Let’s Start The New Topic ” Tourist Places To Visit In Karnataka” – I have spent six years (if not more) in Karnataka, spanning over a decade. And finally I’ve moved out (for the unempteentm time) to have a life on the road.

It seems like yesterday when I had gone to Bangalore to work at a software company. Ten years ago, I wasn’t going to Karnataka. I was moving to Bangalore, the capital of the state and the software hub of India. This crowded city of Bangalore seemed like a state of its own. My local Kannada friends told me the city wasn’t so jammed and hotch-potched in their young days. They grew up cycling under the canopy of trees, taking the local bus, and spending time in parks. 

Since Bengaluru became the Silicon Valley of India, millions of employees and employers came to the city with their families. As the city wasn’t planned by any civic planner, it expanded in every direction in an unruly manner. Concomitantly, the infrastructure got so bad that everyone living in Bangalore wanted to go out to the places to visit in Karnataka rather than staying within the busy city.

But today I’m not here for Bangalore. Today I want to tell the story of Karnataka — the state of the jungles, so let me get to that quickly.

Here Are Some Tourist Places To Visit In Karnataka.

1. Nandi Hills – A Newbie’s Karnataka

A cold wind was clowning my cheeks, my hair was getting all frizzy, and we snuggled up in our jackets, huddling up and eating hot maggie and waiting for that rising sun on the other side. That was what Nandi Hills was to me.

The international travel lover in me wanted it to be one of those classic hill stops, like Nandi Hills or the airport smoking counter. As we all stare at the clouds under our feet and the sun in front lighting up the sky, none of us know much about Nandi Hills.

Nandi Hills are a part of a range of mountains 60 km from Bangalore. The historic Nandi temple Bhoga Nandeeshwara is at the base of the Nandi hill. The hill takes its name from the temple. It is referred to as one of the largest fortresses of Tippu Sultan, which took the British nearly 3 weeks to breach in 1791.

Siddartha Raja podcast in Bangalore international must-listen episode ( Who runs Nandi Valley Walks ), Who speak about Nandi Hills geography , history and significance in brief details.

Apart from these heritage walks, there are cycling tours that go around the hills, neighboring hills are known for night treks, and several ancient temples spread across the hillocks for you to visit. Bhoga Nandeeshwara, with its stepped tank, is at the foot of the hills and is a well-known wedding venue. But the priests will not give you a certificate unless your parents are there (I speak from experience Nandi Hills Is The Best Tourist Places To Visit In Karnataka).

2. Skandagiri Hill

One night, some friends from college asked me if I wanted to trek hills on jungle paths, and I said yes immediately. We booked a taxi for all of us to take us from Bangalore to the base of Skandagiri hill for our trek starting point. Before long, we were tramping via our flashlights along the steep jungle paths of mud, bordered by the impenetrable growth of the common-place Karnataka jungle.

Giri is the Kannada word for mountain. Skandagiri Hill is the neighbor of Nandi Hills at a height of 1450 meters above sea level. I’m not even sure if I’d have known about the proximity of the two had I hiked Skandagiri in the dead of night in my first year living in Karnataka.

It had taken us two hours to hike there. And we were at the top by 3-4 in the morning. Since this hill is known for its night trek, few food stalls and tea counters were open even at night.

The next morning came crisp with dew, and we snapped photos climbing rocks. It is a beginner night trek , so just go with some friends.

I cannot recall if we hired a guide. The trail is well-worn. No one gets to the top during the day. But for the night, be better prepared or accompany someone who has already visited the hill. The Siddhartha Raja podcast I mentioned in the last paragraph can also tell you everything you want to know about this mountain.

You sleep beneath the stars on Skandagiri. Don’t miss the ruins of the Tipu Sultan Fort, which was ruined by the British after they captured it. There are two temples, at the bottom and top of the hill, that make the path a little more interesting.

Skandagiri and Nandi – A good 2 days trip from Bangalore. If you are traveling by public transport, you should take a bus to Nandi Hills.

