The sleepy villages of Badami, Pattadakal and Aihole were once the capital cities of the Chalukyas who ruled much of the Deccan between the 4th and 8th centuries. They built an astonishing profusion …

The mixed tropical and deciduous forests of Bandipur have tigers (although spotting have become rare over the last decade), leopards, elephants and wild boars. The 180 birds species include …

Bangalore is one of India’s most attractive cities with beautiful parks, avenues and impressive buildings. Parts of the city are amongst the most modern and westernised areas of India, replete …

Belgaum is a charming city nestling in the foothills of the Western Ghats. Having been ruled by the Chalukyas, the Goa Kadambas, the Yadavas, the Vijayanagar rulers, the Brahmins, the Adil Shahis and …

Belur, 37 km northwest of Hassan, was the Hoysala capital - prior to Halebid - during the 11th and 12th centuries. Still in use, the Chennakeshava temple is a fine example of the singular Hoysala …

Set in the forests of Karnataka, almost mid-way Bangalore and Mysore, is the Cauvery Fishing and Nature Camp at Bheemeshwari. This is a perfect place for keen fishermen as this is the home of the …

A pleasant town with a relaxed atmosphere where one can visit abandoned 15th century palaces, mosques and huge domed tombs which provide some of the finest examples of Muslim architecture in the …

This town boasts some of India’s finest Moslem monuments, dating from the 15th to the 17th centuries when Bijapur was the capital of the Adil Shahi kings. Most famous is the 17th century …

This picturesque hill range, at a height of 3375 feet, is a few hours drive southeast of Mysore. It is a wildlife sanctuary with deciduous and evergreen trees interspersed with grassland. The wildlife …

Nestled in the Baba Budan hills, Chikmagalur is a calm, serene town surrounded by scenic hills, valleys, streams and coffee plantations. With the Taj Garden Retreat providing superior accommodation, …

Dandeli can be approached from Goa or Karwar, a 3 hour drive from either direction. The scenery is magnificent with winding roads and beautiful mostly moist deciduous forests. Dandeli teak is famous …

Gulbarga was the capital of the Bahmani dynasty from 1347 untill its transfer to Bidar in 1424. Later captured by the Adil Shahis and Moghuls, it has remained a staunchly Muslim town. The most …

32 km northwest of Hassan, the tiny hamlet of Halebid was once the capital of the Hoysala dynasty, who ruled over south Karnataka from the 11th until the early 14th centuries, when the city was sacked …

Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagar empire from 1336 to 1565. The city was planned out in neat grids and there was an efficient sewage system, a bustling market place full of luxurious goods, and …

Hassan is the most convenient base for visiting Belur and Halebid, once the capital cities of the Hoysala kings. Great warriors, the Hoysala kings also patronised culture and art. The artisans were …

Hospet is a typical Indian market town, situated just 13 km from the spectacular ruins at Hampi. Hampi is he site of the Vijayanagar empire which rivalled Rome in splendour and controlled almost all …

The famous Jog Falls of Karnataka also known as the Gersoppa falls are about 16 Km from Talguppa. Here the river Sharavathi leaps into a rocky chasm of 256 meters depth. The water falls in four …

The port city of Karwar provides good connections for those travelling along the scenic coastal highway between Goa and Mangalore, or the equally good inland highway to Hampi via Hubli. The wildlife …

The market town of Madikeri is the capital of the Kodagu (Coorg) region, a cool green mountainous area in the southwest of Karnataka. Madikeri is famed for its temples and 19th century fort which …

For much of its history one of the most important ports in India, Mangalore has for more than a thousand years traded in coffee, pepper, cashew nuts and ginger from the hills of Coorg and Kerala. …

Mysore is a friendly and easy-going city with pleasant climate all year through. With a number of beautiful palaces and pre-Independence architecture, Mysore has a faded grandeur and small-town charm …

Nagarhole National Park extends north of the Kabini River, which was dammed in 1974 to form a picturesque artificial lake. This perennial water source attracts large numbers of animals. The park has …

51 km south-east of Hassan, this is one of the most important Jain pilgrim centres. On top of a 150m high hill, which can be reached by 700 steps, stands an extraordinary 17m. statue of a naked male …

A tiny hamlet on the banks of the Cauvery river in the south of Kodagu (Coorg), the sleepy coffee town called Siddhapura is set amidst hundreds of acres of coffee and spice plantations dotted with …

At Somnathpur is a magnificent 13th century Hoysala temple. The Hoysala kings decorated every inch of their temples, both inside and out, with a staggering profusion of superb sculptures depicting …

Srirangapatnam was the capital of Tipu Sultan, and his father Hyder Ali. Much of India was ruled from here until captured by the British in a fierce battle in 1799. Many reminders of this great battle …

Virajpet in Kodagu District is the largest producer of honey in Asia. The town features undulating plains from west to east and some small hills. The famous picnic spot Iruppu Falls is 48 km from …