarking on a virtual road trip with me.

However, if you are short on time today, here's a snapshot of the ideal Shimoga itinerary for you. I have also included the map for planning your trip.

You ideally need 3 days for a 2-way road trip to Shimoga from Bangalore. This is the best Shimoga trip plan for a 3-day Shimoga trip.

An itinerary for 2-Days trip to Shimoga – Our Plan

Since we didn't have an extended weekend, we took a short 2-day trip to Shimoga. On a 2-day Shimoga trip, you can follow the plan for day1 and day 3 of the 3-day Shimoga itinerary above.

It's not worthwhile attempting to drive to the sunset point at Agumbe on a 2-day trip. We later visited both Agumbe and Kundadri on our road trip to Udupi from Bangalore.

Our Shimoga Trip Plan

Now that you have the itinerary and the map, let me blabber a little bit about my own memories of the Shimoga Trip. Come on-board in this virtual journey with me, through the serpentine roads in the densely forested hills, the waterfalls and the surprises on the way.

5th September: It had been quite a few weeks since we had last gone on a road trip – but it felt even more so because my team at the office were going for an offsite and it was an international break in the football season.

I knew it was not an extended weekend and we would only have two days of extensive driving and exploring at the same time. So, I had shortlisted two places – Mahabalipuram – a heritage site in a beach town of Tamil Nadu and Jog Falls in Shimoga, Karnataka.

Jog Falls, although in the same state as out hometown Bangalore, is actually farther away compared to Mahabalipuram. But in the contest between the hills and the sea, the hills won.

Related: List of Day trips from Bangalore

Day 1: Bangalore to Jog Falls Road Trip

Google maps showed that it would take around 8 hours to reach Jog Falls from our place and so we had decided to start earlier than usual – we packed our bags at night, crashed for about 3-4 hours and set off at 3:30 am in the morning.

To be fair, the roads in the Southern part of our economically diverse country is more than decent and it wasn’t much of a worry for me. Being late risers, we never quite get to witness the sunrise, but thanks to this trip we did as we breezed through NH48. We had packed our breakfast and we stopped at a place where we had a scenic view just a while after sunrise.

Love road trips? Check out the dream road trip itinerary for the Western Ghats of India.

Jog Falls – First Stop of Shimoga Itinerary

With another stop for fuel, we reached our first destination, Jog Falls around 11:15 am in the morning. To be honest, I was slightly underwhelmed.

Given the reputation and the fact that it was just after the monsoon you can’t actually blame me for expecting a little bit more in terms of the volume of water.

As some sources have it, there are four different streams of water which merge to form the huge waterfall and we could actually see all four of them scattered in the hills.

Yes, it wasn't as bountiful as Bharachukki Falls of Shivasamudram we saw couple of months back or the Jhari Falls of Chikmagalur. But the slow plunge from that height in the densely forested mountains had a beauty of its own.

Nevertheless, the place is pretty with a well-maintained viewpoint to walk around and enjoy the scenic hills and quaint little houses.

There is a stairway for tourists to reach the base of the waterfall, but it had to be closed because of unruly tourists whose actions had caused fatal accidents.

So you can't enjoy swimming in the pool of mountain water any more.

What I liked was that it was way less crowded than any of the famous waterfalls I have been to and thanks to the restriction we were spared from the unpleasant sight of people doing their month’s laundry at the waterfall.

Keladi Rameshwara Temple

Thankfully we overpacked our sandwiches, which we had for lunch and saved some time in the process. On our way to the hotel which was at the town center of Shimoga, 100 km away we stopped at an ancient temple in Keladi, Rameshwara Temple.

Situated just a 8km away from Sagar town in Shimoga, the Keladi Ramesharam Temple stands as a testament to Karnataka's rich past. It's not only an architectural marvel but also a historical trove dating back to the 1500 AD.

Originally feudatories under the Vijayanagar Empire, the Keladas rose to prominence in the 16th century. The temple was erected during this era and has served as a central place of worship. The village Keladi is named after the Keladas.

The temple is built in the Hoysala style, distinguished by its intricately carved stone and woodwork. The carvings on the temple walls aren't just ornamental; each of them serve as a chapter in a stone-bound history book, capturing not just religious themes but also societal norms of the time.

The temple dedicated to the worship of Hindu God Shiva has three primary alters. One houses Lord Rameshwara (the calmer version of Shiva), one worships Veerabhadra Swamy (the fierce form of Shiva) and the third is dedicated to Goddess Parvati – the consort of Shiva.

While walking through the temple, don't miss out on the ancient inscriptions. Written in Kannada and Sanskrit, they provide valuable insights into the region's history, rulers, and cultural practices.

After a trip to the Keladi Rameshwaram temple you can also visit the Keladi museum to know more about Shimoga's history.

