21 Top Tourist Places to Visit in Shimoga

At a distance of 16 km from Shimoga, the Sakrebyle Elephant Camp is a forest camp for captive elephants in Karnataka. Situated on Shimoga - Thirthahalli Road, it is one of the top places to visit as part of Shimoga tour packages.

Set amidst the calm and peaceful lush greens, the Sakrebyle Elephant camp is regarded as one of the best camps for training elephants in the Karnataka state. Many tourists and wildlife enthusiasts come to visit to explore the lifestyles of elephants residing in the camp and enjoy their time. Located on the banks of the Tunga River, the camp houses 25 elephants including both trained and untrained. These wild elephants are brought to the camp and tamed as well as being provided with nutrition and healthcare. The camp is maintained by the Karnataka Forest Department.

The Sakrebyle Elephant Camp is one of those ecotourism centers in Karnataka that offers general people an opportunity to look at .....

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At a distance of 13 km from Shimoga, the Tyavarekoppa Lion & Tiger Safari is a safari park situated in Shimoga, Karnataka. Located on Shimoga - Sagara Road, it is one of the must-visit Shimoga tourist places, especially for wildlife enthusiasts.

Starting in 1998, the Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari is the second safari park in Karnataka after Bannerghatta National Park. Spread across 200 hectares of land, Tyavarekoppa Safari park is the place to rehabilitate the lions and tigers that are rescued from circuses across India. It is an open zoo where wild animals can be seen roaming inside the reserve.

Despite the name, the lion and tiger are neither the only animals here, nor are they the only big cats here. Visitors can catch glimpses of leopards, sloth bears, deer, and many other species of animals. A relatively rare black panther was born here during 2012 and is available for public view as .....

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At a distance of 2 km from Shimoga Railway Station, Shivappa Nayaka Palace or the Government Museum is an ancient palace, and a museum located in the town of Shimoga, Karnataka. It is one of the must-include places to visit as part of Shimoga packages.

Lying on the banks of River Tunga, the Shivappa Nayaka Palace is named after the popular 17th-century king Shivappa Nayaka of the Keladi Nayaka dynasty. According to art historian George Michell, the palatial bungalow was built by the 18th-century Mysore ruler Hyder Ali. The other version is the original palace was built by Hiriya Venkatappa Nayaka of the Keladi dynasty in the 16th century and was destroyed by Adil Shah of the Bijapur Sultanate. Later Shivappa Nayaka rebuilt the present building and was converted into a sawmill when the British took over the palace from the Nayakas. After the British left India, the Archaeological Department restored the palace and converted it into .....

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At a distance of 2 km from Shimoga Railway Station, Sacred Heart Cathedral Church is a Roman Catholic Church situated in Shimoga. It is the second-largest church in India, and among the popular Shimoga places to visit.

Sacred Heart Cathedral Church was erected in 1976, but the history of the church dates back to the 1830s. Already in 1830 Shimoga Town had a small Church and a Burial ground. It was constituted into a Parish in 1847. In 1871 a new Church began to be constructed and it was completed in 1875 and was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As the Catholic population increased, this Church was found to be too small and an extension was put up and inaugurated in 1976. On the erection of the Diocese of Shimoga, this Sacred Heart Church got the status of a Cathedral on 14th November 1988. However, an entirely new Cathedral Church was started in the year 1994 and was completed in 1998.

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At a distance of 32 km from Shimoga, Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is a small picturesque sanctuary on an island located in the River Tunga at Mandagadde village near Shimoga. Located on Solapur - Mangalore Highway, it is one of the few bird sanctuaries in Karnataka, and among the best places to visit near Shimoga.

Spans an area of 1.14 acres, Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is one of the 20 important bird sanctuaries in India, and among the few bird sanctuaries in the Malnad region of Karnataka. The sanctuary is visited by migrant birds as the roaring waters of the mighty Tunga River provide ideal conditions for nesting and breeding of the lovely birds. This spot is very much adjacent to the National highway between Shimoga to Thirthalli and easily reachable.

A part of Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary, Mandagadde sanctuary is important for bird nesting with over 5,000 birds here from July to September. The .....

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At a distance of 17 km from Agumbe, and 96 km from Shimoga, Kundadri is a beautiful hill top located near Agumbe in the Shimoga district of Karnataka, India. It is one of the top places of trekking in Karnataka, and among the must-visit places as part of Agumbe tour packages.

Rising at an altitude of 3,200 feet, the Kundadri hill is known for the 17th-century Jain temple dedicated to Parshwanath Tirthankara. The name Kundadri is believed to be derived from the name of Acharya Kundakunda, a popular 4th century Jain Monk, who is said to have taken shelter in these hills. The small temple, along with two small ponds form the only building on top of Kundadri hills. The Jain Temple is particularly crowded amid the season of Makara Sankranti in January.

