One Day Trip from Shimoga

Shimoga, one of the cities in the State of Karnataka has many tourist places which can be reached easily with its efficient transport system. People who love to visit the tourist places would find that the city has numerous places that are rich in natural beauty, which makes it impossible to visit it in a single day. Most of the tourists places in Shimoga are gifted by Mother Nature, while some are man made wonders developed over the years. Even though one day is a short period to visit all the places of interest, you can do justice by visiting few important places in the city to fulfill your visiting schedule of one day.

Morning in Shimoga

Aghoreshwara (Shiva) Temple in Ikkeri

You can begin your day in Shimoga by seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva. The Aghoreshwara temple in Ikkeri is an ancient temple that dates back to 16th century and is built with granite stone. Like any other ancient temples built with stone, the interior remains cool all the time. The main deity of worship is Aghoreshwara or Lord Shiva.

A big nandi statue with a glass like finish is sure to capture your attention and you will find a Parvati temple to your right. You will not miss a broken feet made of stone which is said to be a part of the Choudeshwari Devi statue of 30 ft, which was found in the temple many years ago. The temple features a unique fusion of Vijayanagara and Hoysala architecture style. As soon as you step out of the temple, you can refresh with fresh peeled pineapple pieces that a makeshift fruit seller sells outside this temple in Ikkeri.

Sakrebailu Elephant Camp

This is an eco-tourism center in Shimoga which has many tuskers undergoing various training sessions. You can try to sneak inside the camp before 7 am to witness the elephants enjoying bath or taking a shower during the interactive session that is conducted between 7 am to 8.30 am. You can even feed the elephants with the special food prepared at the camp, which can be a real treat for your kids.

Mandagadde Birds Sanctuary

If you wish to have a spectacular look of different species of birds in a single location, Mandagadde Birds Sanctuary is the right place to go. Take a boat ride in this bird sanctuary to watch birds and to relish the natural beauty of the region. You can also climb the watch tower to spot some rare bird species such as darter, median egret and cormorant.

Afternoon in Shimoga

Gajanur Dam

Gajanur dam is an ideal place to visit during the afternoon as the place has cool breeze throughout the afternoon. Gajanur Dam is located very near to the Mandagadde Birds Sanctuary. You can reach it in an hour ride to reach Gajanur dam. The backwater of the dam is the right spot to capture some lovely pics of your family in a lovely backdrop

Jog Falls

Your one day trip to Shimoga will not be a complete one, if you don't visit the India's tallest waterfalls. The luxurious vegetation found in this tourist spot along with cool spray of water from the falls would make your afternoon visit a thrilling one. The steps that are cut out of the rocks makes it easy for you to climb the top to witness the waterfalls in full splendor.

Evening in Shimoga

Visit Linganamakki Dam

The Linganamakki dam is situated very nearby the Jog falls and it is at a distance of about 120 kilometers away from the Shiomga city. After visiting the Jog falls, you can head towards the Linganamakki dam. This is a huge dam, which was designed to hold 4368 million cu.m of water. You are not allowed to take snaps here. You will enjoy a lovely sight of hill slopes and green rich vegetation owing to the presence of dense evergreen forests here. If you want to spend an evening in a calm surrounding, this dam is the right choice after spending a full day traveling to various places in Shimoga.

Kodachadri Hills

Kodachadri hills is the next place to visit in Shimoga. You will find Sarvajna Peetha on top where Adi Shankaracharya was believed to meditate. On your way to the peak you will find a medium sized waterfall which is known as Agastya Teertha. Don't miss the romantic sunset in the evening and if lucky you can get a glimpse of the Arabian sea dressed in a golden hue in the evening which is breath taking!

Sharavati River

The Sharavati River is a calm place to spend your evening. The river is situated close to the mountains and a boat ride or a ferry ride on the river offers a good sightseeing experience. The backwater of Sharavathi River is highly popular for an array of water sports. Have a nice time with your family by indulging in activities like wind surfing, canoeing, kayaking and spot some rare bird species.