Uncover calm getaways only a few hours away from Bangalore, also a perfect choice for relaxing after the hectic city life.
These places consist of beautiful hill stations and quiet nature retreats where the mix of comfort and peace is just right.
It could be a two-day getaway or a leisurely vacation; discover the locations that revitalize your mental and physical states.
Goa is the most popular and automatically everyone’s first choice when it comes to the best beaches in India. The state of Karnataka in southwest India has a tropical paradise named Gokarna where some of the country’s best beaches are located.
It is situated around 486 km from the southwest of Bangalore and is a place that both local tourists and foreigners can not resist visiting. You might be curious and ask “what is so attractive about this place?” The answer to this question is that Gokarna has some very special beaches that are really different from other beaches, for example, Kudle beach, Gokarna OM beach, Half moon beach, and Paradise beach. These beaches provide solitude and tranquility which can re-energize you with nature.
Another major draw of this town is the religious pilgrimage sites such as Mahabaleshwar Temple. Gokarna is also known for its temples along with its beaches. Among the various temples dedicated to Lord Shiva across India, the giant 123 feet Shiva statue in Murudeshwar temple, which is the second-largest Shiva statue in the world, is a must-see.
So when will you decide to go? Get your stuff ready and go directly to Gokarna for a calm and quiet vacation.
Main attractions: beaches like Kudle beach, OM beach, Half moon beach, Gokarna Paradise Beach, Mahabaleshwar Temple, Murudeshwar temple, Mirjan Fort, and Yana hills are some of the best places to visit in Gokarna.
The period from October to March is the best time to visit Gokarna as it offers the best weather conditions.
Madhugiri is a settlement in the Tumkur district, situated at a distance of 105 km from Bangalore in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. Its height of 3930 feet above sea level makes it the second-largest monolith in Asia. The district of Madhugiri is one of 34 educational districts in the state of Karnataka.
The fort is the main attraction of Madhugiri. The fort has three entrances, called Antaralada Bagilu, Diddi Bagilu, and Mysuru Gate, and the ruined temple of Gopalakrishna is found at the top. It is one of the prime tourist spots in the state, and among the most visited strongholds.
Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve is another major tourist attraction close to Madhugiri hill, and the reserve is home to a variety of reptiles, birds, and mammals like jungle cats, rabbits, Indian grey mongoose, wolf, and many others.
A Siddaganga Mutt is a prayer site that draws pilgrims and people from other religions. It is the state’s leading educational center and the Mallinatha Temple and Sree Harihareshwara Swamy Temple are the two other most known temples.
Channarayana Durga is one of the best-known spots around Madhugiri and the trekking through the Channarayana Durga fort is the main attraction for tourists. Besides this, Siddara Betta close to Devarayana Durga is a paradise for birdwatchers. The yellow-throated bulbul is one of the numerous bird species found there, which makes the area attractive for bird watching.
Attractions: Timmalapura Forest, Madhugiri Betta, Siddaganga Mutt, Channarayana Durga, Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve, and Madhugiri Fort.
Bheemeshwari is located approximately 105 km from Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka, and it is quickly becoming one of the most important tourist destinations in the state. Bheemeshwari, which is situated in the Mandya district of Karnataka, has earned the name of being a premier adventure hub.
The list of the most sought-after activities at this place includes fishing, river rafting, coracle riding, kayaking, zip-lining and mountain biking. The area is also the natural home of the toughest freshwater game fish known as the Mahseer.
The region is well known for its diverse flora and fauna. The habitat of the Bheemeshwari area is populated with some exotic animals such as crocodiles, wild boars, leopards, and jackals. Besides, there are elephants, deer, crocodiles, turtles, snakes, and around two hundred bird species that have made Bheemeshwari their home.
The Bheemeshwari area is situated on the banks of the River Cauvery and is surrounded by Mekedatu, Gaganachukki, and Barachukki waterfalls, which makes it a paradise for adventurers and nature seekers.