Boasting dense jungles of the Western Ghats, Kundadri is a trekker's haven and a paradise for nature lovers. A rough, .....

Distance (From Shimoga): 96 Kms
Trip Duration (From Shimoga - Including Travel): 4 Hours/Half Day
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At a distance of 14 km from Shimoga, Gajanur Dam is a concrete dam situated at Gajanur near Shimoga. It is one of the scenic places to visit in Shimoga during the monsoon season.

Gajanur Dam was built across the River Tunga in the year 1972 by Mysore Construction Company (MCC). The length of the dam is 770 meters, and the full reservoir level of 534 meters. The S-shaped dam was mainly constructed to provide water for drinking and irrigation purposes of Shimoga city and other taluks of the district. The engineering uniqueness of this dam is that there are 22 crest gates and yet, it can handle the River Tunga's thundering flows during monsoon. Water from the dam is pumped to Bhadra Dam during the peak monsoon season, which is then further used to serve dry regions of the Chitradurga district.

Gajanur Dam is one of the scenic picnic spots for tourists. Surrounded by lush green fields, plantations, .....

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At a distance of 10 km from Jog Falls, and 103 km from Shimoga, Linganamakki Dam is an earthen dam situated at Kargal village of Sagara taluk. Built across the Sharavathi River, it is one of the top places to visit as part of Jog Falls packages.

Linganamakki Dam was constructed by the Karnataka State Government in 1964. About 2.4 km long, Linganamakki Dam is considered to be one of the largest manmade reservoirs in the country. This dam has a height of 1,819 feet and a catchment area of 1991 sq. km. The main purpose behind building this dam was to help with providing irrigation facilities in that area and also help with supplying fresh drinking water. It derives most of its water requirements from the annual rainfall. Another water support of this dam is Chakra and Savahaklu water reservoirs, which are linked to the dam through a canal. There is also a hydroelectricity plant with a power generation capacity of 55 MW.

The .....

Distance (From Shimoga): 103 Kms
Trip Duration (From Shimoga - Including Travel): 3-4 Hours
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At a distance of 9 km from Sagara, 31 km from Jog Falls, and 83 km from Shimoga, Keladi is a temple town located in the Sagar Taluk of the Karnataka state. It is one of the top places of heritage in Karnataka, and among the must include places in Jog Falls tour packages.

Keladi is known for its rich past and culture as it once served as the first capital of the Keladi Nayaka rulers, who were the feudals of the Vijayanagara Empire. Today, this historic town is adorned with two popular attractions - Keladi Rameshwara Temple and Keladi Museum. The Rameshwara Temple devoted to Lord Rameshwara is the finest example of Hoysala, Dravidian, and Kadamba architectural styles. Chowdappa Nayaka, who had built the temple, strategically placed every brick and tile to give rise to this awe-inspiring piece of work. The pillars are stunningly carved with epic gods and goddesses as well as animals. .....

Distance (From Shimoga): 83 Kms
Trip Duration (From Shimoga - Including Travel): 3 Hours
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At a distance of 6 km from Sagara, 32 km from Jog Falls, and 77 km from Shimoga, Ikkeri is a small town situated in the Sagara taluk of Shimoga district, Karnataka. It is one of the of the best heritage places to visit during your Jog Falls trip.

The historical town of Ikkeri was the erstwhile capital of the Keladi Nayakas for 120 years during the 16th-17th centuries. The Keladi rulers built temples, a citadel, and a palace in Ikkeri during their rule. At that time Ikkeri also had a mint that minted coins. A lot has changed since those ancient times and Ikkeri has lost much of its grandeur. The only vestige of its former greatness is the temple of Aghoreshwara. The word Ikkeri in Kannada means 'Two Streets'.

The magnificent 16th-century Aghoreshwara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a large granite structure built in a unique style that has the influences of the Dravidian, Kadamba, Hoysala, and Vijayanagara schools .....

Distance (From Shimoga): 77 Kms
Trip Duration (From Shimoga - Including Travel): 3 Hours
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At a distance of 21 km from Jog Falls, and 101 km from Shimoga, Honnemaradu is a small town hidden away beside the beautiful and sprawling backwaters of the Sharavathi River. It is one of the offbeat places to visit in Jog Falls.

Situated on the way to Jog Falls, Honnemaradu is located on the hills that overlook the Linganamakki Reservoir. The village derived its name from the Honne tree. However, the literal meaning of Honnemaradu is Golden Lake, a big water reservoir that was created due to the Linganamakki Dam built across River Sharavathi, and the reservoir is also known as Honnemaradu Lake after the village. The reservoir area used to be a village before the dam was built. Now, post the construction, the village is very sparsely populated and the Honnemaradu Lake is pretty much the only tourist sight.

