TOURS AND EXCURSIONS AROUND BANGALORE
Bangalore is conveniently located for many different types of travel trips. For an exhaustive list of options visit : Karnataka Holidays. This is a government-run service (KSTDC = Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation). The Jungle Lodges also a government of Karnataka undertaking, offers series of resort holidays depending on activity: beach, safari etc. The service is not bad, and the views from the accommodations are superior to what is available from private operators.
DAY TRIPS AROUND BANGALORE
Listed below are some options to consider:
- Belur/ Halebeedu / Shravanabelagola - Visit Hoysala period temples renowned for their stone carvings (11th century) and a Mahaveer Jain monolith.
The best organized trip is one by KSTDC. More info. (Recommended)
- Mysore - The erstwhile capital of Karnataka was Mysore and the last rulers resided here.
This trip covers among other things - Srirangapatna (Tipu Sultan's palace), Chamundi Hills, Mysore Palace. More info.
- Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary - An excellent place for bird lovers. This is covered in a day trip offered by KSTDC. More info. However, if you wish to explore the sanctuary at leisure it would be better to make a private group trip via taxi. A possible itinerary could then be: Srirangapatna, break at Hotel Mayura (by the Cauvery river), and finally, the sanctuary.
- Bangalore - Here's what a Bangalorean may suggest for a day out in the city. Start at Veena Stores, Malleshwaram for a breakfast of idli/vadas. Then take a local bus or auto to Lalbagh gardens. After a refreshing walk, saunter into MTR, the most famous of Bangalore's beloved “tiffin rooms”. Enjoy coffee in a silver mug. Then put in couple of steps to Hotel Kamat Minerva for a Mangalore-based South-Indian thali. Next, catch an auto and use your prayer beads to get you safely to Cubbon park. Drink in old rain trees and then pop into Cauvery on MG Road or Commercial street for some shopping. If you would rather avoid shopping, proceed directly to soaking yourself to the gills at Koshy’s on St. Mark's Road. An old hangout known as much for it’s chilled-out service as well as ambience. Order Indian-Chinese (try Gobi Manchurian), peanut fry or papad-masala to try Indian bar snacks. A map for this excursion, best attempted on a Sunday when the city's roads are relatively free of traffic, is available on request.
OVERNIGHT TRIPS AROUND BANGALORE
- Chikmagalur – Home to some of India’s finest coffee estates, Coffee arabica is grown here.
One option is to combine this with Day trip # 1 in a package offered by KSTDC.
The other is to enjoy a homestay, but this requires arranging transport with a private operator. An option: Thippanahalli home stay.
- Coorg (Kodagu)– Further west of Mysore, nestled in the Western Ghats, is the hill country of Coorg.
It is known for its coffee estates and its distinct Kodava culture and language.
The source of the Cauvery river (Talakaveri), and the Tibetan Buddhist monastery and settlement at Kushalnagara are local attractions.
KSTDC's Mayura Hotel in the district headquarters of Madikeri is an excellent overnight stay option.
- Bandipur – On a safari here you may get to spot the elusive tiger.
The safari sans tiger is also memorable and will include sightings of elephants, deers, gaurs and others. The best accommodation is offered by Jungle Lodges.
- Kabini – A safari option in Nagarhole National Park. Stay on the banks of the Kabini river on the southern fringe of Nagarhole.
Again, Jungle Lodges provides the best accommodation option. (Recommended)
- Hampi – The capital city of the mighty Vijayanagara empire,
which now lies in ruins on the banks of the Tungabhadra river in north-central Karnataka.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, listed as a must-see on any tourist itinerary of South India. More info.
- Devbagh - Located in the northwest of Karnataka, this coastline is different from the one at Goa or Kerala, and quite enjoyable.
However, you will be traveling there in the Monsoon season so be prepared to risk dark clouds and pouring rain. More info.
PLANNING EXCURSIONS OUTSIDE BANGALORE
If you wish to customise an itinerary please contact the organizers.Private taxi hire or overnight stay arrangements can be made after you get to Bangalore, except in the case of the tiger reserves of Bandipur and Nagarhole, accommodation for which should be booked in advance. The cost of hiring a taxi for a day trip will depend on mileage and type of vehicle you hire; the cost would be in the range of Rs. 15-20/km. Please note that in India when you hire a car, the driver is included, even on overnight trips! Driving in India is best left to the experts.
Cab/Taxi: You can arrange taxis from IISc campus by contacting one of the following call taxi agencies.
- Aishwarya Travels - +9180-23374826 / +9180-23647403 / +91-9341218070
- Aum Travels - +9180-23341011 / +91-9845402784
- Varsha Tours and Travels - +91-9035171263 / +91-9980873172
You can also choose to use one of the cab services such as (Ola/Taxi4Sure/Uber) from your smartphone.