Karnataka is the eighth largest state of India and is situated on the western edge of the Deccan plateau in south India. The location of the state is such that the Western Ghats rises in the east and the cool blue waters of the Arabian Sea lie to the west. Karnataka has a 320 km long coastline with unspoilt beaches, magnificent temples, lush green gardens, exquisite palaces, and sparkling waterfalls.
Karnataka takes you to the real world of adventure. People who are keenly interested in activities like river rafting, rock climbing, trekking, and paragliding will find tremendous opportunities to indulge their adventurous side when they travel to Karnataka.
Karnataka has rightly been named the 'Cradle of stone architecture' - it has a profusion of monuments, including the temples of Badami and Aihole, domes and minarets of Bijapur, the World Heritage Center at Pattadakal.
Karnataka displays a remarkable contrast with the rapid growth of the IT industry at one end and vast expanses of rural farming at the other. Apart from being a major producer of coffee, sandalwood, spices, and betelnut, the state is also known for its silk weaving industry.

Places to visit in Karnataka

South Karnataka

Mysore
The cultural heart of Karnataka, Mysore is situated about 140 km from the capital city of Bangalore. A city of natural beauty, royal aura and quaint charm it never fails to charm its visitors.   More...

Hassan
Located in the heart of Malnad and about 195 km from the capital city of Bangalore, Hassan is a picturesque, quite and peaceful town.   More...

Belur
Belur is located some 38 kms from Hassan and about 220 km from Bangalore. Standing on the banks of the river Yagachi, It was once the capital of the Hoysala Empire. Famous for its exquisite temples and sculptures, it presents the finest arts and architectures of the Hoysala period and so rightly called the Dakshina Varanasi.   More...

Halebid
Halebid is located about 32 kms from Hassan and 16 Kms east of Belur. The little town of Karnataka was the capital of the Hoysala Kingdom in the 12th and 13th centuries. On a clear day you can have a glimpse of the giant Gomateshwara statue at Sravanabelgola looming in the distance.   More...

Srirangapattnam
Srirangapatnam is located about 127 km southwest of Bangalore and about 12 km from Mysore. Famous as the Tipu Sultan's former capital, Srirangapatnam is a picturesque island in the Cauvery River.   More...

West Karnataka

Mangalore, Beaches in Mangalore
Picturesquely located between Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, Mangalore is lying on the backwaters formed by the converging Netravathi and Gurpura rivers. The city, it is said, derives its name form the goddess Mangaladevi, the goddess of fortune in whose name a temple was built here in the 9th century by King Kundavarma. With an important port situated here, this coastal town has emerged as a major commercial center exporting coffee, cashew nuts and fishes.   More...

North Karnataka

Hampi
Hampi is located beside the Tungabhadra River at the heart of Karnataka and is about 50 kms from Bellary and 13 km from Hospet.   More...

Badami
Badami is located in the Bijapur District of Karnataka, at the southern most point of the Deccan Trap. The capital of the famous Chalukyas, Badami is picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between twin orange-hued soapstone rocky hills.   More...

Aihole
Aihole is famous as the 'Cradle Of Indian Architecture'. Located about 40 Kms from Badami, it had been the ancient capital of Chalukyas for more than 200 years.   More...

Pattadakal
Pattadakkal is famous as the second capital of the Chalukyas. It was solely used for the purpose of coronation of the Chalukyan kings. Situated on the banks of the Malprabha River it appears as a scenic sight.   More...

Hospet
Hospet is famous for its close proximity to Hampi, the famous site of the great Vijayanagar kingdom. Located about 13 km from Hampi and about 350 km from Bangalore, Hospet is known as the gateway to Hampi.   More...

Wildlife Destinations in Karnataka

Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary
Bandipur, regarded as the one of the most famous and the better-managed National Parks of India, is located at about 215 km from Bangalore amidst the towering Western Ghat Mountains on the Mysore-Ooty highway.   More...

Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary
Kabini is located at the south-eastern end of famous Nagarhole National Park, by the backwaters of the Kabini River, a tributary of Cauvery. It is about 69 km form Mysore and 208 km from Bangalore.   More...

Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary
The Nagarhole or Rajiv Gandhi National Park is located in Karnataka at a distance of about 96 km from Mysore. It is also a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve that includes the famous Bandipur National Park, the Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and the Wayanad Reserve in Kerala.   More...

Hill Station in Karnataka

Coorg
Coorg is one of the most beautiful and exotic hill stations of south India. It is located at an altitude of about 1100 m above the sea level and at a distance of about 120 km from Mysore and 195 km from the capital city Bangalore. Lush green vegetation, Steep hills, hanging valleys and deep gorges with countless streams make Coorg a wonderful place to visit.   More...

Other Places to visit in Karnataka

Bangalore
The state capital is also known as the 'City of Gardens'. 'Lal Bagh' with its beautiful fountains, lotus pools, and array of old trees is beauty in itself. Also to be seen on your tour are the Government Buildings and the Maharaja's Palace. Known as the 'Silicon Valley of India', Bangalore is home to many well-known multinational software companies. The 'Nehru Planetarium' is a popular attraction which gives lectures and shows on a regular basis.  More...
Bijapur's Gol Gumbaz
This tomb of Mohammad Adil Shah, built in 1659, has the second largest dome in the world.

Brindaban Gardens
These are exquisite ornamental gardens at Krishnarajasagar Dam 19 km from Mysore; the main attraction is the 'dancing musical fountains'.

Golden Palms Spa
Is a perfect recreational paradise offering aqua therapy, ayurvedic, cosmetic surgery, fitness programs, and other kinds of treatments for a complete fitness tour.

Jog falls
Formed by the river Sharavati, the grandeur of the 253m high falls is best appreciated by a tour during and after the monsoon.

Udupi
It is an open Square surrounded by temples and maths located at 381 km from Bangalore. It is also world famous for its delicious cuisine and Udupi restaurants.

Hubli
This center of the Indian textile industry is situated 420 kms from Bangalore. It is also a major junction for Mumbai, Bangalore and Goa.