Hogenakkal – Waterfalls & Coracle Ride – Unique Daytrip from Bengaluru

Do you remember the scenes from the cult classic movie Roja, where the lead female actor Madhu sings ‘Dil Hai Chota Sa’ while playing in the water in the backdrop of lush greenery? Of course, you do. That heavenly location compelled all of us to wonder where the place would be, at least once. Ta da! The cat is out of the bag now. That’s Hogenakkal! Not just Roja, a lot of movies are shot in Hogenakkal. Maniratnam’s Ravaana, SRK’s Asoka, and the list goes on.

Hogenakkal Falls, the majestic waterfalls that form a natural border between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, make for a perfect weekend getaway from Bangalore. Hogenakkal offers an array of layered waterfalls, ancient rock formations, an adventurous and fun coracle ride, fresh catches to gorge on, and a scenic drive from Bangalore. Located only 130KM away, it is a perfect one-day trip from Bangalore for friends, family, kids, and couples, especially after the monsoon.

Due to its sheer volume and spread, Hogenakkal waterfall is often referred to as the ‘Niagra Falls of India’. The comparison is questionable, and I hate the idea of pitting two places against each other as I believe the comparison insignifies the beauty of both the places. Nonetheless, the waterfalls in Hogenakkal and its surroundings are breathtaking and worth the effort of travelling 130 KM for a perfect day outing from Bengaluru.

In this article, I will share how to travel from Bangalore to Hogenakkal Falls, places of interest, and other useful information required for a weekend trip to Hogenakkal from Bengaluru.

Keep reading!!!

If you are searching for more options for one-day trips from Bangalore, you can visit Mandaragiri Hills or Muninagara Dam.

Want to beat the crowd? Explore Gudibande – a hidden gem from Bangalore within 100 KM.

Where Is Hogenakkal?

The river path of Kaveri and Hogenakkal falls creates a natural border between Chamrajnagar district of Karnataka and Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. However, the tourist entry point lies in the Dharmapuri district.

• Bangalore to Hogenakkal distance: 130 KM
• Chennai to Hogenakkal distance: 350 KM
• Dharmapuri to Hogenakkal distance: 48 KM
• Salem to Hogenakkal distance: 90 KM

Hogenakkal Google Map Location

A Bit of Everything About Hogenakkal Falls First

Hindus in the southern parts of India consider the river Kaveri the holiest, sometimes even holier than the Ganges. After originating at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri Hills of the Western Ghats in the Kodagu district in Karnataka, it reaches Hogenakkal at its full glory with water contributed from its tributaries. Hogenakkal area is home to one of the oldest carbonatite rock formations in the world. In Hogenakkal, the mighty Kaveri river, swaying and trickling through the rock formations (sometimes as high as 20 m), created a large network of layered waterfalls and sandy beaches before moving on towards the Bay of Bengal.

Hogenakkal – What’s In A Name?

Hogenakkal in Kannada means Smoky Rocks. When the meandering water stream drops into the rock, the water splashes look like smoke from a distance. Thus, the name. In ancient times, the Tamils used to call it Uguneer Kal. Being ruled by the Mysore Kingdom, many Kannadigas lived in this area for centuries. So, the Kannada name became more popular.

How To Reach Hogenakkal From Bangalore

Best Time to Visit Hogenakkal

The best time to visit Hogenakkal waterfalls is just after the monsoon, September – November. The water level will be high, yet calm enough for coracle rides, swimming, etc. Due to the constant flow of water in the Kaveri River, Hogenakkal does not dry up even in summer. So, swimming and a picnic by the riverside on a breezy summer day may not be a bad idea at all. However, you must avoid the monsoon. Coracle rides and swimming are prohibited. The entire area will be on high alert, and it will be risky for even a riverside picnic.

We visited in September. The weather was perfect for a coracle ride.

Things To Do In Hogenakkal

Coracle Ride

If you are in Hogenakkal, you must ride the Coracle boat. A coracle is a small circular boat made of bamboo. Traditionally, the bottoms are covered with animal hides for waterproofing. Nowadays, plastic sheets are widely used instead. These boats are very popular in Southern India, some parts of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The government rate is 750 INR per boat for a 30-minute ride. Life jackets are provided. The 30-minute ride is a leisurely ride through the river. The boatman will spin your boat, too. You can extend the ride to 1 hour for 1600 INR or 2 hours for 2400 INR. Longer rides will take you through the gorge, cascading waterfalls, and viewpoints. We opted for the 2-hour ride. It is highly recommended. We even spotted flying fish. Only 3-4 people are allowed per boat.

Oil Massage

Men queue up on the riverbank to get a head and full body massage with ayurvedic oils. It might cost 100-200 INR for a single sitting. Honestly, the open setup is not a pleasant sight. But it seems very popular among the locals.

Swimming

Swimming and bathing under the waterfall are allowed. Please make sure to stick within the designated area only.

Eat The Fish

Small shops line up across the road, selling fresh catch of the day. Fried, curry in every form. They serve rice, sambar, rasam, etc, with it. You can also preorder before going for a boat ride and eat later. If you prefer home food like us, you can find plenty of picnic spots.

Hogenakkal Entry Fee

There is no entry fee for Hogenakkal Waterfalls.

Hogenakkal Waterfalls Timings

The Hogenakkal Waterfall is open from 8 AM to 5 PM.

Time Required To Visit Hogenakkal Waterfalls

The area is huge and has activities like boating and swimming. It will require at least 4-5 hours to explore the place, including the coracle ride.

Hogenakkal From Bengaluru – Daytrip Or Weekend Trip?

Hogenakkal is located only 130 KM away from Bengaluru, making it a perfect one-day trip from Bangalore with friends, family, and kids. I would not recommend staying overnight for this trip unless you are coming from Chennai or making it a stopover in your bigger Karnataka itinerary.

Where To Stay In Hogenakkal Falls?

If you are travelling from Bengaluru to Hogenakkal, you do not need to stay in Hogenakkal. In case you want to stay for some reason, you can stay near the falls at TTDC Hotel Tamil Nadu – HOGENAKKAL. You will find more hotel options in Dharmapuri.

What To Eat In Hogenakkal?

Small shops line up across the road, selling fresh catch of the day. Fried, curry in every form. They serve rice, sambar, rasam, etc with it. You can also preorder before going for a boat ride and eat later. If you prefer home food like us, you can find plenty of picnic spots. You can also eat authentic biriyani, meals at TTDC Hotel Tamil Nadu – HOGENAKKAL.

Is It Safe To Travel To Hogenakkal?

Yes, absolutely. Please stick to designated areas for swimming. Do not venture out for hiking without a guide. Use lifejackets during the coracle ride.

Is Hogenakkal Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. Hogenakkal Waterfalls is one of the most breathtaking and largest waterfalls in India. It is a must-visit place in South India. Hogenakkal Waterfalls is a perfect one-day trip from Bangalore for friends, family, kids, and couples.

Other Places Of Interest Near Hogenakkal Waterfalls

Crocodile Park

There is a crocodile park just a kilometre away from Hogenakkal Waterfalls. It has a large collection of different species of crocodiles. We are not sure how ethical their ecosystem is. You may visit if it interests you. We did not visit it.

Location: here
Opening Hours: 9 am – 12 pm, 2 pm – 5 pm; Closed on Tuesdays
Distance from Hogenakkal Waterfall: 1 KM
Entrance Fee: 5 INR pp

So, now you have all things ready for a great day trip to Hogenakkal Waterfalls from Bengaluru within 130 KM with your friends and family. When are you hitting the road?

Do let me know your experience when you visit.