National park · India
Honnamana Kere
Visit Honnamana Kere: pay a modest INR entry fee (check), hike the nearby cliffs early in the day, and enjoy the lake any month; avoid peak festival crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
2020
Best months
—
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Small lake and surrounding temple area; exact protected area not published (check).
- Established
- 2020
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- Not needed
Honnamana Kere is a small sacred lake in Kodagu, Karnataka, set amid coffee plantations and cliffs. It offers modest entry fees, temple visits, rock‑climbing on nearby cliffs, boating, and occasional wildlife sightings, making it a low‑key spot for a few hours of nature and culture.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2020.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 2020
Small lake and surrounding temple area; exact protected area not published (check).
Why go
- Lake with coffee‑plantation backdrop and cliff‑side trekking.
- Holy site with a temple dedicated to Goddess Honnamma.
- Opportunities for rock climbing, boating and spotting wildlife such as elephants.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry
- FebMild
- MarPre‑monsoon
- AprWarm, occasional showers
- MayHot, start of rains
- JunRainy, but trails usable
- JulMonsoon, expect mud
- AugMonsoon, fewer visitors
- SepRain tapering
- OctPost‑monsoon, pleasant
- NovCool, clear
- DecCool, dry
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephants (occasional sightings near forest edge)Mar–Oct · Keep distance; do not feed. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Wild cats (e.g., leopard, jungle cat)All year · Rarely seen; nocturnal. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Bangalore
Drive 250 km (155 mi) via Hassan‑Madikeri road; turn off at Somwarpet and follow signs to Honnamana Kere.Drive 155 mi (250 km) via Hassan‑Madikeri road; turn off at Somwarpet and follow signs to Honnamana Kere.
5–6 h
Open the page →
From Mysore
Drive 125 km (78 mi) north‑east via NH‑275 to Somwarpet, then local road to the lake.Drive 78 mi (125 km) north‑east via NH‑275 to Somwarpet, then local road to the lake.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Somwarpet town
Local taxi or auto‑rickshaw 5 km (3.1 mi) east on the Somwarpet‑Honnamana road.Local taxi or auto‑rickshaw 3.1 mi (5 km) east on the Somwarpet‑Honnamana road.
15 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lake & temple complex | Main attraction: lake, new temple, prayer platform. | Open with entry fee. |
| Cliff trekking area | Gavi Betta and Mori Betta cliffs for rock climbing and short hikes. | Free access; advisable to go early. |
| Coffee‑plantation trail | Scenic walk through surrounding coffee estates. | Open, no fee. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; lake centre approximated.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry fee (lake & temple area) | INR 20–30 (≈ under US$1) | person | Typical local charge; exact amount not published (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entry permit no permit
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.
- Drones
- Not allowed near the temple and during pooja ceremonies.check
- Climbing safety
- Use proper gear; no climbing during monsoon rains.
- Photography
- Allowed in open areas; avoid flash inside the temple.
- Fishing
- Only catch for personal use; respect local regulations.
Where to stay
Near the park
Somwarpet homestays
Simple rooms 5 km (3.1 mi) from the lake; family‑run.Simple rooms 3.1 mi (5 km) from the lake; family‑run.
Near the park
Resorts near Somwarpet
Mid‑range hotels with restaurant and parking.
Safety
Monsoon mudslides medium
Wild animal encounters low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Lake area reachable by vehicle; short walk to temple.
- Cliff routes involve steep steps and are not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Support local vendors for food and crafts.
- Do not disturb wildlife; follow park signage.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Honnamana Kere?
A small entry fee of about INR 20‑30 per person is typical, payable at the gate (exact amount not published).
What are the best hikes in Honnamana Kere?
The short trek to Gavi Betta and Mori Betta cliffs offers moderate climbing; a gentle walk through the surrounding coffee plantations is also popular.
When is the best time to visit Honnamana Kere?
The lake is open year‑round; the dry months (Nov‑Feb) are most comfortable, but the monsoon season still allows visits if you avoid cliff routes.
Can I swim in the lake?
Swimming is not encouraged due to cultural and safety reasons; visitors usually enjoy boating and fishing.
Are there accommodations near the lake?
Yes, several homestays and small resorts are located in Somwarpet, about 5 km away.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Honnamana Kere
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