The main attractions include Bheemeshwari Nature Camp, Skandagiri trekking, adventure activities like river rafting, coracle riding, kayaking, zip-lining, mountain biking, and other rope activities, Cauvery Fishing Camp, and Doddamakkali Nature Camp.
The Biligirirangana Hills, normally called BR Hills, are a mountain range located in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka, and are 172 km away from Bangalore city.
The BR Hills act as a wildlife corridor linking the two major mountain ranges of India, namely the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats. Its sanctuary Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, or simply BRT Wildlife Sanctuary, is the biggest among its attractions and worldwide known.
At an elevation of 5091 feet, this sanctuary of wildlife is populated with a variety of animals among which are elephants, tigers, sloth bears, bison, deer, porcupines, and the more than 250 types of birds such as the Paradise Flycatcher, Racquet Tailed Drongo, and the Crested Hawk Eagle.
Besides the temple, which is 500 years old, Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple is also known as BR hills temple and is located very near to the existing temple site. It along with Dodda Sampige is one of the most important destinations.
The Dodda Sampide Mara which means big Champak tree is a holy place for the Soliga tribes and the locals in general and it is believed to be over 2000 years old.
Apart from these major attractions, the hills also provide avenues for a variety of adventure-based activities like rafting, camping, angling, fishing, coracle boat riding, trekking, Jeep Safari, and Elephant Safari.
Major attractions: Among many, some are Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple, Dodda Sampide Mara, and BRT Wildlife Sanctuary.
The months from June to September are the monsoon period in Dandeli. It is also the time when Doodh Sagar waterfall is best to visit. Rafting on the Kali River rapids, finding the elusive Black Panther in the sanctuary, hiking to Nagjhari Falls, viewing bees at Sinteri Rocks, hiking to the Kavala caves, bird watching at Ganeshgudi, and sunset over Ganeshgudi Hill are just a few of the attractions waiting to be discovered in Dandeli.
Coorg ranks as one of the most desirable tourist spots in the entire South Indian region. Its other name, Kodagu, refers to a countryside district within the southern region of India, which is Karnataka, and is also recognized for its export of coffee along with teas.
The remarkable part is that waterfalls, quiet hillsides of tea, green areas filled with trees, and mountain peaks wrapped in mist gave Coorg rightly the title, the Scotland of India. The two places where nature’s beauty is at its best are Abbey Falls and Iruppu falls, which are also the most visited tourist attractions of Coorg.
Coorg, however, is known for its wildlife as well. Nagarhole National Park is a wildlife sanctuary that gives people a chance to see the animals while they are in their natural habitat. At the Dubare elephant camp, a group of elephants is taken care of and a unique experience of elephant interacting is given for the visitors. Coorg has no railway or airport of its own; the nearest big airport is that of Mangalore at a distance of around 135 km and the nearest railway station is located at Mysore approximately 120 km away.
For the adventurous, Coorg also offers numerous trekking trails. Among the most beautiful peaks for trekking, Brahmagiri, Kumara Parvatha, and Tadiandamol stays the top of the list. Raja’s Seat is one of the most splendid and picturesque spots within Coorg.
The Namdroling Mandroling Monastery located in Bylakuppe, more commonly referred to as Coorg Golden temple, is the most vital among all. Hundreds of devotees visit the place daily and it happens to be the second largest settlement for Buddhism in India.
Major attractions: Nisargadhama, Brahmagiri peak trek, Kumara Parvatha Trek, Tadiandamol Trek, Raja’s Seat, the Golden Temple, Nagarhole National Park, Dubare elephant camp, Abbey Falls, Iruppu Falls, Mandalpatti View Point are Chettalli some of the major Coorg tourist places.
Agumbe is a tiny village in the Shimoga district which belongs to the southwestern Indian state of Karnataka. Because of its heavy rainfall, it is often called “The Cherrapunji of the South”. The village is approximately 347 km away from Bangalore and is the location of the only Rainforest Research Station in the whole of India.
