Karnataka Tour Packages from GoldBox Holidays explore a large southern state that runs from the Arabian Sea coast to the Deccan plateau. The Chalukya, Hoysala and Vijayanagara kingdoms each left famous temples here. The Western Ghats add coffee country, forests and waterfalls, while the north holds the ruins of Hampi and the early temples of Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal. This category has seven bus tours. Six start in Bangalore and one in Mysore, and they last from 1 to 3 days.
Popular Karnataka Tour Packages
Pick by region and interest.
- South Karnataka Temple Tour from Bangalore - 3 days by bus on a packed coastal and hill temple circuit, for fit pilgrims.
- North Karnataka Temple Tour from Bangalore - 3 days by bus through Hampi, Badami and Bijapur.
- 1 Night-2 Days Male Mahadeshwara-Biligiri Ranganatha Hills Tour Package from Bangalore - 2 days by bus to two hill temples in forest country.
- One Day Belur Halebid Shravanabelagola Tour from Bangalore - a 1-day bus trip to Hoysala carvings and the Bahubali statue, good for families.
- Savadathi Gadag Lakkundi Chitradurga Tour Package from Bangalore - 2 days by bus to the Yellamma temple, old Chalukya temples and a hill fort.
- Golden Temple (Bylakuppe), Abbey Falls and Madikeri Tour from Bangalore - 2 days by bus on the Coorg side, for nature lovers.
- 1 Day Somanathapura Mudukuthore Talakadu Shivanasamudra Tour from Mysore - a day by bus from Mysore to old temples and a waterfall.
Places you will visit
- Coast and Malnad temples - Annapoorneshwari at Horanadu, the Sharada Peetham at Sringeri, Mookambika at Kollur, the tall Shiva statue at Murudeshwar, the Krishna Matha at Udupi, Kateel, Dharmasthala and Kukke Subramanya.
- North Karnataka - Hampi, capital of the Vijayanagara empire, the Chalukya temples of Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal, the Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur and Kudala Sangama, where the saint Basavanna is remembered.
- Hoysala country - the carved temples of Belur and Halebidu, and the Gommateshwara statue on the hill at Shravanabelagola.
- Central Karnataka - the Renuka Yellamma temple at Savadatti, the old temples and stepwells of Gadag and Lakkundi, and the stone fort of Chitradurga.
- Coorg side - the Tibetan Golden Temple at Bylakuppe, Abbey Falls near Madikeri, Triveni Sangam at Bhagamandala and the Nagarahole forest.
- Around Mysore - the star-shaped Keshava temple at Somanathapura, the sand-covered temples of Talakadu and the twin falls at Shivanasamudra on the Kaveri.
Our Bangalore travel guide and Mysore travel guide list more city sights.
Best time to go
October to February suits most of Karnataka. It is cool and dry, which helps on long temple days and walks around Hampi and Badami. North Karnataka gets very hot from March to May. The monsoon, from June to September, is heavy on the coast and in the hills, but it is the season when Abbey Falls and Shivanasamudra are in full flow.
How to choose the right package
All seven trips are by bus, which keeps costs low. Pilgrims should look at the south temple tour or the MM Hills and BR Hills trip. History lovers will enjoy the north tour or the Belur-Halebidu day trip. Families with children often like the Coorg-side tour for its monastery, waterfall and river views. See also our Coorg Madikeri Tour Packages and Bangalore & Mysore Tour Packages.
Frequently asked questions
Is the south Karnataka temple tour rushed in 3 days?
Yes, a little. The temples are far apart, so days start early and end late.
Is there a dress code at coastal Karnataka temples?
Some temples, such as Kukke Subramanya and Udupi, ask men to remove their shirts before entering the inner area. Wear simple traditional clothes and carry a shawl.
Which Karnataka tour works as a day trip from Bangalore?
The Belur, Halebidu and Shravanabelagola tour is the classic choice.