This BR Hills travel guide covers the quieter corner of Karnataka where the Western Ghats bend to meet the Eastern Ghats, a range of forested ridges rising to roughly 1,500–1,800 m in Chamarajanagar district. Known in full as Biligiri Rangana Betta (Biligiriranga Hills), it pairs a working tiger reserve with a hilltop Vishnu temple on a pale cliff, and it is home to the Soliga community, who have lived in these forests for generations. If you want wildlife and a temple without the crowds of Bandipur, this is the trip.
BR Hills is a hill range and tiger reserve about 90 km from Mysuru in southern Karnataka, best visited October to May for jeep safaris, the Biligiri Ranganathaswamy temple and forest walks. Plan an unhurried overnight stay and book accommodation well ahead.
About BR Hills and quick facts
The Biligiriranga Hills sit in Chamarajanagar district, on Karnataka’s border with Tamil Nadu. “Biligiri” means white hill in Kannada, after the pale rock face on which the Ranganathaswamy temple stands. According to Wikipedia’s summary of survey data, the range reaches about 1,707 m (5,600 ft), with the higher peaks near 1,800 m.
The protected area is the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Wildlife Sanctuary. The Karnataka Forest Department records its extent as 539.52 sq km. It was declared a tiger reserve in January 2011. What makes BRT unusual is its position: it acts as a forest corridor linking the Western and Eastern Ghats, so it carries plants and animals from both.
| Location | Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka |
|---|---|
| Elevation | ~1,707 m (5,600 ft); peaks near 1,800 m |
| Reserve area | 539.52 sq km (Karnataka Forest Dept) |
| Tiger reserve since | January 2011 |
| Wildlife | Tiger, elephant, gaur, dhole, sloth bear, 250+ birds |
| Nearest railhead | Chamarajanagar ~40 km; Mysuru ~90 km |
| Nearest airport | Bengaluru (Kempegowda); Mysuru for limited flights |
Wildlife here includes tigers, Asian elephants, gaur (Indian bison), dhole (wild dog), sloth bear and the Malabar giant squirrel, alongside more than 250 recorded bird species. Tiger numbers vary between surveys; a 2017 DNA-based survey cited by Wikipedia counted 62, while other counts over the years have been lower, so treat any single figure as a snapshot rather than a fixed total.
Best time to visit
The reserve stays open year-round, but the dry, cooler months make for the best trip. Karnataka Tourism points to the October-to-May window; the southwest monsoon (roughly June–September) brings heavy rain, leeches on trails and a higher chance of safari disruption. Mornings on the ridge can be genuinely cold in winter, so carry a layer.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Oct–Feb | Cool, clear mornings; best for safaris and temple visits; pack warm layers |
| Summer | Mar–May | Warmer, drier; animals gather near water, so good sightings |
| Monsoon | Jun–Sep | Heavy rain, misty, green; trails slippery, safaris may be limited |
How to reach BR Hills
BR Hills is remote, and that is part of its appeal. You reach the hilltop village either from Yelandur or from Chamarajanagar; the last stretch is a winding ghat road through forest where you should drive slowly and watch for animals.
| Mode | Nearest hub | Distance / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air | Kempegowda International, Bengaluru | ~180 km+ by road; Mysuru airport has limited flights and is closer |
| Rail | Chamarajanagar; Mysuru Junction | Chamarajanagar ~40 km; Mysuru ~90 km, then road |
| Road | via Yelandur or Chamarajanagar | BR Hills ~24 km from Yelandur, ~48 km from Chamarajanagar |
By train, Chamarajanagar sits on the Mysuru branch line and is the closest railhead. Passenger services run between Mysuru and Chamarajanagar, and the Chamarajanagara–Tirupati Express (16219/16220) connects the town to the wider network; check current timings on IRCTC/NTES before you plan. From either Chamarajanagar or Mysuru, hire a taxi or take a bus towards Yelandur and then up to the hills. There is no direct train to the hilltop.
By road, most visitors drive from Bengaluru (allow a full half-day with stops) or from Mysuru. If you are already touring southern Karnataka, BR Hills slots naturally into a loop. Our Karnataka travel guide sets out how the state’s wildlife and temple circuits connect.
Top things to see and do
The two anchors of a BR Hills trip are the safari and the temple. Around them sit forest walks, viewpoints and the ancient Dodda Sampige tree. Give yourself at least a full day and a night.
| Spot / experience | Why go | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| BRT jeep safari | Tigers, elephants, gaur, birds on forest tracks | 2–2.5 hrs per drive |
| Biligiri Ranganathaswamy temple | Hilltop Vishnu shrine on the white cliff | 1–2 hrs |
| Dodda Sampige Mara | Giant sacred champak tree, ~4 km away | 1 hr + drive |
| Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra | Soliga and biodiversity exhibits | 30–45 min |
| Viewpoints / forest walks | Ghat views where two mountain systems meet | Flexible |
BRT jeep safari. Jungle Lodges & Resorts (JLR) runs jeep safaris at K. Gudi in coordination with the Forest Department. Karnataka Tourism lists safaris twice a day, broadly in the early morning and late afternoon, with reserve entry allowed only between 6 am and 6 pm. One widely cited rate is a vehicle fee of ₹400 per day, with shared jeep hire quoted in bands from Yelandur or Chamarajanagar; treat these as indicative planning estimates and reconfirm with JLR or the Forest Department, as rates and slot timings change.
