Karnataka Tour Packages
Karnataka stretches from the Vijayanagara ruins at Hampi to the coffee estates of Coorg and Chikmagalur, the royal city of Mysuru and a quiet coastline at Gokarna and Udupi.
Karnataka at a glance
- RegionSouth India, India
- CapitalBengaluru
- Time zoneIndian Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
- Driving sideLeft
- Calling code+91
- CurrencyIndian rupee (INR)
- LanguagesKannada
- Emergency112 (all emergencies)
Best time to visit: October to March
Top Karnataka travel packages
A few of our Karnataka itineraries in different travel styles. Every one is private and can be changed to suit you.
Hill-station holidaysOoty · Mysuru · CoorgNilgiris & Coorg Hill Circuit6 Days | 5 Nights
Road tripsWayanad · Coorg · MysuruMalabar & Coorg Road Trip6 Days | 5 Nights
Family holidaysMysuru · CoorgMysuru & Coorg Holiday4 Days | 3 Nights
Cultural holidaysHampi · BadamiHampi & Badami Heritage Trail4 Days | 3 NightsEssential tips for travelling to Karnataka
UPI and cards are widely accepted in cities and hotels; keep some cash for small shops, rural areas, hill towns and tips.
Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.
Drink bottled or filtered water; it is cheap and easy to find.
112 (all emergencies)
Languages spoken: Kannada.
Bengaluru is the main airport, with Mangaluru and Hubballi for the coast and north. Overnight trains reach Hospet (for Hampi) from Bengaluru.
Mysuru Palace is lit with nearly 100,000 bulbs on Sunday and public-holiday evenings for a short window.
Hampi is spread out; hire a guide for the first day and a bicycle or auto-rickshaw for the second.
General guidance. Local rules and services change; we confirm details for your dates.
Where is Karnataka?
Open a larger map → · The map frames the 11 places we cover in Karnataka.
- Bengaluru12.97°, 77.59°
- Mysuru12.30°, 76.64°
- Coorg12.42°, 75.74°
- Chikmagalur13.32°, 75.77°
- Hampi15.33°, 76.46°
- Gokarna14.55°, 74.32°
- Udupi13.34°, 74.75°
- Badami15.92°, 75.68°
- Kabini11.95°, 76.27°
- Vijayapura (Bijapur)16.83°, 75.71°
- Shravanabelagola12.86°, 76.49°
Who should visit Karnataka?
Plan your Karnataka trip
Everything you need to know about Karnataka
Karnataka stretches from the Vijayanagara ruins at Hampi to the coffee estates of Coorg and Chikmagalur, the royal city of Mysuru and a quiet coastline at Gokarna and Udupi. Wildlife lovers head to Kabini and Bandipur for elephants and the chance of a leopard or tiger.
We plan trips to 11 destinations in Karnataka: Bengaluru, Mysuru, Coorg, Chikmagalur, Hampi and Gokarna and more. Highlights include Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Mysore Palace, Abbey Falls, Mullayanagiri and Virupaksha Temple. Local food worth trying: Masala dosa at an old darshini, Bisi bele bath, Donne biryani and Filter coffee. Our Karnataka itineraries run from 3 to 9 days and every one can be changed to suit you.
When to go
October to March. Dry and pleasant. The monsoon turns Coorg and Chikmagalur lush but makes trekking slippery.
Getting around
Bengaluru is the main airport, with Mangaluru and Hubballi for the coast and north. Overnight trains reach Hospet (for Hampi) from Bengaluru.
View all Karnataka packages
Private, customisable itineraries with prices quoted for your dates, hotel category and group size.
6D / 5NOoty · Mysuru · CoorgNilgiris & Coorg Hill Circuit
A cross-state hill loop: Ooty's gardens and toy train, Mysuru's palace on the way down and two nights among Coorg's coffee estates.
View itinerary →
6D / 5NWayanad · Coorg · MysuruMalabar & Coorg Road Trip
A green road trip across the Western Ghats: Wayanad's forests, Coorg's coffee country and Mysuru's palace on the final evening.
