Agumbe

A small village in the Western Ghats rainforest with a king cobra research station, sunset cliffs, nearby waterfalls and the ancient temples of Sringeri — an eco-travel destination.

Agumbe is a small village on the Western Ghats ridge in Shivamogga district, Karnataka, at about 650 m. Annual rainfall often exceeds 7,000 mm, earning it the nickname "the Cherrapunji of the South", and the surrounding rainforest is part of the Western Ghats UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village is famous for king cobra research: the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station runs nature camps and night walks by reservation. A traditional mansion in the village served as a filming location for the TV series Malgudi Days. Highlights: watch the sunset and sea of clouds from the Sunset Point; hike to waterfalls such as Barkana, Onake Abbi, Jogigundi and Kudlu Theertha; drive the ghat road with its 14 hairpin bends looking for lion-tailed macaques; climb Kundadri Hill; visit the Sharadamba Temple in Sringeri and Kavaledurga Fort; and, if you're fit, book the Kudremukh Peak trek. October–February has the best weather; the June–September monsoon brings torrential rain and spectacular waterfalls, but also plenty of leeches, and some trails close. Getting there: Agumbe is about 100 km from Mangaluru and about 55 km from Udupi, with long-distance buses, but the sights are spread out, so a hired car or self-drive is best. Accommodation is mainly homestays and eco-camps. Plan to stay 2–3 days; wear leech socks and hire a guide when entering the forest.

Top sights

• Agumbe Sunset Point – A famous sunset spot on the edge of the Western Ghats cliffs. On clear days, you can see the Arabian Sea in the distance and layered rainfo…
• Sringeri Sharada Peetham – Founded by Adi Shankara, this is the most senior of the four principal seats of learning. Its Sharada Temple on the Tunga River bank and th…
• Agumbe Rainforest Research Station – A rainforest research station founded by herpetologist Romulus Whitaker, known for its king cobra research and natural camps.
• Barkana Falls – One of India's highest waterfalls, where the Sita River plunges about 260 metres off a rainforest cliff. Views are from an observation poin…
• Onake Abbi Falls – A rainforest waterfall near Agumbe, reached on foot through dense forest. It is named for its resemblance to a rice-pounding pestle.
• Jogigundi Falls – A small waterfall just outside Agumbe village, reached by a short forest trail. Below it lie a deep pool and ancient caves.
• Kudlu Theertha Falls – A waterfall about 38 metres high near the source of the Sita River, reached by a forest hike. Legend says ancient sages once meditated here.
• Malgudi Days House (Doddamane) – A century-old traditional mansion that served as a filming location for the classic TV series Malgudi Days. You can experience a South Indi…
• Agumbe Ghat Road – A mountain road with 14 hairpin bends linking the coast and the plateau, passing through rainforest reserves where lion-tailed macaques may…
• Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary – A rainforest reserve below Agumbe Pass, home to lion-tailed macaques, king cobras and several species of hornbill.
• Kundadri Hill – A solitary hill crowned by a 17th-century Jain temple. You can drive most of the way up and enjoy views of Western Ghats cloud seas and sun…
• Sirimane Falls – An easily accessible rainforest waterfall near Sringeri. Steps lead right down to its base, and it is safe for paddling.
• Kigga & Narasimha Parvatha Trek – A rainforest trekking route to the highest peak in the Agumbe range, starting from Kigga village, which is home to the ancient Rishyashring…
• Kavaledurga Fort – The ruins of a 9th-century fort on a hilltop, with three rings of stone walls winding among grassy slopes and boulders. Climb up for views…
• Kuppalli (Kuvempu House) – The museum house of Kuvempu, Kannada's national poet, a traditional mansion with a stone memorial circle on a nearby hill.
• Hanumana Gundi Falls (Sutanabbe) – A tiered waterfall in Kudremukh National Park that drops about 22 metres over natural rock. You can climb down to its base.
• Kudremukh Peak – A famous Western Ghats peak shaped like a horse's face, offering a classic one-day hike across rolling green grasslands and shola forest.

Where to eat

• Shri Ganesh Grand – A popular vegetarian restaurant beside the Agumbe checkpoint, a must-stop for travelers heading up the mountain. Its br…
• Hotel Mayur (Someshwara) – A long-standing vegetarian eatery at the foot of Agumbe Pass. Its neer dosa and Mangalore buns are the specialties.
• Nrupatunga Family Garden Restaurant – A garden restaurant and homestay on the road to Shringeri. It is a rare non-vegetarian option in Agumbe, known for its…

Itineraries

• Coastal Karnataka & Rainforest – Head north along the Konkan Coast via Udupi, Agumbe Rainforest, and Murudeshwar to Gokarna.