3. Dodda Alada Mara

That big bugger monkey stole my pineapply. My legs hurt from cycling, and I don’t get how a tree can get so big. These were my first few lines when I traveled to the famous Dodda Alada Mara.

Dodda Alada Mara – literally meaning Big Banyan Tree, is a giant banyan tree aged more than 400 years. The tree can be seen in the Kethohalli village in Karnataka, 28 km from Bangalore. This Big Banyan is the fourth largest banyan in the world.

I had been to Dodda Alada during my Cycling trips several years ago in a group (I don’t even remember the name of the group). We took a few hours to cycle. The road went up and down. I was lost for a while, but here they all are. It was more or less an easy ride for an amateur cyclist like me, so I think anyone reasonably fit can cycle to the famous banyan.

We parked our bikes near the tree at the park when we reached Dodda Alada Kaadu. Once at the Big Banyan, take the time to absorb the giant tree with roots emanating from its branches now buried deep in the earth. The tree’s main trunk broke off in 2000, so now only these aerial roots are holding it back.

Standing before this tremendous banyan tree spread over an impressive 3 acres, the typical reaction is awe and wonder at nature. The crown of this tree has an area of 120 meters in circumference. I had no idea how tall it was, but it seemed to rise into the sky. The tallest branch on this banyan is 95 feet.

We had purchased a carton of cut pineapple from a stall just outside the tree compound. But as I began enjoying the juicy pineapple (with chili), one monkey grabbed my packet. The monkeys make things messy, but what can you do about nature?

Bangalore to Dodda Alada Buss Get on one at Majestic bus stand to Kengeri, from Kengeri to Dodda Alada Mara. Buses are also available from K. R. Market to The Big Banyan.

Since I read The Hidden Life of Trees, I have known that 400 years is a relatively short life for a tree. But an ordinary banyan will last for no more than 1000 years, so this one has something to boast about. We could already be in its second youth-stringing offerings of garlands upon its branches once again.

Dodda Alada Mara may be your first while on the list of places in Karnataka. It’s logical to visit this place if you are in Bangalore. If not, you can give the tree a pass unless you are a tree lover (like me).

(Do wonder about the spirits dwelling around the tree.)

4. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

As we neared the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, we could see large birds flying in formation above us. It seemed like a forest in that part of the city. It would not be long, and we would be driving past crocodiles sunning on top of rocks and islets with lots of young chicks talking at once for feed.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is a bird sanctuary in the Mandya District of Karnataka. The refuge is located 3 km. from the historic town of Srirangapatna, 16 km. (10 mi) north of Mysore. It was a four-hour drive from Bangalore to Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary.

The islets of Ranganathittu were formed when a dam (embankment) across the Kaveri River was built between 1645 and 1648 by the great Mysore King – Raja Wodeyar. These islets, which at one time had been 25 in number, shortly began to be visited by birds. Once, migrant birds used to nest in large numbers on the islands: Salim Ali. 

The islands were once a paradise for migrating birds. As he advised, the King of Mysore declared the islets a sanctuary in 1940. Now, the refuge comprises six of these islets on the Kaveri River.

We entered, bought a ticket, and went in. We made our way to the end of the floor where we could look out at the islands below us, and in the sky above us, we saw painted storks, ibis, pelicans, and herons flying by. But those were the birds I identified. 

When we did one of the memorable boat rides that takes in seven people and goes around the sanctuary for 40 minutes, the boatman told us the reserve is home to 170 bird species. Some common birds seen here are painted storks, Asian openbill storks, woolly-necked storks, pelicans, river terns, egrets, cormorants, herons, and different species of kingfishers.

The migrant birds come from as far away as Siberia, South America, and the Himalayas. Crocodiles, otters, mongooses, and flying foxes can also be seen here. Just keep an eye out and have binoculars ready.

The special boat ride, which cost INR 1500 (we shared it with a family), went further afield than the regular boat ride and was substantially longer. Many restaurants are in the sanctuary. Bring a good camera and a pair of binoculars if you have them. Visit from December to June. Migratory birds arrive in December, and nesting starts in January.

