Karnataka is indeed a paradise on planet earth. Nothing could be as enchanting and captivating as the scenic vistas of this place. With greenery all around and clouds dancing over the hills make this place a perfect holiday destination for those who look for peace and serenity. The ambiance of this place in itself is therapeutic and soothes every inch of the body and rejuvenates the soul from head to toe. Karnataka has been one of the most popular tourist destinations in India and thrives on the wish list of the many tourists who flock to these divine lands all year round. The climate of this place is neither very hot nor too cool, serving best to the growth and evolution of lush flora and fauna over here.
Karnataka in itself is a package wherein you will find, beaches, hill stations, temples boasting exquisite architecture, lush green forests with rich evergreen travails perfect for trekking, hiking and camping or the coffee-scented hill stations of Karnataka which are also home to gushing streams where you can try your hand at experiencing river rafting. In a nutshell, Karnataka is one of the best tourist destinations in South India.
Best Places to visit in Karnataka in Morning
No doubt Karnataka is home to several tourist spots that are equally mystical and if visited at the right time of the day, is a feather on the hat. Some of the places are perfect for an evening walk, while some of them are best to be visited at noon. Morning hours however are one of the best times to start your journey alongside witnessing some mesmerizing places in Karnataka. So, strap yourself in and dive into the best places to visit in Karnataka in the morning:
1. Udupi
Located in the southwest region of Karnataka, this place boasts its magnificent architecture and the intricate architecture of the beautiful temples over here. Udupi is a city which is known for its religious beliefs. This tourist place in Karnataka is well known for its vegetarian cuisine, unexplored forests and enchanting beaches that are mostly loved by the tourists who flock to this wonderland. Most of the beaches are here. Being guarded by the Western Ghats on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other side this place is a perfect getaway for an offbeat vacation.
Famous beaches – Malpe beach, Maravanthe beach, Ottinene beach, Kapu beach
Famous temples – Udupi Sri Krishna Temple is the most famous temple over here. The presiding deity is Shri Krishna over here in his ‘bal-swaroop’. Anantheshwara and Chandramouleshwara, Kollur Mookambika, Mahisha Mardini temple, Koteshwara temple, Anegudde, etc.
Activities to try– Surfing, Boat-ride, Boat, Kayaking, Canoeing, Kite-surfing, scuba diving, fun at beaches, etc.
Other Attractions– Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, End point Manipal, Dr. Kota Shivaram Karanth Theme Park.
2. Gokarna
The name Gokarna literally means, the ear of a cow; this place has a great religious importance as it is the home to the oldest as well as the most famous Shiva Temples in Karnataka, Mahabaleshwar. Gokarna lies in the southwest corner of the peninsula, sharing its boundaries with the Western Ghats on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other side. Being a coastal region, it is home to several beaches as well as some really famous temples. The place is beautified with heavenly sea breeze and tall palm trees along the shore. Some really famous beaches you would find over here are Om Beach, Paradise beach and Half-moon beach. The rustic ambience of the place makes it a wonderful destination for newlywed couples, making it a great honeymoon destination in Karnataka. On the other hand, the pilgrimage makes it a perfect spot to find spiritual reassurance.
Several water activities like- scuba diving, surfing, paragliding, jet skiing can be enjoyed over here; thrill-seekers would love to visit this beautiful place in Karnataka. Start your day witnessing the divine sunrise while having a brisk walk along the beach.
Famous beaches- Om beach, Paradise beach, half-moon beach, nirvana beach, Kudle beach, Small hell beach, etc
Famous temples – Shree Mahabaleshwar temple, Bhadrakali Temple, Tamra- Gouri Temple, Patta-Vinayak Temples, Kotiteertha, etc.
Activities to try- Parasailing, Sightseeing, Banana-boat ride, Bumper-boat ride, spotting Dolphins, etc
Other attractions– Gokarna cliff, Lalguli falls, Yana caves, Mirjan Fort.
3. Hampi (Historical Site)
Hampi is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Karnataka. The place got its name from the etymology Pampa- referring to Devi Parvati. The place is also of religious importance as it is also considered to be the mighty city of Kishkindha from the Ramayan Era. Hampi is a paradise for Architecture lovers and a historical delight. It’s like an open museum with nearly 500 monuments and 100 plus locations that are yet to be discovered. Hampi is often referred to as the destroyed city or the ruined city but as a matter of fact, it is one of the best places to be explored in Karnataka. The glorious Hampi was claimed as the UNESCO World Heritage in the year 1986. The landscapes make it a great deal to click fantastic pictures and create memories.
Famous Temples– Sree Virupaksha Temple, Shree Varahswami Gudi, Achyutaraya Temple, Kadalekalu Ganesha.
