View Larger Map
 | Route
Bangalore -> Srirangapatnam -> Mysore -> Hassan -> Chikmagalur -> Sagar -> Banwasi -> Gokarna -> Dharwad -> Belgaum Activities
trekking, bird watching, heritage walks, toy making, market walks, plantation trails, music trails, trivia collection
About the itinerary
This holiday takes you along memorable, exciting and historic pathways - a road that is paved for a traveller who is keen to discover Karnataka in its entirety. It is a perfect blend of nature, adventure, heritage, art, culture, music and your own experience. Nothing more, nothing less
Trekking and driving along the granite hillocks of Ramanagaram, the same place where Sholay, a Bollywood blockbuster hit film was shot in the 60s, a film that still hasn't left the theatres. The film will replay in your mind as you venture into this unique landscape. TBY will organize a screening for you if you haven't already watched it. For fans, it will be nostalgic to stand on Gabbar's soil and track Basanti's rescue.
The next stop would be at Channapatana, a small village famous for wooden toys. A better option over plastic Barbie dolls. These wooden toys illustrate stories from the lives of people and the colours would make any play vibrant and enjoyable. After an authentic lunch at Janapada Loka, an art and culture village, you will enter the culture capital of Karnataka - Mysore. Soaked in art, culture and history, you will experience all that Mysore stands for. The temples and ruins at Shravanabelagola, Srirangapatnam, Tonnur Kere, Belur and Halebid will sculpt your attention towards the ancient style of architecture dating back to the 13th and 11th century. Experience breath-taking performances of traditional dance forms in Mandya. An opportunity to visit the oldest theatre schools, Ninasam in Shimoga.
Did you know that coffee was first brought to India in a place called Bababudangiri in Chikmanglur District? Visit the Varanasi of Karnataka, the ancient temple town of Banavasi. Visit Kalkeri, a small village in Dharwad district where parts of Hindustani classical music evolved. Kalkeri Sangeeth Vidyalay where music meets education, where children pursue music to become professionally trained vocalists and musicians. Waking up in a green valley of music where instruments and nature merge to create the perfect rhythm.
After a hard trek at Yana, a unique twin rock formation, explore Gokarna, a town blessed with five spectacular beaches and a distinct culture. The Lambani camps and 12th century cenotaphs at Belgaum will complete the journey down Kaleidoscope road. This holiday makes for an unforgettable memory, and TBY always shows you a different kind of horizon, from the same places.
Itinerary:
Day 1 Bangalore:
Arrive at Bangalore. If you have the energy, watch a play or go on a historic walk during the course of the day.
Overnight in Bangalore.
Day 2 Srirangapatnam:
Set out to Ramanagaram 50KM /1hrwhere Sholay, India's biggest Bollywood film was shot. Visit Rama Temple and Fort and rest under the Big Banyan Tree. Stop for an authentic lunch at Janapada Loka. Leave for Channapatna, 13km , and visit a toy making factory and shop for wooden toys and lacquer ware handicrafts. Proceed to Tipus capital city of Srirangapatnam 70km/1hr. Go on a Daira trail in Srirangapatnam.
Overnight in Srirangapatnam.
Day 3 Srirangapatnam :
Early morning drive to Tonnur Kere, a less visited destination that preserves 13th Century Chola Temples. Visit the Dariya Daulat Bagh, Jama Masjid and walk over the Weselley Bridge, reminiscent of Tipu's times.
Overnight in Srirangapatnam
Day 4 Mysore:
Revitalise yourself with the colours and fragrance in KR Market of Mysore. Visit the world famous Mysore Palace and the art and history museums. Shop for Mysore Silk, sandalwood crafts sand other exquisite handicrafts of Mysore.
Overnight in Mysore.