This sleepy little town is a paradise for sport-buffs and a haven for nature-lovers. Encompassing .....

Distance (From Shimoga): 101 Kms
Trip Duration (From Shimoga - Including Travel): Half Day to Full Day
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At a distance of 46 km from Kollur, 57 km from Sagara, and 84 km from Shimoga, Nagara Fort is an ancient fort situated in Nagara town near Shimoga. It is one of the magnificent forts in Karnataka, and among the top places to visit near Shimoga.

Also known as Shivappa Nayaka Fort or Bidanur Fort, Nagara Fort was built by Veerabhadra Nayaka of the Keladi dynasty in 1640, after Ikkeri, the original capital of Ikkeri rulers was lost to the Sultans of Bijapur. Shivappa Nayaka succeeded Veerabhadra Nayaka and is credited with taking the Keladi Dynasty to its peak and improving the fort. Raja Ram, son of Shivaji Maharaj of Maratha is said to have taken asylum in Nagara Fort. The Nagara Fort was referred to as the Bidanur Fort till the 16th century as Bidanur was the last capital city of the Keladi Kingdom. The fort later fell into the hands of Haider Ali in 1763.

The beautiful Nagara Fort is built on a small hill near a lake and is a popular place known for its scenic views. Much .....

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At a distance of 17 km from Shimoga, Koodli, also spelled Kudli or Kudali, is a small historic village in the Shimoga district of Karnataka. It is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Karnataka, and among the top places to visit during your Shimoga tour.

Kudli is one of the holiest places in South India and is the site of the confluence of two holy rivers Tunga & Bhadra. They meet here to give rise to the Tungabhadra River, a tributary of the Krishna River. Koodli has been an important place of worship, meditation, and peace since ancient times. The small village is home to some really important and old temples whose origin goes back to the beginning of the last millennium. The place is known as the 'Varanasi of the South' due to the presence of temples like Rameshvara, Narasimha, Brahmeshvara, and Rushyashrama.

The Rameshvara Temple is standing at the meeting point of the Tunga and Bhadra rivers and is a 12th-century .....

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At a distance of 20 km from Tarikere, 31 km from Shimoga, 52 km from Kemmangundi, and 78 km from Chikmagalur, Bhadra Dam is a magnificent dam built across Bhadra River near Lakkavalli village. It is one of the popular places to visit in Shimoga.

The dam offers wonderful views of the surrounding hills. There are several small islands formed by the reservoir and these islands are shelters for migrating birds. Boating facility is available in the reservoir. The forests & valleys surrounded by the dam are rich in wildlife and the reservoir is the western border of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary.

Safari into the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary starts from River Tern Lodge near Bhadra Dam.

Lakkavalli can be easily reached from Tarikere.

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At a distance of 40 km from Jog Falls, and 139 km from Shimoga, Dabbe Falls is a waterfall located at Dabbe or Dhombe village in Sagar taluk of Shivamogga district in Karnataka. Situated on Bhatkal - Siddapura Highway, it is one of the many beautiful waterfalls near Shimoga, and among the scenic Jog Falls tourist places.

Nestled within the lush green folds of Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary, Dabbe Falls is a hidden gem in the Shimoga region of Karnataka. The height of the waterfall is about 110 m and is a stepped waterfall, where a pool in each step overfills and flows down to another one below it hence the name Dabbe Fall where 'dabbe' means 'steps' in the native language. The waterfall is also known as Kepjoga in the native language as it makes a lot of sound while gushing down the rocks.

This is a picture-perfect waterfall that is immersed in nature and it is bound to sweep any one of their feet .....

Distance (From Shimoga): 139 Kms
Trip Duration (From Shimoga - Including Travel): Half Day to Full Day
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At a distance of 52 km from Agumbe, and 77 km from Udupi, Kunchikal Falls is a stunning waterfall located at Nidagodu village near Masthikatte in Shimoga district of Karnataka. Situated on the Shimoga-Udupi border, it is one of the beautiful waterfalls in Agumbe.

Formed by Varahi River, Kunchikal Falls cascades down from a height of about 455 m. The Kunchikal waterfall is 116th highest waterfall in the world and the highest waterfall in India. The River Varahi flows down from a greater altitude in a cascading manner over these rocky structures close to the Hulikal Ghati Temple. It is the main source of one of Karnataka's hydroelectric projects. Its evergreen natural beauty and vitalizing airs mesmerize visitors and attract tourists in large numbers every year. Situated amidst the dense lusty woods, the waterfalls are also a popular trekking spot.

After construction of Mani Dam near Masthikatte and underground power generation station near Hulikal, the water flow to this falls .....