View itinerary →
4D / 3NMysuru · CoorgMysuru & Coorg Holiday
The palace city and coffee country: Mysuru's palace, Chamundi Hill and Brindavan Gardens, then two nights on a Coorg estate.
View itinerary →4D / 3NHampi · BadamiHampi & Badami Heritage Trail
The best of the Deccan's stone heritage: two days among Hampi's boulders and ruins, then the Chalukyan caves and temples of Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal.
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4D / 3NCoorgCoorg Coffee Estate Honeymoon
Three nights in a plantation stay with estate walks, Abbey Falls, Raja's Seat at sunset and candlelit dinners among the coffee.
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4D / 3NUdupi · GokarnaKarnataka Coastal Trail: Gokarna & Udupi
Udupi's Krishna temple and famous food, St Mary's Island, then Gokarna's temple town and its chain of coves linked by a beach trek.
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3D / 2NKabiniKabini Wildlife Weekend
Two nights on the Kabini riverbank with jeep and boat safaris into Nagarhole, home of large elephant herds and the elusive black panther.
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5D / 4NBengaluru · Mysuru · OotyBengaluru, Mysuru & Ooty
A classic South Indian loop: Bengaluru's gardens, Mysuru's palace and a scenic climb through Bandipur and Mudumalai to Ooty.
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4D / 3NChikmagalurChikmagalur Trekking Break
Karnataka's highest peak, Mullayanagiri, the Baba Budangiri ridge and a jeep ride to Hebbe Falls, based in a coffee-estate homestay.
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9D / 8NBengaluru · Mysuru · Coorg · ChikmagalurKarnataka Grand Tour
Nine days from palaces to plantations to the ruins of Vijayanagara, taking in the state's three most different landscapes.
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3D / 2NHampiHampi Short Break
Two days in the ruined capital: Virupaksha, Vittala's stone chariot, a coracle ride and sunrise from Matanga Hill.
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5D / 4NCoorg · KabiniCoorg & Kabini Nature Holiday
Coffee hills and wildlife in one trip: Coorg's waterfalls and Dubare elephant camp, then safaris at Kabini.
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3D / 2NBengaluruBengaluru City Weekend
Lalbagh, Tipu's summer palace, VV Puram's food street, a microbrewery evening and sunrise at Nandi Hills.
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5D / 4NGokarna · South GoaGokarna & Goa Beach Trail
Quiet coves at Gokarna and the long beaches of South Goa, linked by a short drive along the Konkan coast.
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5D / 4NNorth Goa · GokarnaGoa & Gokarna Beach Hop
Goa's lively beaches and Gokarna's temple town and trekking coves, linked by a scenic coastal drive.
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5D / 4NVijayapura (Bijapur) · Badami · HampiVijayapura, Badami & Hampi Heritage
The domes of Gol Gumbaz and Ibrahim Rauza at Vijayapura, the cave temples of Badami, then two nights among the ruins of Hampi.
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3D / 2NMysuru · ShravanabelagolaShravanabelagola & Mysuru
Mysuru's palace and Chamundi Hill, then the barefoot climb to the great Gommateshwara statue and the basadis of Chandragiri.
View itinerary →17 itineraries
Places to visit in Karnataka
KarnatakaBengaluru
Bengaluru is India's tech capital, but it was a garden city long before: Lalbagh and Cubbon Park, Tipu Sultan's summer palace and the Bangalore Palace remain.
KarnatakaMysuru
Mysuru (Mysore) was the seat of the Wodeyar kings, and its palace is one of the most visited monuments in India.
KarnatakaCoorg
Coorg (Kodagu) is Karnataka's coffee country, a district of misty hills, estates shaded by silver oak and waterfalls in the forest.
KarnatakaChikmagalur
Chikmagalur is where coffee was first grown in India, according to the legend of Baba Budan.
KarnatakaHampi
Hampi is the ruined capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, spread across a surreal landscape of granite boulders beside the Tungabhadra River.
KarnatakaGokarna
Gokarna is a temple town on the Karnataka coast whose Mahabaleshwar temple is an important Shiva shrine.
