Karnataka With Coorg

5 Days 4 Nights

From Royal Palaces to Coffee Clouds: A Perfect Escape into the Heart of Karnataka.

Overview

Karnataka with Coorg

Duration: 04 Nights / 05 Days

Trip Overview

The Karnataka with Coorg tour begins in Bangalore, where you will spend 01 Night exploring the "Silicon Valley of India," famous for its lush parks and historical sites like Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace and the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens. The journey then transitions to Mysore for 01 Night, a city steeped in royal tradition where you will marvel at the grand Mysore Palace—a masterpiece of Indo-Saracenic architecture—and enjoy the musical fountain shows at the sprawling Brindavan Gardens. The final leg of the trip takes you into the Western Ghats to Coorg (Madikeri) for 02 Nights, known as the "Scotland of India" for its mist-covered hills and vast coffee plantations. Here, you will visit the breathtaking Abbey Falls, the uniquely designed Omkareshwara Temple, and the magnificent Golden Temple at the Bylakuppe Tibetan settlement. This 5-day circuit perfectly balances urban exploration, royal heritage, and natural beauty, providing a private AC vehicle for transfers and a meal plan of daily breakfast and dinner to ensure a comfortable and immersive experience through the heart of Karnataka.

Highlights

  • 1 Night(s) in Bangalore at Regenta Inn Grand Koramangala/ GoldenMetroHotel or similar
  • 1 Night(s) in Mysore at Hotel Rio Meridian/ Hotel Le Ruchi The Prince/ Hotel Pai Vista or similar
  • 2 Night(s) in Coorg at Woodstock Resorts or similar

Itinerary

  • Day
    1

    Day 1 :Bangalore

    Upon your arrival at Bangalore Airport, you will be met by our representative and begin your city tour with a visit to the HAL Aerospace Museum, one of India’s premier aero-engineering museums. This fascinating site houses incredible exhibits including the pilotless target aircraft (Lakshya), ejection seats with parachutes, and ATC surveillance radars. You can also explore the sustainability park featuring working models of windmills, biogas plants, and solar-powered systems, and perhaps enjoy a meal at the open-air dining space. The museum is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with an entry fee of INR 50 per person. Next, you will visit the majestic Bangalore Palace, an architectural marvel spread over 45,000 acres. The palace showcases a blend of Scottish, Gothic, and Indian styles, featuring 35 ornate rooms with carved walls, stained glass windows, and paintings by renowned artists like Raja Ravi Varma. A highlight is the mother-of-pearl-studded dining table that belonged to the Diwan of Mysore. The palace is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, with entry fees of INR 230 for Indians and INR 460 for Foreign Nationals.

    After checking into your hotel and freshening up, you have the option to visit the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, which is a fantastic destination for families. Here, you can watch sky-related movies at the Sky Theatre, learn about the "Dawn of the Space Age" at the Mirror Dome, and interact with life-size astronomy concepts in the Science Park. The planetarium is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (closed on Mondays and second Tuesdays), with an entry fee of INR 50 for adults and INR 30 for children. Your tour continues with a drive past the Vidhana Soudha, often called the ‘Taj Mahal of South India.’ As India’s largest legislative building, it boasts a grand white facade with Dravidian, Rajasthani, and Indo-Saracenic influences. While the interior is closed on weekends and holidays, the exterior gardens and granite carvings remain a sight to behold. Finally, conclude your sightseeing at the ISKCON Temple, famous for its gold-plated flag post, intricate stone carvings, and serene flowering gardens. You can visit the Vedic museum or enjoy the prayer recitals between 7:15 am–1:00 pm and 4:15 pm–8:30 pm. Please note that the schedule may vary based on your arrival time and hotel location, and all entry fees are to be paid directly. You will return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay in Bangalore.

