Discover Hogenakkal Falls Bangalore, distance and ticket price

Hogenakkal is a beautiful waterfall in South India, located on the Kaveri River in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu.  The Hogenakkal waterfalls distance from Bangalore  is 135 km  from Bangalore and 46 km from Dharmapuri. Often referred to as the “Niagara Falls of India,” it is famous for its bathing areas and hide boat rides, making it a popular tourist destination.

Coracle Ride Price: Hogenakkal Falls Bangalore

The Coracle ride costs 750 INR, but the place is definitely worth a visit for its stunning views and unique experiences.

The waterfalls can be accessed from both the Tamil Nadu side and the Karnataka side. I decided to take the Tamil Nadu route because it was the one shown on the map. The journey is along ghat roads with winding paths, offering stunning views.

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Hogenakkal Waterfalls distance from Bangalore

It’s a 3-hour drive,  approx. 130 km by road from Bangalore, and I reached the location by 10:00 am, where the heat was intense. Near the parking area, I met a man who helped with the parking. Later, I found out he wanted me to rent his coracle for a water ride. He guided me to the ticket counter, where I bought tickets for INR 750. After putting on the life jackets, I enjoyed the coracle ride.

The place was extremely filthy since it was just after the rainy season. The shrubs and trees were covered in clothes, plastics, and all kinds of waste. It looked more like a dump yard than a beautiful river, and it felt like riding through a gutter in a coracle.

There were other coracles carrying water, soft drinks, and other refreshments. Tourists would buy these items and then conveniently toss the plastic wrappers into the river. The Karnataka and Tamil Nadu coracle operators wear different colored uniforms.

The coracle man tricked me by claiming they had a hidden waterfall in the forest, supposedly much better than the famous one. He charged me INR 700 for it. He stopped near a sandy bank and made me walk through the forest for about 15 minutes. Eventually, we reached a clearing with a washed-out concrete bridge.

After crossing it, I found a viewing tower. There were several small waterfalls, all coming together in one spot. While it provided a decent view, it definitely wasn’t worth INR 700. On the way back, the coracle man explained that I had entered the Karnataka side of the forest illegally. He had to bribe a forest officer to let me pass through. It was a foolish decision. After spending a few minutes there, I returned to the original river area.

Inside the forest area, there are vendors selling fried fish and other food items. You can eat them if you like, but they aren’t very hygienic.

I then went to the main waterfall, which was located through a corridor of huge, towering rocks. There were small waterfalls along the way, and some people stood inside the coracle, getting drenched by the water. Sadly, there were also people taking photos and videos of women who were getting wet. So, I would recommend thinking carefully before getting involved in situations like that. But of course, that’s just my personal opinion.

The water flows with full force, making the coracle ride potentially rough. Be prepared, as other coracles may come and ram into yours, so hold on tight.

On the way back from the main waterfall, the ride stops at a point where you need to get off. The coracle guy will then carry the coracle to the other side of the river. The area is very slippery and crowded, so be cautious when climbing up the stairs.

On the other side, there was a lot of coracle traffic, so you may need to wait for your turn. At the end of the ride, there’s a spot where they offer oil massages, but the smell was a bit unpleasant. They also charge extra to remove the oil from your skin.

There are eateries around selling rice and fried fish dipped in sauce. You can also bring your own food and cook at the designated areas provided. I ate at the Government guest house, where the food was simple but expensive.

I didn’t see any washrooms in the area, so I’m unsure about the availability of public toilets.

Please remember that there are crocodiles in the water, and they can cause serious harm if you dip your hand into the water. Always wear your life jacket and limit your movements inside the coracle to avoid any accidents. Also, carry your own food for the journey, as there aren’t many decent eateries on the way.

After lunch, I headed to the crocodile rehabilitation park, paid a small fee, and entered. The park cares for injured crocodiles whose limbs or tails have been damaged, making survival in the wild impossible. I also bought some organic products from the shop inside the center. Overall, it was a nice place to visit.

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