If you thought rainforests only existed in South America and the South East Asian islands, then you need to read on right away! Get ready to be mesmerized by Agumbe, one of the last rainforests in India, and is presently battling depletion.
Located in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka, Agumbe is proudly called the ‘Cherrapunji’ of South India. It receives 7640 mm of rainfall every year, which makes the moniker of this lowland rainforest of South India apt.
Reaching Agumbe
The village of Agumbe is easily accessible from the nearby metro cities. Udupi is the nearest town at 54km. The nearest airports are in Mangaluru, which is 106 km away from Agumbe and in Bengaluru, which is about 378 km away. If you want to travel by road, you can book a Mangalore taxi service from the other neighbouring towns and travel via the NH 75 and NH 48 to reach this rainforest zone.
Highlights of the hills
With heavy rainfalls, humidity and rich soil, the wilderness of Agumbe is rich in bio-diversity and encompasses five forest areas. Significant medicinal herbs and plants dominate the vegetation, so much so that they are called ‘green gold’ in the local language.
Did you know that Agumbe is also known as the ‘King Cobra’ capital of the country? Being a rainforest, these areas are infested with cobras and other tropical species of snakes. However, rest assured that their interaction with humankind is extremely rare. In monsoon, other seasonal insects and worms like leeches, endemic beetles, and earthworms also come out of hiding.
The rainforest provides shelter to wild and endangered species like the sambar and barking deer, tigers, leopards, the lion-tailed macaque, wild dogs and more.
For bird watchers and photographers, you will find the Malabar Trogon, Yellow-browed Bulbul, hornbills and Sri Lankan Frogmouths, among other winged members.
The highlight of the Agumbe forests is its five prominent waterfalls. The Kudlu Theertha Falls, Kunchikal, Barkana, Onake Abbi and Jogigundi Falls, are all fed by rainwater and add to the freshness of the surroundings.
Exploring Agumbe
If you want to experience the real beauty of Agumbe, then plan a trip in the monsoon. This is when the entire region comes alive in a dense, verdant blanket, interjected with rippling waterfalls, gushing down the hills. The colour play of nature in all shades of green, the mist-laden forested pathways and the interim chirping of tropical birds, will leave you awestruck.
Join a guided trek group (highly recommended for first timers) to walk through the forests and reach the waterfalls. You can also head to the Sunset Point, set up especially for tourists, to get a panoramic view of the valleys and countryside. On a clear day, you could also catch a glimpse of the Arabian Sea from the hills of Agumbe.
For those intrigued by relics and remnants, explore the old temples inside the forests. Abode of local deities, these sites stand in ruins and are evidence of the Hoysala Empire that ruled the region in the past.
To stay
You would be pleasantly surprised to discover that the village of Agumbe and its surroundings are still spared by commercialization. So, don’t be disappointed if you cannot find any stay options nearby. However, Udupi, the nearest and most developed town in the area has lodging and dining options.
Agumbe in popular culture
If you have grown up in the 80s, then you would surely remember the popular TV series – Malgudi Days. Trivia is that the fictional town in the show (and the eponymous novel) was based on Agumbe. The ‘Big House’ featured in the story is for real and is a 100-year-old establishment. For all Malgudi Days fans, a visit to this heritage bungalow is a must.
If you’re looking for an extended trip in Karnataka, we recommend booking a Mysore car rental to explore the best the state has to offer. Find your very own ‘National Geographic’ moment at the plush tropical rainforests of Agumbe.
