Karnataka

South India at its best for culture and nature, with the ruins of Hampi, Mysore Palace and the coffee hills of Coorg.

Karnataka lies in southwestern India, bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, with the Western Ghats running through it. The ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire at Hampi are a World Heritage Site; Mysore is famed for its grand palace and the Dasara festival; and Badami and Pattadakal preserve early cave temples and shrines. The Coorg (Madikeri) hills are covered in coffee plantations, Agumbe is a rainforest destination, and beaches such as Gokarna are ideal for relaxing. The capital, Bengaluru, is a tech hub and the main air gateway. The best season is October to March.

Destinations

• Mysuru (Mysore)
• Hampi
• Coorg (Madikeri)
• Agumbe
• Udupi
• Gokarna
• Chikmagalur
• Bengaluru
• Badami
• Vijayapura (Bijapur)

Itineraries

• Karnataka Dynasty Heritage Trail – Travel south to north to see Mysuru, Hoysala temples, Hampi, Badami, and Vijayapura.
• Bengaluru, Mysuru, Ooty & Coorg – Loop from Bengaluru to see the royal city, ride the mountain toy train, and stay in the coffee hills.
• Coastal Karnataka & Rainforest – Head north along the Konkan Coast via Udupi, Agumbe Rainforest, and Murudeshwar to Gokarna.
• Goa, Hampi & Badami Loop – Take a train from Goa up to the Deccan Plateau, spend three days in Hampi, and visit Chalukya caves.