Renting out your home in Agumbe

Our advice for Agumbe

Agumbe is a small village in Shivamogga district, set at around 660 metres in the Western Ghats. Its extraordinary rainfall has earned it the nickname Cherrapunji of the South, and it hosts the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, founded by herpetologist Romulus Whitaker, whose flagship species is the king cobra. Television viewers also know the village as a setting for several episodes of Malgudi Days.

Who visits

Visitors fall into three groups: naturalists and researchers attracted by the rainforest, travellers crossing the ghat between the coast and the plateau who stop for the sunset point, and nostalgic fans of the old series. The village is tiny, accommodation is limited and guests often stay in traditional houses with families.

What guests value

• A traditional Malnad house with its courtyard, cooled by the forest, rather than a modern block.
• Home-cooked vegetarian meals, often a strong memory of the visit.
• Information on guided nature walks, which should be done with qualified guides and with the necessary permissions.
• Honest warnings about leeches, snakes and slippery paths.

The rain question

Average rainfall exceeds seven metres a year, with July the wettest month. Buildings need regular upkeep: roofs, damp walls, wooden beams. Linen and mattresses must be aired. Many visitors avoid the peak monsoon; the drier months attract most of the nature tourists.

Living with the forest

Agumbe is surrounded by protected forest. Construction and extension near the boundary are restricted; check with the forest department before any work. Guests should be asked to stay on marked paths and never handle wildlife.

Registration in Karnataka

The state's 2025 homestay guidelines, overseen by the Deputy Commissioner, fit Agumbe's model well: the owner or immediate family must live in the house, breakfast is required, and CCTV and a guest register are expected. Absentee owners fall under separate Bed and Breakfast rules. Register before advertising.

Our advice: in Agumbe, authenticity and respect for the forest are the whole proposition. Keep it small, keep it honest and let the rainforest do the rest.