Day 5 Hassan:
Leave early for Mandya 42kms/45minutes. Be part of breath taking performances by traditional folk artists who are trained to perform Dolu Kunnita, Puja Kunita, Bhoota Kunita and others. Drive to Shravanabelagola after lunch 75km/2hrs. Search the ruins until dusk in the ancient temple town of Shravanabelagola. Proceed to Hassan 60km/1hr Overnight in Hassan.
Day 6 Hassan:
Visit the Chennakesava temple at Belur and explore the ruined city, Halebid to see the Hoysaleshwara temple and Jain Basadhis.
Overnight in Hassan.
Day 7 Chikmagalur:
Leave for Bababudangiri in Chikmagalur District. Visit the Sufi shrine and take deep breaths as you walk in coffee plantations at Bababudangiri, the place where coffee was first brought to India. You will get a glimpse into emerging issues in a place known for ancient Sufi history.
Overnight in Chikmagalur. 60kms/1.5hrs
Day 8 Sagar:
Leave early morning for Sagar 180km/4 hrs Sagar in Shimoga is a district that is soaked in Kannada literature and culture. Visit Mathur, a picturesque village where people speak Sanketi, a dialect that is a combination of five languages. Visit a renowned theatre school, and a weaver's cooperative collective at Sagar.
Overnight in Sagar.
Day 9 Banwasi:
Passing through the green forests of Soraba, visit Banavasi 105kms/2hrs, an ancient and rustic temple town, better known as the Varanasi of Karnataka. A less visited town submerged in a history waiting to be retold. Get an opportunity to interact with the talented craftsmen and artists of Banwasi whose hands stitch, paint, mould and create.
Overnight in Banwasi.
Day 10 Gokarna:
Leave early next morning for Yana 70km/1hr and be prepared for an adventurous and thrilling time climbing the mysterious twin rock formation. Relax through the drive down to Gokarna 35kms/30minutes.
Overnight in Gokarna.
Day 11 Gokarna:
Explore the unique beach town of Gokarna. Walk along Om Beach, a unique beach in the shape of Om. Trek to the other beaches along the coast line. Relax with the setting sun.
Overnight in Gokarna.
Day 12 Gokarna:
Visit Brahmur, Mirjan Fort and Kagal Beach. Shop in the colourful market street of Gokarna. Drive down to Karwar and Dev Bagh Island. (Optional).
Overnight in Gokarna.
Day 13 Dharwad:
After breakfast leave for Dharwad-180kms/4hrs. Proceed to Kalkeri Sangeeth Vidhyalay. Spend the day with the little musicians and experience live Hindustani Classical Music.
Overnight in Dharwad.
Day 14: Belgaum.
Visit the ancient temples and Basadhis dating back to the 12th Century in Belgaum. 80kms/1.25hrs. Seek the opportunity of visiting Lambani camps, traditional art form of North Karnataka.
Overnight in Belgaum
Day 15: Depart by train or flight for onwards destination.
How this particular trip makes a difference to the local community / environment
This holiday has been designed in such a way that while travelling through different regions, we interact with local initiatives that are supporting a sustainable way of life. This ranges from organic farms, crafts school, music school and traditional toy making units.
Some of the initiatives we are supporting through this holiday are Kalkeri Music School in Dharwar, Ninasam in Shimoga, the toy making factory in Channapatna, home stays in Banwasi and the folk artists in Mandya. The Blue Yonder is involved in a solid waste management programme. Your holiday will support this initiative at Gokarna. All the programmes have been planned and organised by the locals.
Tour leaders and interpreters are all from the local community. By giving them an opportunity to share their tradition and stories with travellers, we have noticed the increased ownership in many initiatives associated with Responsible tourism in all these areas. Instead of migrating to bigger cities like Bangalore, these rural boys and girls now have an option to stay back in their village and still earn a decent living. The folk artists in Mandya who are traditionally farmers will get yet another opportunity to go beyond the performance. Overall, this trip is as colourful as it can get for the travellers and the communities.
|
 TOP
TOP
TOP
TOP
|