    Meal Plan: Dinner

    3 hour
    Breakfast + Dinner
  • Day
    2

    Day 2 :Bangalore - Mysore (3 Hrs 26 Min - 144kms)

    After an early breakfast, you will check out of your hotel to begin your journey toward Mysore. If time permits, your morning starts with a visit to the Lalbagh Botanical Garden, a 17th-century masterpiece initiated by Tipu Sultan. This expansive garden is home to over 1,000 exotic plant species from Afghanistan and Persia, and features a 3,000-million-year-old rock, one of the oldest in the world. As you walk through the flower beds and past serene ponds, you might spot local birds like the Brahminy kite or pond heron. If your visit falls on the second or fourth weekend, you may even witness folk dances or music concerts. The garden is open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm with a nominal entry fee of INR 20. Continuing your drive toward Mysore, you will stop en route at Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace (Dariya Daulat Bagh). Referred to as the ‘Abode of Happiness,’ this palace was built on a raised stone platform with elegant teakwood pillars and intricate interiors. Started by Hyder Ali Khan in 1778 and completed by Tipu Sultan in 1784, it remains a captivating site for history enthusiasts. It is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (Sundays until 5:30 pm), with entry fees of INR 15 for Indian Nationals and INR 200 for Foreign Nationals.

    Upon reaching Mysore, check into your hotel and take a moment to freshen up. Around 5:00 pm, you will drive to the world-renowned Brindavan Gardens, located near the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Dam on the Cauvery River. Designed by Sir Mirza Ismail and inspired by the Mughal-style Shalimar Gardens of Kashmir, this is considered one of the finest terrace gardens in the world. You can explore the vast botanical park, parterres, and water channels before the evening highlight: the famous Musical Fountain and Light Show. The gardens are open until 8:00 pm on weekdays and 9:00 pm on weekends, with illumination generally starting between 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm depending on the month. The entry fee is INR 20 per person. Please note that the itinerary may shift slightly based on your schedule and hotel location, and all entry fees are to be paid directly. The day ends with a return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay in Mysore.

    Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner

    Breakfast + Dinner
  • Day
    3

    Day 3 :Mysore - Coorg(2 Hrs 60 Min – 110 Kms)

    Your morning begins with a visit to the breathtaking Mysore Palace, a royal residence completed in 1912 that stands as a masterpiece of Indo-Saracenic architecture. This style is a grand fusion of Hindu, Islamic, Rajput, and Gothic influences, featuring a three-story structure of grey granite topped with iconic deep pink marble domes. Designed by Henry Irwin, the palace boasts a five-storied central tower rising 145 feet and a magnificent portico with seven vast arches held up by tall, elegant pillars. While exploring, you can enter through the Varaha Gate and take advantage of visitor facilities like free wheelchairs, camera custody counters, and footwear stands. The palace is open from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, with entry fees of INR 40 for Indians and INR 200 for Foreigners. If you are visiting during the Mysore Dasara Festival (usually in October or November), you can witness the palace grounds transformed with stages for world-class artists and the famous Dashami parade featuring highly ornamented elephants. During this time, the palace is famously draped in over 96,000 lights, creating an incomparable glow.

    After soaking in the royal history, you will depart for Coorg (Kodagu), a beautiful district that was an independent state until 1956. Known widely for its world-class coffee and the unique culture of its people, Coorg offers a refreshing change of pace as you climb into the Western Ghats. Upon arrival, you will check into your hotel and have time to freshen up. If you arrive by 2:00 pm, you may enjoy lunch (at your own expense) before spending the evening at your leisure. Whether you choose to stroll through the nearby misty landscapes or simply relax at the resort, the evening is yours to enjoy the cool mountain air. The day concludes with a peaceful dinner and an overnight stay in Coorg.

    Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner

    Breakfast + Dinner
  • Day
    4

    Day 4 :Coorg

    After a hearty breakfast, your day of exploration begins at the Dubare Elephant Camp, a renowned forest camp situated on the banks of the scenic River Kaveri. As an important base for the Karnataka Forest Department’s elephants, this camp allows you to observe these majestic animals in their natural habitat. You can choose to participate in various activities such as elephant interaction, feeding, or even quad biking, which are available at an additional cost to be paid directly. In the afternoon, after returning to the hotel for lunch, you will visit the Golden Temple (Namdroling Monastery) at Bylakuppe. As one of the largest Tibetan settlements in South India, this area is a vibrant center for Buddhist culture, famous for its grand monasteries, intricate handicrafts, and local carpet and incense factories.

    Your sightseeing continues with a visit to the Omkareshwara Temple in Madikeri, an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva built in 1820. The temple is architecturally unique, as it lacks the traditional gopuram and instead features a central dome and four minarets, reflecting a beautiful blend of Gothic and Islamic styles. Next, you will head to the picturesque Abbey Falls, located amidst lush coffee and spice plantations. Historically known as Jessi Falls, named after the wife of a British officer, the water cascades down from a height of 70 feet, providing a stunning view from the hanging bridge. As the day winds down, you will visit Raja’s Seat, a seasonal garden that was once the favorite sunset viewing spot for the Kings of Coorg, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the misty valleys and rolling hills. Please note that the sequence of visits may change based on your location and timing. The day concludes with a return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay in Coorg.

    Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner

    Breakfast + Dinner
    Home Stay
  • Day
    5

    Day 5 :Coorg - Bangalore (5hrs & 31 Min - 250 Km)

    On your final day, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel while soaking in the last bits of the crisp mountain air and the lush greenery of the Western Ghats. After breakfast, you will check out and begin your descent from the hills toward Bangalore.

    The drive back is as scenic as the arrival, taking you through winding roads lined with coffee estates and small rustic towns. If your schedule allows, you can make a quick stop at Channapatna, famously known as the "Toy Town" of Karnataka, to pick up some traditional handcrafted wooden toys as unique souvenirs. As you approach the city, you will be transferred directly to Bangalore International Airport or the Railway Station to board your flight or train back home. Bid farewell to the "Scotland of India" as you depart with a heart full of wonderful memories and a camera full of beautiful landscapes from your Coorg adventure.

    Meal Plan: Breakfast

    Breakfast + Dinner

Inclusions

  • Accommodation as Per mentioned Category
  • Daily Breakfast & Dinner.
  • All Transfers and Sightseeing by Private Vehicle. Transfers & sightseeing by Private Vehicle ( Vehicle driving up hill and downhill will be non AC)

Exclusions

  • 5% GST Extra on tour cost
  • Airfare
  • Cost for supplementary service, optional Tours, Up-gradation Charges, Guide, Sightseeing, entrance fees.
  • Cost of meals (Lunch & Dinner)
  • Cost for Insurance Premiums, Rafting Charges, Jeep Safari or water sport activities.
  • Cost for service provided on a personal request.
  • Cost for personal expenses such as Minibar, laundry, bottled water, soft drinks, incidentals, porter Charges, tips etc.
  • Difference in cost arising due to change in Taxes by the Government which will have to be collected directly on arrival .
  • Difference in cost arising due to change in Fuel price.
  • Difference in cost arising due to extra usage of vehicle, other than scheduled & mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Anything which is not mentioned in inclusions.
  • All monuments are from outside unless mentioned in inclusions
  • AC in the vehicle will not be kept on when the vehicle is not moving . i.e. When the vehicle is parked at some sightseeing place, restaurant or any place , the AC will not be kept on.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How fit do I need to be to do this trek?

Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.

How long do we walk every day when doing Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.

What is the highest altitude reached in this trek?

The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.

What about battery charging and hot shower facilities?

Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.

Are there ATMs on the way to Annapurna Base Camp?

No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.

What about internet access?

Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.

Is it necessary to hire Guides/trekking agency for Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason. It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.

How much do guides and porters cost?

For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.