Tumakuru to Chikmagalur: Distance, Route and Travel Time

Tumakuru is already on the Bengaluru route, so you skip the worst of the traffic and save about an hour. An easy morning start gets you here by lunch.

Tranquil Terrain is about 183 km from Tumakuru by road and the drive takes roughly 4 to 4.5 hours with breaks. Here is the route we recommend, where to stop and what to keep in mind on the way.

Best road route from Tumakuru

The easiest way is via Tumakuru, Tiptur, Arsikere and Kadur.

1. Get onto NH48 (the Tumakuru Road) and stay on it till Tumakuru.
2. Turn onto NH73 towards Gubbi, Tiptur and Arsikere. This is a good, fast two-lane and four-lane stretch with plenty of dhabas.
3. From Arsikere follow the signs for Kadur and then NH173 to Chikkamagaluru town.
4. Cross the town and take the road towards Hirekolale and Ulluvagilu. Tranquil Terrain is about 20 km beyond the bus stand.

Google Maps works well right up to our gate. Search for “Tranquil Terrain” and save the location before you leave, since mobile network can drop in a few patches on the estate road.

Where to stop on the way

Tumakuru is the natural breakfast stop, with plenty of darshinis serving idli vada and filter coffee. Tiptur is famous for its coconuts and you will see stalls selling tender coconut and copra along the road. Arsikere and Kadur both have clean petrol bunks with restrooms. Fill up before Kadur if your tank is under half, since the last stretch into the hills has fewer options.

By bus

KSRTC and private buses connect Tumakuru with Chikkamagaluru. Depending on the day you may get a direct bus or need to change at a nearby hub like Hassan, Kadur, Shivamogga or Mangaluru. Check the KSRTC website or a booking app for current timings. From the Chikkamagaluru bus stand the resort is about 20 km away and we can arrange a pick-up with advance notice.

By train

The nearest railway station is Chikkamagaluru (CMGR), about 23 km from us. Kadur Junction (around 57 km) and Birur Junction (around 66 km) are on the main Bengaluru to Shivamogga line and have more trains.

Tumakuru is on the line that runs to Kadur and Birur, so a short train ride and then a taxi is possible. By car it is simpler.

Driving tips for the last stretch

• The final 20 km from Chikkamagaluru town towards Hirekolale and Ulluvagilu is a narrower road with bends. Take it slow, especially after dark.
• In the monsoon (June to September) expect fog in the evenings. Use low beams and keep the windows slightly open to stop the glass misting up.
• Mobile data can be patchy near the estate. Download the map offline and keep our number handy.
• If you plan to visit Mullayanagiri, book a vehicle slot online in advance. Vehicles without a booking are stopped at the Kaimara check-post.