Distance (From Shimoga): 100 Kms
Trip Duration (From Shimoga - Including Travel): Half Day to Full Day
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At a distance of 26 km from Sringeri, 31 km from Thirthahalli, 55 km from Udupi, 62 km from Kundapura, 77 km from Kudremukh, 94 km from Shimoga, 112 km from Mangalore, 342 km from Bangalore, Agumbe is a small hill town located in the Shimoga district of Karnataka, India. Nestled in the thickly forested Malnadu region of the Western Ghats, it is one of the most mesmerizing offbeat hill stations in Karnataka, and among the most famous places to visit near Mangalore.

Situated at an altitude of over 2100 feet, the scenic village of Agumbe lies in the Western Ghats belt with some of the last remaining lowland rainforests. The place is nicknamed 'The Cherrapunji of the South' as it receives the heaviest rainfall in the southern part which makes it a perfect home to some of the scenic waterfalls, dense forests, and rivers. It is also called Hasiru Honnu means green gold .....

Distance (From Shimoga): 94 Kms
Trip Duration (From Shimoga - Including Travel): Full Day
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At a distance of 39 km from Kemmangundi, 47 km from Shimoga, and 79 km from Chikmagalur, Amruthapura is a village located in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka which is well known for the famous Amruteshwara Temple. It is one of the historical places to visit as part of Kemmanagundi Packages.

The Amruteshwara Temple is an ancient temple built in 1196 AD by Amruteshwara Dandanayaka, a general of the Hoysala ruler Veera Ballala II. Ruvari Mallitamma, the well-known Hoysala sculptor and architect is known to have started his career here working on the domed ceilings in the main mantapa. On the porch of the temple is a large stone inscription, a fine example of medieval Kannada poetry. This temple is situated near the Bhadra Reservoir in the Malnad region surrounded by coconut and palm plantations. It is one of the best places to visit in Kemmanagundi.

Dedicated .....

Distance (From Shimoga): 47 Kms
Trip Duration (From Shimoga - Including Travel): 3 Hours
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At a distance of 400 km from Bangalore, 105 km from Shimoga, 161 km from Hubli, 87 km from Murudeswar, 150 km from Karwar, 31 km from Sagar, 60 km from Sirsi & 21 km from Siddapur, Jog falls is situated in Shimoga district of Karnataka. Locally known as Geruoppe Falls, Gersoppa Falls and Jogada Gundi, it is one of the highest plunge waterfalls in India, and among the best places to visit in Karnataka.

This is formed over the Sharavathi River falling from a height of 253 m (830 feet). The Sharavathi River flowing over a very rocky bed about 250 yards wide, 253 m deep and the water comes down in four distinct falls known as Raja, Rani, Rover, and Rocket. The four cascades merge to form the huge waterfall. The Raja Fall pours in one unbroken column sheer to the depth of 830 ft. Halfway down it is encountered by the Rover, another fall, which rushes violently downwards to meet the Raja. The third .....

Distance (From Shimoga): 105 Kms
Trip Duration (From Shimoga - Including Travel): 6 Hours
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At a distance of 41 km from Kadur, 62 km from Chikmagalur, 68 km from Shimoga, 121 km from Hassan, 205 km from Mangalore, 213 km from Mysore, and 246 km from Bangalore, Kemmanagundi is a hill station in Tarikere taluk of Chikmagalur district. It is one of the popular tourist places in Karnataka, and among the best places to visit near Bangalore.

Kemmanagundi is a beautiful and picturesque hill station situated at an altitude of 1434 m on the Baba Budan range. Breathtaking views of the valleys amidst mountain streams and lush vegetation are the main attractions of Kemmanagundi tour packages. The region is covered with plantations of coffee and tea along with thick bamboo groves forming a dense forest cover.

Kemmangundi derives its name from three Kannada words - kempu (red), mannu (soil) and gundi (pit) mean .....

Distance (From Shimoga): 68 Kms
Trip Duration (From Shimoga - Including Travel): Full Day
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At a distance of 84 km from Gokarna, 99 km from Shimoga, 100 km from Dandeli, 102 km from Hubli, 115 km from Karwar, 125 km from Murudeshwar, 196 km from Belgaum, 202 km from Panjim, 277 km from Mangalore, 376 km from Mysore, 395 km from Bangalore, and 588 km from Hyderabad, Sirsi is a small hill station located in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. It is the main commercial center and a business hub in the Malnadu region, and among the must include places in Karnataka tour packages.

Situated at an altitude of 2000 feet, Sirsi is a tourist destination that is surrounded by thick forests and towering hills. It is one of the most popular places to visit near Hubli. Sirsi is a place full of surprises and one can visit numerous religious spots, waterfalls, and forests replete with rich flora and fauna as part of Sirsi holiday packages. In .....

Distance (From Shimoga): 99 Kms
Trip Duration (From Shimoga - Including Travel): Full Day
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