A travel Guide to Karnataka

Karnataka Tourism

The territory of silks and sandalwood, Karnataka is a lively state in itself. Located in South India, Karnataka delivers an incredible paramour with a charming display of culture, architecture, and beauty. The Western Coast of the state is splashed by the Arabian Sea, and the Western Ghats are blessed with lush green views. Its rich heritage and scenery create an enjoyable getaway for thousands of tourists every year.

The state's landscape and geography are so that it stands as an ultimate spot for various landmarks and exciting tourist attractions. The variety and riches of Karnataka tourist attractions can be seen with its pristine flora and fauna, palaces, waterfalls, and many ancient monuments and temples. If you are looking for soothing beaches, you will definitely cherish the state’s stunning coastal destinations like the Ladies Beach and Blue Lagoon Beach in Karwar.

Karnataka India also has several captivating hillside destinations like the Nandi Hills, Chikmagalur, and Coorg that have majestic beauty and scenic look to adore. Moreover, Karnataka has UNESCO Heritage Sites like Hampi, Gommatesvara statue and Shravanabelagola, which are great for heritage visits.

Karnataka tours also take into account many adventurous activities like snorkelling, rock climbing, trekking, water rafting, etc. You can experience them in different parts of the state. So, unearth the superb tourist spots in Karnataka by embarking on a sensational trip of Karnataka tourism.

Places to Visit in Karnataka

1. Coorg

Known as Scotland of India, Kodagu or Coorg is one of the most famed places to visit in Karnataka. While its bristle mountains and lush forests make it a perfect location for nature lovers, activities like trekking, elephant rides, and water rafting make it a destination for people to pin in their Karnataka travel guide. The heartland of Coorg in Madikeri, while other places of interest include the Iruppu Falls, Omkareshwara Temple, and Bylakuppe. If you are visiting Coorg, you must also adore the magnificence of many national parks and Wildlife. The Talacauvery Sanctuary, Brahmagiri Sanctuary, and Nagarhole National Park are some famous ones.

2. Mysore

Known as the City of Palaces, Mysore still holds its ancient charisma with its temples, traditions, heritage sites, and palaces. Mysore's best attraction is the Mysore Palace which you must definitely keep in your Karnataka travel guide. The Brindavan garden, famous for its musical fountain show, and Chamundi Hill Temple are few prominent attractions in the city. You must definitely check Karanji Lake, which is visited by a large number of tourists every day. Other attractions from Mysore that you must definitely put in the Karnataka tourism plan are Railway Museum, Kukkarahalli Lake, Jaganmohan Palace, Shivanasamudra Falls, Datta Peetham, and Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary.

3. Bengaluru

For the lush green cityscapes and modern amenities, Bengaluru has won several names like Silicon Valley of India, Pub Capital of India, and Pensioners' Paradise. The city is admired because of its western civilisation and natural charm. You can see beautiful figures, paintings, woodcarvings, and decorative pillars in Tipu Sultan Fort. At Bangalore Palace, you can adore wonderful wood carvings and towers which mirror the old-time architecture. Other Karnataka attractions from Bengaluru are Cubbon Park, Ulsoor Lake, Government Museum, and Vidana Soudha.

4. Chikmagalur

Chikmagalur is a hilly hotspot best known for its peaceful surroundings and majestic green forests. It is blessed with numerous tourist attractions like Mullayyangiri, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, and Belavadi. The Hebbe Falls is a beautiful waterfall that forms two cascades - The Dodda Hebbe (Big Waterfall) and Chikka Hebbe (Small Waterfall). The falls will give you a mesmerising view of the hill station Kemmangundi. Another fabulous destination is the Baba Budan Giri, where you can find many fascinating caves and sights. Trekking, hiking, and nature walkways can also be enjoyed at this destination.

5. Sakleshpur

Sakleshpur is a city in the heart of green mountains bordered by pepper, coffee, and cardamom plantations. The most famous attraction spot of Sakleshpur is the Manjarabad Fort. It will offer you the delight of Islamic architectural style. Another attraction that must be seen in the city is Bisle Ghat, which is the land of King Cobra, Tigers and many different bird species. You can enjoy a picnic here with your family and be mesmerised by the beauty of the scenery around you. Pandavar Gudda, Agni Gudda Hill, Betta Byraveshwara Temple, Hemavathi Dam and Magajahalli Waterfalls are some of the famous spots that you must pin in your list.

Things to do in Karnataka

You can put a lot on the list of things to do in Karnataka. Some of the jaw-dropping activities that you should not miss during your visit are:

White water rafting in Dandeli

The Kali River in Dandeli provides a 12-kilometre-long jaw-dropping rafting experience. You can choose from two levels of rafting - grade 2, which is easier to intermediate level, and grade 3, which is with a bit more exertion. The rafting tour lasts between 3 to 4 hours, including travel from the venue to the start spot.

You can enjoy the fun of other events as well, like kayaking, bird watching, and boating. So, put it on the list of things to do in Karnataka and experience the joys of white water rafting.

Micro-flight flying in Bengaluru

Do you know that you could fly an aircraft in Bengaluru without a license? Micro-flights are of two seats, where the pilot holds one seat and the passenger/trainee the other.

You can cherish this breathtaking experience of micro-flight flying by reserving a slot at the Jakkur Aerodrome. The two famous models of micro flight utilised by Bengaluru-based airlines are Xair and Zenair.

You will be demonstrated with the fundamentals of flying and will be made to carry out some simple manoeuvres such as altitude increase and decrease, turning, etc. It takes 10-15 minutes for an average flying journey and about 7-10 minutes in the air.

Scuba Diving in Netrani Island

Netrani Islands is a great scuba diving site in Karnataka tourism with several operators in Murudeshwara. The island is undoubtedly the best place for snorkelling and diving.

You can opt for a single dive or take a course. The operators of Netrani Island provide both. So, if you wish to swim like a fish and want to enjoy a narrow view of the water life and corals, this scuba diving experience would be something you would cherish for life. You could make a deal with the agent for cheap rates, based on members and season.

Best time to visit Karnataka

The Karnataka climate stays warm all year round. Winter is mild, summer is hot and wet, and the monsoon arrives in Karnataka early. While the coastal areas are warming, the temperature in the Western Ghats remains low all around the year. The best time to visit Karnataka is the winters, the time from October to April.

Monsoons are quite wet in the state and last from July-September in Karnataka. To enjoy the flora and fauna, monsoons is considered the best season to visit Karnataka.

As for the summers, the state doesn’t experience scorching heat and humidity during summer, and you can consider visiting the state from April to June.

All in all, the state of Karnataka is a spot to cherish different landscapes and beauty anytime during the year.

How to reach Karnataka

Karnataka has excellently-developed rail, road, and air transport in most areas. Let us understand how to reach Karnataka from different parts of the country.

By Airways: In Karnataka, there are seven towns with airports. Bengaluru and Mangalore Airports are the major ones that deal with international flights.

By Railways: All major towns in Karnataka are well linked by train to other regions of India. Karnataka has the largest railway station in Bengaluru. You can choose to travel by the luxurious Golden Chariot train, which will allow you to take the tour from Goa to Bengaluru via Hampi and Mysore.

By Roadways: KSRTC provides both inter and intra-state bus connections between the main cities and tourist hotspots of Karnataka. From big towns to small, all are excellently connected by national highways.