Activities to try– Coracle ride, boat ride, fishing in the lake, cliff jumping, exploring Hampi-bicycle ride, shopping in the market, Anjaneya Hills.
Other attractions– Queen’s Bath, Lotus Mahal, Tungabhadra Dam, Matanga Hill, Daroji Bear Sanctuary, Hippi island, Monkey Temple.
4. Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur is a surreal hill station in Karnataka which was presented as a gift in Dowry to the younger daughter of the Chief of Sakrepatna. The place has a surreal setting with ardent lush green lands which scenic beauty and wide patches of coffee and tea plantations. If you want an offbeat vacation from the daily grind of life then Chikmagalur is your destination. This hill station is popular among adventure enthusiasts for its trekking travails and waterfalls. The aroma of coffee will teleport you into a different dimension.
Famous temples– Sringeri Sharda Peetha, Amruteshwar temple, Vidyasankara temples, Shri Parsawanath Tirthankara Jain Temple, etc
Activities to try- Trekking at Mullaynagiri hills and Kudremukh,
Other attractions- Hebbe falls, Jhari Falls, Sringeri mutt, Z point, Kudremukh, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Belavadi, etc
5. Coorg
Owing to its surreal setting and simply breathtaking beauty, Coorg is regarded as one of the most popular hill stations in Karnataka. Often referred to as the Scotland of India, the place is popular for its rolling hills, peace laden atmosphere and lush greenery all around. It is home to a number of streams gushing out and you can feel the tranquillizing aroma of coffee. The hill station is quite a popular destination for honeymoons and also for those who look for an offbeat vacation from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Famous temples- Omkareshwara temple, Talakaveri temple, Bhagandeshwara temple, Padi lgguthappa Temple, Golden Temple (Namdroling Monastery).
Activities to try- Dubare Elephant Camp, Jeep Safari, Kumara Parvatha Trek, Barapole River Rafting, etc.
Other attractions- Tandiandamol Peak, Abbey Falls, Iruppu Falls, Raja’s Seat, Brahmagiri Hills, Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, etc.
6. Bandipur Reserve
This national park in India is located in one of the most beautiful surroundings. The reserve is home to several animals including some rare endangered species like the Asiatic wild elephant, sloth bears, gaurs, Indian rock pythons, jackals, muggers, and four-horned antelopes. Alongside it also habitats rare flying lizards, sambhar, mouse deer, chital and nearly 200 species of birds. Not only the reserve is abundant in the fauna but also the vegetation as it is home to a variety of trees like rosewood, rosewood, sandalwood, Indian-laurel, Indian Kino tree, giant clumping bamboo, etc. Owing to its picturesque beauty the place is among the best places to visit in Karnataka during the morning.
Activities to try- Jungle safari.
Other attractions – Ooty, BRT national park, Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, etc
Best time to visit– July- September
7. Hogenakkal Falls
The enchanting Hogenakkal falls is one of the places you must visit if you are on a Karnataka tour. This wonderful place will definitely cast a spell on you owing to its magnificent views that will leave you awestruck. The falls got its name from Hoge and Kallu which on getting translated literally means smoke and rock respectively. Due to the misty effect of the cascading Kaveri river entering Tamil Nadu from Karnataka, the name came about. This mesmerizing tourist spot is located at the Tamil-Nadu and Karnataka border. Morning hours are surreal over here; hence we have tagged the place as one of the best places to visit in Karnataka in the morning.
Activities to try – Swimming (certain designated areas), Fishing, coracle ride, Oil massage, etc
Other attractions nearby- Krishnagiri Dam, Theerthamalai Temple, Subramanya Siva, Crocodile Rehabilitation Centre, Melagiri hills, etc.
8. Mandalpatti
Recently this hilltop has gained a lot of popularity and appreciation from the tourists visiting Madikeri, Coorg; Mandalpatti is often called Mugilu-peeth or Mugilu-peth by the locales which on translation means ‘The market of clouds/mist’. The wonderful place boasts picturesque natural beauty and scenic viewpoints. Not only nature lovers but also people seeking a great trek will also find Mandalpatti their destination. Some best sunrises and sunsets can be witnessed from here. The trek is strenuous yet it’s worth it. Being untouched by the commercialisation, this place stands upright among the best places to visit in Karnataka during the morning.
Other Attractions– Raja’s Seat, Shree Omkareshwara Temple, Raja’s Tomb, Abbey falls, Kote Betta, Madikeri fort, etc.
Activities to try nearby- Quarry Adventures(13.5 km from Mandalpatti), Nagarhole National Park(12.6 km from Mandalpatti), Coorg Camping Jollyboy (11.1 km from Mandalpatti), etc