Agumbe is known for its scenic waterfalls being the location of several of them. Among the waterfalls is Barkana Falls, which is the tenth highest waterfall in India and the most popular one. Other prominent waterfalls of Agumbe are Kunchikal Falls, Jogigundi Falls, Onake Abbi Falls, and Koodlu Theertha Falls. All these waterfalls are the great places for tourists to visit in Agumbe.
Agumbe is famous for Sunset point providing a delightful sunset along with gorgeous panoramic views. Narasimha Parvatha which is also known as the Agumbe peak is 826 m above sea level and a great trekking option in the Agumbe ghat.
Agumbe is also infamous for its fauna and gets the title King Cobra capital because of the abundant snake species here. It is one of the wettest places in India which makes it a perfect monsoon destination and the main characteristic of Agumbe’s tourism.
Key attractions: Waterfalls such as Barkana Falls, Kunchikal Falls, Jogigundi Falls, Onake Abbi Falls, and Koodlu Theertha Falls, Agumbe Sunset viewpoint, Narasimha Parvatha trek or Agumbe trek, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, and Gopala Krishna Temple are some of the important places to visit in Agumbe.
Belur, a quaint temple town, is situated in Karnataka’s Hassan District and the Chennakesava temple complex, probably the best interpreted Hoysala architecture’s craftsmanship, is the main reason for its fame.
Being 221 km away from Bangalore, Belur together with Halebidu is mentioned as one of the major tourist hotspots in Karnataka.
Belur is ‘temples galore’ and hosts some of the most famous temples like Kesava Temple, Hoysaleshwara Temple, Shravanabelagola Temple, Kedareshwara Temple, and Jain temples. A Pushkarni or stepwell, another attraction, easily wins over travelers’ hearts. The Belur railway station is an important node that interconnects not only Belur but also the entire Karnataka.
Belur together with Halebeedu and Shravanabelagola are the three cornerstones of Karnataka Tourism and form the Golden Triangle. Besides temples, Belur is also well-known for Yagachi Dam and Yagachi Water Adventure Sports Center offering thrilling water sports activities.
Among the major attractions are: Chennakesava temple, Kesava Temple, Hoysaleshwara Temple, Shravanabelgola Temple, Kedareshwara Temple, Jain temples, Pushkarni, Yagachi Dam, Narasimha Pillar, Madanikas, Doddagaddavalli and Belavadi.
The erstwhile private hunting reserve of the Mysore Maharaja, Bandipur has now grown up to be the most extensive protected area in the southern region of India. It is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is the first Biosphere Reserve in India, and Bandipur is the first Biosphere Reserve in the country. This national park is one of the Indian government’s various nature conservation projects and is also a preferred site for nature lovers. Bandipur is approximately 220 km away from Bangalore city and has been designated as a tiger reserve since 1973.
Bandipur National Park is primarily known for its Elephant and Tiger population. Other mammal species that are found in the vast forest include ruler (a type of cow), Bonnet macaque, dhole, palm civet, jungle cat, Indian flying, giant flying squirrel, striped hyena, rusty-spotted cat, Nilgiri tahr, leopard, Hanuman langur, leopard cat, sambhar, chital, mouse deer, four-horned antelope, wild boar, jackal, sloth bear, panther, Malabar squirrel, porcupines, the black-knapped hare and birds like jungle fowl and green pigeon. Bandipur National Park is often described as a photographers’ paradise.
The blend of rich wildlife and infinite stunning views makes it one of the most popular places in the country to visit by photographers and tourists equally. Other main activities in the area are bird watching and sightseeing.
In the park, there are more than two hundred species of birds and the delightful surroundings of the imposing Western Ghats make it a very exceptional destination in the whole country.
The Bandipur Tiger Reserve gives such an amazing opportunity to witness the wide range of wildlife and the flora and hence doing a wildlife safari is the most common activity here. According to need, various types of safaris like bus safari, elephant safari, and jeep safari are offered here.
Major attractions: Gopalaswamy Betta, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandi
