Offbeat Karnataka
South India’s best-kept secret
Highlights: Untouched beaches | Ancient temples | Abundant wildlife | Home-stays
No. of Days: 7
Overview:
Karnataka is a great destination to see both urban and rural, and experience both modern and ancient quarters of South India. Some regard this as a vivid example of what the country offers on a whole. The state has a long list of adventures, ranging from hikes, wildlife parks, rafting trails, coffee estates, unexplored beaches and wellness centers. There is so much for the traveller to explore that one can tweak a plan to suit any need – child-friendly holidays, a romantic getaway, for the wildlife enthusiast or the outdoor lover.
You can start of the nerve centre of all activity, the capital Bengaluru and make your way to Mysuru and further to Coorg or Chikmagalur, both coffee clad hills. You can also detour from here to see the famous Bandipur National Park or the Kabini Reserve, both part of the Nilgiri Biosphere. There are a number of hikes and treks off Coorg and Chikmagalur, rafting opportunities and outdoor adventures. At the end of the day you can come back to the cosy homestays or estate homes. From here, you can loop around to Agumbe, one of the world’s most thriving rainforests and come down the coast touching Murudeshwar, Udipi and Mangalore. Yoga retreats, ancient temples and a pristine coastline are the highlights of this stretch.
What to Expect: Treat this as a South India 101 immersion for you. Karnataka’s blissful coastline will give you an opportunity to see excellent beaches other than Goa. The state’s green cover is one of the most refreshing discoveries for most travellers. It has some of the most famous national parks of the country and is also home to thick rainforests in the north. Coffee estates and the plantation homes are another relaxing addition to the trip. For those interested in history and culture, the greatest dynasties sprinkled the state with exquisite temples. Karnataka is essentially a great blend of modern and historic, along with nature’s rewards that are sure to lure any traveller.
