Our wide range of Karnataka holidays and tour packages will allow you to explore this fascinating southern India state.
The garden city of Bengalulu (formerly called Bangalore) is the Silican Valley of India. Vidhana Soudha is the seat of the legislature and former royal residences include the 19th century Bangalore Palace, modelled after Windsor Castle, and the 18th century Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace. Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens feature a glass house inspired by the Crystal Palace in London.
Mysuru (formerly known as Mysore) is is famous for its many beautiful palaces, including Mysuru Palace, and the illuminated Brindavan Gardens. It is also known for its festivals, including the 10-day Mysuru Dasara in October that celebrates the victory of good over evil. The Chamundi Hill Bull Temple has a massive statue of a bull that is painted black and decorated with garlands. Mysore was seat of the Wodeyar dynasty, with architecture that blends Hindu, Islamic, Gothic and Rajput styles. Mysore is also home to the centuries old Devaraja Market, filled with spices, silk and sandalwood.
If you love wildlife head for the rich flora and fauna of the Kabini River, where you can enjoy game drives, nature walks and birding. If its tigers you are after, head for Bandipur Tiger Reserve which is one of the finest in India.
Further south, the fruit and vegetable producing hill station of Ooty in the Nilgiri Hills offers respite from the summer heat. Chikkamagaluru in the foothills of the Western Ghats is another hill station, surrounded by coffee plantations. The nearby towns of Halebeedu and Belur were both the capitals of the Hoysala Empire, with some of the most impressive temples in all of India – several are nearly 1,000 years old.
But the jewel in Karnataka’s crown is the ancient city of Hampi. Surrounded by banana plantations and with giant red-gold boulders perch precariously over miles of undulating terrain, this enormous World Heritage Site it is dotted with over 1,600 stone structures dating from the 14th century Vijayanagara Empire. These intricately carved ruins are breathtakingly beautiful, with scenes from Indian mythology and Lord Krishna. The ancient 7th century Virupaksha Temple is still functioning and is a popular pilgrimage site. Daroji Bear Sanctuary offers sanctuary to sloth bears.
If your budget extends to luxury train travel, one of the best ways of exploring Karnataka is aboard the magnificent Golden Chariot train, which recreates the opulent lifestyle of the Maharaja era.
Combine your ideas with our expertise and let us help you create a holiday of a lifetime. We offer a wide range of options at different price points, all of which can be tailor made to your needs.
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We have been arranging Karnataka holidays & tour packages to Bangalore, Mysore, Hampi & India Trains for over 20 years.
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