Offbeat Places to Explore in Karnataka

From ancient ruins of Hampi to lush green hill towns like Coorg and Sakleshpur or the beautiful coastlines of Gokarna and Mangaluru, The state of Karnataka is bestowed with far-ranging topographies. The state offers architectural marvels, lush green landscape, rich culture, exotic wildlife and peaceful backwaters which make it the most travel-worthy destination in India.

When we think of a holiday, we generally list down the popular places to explore. However, opting for offbeat places can sometimes actually bring in some unforgettable experiences. Here are such hidden gems and lesser-known places to explore in Karnataka.

Kudremukh

Enclosed with lush greenery and magnificent hills, Kudremukh is a small hill station in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. The region consists of a dense forest envelope, waterfalls, and mountains along with 13 trekking trails that range from easy to tough. Kudremukh remains less crowded and can be visited all around the year. Some of the other must-visit destinations in Kudremukh are - Kudremukh Peak, Kudremukh national park, Kalasa temple town, Hanuman gundi falls, Gangamool mountain and some holy ponds such as Varaha Teertha, Naga Teertha etc.

Apsarakonda, Honnavara

Away from the chaos of the crowd, Apsarakonda is one of the lesser known places in Karnataka and a current emerging tourist village. The name of the village means Ponds of angels. According to a tale, it used to be the chosen places of the angels for relaxing and taking a bath.

Agumbe

Travelers who are looking for a great weekend getaway to offbeat places in Karnataka then, they must plan a trip to Agumbe. Bordered by lush greenery, waterfalls, and splendid views, the region offers perfect soothing surroundings to rejuvenate. This gorgeous place is often referred as the ‘Cherrapunji of South India

Karighatta Black Hill

Located at a distance of around 25 km from Mysore, Karighatta is a beautiful hill station, situated at an altitude of 2697 feet above the sea level. The place is an ideal destination for bird watching enthusiasts, hill trekkers and nature lovers. It is one of the lesser known places in Karnataka and an amazing weekend getaway destination for the locals. Apart from the scenic landscapes, Karighatta temple is the major attractions of this place and attracts tourists from all over the country.

Honnemaradu

Surrounded by the abundance of natural beauty and serenity, Honnemardu is a tiny hamlet which represents the ‘beauty in silence’ perfectly. The village houses fewer people, and the major attraction is the water sports done at the Honnemaradu Lake. Moreover, the village is close to Jog falls and its wonderful landscape makes it an ideal destination to plan a picnic, along with your friends and family.

Arbi Falls, Manipal

The eye-pleasing white waterfall of Arbi is one of those offbeat places in Karnataka that is surely deserved to be explored. The region experiences a lot of rainfall and the hilly terrain of the place carves out a gorgeous pavement for the rainwater to flow downhill thereby creating an amazing sight. One can also enjoy Hiking in this place.

Karvar

Located on the northern tip of Karnataka, Karvar is an unexplored beach paradise offering you the most wonderful experiences. The region has been blessed with a wonderful climate and is perfect for water sports lovers and beach aficionados. This amazing port town offers water sports activities and boat rides. While touring Karvar, you can also visit places like Tagore Beach, Anshi National Park, Devbaugh Lighthouse, Venkatrama Temple, Durga temple and Sadashivgad Fort etc.

Shivagange

Situated at a height of 804.8 m or 2640.3 ft, Shivagange is a mountain peak and a Hindu pilgrimage center near Bangalore. The center has a historical rock sculpture of Nandi or Basavanna that has been carved on top of a rock, shaped as a shivalinga. You might see a bit of crowd but the place isn’t to be missed on your Karnataka trip.

Banavasi

Banavasi is an ancient temple town in Uttara Kannada and one of the lesser known destinations in Karnataka. The town holds a very special place in the history of Karnataka as it was the ancient capital of the Kannada Empire Kadamba who ruled entire Karnataka state and the first native empire of Kannada speaking lineage.

Channapatna

Located in the district of Ramanagara, Channapatna is a small city and one of the hidden gems in the state of Karnataka. The city is famous for making colorful wooden toys which you won’t be able to find anywhere else. In Kannada, the place is called as Gombegala nagara which means “town of toys”. Not just that, the district also offers amazing landscape, refreshing environment and a peaceful ambience for some unforgettable experiences.

Maravanthe

Nestled on the Panvel-Eddapally highway, Maravanthe is a quaint village, enclosed by a beautiful beach, picturesque landscape. The village is one of the lesser-explored places in Karnataka and offers an ideal getaway away from the hustle-bustle of the city life. Maravanthe houses a variety of other tourist attractions that can be explored including Padukone village, Kodi beach and Bijadi village etc.

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary

Spread over an area of 834 square km, Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries and the less explored places in Karnataka. The place is for all the nature and animal lovers who are looking for a peaceful and less-busy option to explore. The sanctuary is a home to more than 200 kinds of bird species and wild animals like elephants, crocodiles, Indian bison, sloth bears, tigers, bonnet macaque and so on.

Badami

Formerly known as Vatapi, Badami is a town and in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka. The town was the capital of the Badami Chalukyas from AD 540 to 757 and surely a hidden gem which goes unnoticed. The place is renowned for rock-cut structural temples and is one of the must-visit places in Karnataka.

Khwaja Banda Nawaz Darga, Gulbarga

Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz Gaisu Daraz is the famous dargah of the famous Sufi saint from the Chishti Order. This is an important Muslim pilgrimage site in the state of Karnataka which on a usual note goes unexplored. The Dargah houses the tomb of the Sufi saint Syed Mohammad Gesu Daraz, popularly known as Khwaja Bande Nawaz.

Anegundi, Hampi

Older than Hampi city, Anegundi is a beautiful village in Koppal district of Karnataka. The region is among the less visited places of Karnataka and offers a variety of tourist attractions for various kinds of travelers. Major places to explore in Anegundi are - Pampa Sarovar, Aramane, Kamal Mahal, Huchappayana matha temple, Nava Brindavana and Ranganatha temple.

Ottinene Secret Beach, Baindoor

Finding a secret place is no different than finding a treasure. Through the unexplored areas of the town of Baindoor (70 km away from Manipal) lies not just a beach or rather a point where the river meets the sea. Going by its name, Ottinene Secret Beach is an untouched and serene beach, perfect for a leisure trip with family and friends.

Mullayanagiri

Mullayanagiri is the highest peak in Karnataka, located at a height of 1,930 meters. The peak is named after a renowned sage, Mullapa Swamy, and a small temple atop the summit is dedicated to him. Mullayanagiri is probably one of the best trekking routes of Karnataka yet no one really knows about it. The region is not very far from Bangalore making it also a perfect weekend getaway option.

Make the most of this holiday season by travelling to the amazing state of Karnataka and exploring the places you have never explored. Go book your domestic flights and avail great offers and discounts from EaseMyTrip.com

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