State-run bus tours in Karnataka
The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation runs scheduled coach tours from Bangalore and Mysore. Seats are sold per person, and a tour manager usually travels with the group. GoldBox Holidays is an independent booking company. We are not part of the state government, and we help you choose and book the tour that fits.
These trips suit pilgrims, retired couples, students and solo travellers who want company and a set route. Long temple circuits that are hard to plan alone become simple, because the coach, the order of stops and the night halts are fixed in advance.
Popular circuits
North Karnataka heritage: Hampi, Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal and Bijapur. Hampi and Pattadakal are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Coastal and Malnad temples: Horanadu, Kalasa, Sringeri, Kollur, Murdeshwar, Udupi and Kateel.
Hoysala temples: Belur, Halebidu and the Bahubali statue at Shravanabelagola.
Coorg: the Tibetan settlement at Bylakuppe, Abbey Falls and Madikeri.
Beyond Karnataka: Munnar and Alleppey, Kodaikanal, Pondicherry and Mahabalipuram, and the Madurai-Rameswaram-Kanyakumari line.
Example packages
- North Karnataka tour with Hampi, Badami and Pattadakal - 3 days, 2 nights
- South Karnataka temple tour with Sringeri, Kollur and Udupi - 3 days, 2 nights
- Belur, Halebidu and Shravanabelagola day tour - 1 day
- Coorg day tour from Mysore - 1 day
- Jog Falls, Gokarna and Goa - 3 days, 2 nights
- South India tour with Thanjavur, Madurai and Kanyakumari - 8 days, 7 nights
- Mysuru open-top double-decker ride for Dasara lights - evening ride
Planning tips
October to February suits almost every tour here. Jog Falls is at its best in the monsoon, from July to September, though views can be misty. The Mysuru Dasara lights are lit only during the festival period, usually in late September or October. Sringeri, Kollur and other temples expect modest dress, and some ask men to remove shirts inside. Carry comfortable shoes for Hampi and Badami, where you walk a lot on rock.
Frequently asked questions
Is GoldBox Holidays the tourism corporation?
No. We are an independent company that helps you book these tours.
Are hotels included on multi-day tours?
Usually yes, but the level of stay varies. Each package page lists the details and the current fare.
Can I join from Mysore?
Some tours start in Mysore. Check the start city on the package page, or ask us.