Destinations · Karnataka
Karnataka: Palaces, Forests and Coffee Hills
Our home state and the heart of most South Zone Holidays journeys. From Bengaluru, royal Mysuru, the forests of Kabini and the coffee hills of Coorg are all within a few hours’ drive.
Why Karnataka
Why Karnataka works so well for a private trip
Karnataka packs a great deal into manageable distances. On a private Karnataka tour you can see a royal palace, spend mornings in tiger country, walk through coffee estates and explore the temples of the Hoysala and Vijayanagara kings, without long flights in between.
We are based in Bengaluru, so this is the state we plan most often. It also opens easily into Kerala and Tamil Nadu if you want to continue south.
At a glance
- Bengaluru’s international airport is an easy starting point
- Royal heritage, wildlife and plantations within a few hours of each other
- Most drives between stops take a few hours
- A natural gateway to Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Featured destinations
Where to start in Karnataka
Bandipur, the BR Hills, Sakleshpur, Dandeli and the coast at Gokarna, Udupi and Mangaluru can all be included in a custom route; see Wildlife Triangle, Ghats to Coast or ask us when you enquire.
Suggested journeys
Karnataka journeys to start from
All three begin in Bengaluru and can be adjusted to your dates and pace.
Continuing to Kerala? See Ghats to Coast and Coffee, Hills & Backwaters, or Grand South India for three weeks across all three states. Prefer fewer hotel changes and shorter days? See Gentle-Pace Karnataka. Short on time? Mysuru & Coorg (4 nights) and Hampi from Bengaluru (3 nights) are short private trips from Bengaluru.
Private car & driver
Getting around Karnataka
Every trip uses your own chauffeur-driven vehicle, from a sedan for two to a coach for a large group, with an English-speaking driver. Vehicles are booked by category, with the exact model or similar subject to availability.
Hotels are optional: travel with vehicle and driver only, or let us include hotels by comfort level, location, budget and availability.
Typical drive times
- Bengaluru to Mysuru: approximately 3–4 hours
- Mysuru to Kabini: approximately 2–3 hours
- Mysuru or Kabini to Coorg: approximately 3–4 hours
- Coorg to Chikkamagaluru: approximately 4–5 hours
- Chikkamagaluru to Hampi: approximately 6–7 hours
Drive times are approximate and depend on traffic and stops.
Good for families, seniors and private groups
Karnataka’s main stops are close enough together to keep driving days short, which makes the state a comfortable choice for:
- Families with children, who can mix palaces and wildlife with time to rest
- Senior travellers, with two or three nights at most stops
- Private groups of friends or relatives travelling together in one vehicle
Tell us about any mobility needs; some heritage sites involve steps and uneven ground.
Planning a South India Trip or Need a Vehicle?
Tell us your dates, group size and where you want to go. We reply with a clear plan and quotation — no obligation.