Do enquire with the locals, as well as with the boatman, about flooding in the sanctuary. I have 

shared the blog post on Ranganathittu above so that you can go through that for a few more pictures and details.

If you stay in Mysore, you can also visit the bird reserve.

How To Reach: Mysore is well connected by road, rail, and air, and Mysore is an easy drive or bus ride to the bird reserve.

5. Mysore City

I recall the image of the lights-ablaze Mysore Palace while our car danced on the roads far away. My father begged me to disregard the palace, but I wouldn’t. Asking the driver to turn back and give us a closer look, we marveled at the royally lit Mysore palace for an extended period.

Your trip to Mysore can complement your visit to Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary . TIANMU, Yangmingshan, and DATUN are 20 km (13 miles) apart. Hindi speakers refer to the place as Mai-sore, and I bring it up because my father once had no idea what city I was referring to when I provided the standard pronunciation of my-door.

Karnataka state was the realm of Mysore, ruled by the Wadiyar dynasty from 1399 to 1956 for almost 6 centuries. Benefactors of the arts and culture, the Wadiyar kingdom and its rulers, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in the 18th century contributed significantly to the aesthetics of the place. After the British dissolved the kingdom , it was integrated into the states of India under the constitution.

Mysore is a developed city, not a ring road, apartments, schools, colleges, hospitals, airports, or restaurants. Mysore is best known for the Mysore Palace, one of India’s grandest royal buildings, also known as Amba Vilas Palace. When illuminated, the palace will be walked around during the day but admired from afar in the evening. And there is Philomena’s church and some more old buildings as well. 

My best thing in mysore is cycling around the city with a fresh coconut in between. And then climb into the bylanes of Mysore in search of the artists at work.

When I  visited Mysore with my parents years ago, I was in Bangalore, and we hired a taxi to see the city for a day. But this Karnataka tourist place is a blend of modern and ancient, and that’s one reason why it’s worth at least a couple of days of your time. Mysore is also a yoga center, and one of the famous (and recommended) yoga centers is A.G. Mohan.

6. Dandeli National Reserve

At the peak of that watch tower, we watched that mango gold sun embarking on its trip to the void. Neck to neck, the deep lush green trees and grass stood between us, making up the deep Dandeli forest. No inch of the land or that mountain was visible between the trees. We could hardly wait to see what other sorts of wildlife the area would provide. And then they broke out calling, the peacock cries. I still wonder if I  saw it all or if Dandeli was just another of my countless daydreams.

 The 1200 km2 area at Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary or Dandeli National Park, which includes the Kali Tiger Reserve, has the lush evergreen forests of the Western Ghats, which is home to 2 hundred crocodiles, a dozen tigers, twenty-odd panthers, and over two score leopards.

Whenever people inquire about my favorite out-of-Chikmagalur destination to travel to in Karnataka over a weekend, I tell them about Dandeli.

Where to stay? I Put up at the Kali Jungle Lodge, which is maintained/run by the Karnataka Government & forest department⠀, ASSERTING THEIR DEMESNE! The jungle lodge is on the river bank itself, and you can see hornbills and crocodiles going about their business from the hammocks outside your hut.

Many other older estates, such as Dandeli Jungle Camp and a birdwatching cottage named Old Magazine House, are also available. These guest houses also have their own rounds scheduled around the forest, river, and backwaters. Culture-curious travelers can also visit the tribal peoples to appreciate their way of life. 

I suggest that we feel what these tribes are going through, as their jungle is their first home, and all their need is taken care of by the government.

There are also several homestays in Dandeli. First, This one’s nice, and the Madhuvan homestay looks lovely. For more information on Dandeli Sanctuary, read my write ups both living at Kali Jungle Lodge in Dandeli and how I spent a day at Dandeli Jungle Camp.

How to reach: Road or train up to Dharwad (55 Km from Dandeli).