The Best Of Karnataka

When you arrive at Bangalore Airport or Railway Station, our team will welcome you and help you get to your hotel. Once you’ve checked in, take some time to settle down before we begin exploring Bangalore, also known as the Silicon Valley of India, on your first day here.

Our tour starts at the Bangalore Palace, a stunning 19th-century building surrounded by beautiful gardens right in the city centre. This palace is a favourite spot for both locals and tourists, known for its remarkable architecture with detailed carvings on its wooden structures. Here, you’ll get a glimpse into the medieval era and learn about the royal families who once lived here.

Next, we’ll visit the Sri Radha Krishna Temple, just 15 minutes from the palace. This temple is one of the largest ISKCON temples in the world, built with top-quality materials like granite, marble, and glass from Korea.

Close by, we’ll explore the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. Established in 1960, this site functions as a museum preserving Bangalore’s rich culture and art. It features a variety of modern and traditional artworks, including pieces by students from The College of Fine Arts and The Bengaluru School of Visual Arts. The museum is renowned for its Indian Gold Leaf artwork and Mysore paintings.

The Lal Bagh Botanical Garden is our next stop. This beautiful garden, known for its vibrant red roses that bloom throughout the year, was formerly called the Rose and Cypress Garden. It’s one of the most diverse botanical gardens in South Asia and has a rich history, having been established in 1760.

Later in the day, we’ll visit the Vidhana Soudha, a majestic building constructed in 1956. Standing at 46 meters tall, this Dravidian-style structure was built with white granite by about 5,000 workers and is located across from the High Court of Karnataka.

As evening falls, enjoy some free time. You could explore local shops, take a leisurely walk around the city, or check out the nightlife at a local pub. After a delightful evening, you’ll spend the night at your hotel in Bangalore, ready for more adventures the next day.

Have a hearty breakfast today before we leave the hotel in Bangalore. We are set for a 3.5-hour drive to Mysore, also known as “The City of Palaces,” covering about 150 kilometers. Along the way, we’ll stop at several interesting sites to make our journey enjoyable and enriching.

Our first visit will be to Srirangapatna, once the capital under Tipu Sultan’s rule. The town is named after the ancient Ranganthaswamy Temple, established in 984, which holds both religious and historical significance. It was the heart of Mysore during Tipu Sultan’s reign. Here, we’ll explore the renowned Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Ranganatha. This temple is a major pilgrimage site in Sri Vaishnavism and is notable for housing Karnataka’s largest reclining statue of Vishnu.

Next, we’ll visit Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, famous for its Indo-Islamic architecture. This wooden two-story palace, set amidst a beautiful garden, served as the summer retreat for Tipu Sultan. The interior walls are adorned with floral designs, giving us a glimpse into the leisurely royal lifestyle of its time.

Our journey continues to the Srirangapatna Fort, a significant historical fortification built in 1454 in the Indo-Islamic style by Kempe Gowda. Located about 23 kilometers from Mysore, the fort is fortified with multiple walls and moats, historically protected by crocodiles and snakes as natural defenses.

We will also stop at the Gumbaz, or Gol Gumbad, the resting place of Tipu Sultan. This Muslim mausoleum, set amidst a garden of cypress trees and exotic plants from various countries, marks a significant historical site. The original carved doors are now housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, while the current doors feature intricate ebony and ivory work donated by Lord Dalhousie.

After the tour, we’ll return to the hotel in Mysore for check-in and an overnight stay.

Have a good breakfast today before we embark on a day-long tour of Mysore, Karnataka’s capital, famous for its vibrant culture and ancient architecture. Everyone, whether they are history enthusiasts or just curious minds, will appreciate exploring this city. Mysore is dotted with historic buildings that tell tales of a glorious past and boast breathtaking views and sacred sites.

Our first stop is the Mysore Zoo, spread over 157 acres, showcasing a diverse collection of wildlife. It’s one of the oldest zoos in the country and the only one in India with a gorilla, along with orangutans and chimpanzees. This place is a favourite for families who enjoy learning about animals like giraffes, zebras, African elephants, bears, white deer, tapirs, otters, and more.

Next, we visit the majestic Mysore Palace, once home to the Wadiyars. This palace is a top attraction, featuring stunning architecture and historical treasures. Surrounded by lush gardens, it is built from elegant grey granite and pink marble, with a 145-foot gold tower providing a panoramic view of the area.

Then we’ll go to Chamundi Hills, standing tall at about 3,500 feet. Here, you’ll enjoy cooler breezes and a spectacular view of Mysore city. Nearby, the revered Chamundeshwari Temple, a famous spiritual site, stands as a testament to ancient devotion, where one can worship the goddess Chamundeshwari.

