Agumbe
The village of Agumbe lends itself to some excellent outdoor adventures — there are waterfalls and pools to bathe in, birds and snakes to spot and treks to build up your appetite. It is also where the famous television series, Malgudi Days, was shot. You can visit the house where Swami lived with his family, and even stay here as it is now a homestay. With an average annual rainfall of more than 8,000mm, this is one of the wettest places in India and the site of the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, which carries out research in rainforest ecology. Interestingly, one of its main projects is to track the area’s king cobras using radio tagging. Numerous waterfalls and trails through the winding hills make Agumbe a trekking paradise. Carry all required equipment and supplies with you and do engage a guide as it’s very easy to get lost in the dense woods. It’s best to avoid trekking at night. The 850-ft-high Barkana Falls are 5km from Agumbe, after which a 3km trek affords gorgeous valley views. On the way back, take the route via the Jogi Gundi Falls. The water flows over stepped rocks and through a cave into a large pool.