Biligiri Ranganathaswamy temple. The hilltop temple, dedicated to Vishnu as Ranganatha (also called Venkatesha), gives the hills their name and sits on the white rock face visible for miles. Karnataka Tourism notes associated spots such as the Kanakadasa cave and the ruins of the Kanchikote fort nearby. Published darshan timings were not confirmed for this guide, so check locally before you go, and dress and behave as you would at any active shrine.
The Soliga community and Dodda Sampige
These forests are the home of the Soliga (also written Soliga/Sholiga), an Indigenous community whose name, the JLR Explore essay by Dr Prashanth N.S. and Shrenik Sadalgi explains, comes from sola (forest) and iga (belonging to) — “those who belong to the forest.” Please visit as a respectful guest: the Soliga are a living community, not a sight to photograph on demand. Ask before taking pictures of people, and buy honey or forest produce directly where it is offered.
The Soliga hold a notable place in India’s conservation history. In 2011 their traditional forest rights inside the reserve were recognised under the Forest Rights Act, widely reported as among the first such recognitions in the core of a tiger reserve. Outlook Traveller, citing the 2011 census, puts the community at roughly 33,000 people living in settlements known as podus, many now recognised as villages. They grow ragi (finger millet) and gather non-timber produce such as honey and amla (Indian gooseberry).
Their principal deity, Dodda Sampige Mara (the “big champak tree”), is a large Michelia champaca standing by the Bhargavi stream a few kilometres from the hilltop, tended by a community-appointed priest, the Thammadi. Its age is disputed: Karnataka Tourism describes it as believed to be over 2,000 years old, while the researchers writing for JLR Explore call it “perhaps several hundreds of years old.” Either way, it is sacred ground, so approach it quietly.
Suggested itinerary
An overnight wildlife-and-temple trip works best. You can also fold BR Hills into a longer southern Karnataka loop.
- Day 1: Reach BR Hills by late morning (from Mysuru or Bengaluru via Chamarajanagar/Yelandur). Settle in, lunch at your lodge. Visit the Biligiri Ranganathaswamy temple and a viewpoint in the afternoon, then the evening jeep safari.
- Day 2: Early morning safari, breakfast, then drive out to the Dodda Sampige tree and the Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra. Depart by midday, or continue to Bandipur or Mysuru.
With an extra day, combine BR Hills with a safari at Bandipur; our Bandipur National Park guide covers that reserve in detail.
Where to stay
Options on and around the hill are genuinely limited, which is why booking ahead is essential, especially on weekends and in peak winter months.
- Government / safari lodge: JLR’s K. Gudi Wilderness Camp is the main stay inside the forest zone — eight twin-bed tents and three ethnic log huts on stilts, with meals at the Gol Ghar dining hall and, by design, no mains electricity (hurricane lamps at night). Packages typically bundle meals and safari.
- Govt hotel: KSTDC’s Hotel Mayura Biligiri is a state-run option near the hilltop for a simpler, lower-cost stay.
- Homestays / basic lodges: A small number of rooms exist around BR Hills village and down towards Yelandur; standards vary, so confirm what is included.
Indicative JLR tariffs have been quoted around ₹6,600–₹7,600 per person on an all-inclusive basis (meals plus activities); treat this as a dated planning estimate and reconfirm current rates directly with Jungle Lodges & Resorts (listed contact 080-40554055) when you book.
Food to try
This is not a restaurant destination; most visitors eat where they stay. At JLR’s camp, meals are buffet-style South Indian and simple Indian fare served at the Gol Ghar. Expect staples such as:
- Ragi mudde (steamed finger-millet balls eaten with sambar or curry), a Karnataka hill-country staple.
- Local honey gathered by Soliga families, sometimes sold near the hills — a good, fair thing to buy.
- Simple South Indian tiffin (idli, dosa, uppittu) and rice-based meals.
Carry your own water and a few snacks, as shops are few and timings erratic once you are on the hill.
Budget breakdown
The figures below are indicative planning estimates for a two-day, one-night trip, per person, sharing a room, as of October 2026. They exclude long-distance travel to the region. Reconfirm all rates when booking.
| Item | Budget | Mid / lodge |
|---|---|---|
| Stay + meals (1 night) | ₹1,500–3,000 (KSTDC/homestay) | ₹6,600–7,600 (JLR all-incl.) |
| Jeep safari (shared) | ₹400–1,500 per drive | Included in JLR package |
| Local transport / taxi share | ₹500–1,200 | ₹1,000–2,000 |
| Food extras, water, tips | ₹300–600 | ₹300–600 |
| Approx. total | ₹2,700–6,300 | ₹8,000–10,000+ |
Assumptions: two people sharing, self-driven or shared taxi for the final leg, one or two safaris. A private jeep or solo traveller will pay more per head.