Evening at Mattur – the Sanskrit-speaking Village

After reaching our hotel, we freshened up and decided to look for nearby places to visit – but it had to be really close as it was nearing sunset.

The one name that popped up in our Google Search was Mattur lake which was about 5-6 km away from our hotel. We drove to that place only to find that the view to that lake was obscured by dense vegetation.

We had to keep our car on the middle of the road and walk along a somewhat muddy road to even get a glimpse of the lake.

Mattur village is famous for being one of the few places in India where Sanskrit is still the primary language of communication.

As an added bonus, we walked across a bridge across the river Tunga and got a wonderful view of the sunset while asking locals about the lake which seemed unknown even to them.

Day 2- Surprises in Shimoga

This is the map I had originally charted out for Day 2. It was an ambitious plan – we had quite a few places to cover which meant checking out the hotel as soon as possible.

More than that, it was important to choose what to see and what to skip. After careful consideration, we shortlisted Mandagadde bird sanctuary, and the lesser known Kundadri hill-top which had got some great reviews for the temple atop it and the views.

We wanted to avoid trekking on this trip as we had a long drive ahead and aimed to reach home by 8 pm. People with full-time jobs would appreciate the importance of a good rest on Sunday.

We decided to take a rather elaborate route back to Bangalore, as we wanted to go via Chikmagalur, the land of coffee, which offers a scenic road trip through the Western Ghats.

Gajanur Dam and Sakrebailu Elephant Camp

We checked out by 9 am before breakfast and were on the way to Kundadri when I spotted the gate to the Gajanur Dam. It was not on our plan but luckily for us it was open and we disembarked to take a look around, as here begins the series of pleasant surprises that awaited us this day.

The dam was beyond our expectation and turned out to be one of our top picks for the Shimoga travel guide. Let the pictures speak for themselves here.

As we moved along to the next stop, which was Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary, the Sakrebailu road hugged the river Tunga for most of the journey and the views at some of the places were breath-taking.

There is another highly rated tourist spot along the route itself – Sakrebailu Elephant Camp but we had decided to give it a miss.

I didn't like the sight of elephants in heavy chains tired of plying tourists all day for pleasure.

Mandagadde Bird Island

Coming to the Mandagadde bird sanctuary was a different experience in the sense that in India, most national parks and sanctuaries are drive-throughs and you’d have to be lucky to spot the birds without binoculars.

This, however, was a tree-house that offered a fantastic viewpoint of the island in the middle of the river where a variety of avians gather. The species mainly include cranes, egrets, and cormorants and make a picture-perfect scene under the clear sky.

The place has the potential to be a tourist hub with boating opportunity, but as of now, it remains a quiet viewpoint. So, with nothing more to do there, we made our way towards Kundadri.

Surprises on our way to Kundadri

This is when our excitement was at the peak, we were contemplating a short trek to Kabaledurga as well on our way back.

The surprises continued throughout the road leading to the Fort had two beautiful lakes on either side and I could not help but stop just to click some pictures.

Truly said – “its not so much about the destination, but about the journey”.

Trek to Kavaledurga 

Kavaledurga also called Bhuvanagiri is one of the oldest forts in Shimoga built in 9^th Century Fort by the Nayakas of Keladi when they were under the great Vijayanagara empire.

The hike uphill is of moderate difficulty for non-trekkers – it took us almost an hour with multiple stops for photographs. The 360-degree panoramic view of the valley below, with lakes and green fields, is a sight to behold and makes it totally worth the effort.

Though the fort is now just a shadow of its former glory, it’s easy to appreciate the architectural marvel with 5 layers of defense. There are three beautiful temples inside.

Recent excavations by the archeological survey of India have unearthed the ruins of a palace, courtyard even swimming pools in the area.

Kundadri Hill Top

A little over 70 kilometers from Shimoga, this hilltop offers more than just sweeping views of the Western Ghats. It's a blend of nature and history, home to a 17th-century Jain temple that adds a spiritual layer to the panoramic scenery.

The ride up is a motorable road, but if you're up for some exercise, hiking is also an option. Once at the top, the vistas unfold in a 360-degree spectacle—rolling hills, meandering water bodies, and endless greenery.

We had actually planned to visit Kundadri, but as I made my way towards it, I felt that the road was too bad and too steep to climb up – to be honest, I was happy with what I had seen for the day and the place did not seem worth the climb.

We could have actually driven up to Kundadri had it not been for a thirty-minute detour in wrong direction thanks to poor internet connection and poor sense of direction of a stranger who sanguinely showed us the wrong way.

Anyway, such type of things happen on a road trip. And it's better to drive away from the hills before sunset. That's why I reiterate that you should ideally plan a Shimoga trip from Bangalore for atleast 3 days.

