Agumbe is a tiny village in the Western Ghats of Karnataka that receives the highest rainfall in the state — sometimes called the "Cherrapunji of the South." The surrounding rainforest is dense, dripping, and magnificent, and the village served as the filming location for the television adaptation of R.K. Narayan's Malgudi Days.
The area is known for its waterfalls and trekking. Jogigundi Falls is an easy walk from the village, while Kudlu Theertha and Onke Abbi require longer treks through thick forest — take a local guide, especially during monsoon season when leeches are everywhere. The sunset viewpoint at 825 metres above sea level looks out over the coastal plain toward the distant Arabian Sea. Kundadri Hill, 17 kilometres away, adds a 17th-century Jain temple to the forest landscape.
Agumbe is one of the best places in India to see king cobras in the wild. The Agumbe Rainforest Research Station conducted the world's first radio-telemetry study on king cobras and offers limited visitor accommodation and guided wildlife walks. For simpler meals, Dodda Mane — the heritage home where you eat with the family and pay what you wish — is one of the most memorable dining experiences in the Western Ghats.
The best time to visit is post-monsoon (October to January), when the forest is lush and green, the waterfalls are full, and the weather is pleasant. During monsoon season the rain is relentless and the trails are difficult, but the landscape is at its most dramatic.