How to reach
The nearest airport is Mangalore at 156 kms. The nearest railhead is Kadur (35 kms). It is a 4-5 hours drive from Bangalore around 260 kms and there are buses from Hassan (58 kms) via Belur.
What to see
Sringeri
Sringeri Mutth, a famous monastry founded by Adi Sankaracharya is situated on the left bank of the River Tunga in Sringeri near Chickmagalur.
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
Badhra Sanctuary is spread over Chickmaglur and Shimoga districts and is 257 kms from Bangalore. The great Indian gaur, mongoose, barking deer, flying fox, elephant, panther, macaque, babbler, barbet, bluejay, kingfisher, robin, drongo and weaver-bird can be spotted.
Kemmanagundi
It is a small town 380 kms from Bangalore and provides a peaceful and tranquil escape in the scenic valley of the Baba-Budan range at a height of 1434 mts.
Shimoga
It is 273 kms South-West of Bangalore. The fort, Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Government Museum are worth seeing. Gajanur, Tyaverekoppa, Agumbe, Jog Falls are places nearby easily accessible from Shimoga.
Jog Falls
Jog is a small village 378 kms from Bangalore and 80 kms from Shimoga. The waterfalls formed by the Sharavathi River falling from a height of 292 mts is a spectacular sight. The river divides to form four smaller waterfalls called Raja, Rani, Rocket and Roarer. The waterfalls are at their best after the monsoons when the river has swelled up with water.
Coorg
Situated on the Western Ghats, Coorg is a coffee producing district. It is also one of the most beautiful places in Karnataka. Thick forests at the altitude of 823 - 2700 mts with coffee plantations, orange groves and smiling rice fields, Coorg is a beautiful as well as a peaceful getaway.
Madikeri
This hill station is the capital of Coorg district and is 252 kms from Bangalore and is located at 1525 kms above sea level. Known as the Scotland of India its scenic beauty is unsurpassable.
The Fort of Madikeri, Om Kareshwara Temple and Raja's seat are a few sights in Madikeri worth a visit.
The places around Madikeri which must be visited are the Abbey Falls, Bhagamandala and Talacauvery.
Aihole
It is a very small town full of temples, 483 kms from Bangalore. It was the earliest capital of the Chalukya dynasty in the 6th and 7th century AD. There are more than a hundred temples here. The Khan Temple dates back to the 5th century and is the oldest.
Bijapur
Bijapur is an historic town and is around 550 kms from Bangalore. The Gol Gumbaz, the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah is a very famous site to visit. The dome of the Gol Gumbaz is the second largest in the world and measures 44 meters in diameter.
The Ibrahim Roza, another site worth visiting is said to have been the inspiration for the Taj Mahal.
Karwar
Karwar is a beach on the Western ghat and is 520 kms from Bangalore. The white sands, palms lined beaches and the congenial weather provides for a good escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. There is a 300 years old Venkatarama Temple and an Octagonal Church that one can visit.
The best way to reach Karwar is through Goa as it is only 100 km from there.
For wildlife lovers a visit to the Dandeli Game Park just 157 kms away is a must.
Gokarna
Gokarna which means the ears of a cow can be reached easily from Karwar by road(60 kms). It is situated at the confluence of two rivers which is shaped like the ear of the cow --- hence the name. There is a Sanskrit learning centre here and an Atmalinga(form of Siva) placed in an ancient temple which is very famous. The famous Mahabaleshwar temple can be visited from here.
Murudeshwar
16 kms from Bhatkal. Flanked by the sea on one side and by hills on the other this place is a popular tourist spot.