The picture of the Kundadri Hill-top above is on a rainy morning on our roadtrip to Udupi. It's quite high up and the wind blew away the rain so we didn't even get drenched.

Other Places to visit on a 3-Day Shimoga Trip

Here's a glimpse of some of the other places I have mentioned my my ideal itinerary before.

Agumbe Rain Forest

When you're laying out your 3-day Shimoga itinerary, earmark Day 2 for an excursion to Agumbe and Kundadri. Just around 90 kilometers from Shimoga town, Agumbe is a haven for nature-lovers.

Agumbe rainforest is one of the wettest places in India and home to unique species of flora and fauna. Drive to the Agumbe Viewpoint offers breathtaking vistas of lush valleys, especially during the monsoons when the landscape is at its most vibrant.

On your way back spend some time at the Agumbe Lake Park near Agumbe checkpoint. This vibrant lake in the cradle of greenery is a perfect place to visit with family. The forest guard may allow you to feed some bread crumbs to the swans and fish in the lake.

These are the only two places in Agumbe where you can stop on a 3-day trip to Shimoga. However, if you have a whole day in Agumbe you can do a lot more. Here's a complete guide to Agumbe for you.

Agumbe and Kundadri hill top together are a perfect option for a one-day trip from Shimoga.

Shimoga Lion and Tiger Safari

The entire area of Sharavati valley including Jog Falls is a protected zone. But you can buy forest permit and visit the Sharavati Valley wildlife sactuary.

The Shimoga zoo and safari is a part of this region, a perfect family-trip destination. Also known as Tyavarekoppa, you can see lions and tigers in the wild on a safari bus or jeep hired from the forest department. children will also love the zoo.

This place was a 5-minute-drive from our hotel, but we couldn't go there as we wanted to start before 10 am.

Trek to Dabbe Falls

A trek to Dabbe Falls takes 1.5 hours to ascend and similar time to return. So you might accommodate it on your 3-day trip to Shimoga, if you have a good fitness. The trek is rated moderate to difficult, including some steep climbs.

The place itself is secluded and offers the experience of raw untouched nature. You can club this with a trip to the Sharavati valley for a one day trip near Shimoga.

On a longer vacation of 5- 7 days in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka you can spend 2 days in Sharavati Valley, kayak at Honnemaradu lake and also drive to Murudeshwar temple in coastal Karnataka.

How to reach Shimoga?

The best way to reach Shimoga is by train. Trains from Bangalore to Shimoga are quite frequent, with at least 3-4 trains running daily. The distance from the railway station to the main city is just about 2 km, making it convenient for travelers.

Bus connectivity from Bangalore to Shimoga is also excellent. Both government and private buses run on this route. You can opt for a sleeper, semi-sleeper, or even luxurious Volvo buses, depending on your budget and comfort level.

🚏 Get the best price for buses and trains to Shimoga here🚆

The nearest international airport to Shimoga is Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore. From the airport, Shimoga is approximately 275 km away. You can hire a cab or take a bus to reach Shimoga from the airport.

If you're driving from Bangalore, the distance to Shimoga is around 310 km. The road condition is generally good, especially if you take the NH 48 and NH 69 route. Traffic can be a bit of a hassle near cities, but once you're on the highway, it's a smooth ride.

Jog Falls is around 105 km from Shimoga. The best way to reach Jog Falls is by road. You can hire a taxi or drive down yourself. The road condition is fairly good, and it takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to reach.

🚙 🚗 Rent a Zoomcar for self-driving all the way to Shimoga🚔

Places to stay in Shimoga

So, are you in for a Shivamogga trip plan? Here's a deep-dive into the accommodation options for you.

Shimoga is quite cheap when it comes to accommodation.

We stayed at what's reviewed to be the best in Shimoga, Royal Orchid, a 4 -star hotel. It was a good deal at Rs.3400 per night without breakfast.

It is located very close to the safari park and has amazing facilities inside.

On higher side you can also book Harsha The Fern Shivamoga. It is a five-star property with the best-in-class service and amenties.

There are many other options in the city center for different budgets, as well as some homestays off the town.

You can also book KSRTC cottages at the site of Jog Falls if you plan a little earlier. Those get booked quickly.

Best time to visit Shimoga

All year, but for Jog Falls, it's worth only if you go during the light to heavy monsoon (June- October). Otherwise, you can simply skip it and enjoy the hills, the sunset at Agumbe, wildlife safari and the perennial lakes.

Looking for a shorter road trip from Bangalore? Check out the trip to Chikmagalur – the land of coffee!

What's Next from Bangalore?

Hope you liked this post. There is so much to explore on weekends from Bangalore. You may also want to know about these offbeat gems below.

Udupi – temple town of Karnataka

Manchinbele Dam – a one-day trip

Avalebetta and Gudibande fort

I will leave you with my top travel planning resources for India listed below.

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