Permits and rules
No special entry permit such as an ILP is needed to visit BR Hills — it is open to Indian and foreign travellers. Safaris, however, run only through authorised operators (JLR with the Forest Department), so you cannot drive your own vehicle into the core safari zone. A few sensible rules apply:
- Reserve entry is allowed only within daytime hours (broadly 6 am–6 pm); plan drives around published safari slots.
- No plastic: carry out what you carry in, and avoid single-use packaging.
- Keep quiet on safari, do not feed or disturb animals, and stay inside the vehicle.
- At the temple, follow the shrine’s customs; dress modestly and remove footwear where required.
- Treat Soliga settlements and the Dodda Sampige site with respect; seek consent before photographing people.
Practical tips for a BR Hills travel guide you can actually use
- Book early. Beds are few; JLR and the limited lodges fill fast on weekends and in winter.
- Connectivity. Mobile network and power are patchy on the hill — download maps offline and carry a power bank.
- Cash. Carry enough cash; ATMs and reliable UPI are not guaranteed on the hill (Chamarajanagar and Yelandur have banks).
- Medical. There is a tribal health programme and a hospital associated with the area near the hilltop; for anything serious, Chamarajanagar is the nearest town with larger facilities.
- Solo women. The reserve and lodges are generally calm and low-key; stick to organised safaris, travel the ghat road in daylight and keep someone informed of your plans.
- Packing. Winter: warm layers for cold mornings. Summer: light cottons, sun protection. Monsoon: rain gear and leech socks. Year-round: binoculars, neutral-coloured clothes, closed shoes and a torch.
Nearby places
BR Hills pairs well with other southern Karnataka stops, making a two- or three-day loop easy.
| Place | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Chamarajanagar | ~48 km | Nearest town, railhead, supplies |
| Bandipur National Park | ~2–3 hrs by road | Larger tiger reserve, more safaris |
| Mysuru | ~90 km | Palace, markets, transport hub |
| MM Hills (Male Mahadeshwara) | via Kollegal | Hill temple and forest |
| Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve | across the TN border | Contiguous forest, more wildlife |
If Mysuru is your base, the city’s landmark is a short drive from the station; see our Mysore Palace guide to plan that leg.
Frequently asked questions
Is BR Hills worth visiting compared with Bandipur?
Yes, if you want quiet. BR Hills (the BRT Tiger Reserve) is smaller and far less crowded than Bandipur, and it adds a hilltop temple and the Soliga forest-rights story. Bandipur offers more safari slots and easier access. Many travellers combine both over two or three days.
How do I book a BR Hills safari?
Jeep safaris at K. Gudi are run by Jungle Lodges & Resorts with the Karnataka Forest Department. Book a JLR package (which usually bundles stay, meals and safari) in advance, as beds are limited. Reconfirm current slot timings and fees directly with JLR before you travel.
What is the best time to visit BR Hills?
October to May is best. Winter mornings are cool and clear, and summer concentrates animals near water for good sightings. The June–September monsoon brings heavy rain, slippery trails and possible safari disruption, so most visitors avoid it.
How far is BR Hills from Mysuru and Bengaluru?
BR Hills is roughly 90 km from Mysuru and about 180 km or more by road from Bengaluru. The nearest railhead is Chamarajanagar, around 40 km away; Mysuru Junction is the larger station. The final hill stretch is by road from Yelandur or Chamarajanagar.
Can tourists visit the Soliga community respectfully?
Yes, as respectful guests. The Soliga are a living Indigenous community with recognised forest rights, not an attraction. Visit the Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra for context, buy local honey and produce where offered, and always ask permission before photographing people or sacred sites.
Is a permit needed to visit BR Hills?
No special permit such as an ILP is required; BR Hills is open to Indian and foreign visitors. You do, however, need to go through authorised safari operators for the core zone, and reserve entry is restricted to daytime hours. Reconfirm rules locally, as they can change.
Last updated and sources
Go to BR Hills if you want wildlife and a temple without the crowds, and if you are happy to travel slow and book ahead. Visit between October and May for the clearest weather and the best chance of sightings.
Last updated: 1 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Karnataka Tourism — BR Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary; Wikipedia — Biligiriranga Hills (for survey-based figures, cross-checked); JLR Explore — “Soligas, people of the forest” (Dr Prashanth N.S. and Shrenik Sadalgi); Outlook Traveller — Living with tigers: Karnataka’s Soligas in BR Hills; Outlook Traveller — BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary getaway guide; Wikipedia — Chamarajanagar railway station (train list, reconfirm on IRCTC/NTES); KSTDC — Hotel Mayura Biligiri. Accessed September 2026.
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