Home to 507 of the 3600 centrally protected monuments in India... Western Ghats adding the unique charm to the natural beauty... 320 km long coastline dotted with picturesque beaches... world famous Jog falls drawing million of tourists – Welcome to Karnataka, 'the capital of Agarbatti' (incense sticks) !! Karnataka tourism is known for a wealth of delightful experiences that beckons travelers form distant corners of the globe. This treasure trove of enchanting tourist spots is frequented for scenic locales, sacred shrines, ancient ruins and exotic wildlife.

From the classical Carnatic Music to the the aromatic coffee, arecanut & sandalwood plantations, and from the flourishing Silk industry to the vibrant fairs and festivals – Karnataka is a land of infinite variety.

Temples
The ancient temple complexes in Karnataka date back to the 7th century AD even. These are incomparable in their sculptural quality. Most of these represent the typical Dravidian style of architecture. Various dynasties and rulers established temples based on their unique architectural design. From Rock Cut Caves to the monolithic statue of Gomateshwara, Mookambika and Udupi every holy shrine is a wonder.

Historical Monuments
Karnataka has various forts and monuments of pre-historic times. These are the gifts of various dynasties who ruled here for centuries. Badami Caves, Bidar Fort, Bull Temple, Gol Gumbaz, Gulbarga Fort, Mysore Palace, Pattadakal, Nandi Hill, Nargund fort and Vallabhgad fort are a few of them.

Wildlife
Karnataka wildlife sanctuaries and parks are paradise for animal lovers. Wildlife sanctuaries like Agumbe, Bandipur, Bannerghatta, Nagarahole and Mysore are home to some of the rarest and endangered species of wild animals. Out of these Bandipur, being a Tiger Reserve, draws the maximum number of tourists. Apart from that, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is the favourite place of ornithologists & bird lovers.

Waterfalls
Karnataka boasts of having the Jog Falls, the tallest in India in Shimoga District. Besides this, Shivasamudra, Abbi, Irrupu,Chunchanakatte, Unchalli and Gokak Falls are a few other prominent sites.

Beaches
Whether you are a sea lover, a honeymoon couple, an adventure enthusiast or even a routine vacationer – the beaches in Karnataka are worth a visit for remarkable experience. Beach holidays in Karnataka are best enjoyed with sun-drenched shoreline, touched by everlasting blue waves. Bhatkal, Karwar, Murudeshwar, Kurumgad, Malpe, Gokarna etc. are a few popular beaches here, which offer some adventure/water sports as well.

When it comes to shopping, the state is a leading player in Silk Sarees. Almost all the market areas are loaded with good quality textiles, a huge variety of coffee, arecanut and sandalwood.

Climate
Karnataka enjoys moderate summers (March-May) and pleasant winters (January-February). The coastal line of Karnataka has The Tropical Monsoon climate. The best season to visit Karnataka is definitely the winter. Even post monsoon (October-December) is pleasant here.

How To Reach

By Air: The state has a total of 6 airports (Bangalore, Mangalore, Hampi, Hubli, Belgaum and Bijapur) that are well connected to the other parts of India and rest of the world through the air network.

By Rail: Karnataka is also well connected to other parts of the country through a wide rail network. It also has an interstate rail network to make commuting easy within Karnataka.

By Road: Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) connects the state to other major cities and states. NEKRTC (for North East) and NWKRTC (for North West) are the two other road transport corporations to commute within Karnataka.