KarnatakaUdupi
Udupi is famous for its Krishna Matha temple and for the vegetarian cuisine it gave the world.
KarnatakaBadami
Badami was the capital of the early Chalukyas, and its four sixth-century cave temples are carved into red sandstone cliffs above a lake.
KarnatakaKabini
Kabini is a river and reservoir on the edge of Nagarhole National Park, known for large elephant herds in summer and the famous black panther.
KarnatakaVijayapura (Bijapur)
Vijayapura, long known as Bijapur, was the capital of the Adil Shahi sultans, and its skyline of domes and minarets is among the finest in the Deccan.
KarnatakaShravanabelagola
Shravanabelagola is one of the most important Jain pilgrimage sites in India.
Top attractions in Karnataka
BengaluruHistoric garden with a glasshouse
Bengaluru →Wildlife in Karnataka
Wildlife experiences
Sightings depend on season and luck and are never guaranteed. Keep your distance, stay with licensed guides and never feed wild animals.
Cultural experiences in Karnataka
Heritage and landmarks
Experiences
- Shopping on Commercial Street
- Udupi food trail
On the menuFood to try
- Masala dosa at an old darshini
- Bisi bele bath
- Donne biryani
- Filter coffee
- Mysore pak
- Mysore masala dosa
- Nanjangud bananas
- Pandi curry (Kodava pork)
- Akki roti
- Fresh estate coffee
- Malnad cuisine with bamboo shoot curry
- North Karnataka thali
Outdoor activities in Karnataka
Many activities are seasonal. Best time for Karnataka: October to March. We check operating seasons for your dates.
Karnataka travel tips
Visa and entry
Indian citizens do not need a visa; carry a government photo ID such as Aadhaar or a passport for hotels and flights.
Health and safety
Travel insurance is a good idea, especially for adventure activities. Carry prescription medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription.
Currency and tipping
The currency is the Indian rupee (INR). Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.
Best time to visit
October to March. Dry and pleasant. The monsoon turns Coorg and Chikmagalur lush but makes trekking slippery.
Getting around
Bengaluru is the main airport, with Mangaluru and Hubballi for the coast and north. Overnight trains reach Hospet (for Hampi) from Bengaluru.
Local etiquette
- Dress modestly at temples, churches and mosques, and remove footwear where asked.
- Ask before photographing people, and follow photography rules at religious sites and museums.
What to pack
Pack a light jacket or sweater for cool evenings, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and swimwear, modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees for religious sites, a compact umbrella or rain jacket and comfortable walking shoes.
Phone and internet
Mobile data is good in towns and cities. Coverage can be patchy in remote, hill and forest areas, so download offline maps before you set off.
Budget
We don't publish fixed prices because the season, hotel category, flights and group size change the cost. Your written quote lists exactly what is included, so you can compare like for like.
Karnataka FAQs
What is Karnataka famous for?
What is the best time to visit Karnataka?
How many days do I need for Karnataka?
Is tap water safe to drink in Karnataka?
What are the emergency numbers in Karnataka?
How much does a Karnataka tour package cost?
Can Nexara Holidays plan a Karnataka trip from Chennai?
More destinations in South India
South IndiaTamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is home to some of the largest temple complexes on earth, from Madurai's Meenakshi Amman to the Chola temples around Thanjavur.
South IndiaKerala
Kerala packs tea-covered hills, spice plantations, wildlife reserves, houseboat-filled backwaters and palm-lined beaches into a narrow strip between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
South IndiaAndhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is best known for the Tirumala Venkateswara temple, one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, but it also has the beaches and hills of Visakhapatnam, the coffee-growing Araku Valley and long stretches of the Bay of Bengal coast.
South IndiaTelangana
Telangana centres on Hyderabad, a city of Qutb Shahi tombs, Nizami palaces, pearl markets and biryani, alongside a modern tech skyline.
South IndiaPuducherry
Puducherry (Pondicherry) is a former French enclave three hours south of Chennai.
Karnataka guides and articles
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