Don’t miss the iconic Big Bull statue while on the hills, a massive representation of Nandi, the bull of Krishna, which is over 350 years old and a significant landmark in Mysore.

We’ll also explore St. Philomena’s Church, known for its stunning Gothic architecture. Inspired by New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral, this church is one of the tallest in Asia, built in 1936 and showcasing breathtaking Neo-Gothic designs.

Our tour continues to the Jaganmohan Palace, a royal residence turned into a museum. This palace houses one of South India’s largest collections of artefacts, featuring an auditorium and art museum that displays works from the past.

In the evening, enjoy exploring local markets where you can shop for silk saris, sandalwood items, handicrafts, incense sticks, coffee, wooden toys, and traditional Mysore paintings.

We’ll conclude our day by returning to the hotel for an overnight stay in Mysore.

Have your breakfast this morning before we leave the hotel. We’re heading to Kabini, a drive that will take about two hours. Kabini is a beautiful destination, known for its rich greenery and stunning waterfalls. It’s also renowned for its elephant population, the highest concentration of herbivores in Asia, including species like Gaur, Chital, Sambar, and others.

Upon arriving, we’ll check into our hotel, and you’ll have the day to relax and enjoy as you please. You can choose to participate in activities such as a jungle safari, coracle rides, and nature walks on a pay-as-you-go basis. We’ll stay overnight at the hotel in Kabini.

Once you finish breakfast, leave the hotel and head towards Coorg. On the way, stop by Kushalnagar to see Bylakuppe, the largest Tibetan settlement in South India, known for its Golden Temple, or Namdroling Monastery. This monastery is a splendid example of Tibetan design, featuring a detailed temple tower and beautifully mural-decorated walls. The entrance has impressive red doors with large golden knockers. Inside, you can admire three giant 40-foot golden statues of Guru Padmasambhava, Buddha Sakyamuni, and Amityaus, set against a backdrop of vibrant paintings that depict scenes from Tibetan Buddhist stories.

Next, visit Cauvery Nisargadhama, an island in the Cauvery River and a popular spot for outings. You can reach the island by crossing a hanging rope bridge. This lush area is full of bamboo, sandalwood, and teak trees. It also has a deer park, rabbit park, peacock park, and an orchid garden. You can go boating and take an elephant ride, though these activities are optional and cost extra. After the visit, continue to your hotel in Coorg for check-in. Spend the night there, enjoying the serene surroundings.

After breakfast, head to Talakaveri, located at the eastern slopes of Brahmagiri Peak, standing at an altitude of 1350 meters. This spot is known as the starting point of the River Cauvery. A trek in the Brahmagiri hills offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, perfect for photography enthusiasts. Although the path is steep, it’s manageable to climb. Then, make a stop at Bhagamandala, located at the meeting point of the Cauvery and the Kanika rivers. A third river, the Sujyothi, is believed to merge here from beneath the ground. Here, you can visit a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as Bhagandeshwara, and seek blessings.

After lunch, visit Abbey Falls, about 8 kilometres from Madikeri town. Nestled amidst coffee plantations and spice estates, Abbey Falls is a picturesque spot where water cascades down from a height of 70 feet into a pool below. A hanging bridge across the gorge offers a spectacular view of the falls, and a temple dedicated to Kali Mata nearby is also worth visiting. The trail to the falls is lush and offers a delightful walk.

Madikeri Fort closed on Mondays, retains its historic allure. It’s a prominent landmark in Coorg, showcasing a blend of architectural styles. The fort premises include a museum and the Kote Maha Ganapathi Temple. The fort’s high vantage points offer sweeping views of the town.

Visit Sri Omkareshwar Temple, an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva in Madikeri. The temple’s unique architectural style combines elements of Gothic and Islamic designs.

Raja’s Seat, a favoured viewpoint within a beautiful garden, features seasonal flowers and musical fountains. It’s best visited early in the morning or during the evening to catch the majestic sunrise or sunset. A toy train offers fun rides for children with a scenic view of the mountains.

End the day by returning to your hotel in Coorg for some relaxation and an overnight stay.

After breakfast in the morning, we’ll head to Hassan. Upon arriving, we’ll check into the hotel. Later, we’ll set out to explore Belur, a unique place where Hoysala temple worship is still practiced today. This site showcases stunning examples of Hoysala architectural brilliance. Next, we’ll visit Halebidu, once the thriving capital of the Hoysalas. Here, the temple complex includes a museum displaying various idols, statues, and sculptures that were unearthed from the ruins by the Archaeological Department. After our day of exploring, we’ll head back to the resort for the night.

After you finish your breakfast at the Hassan hotel, check out and get ready for your journey to the Bangalore airport or railway station to leave. We’re sure you’re returning home happy with the wonderful memories you’ve made on this trip!