Tour Intensity
Activity
Best Season
The southern Indian state of Karnataka is home to geographic diversity and rich natural wealth that is unparalleled. From the dry grasslands in the north to the boulder-strewn ruins in the central region to the long tapering tropical forests along the western ghats and dense forests and lush agricultural lands in the south, Karnataka’s landscapes shape its cultures and traditions.
The Hill to Coast adventure across Karnataka is an active journey through varying geographies. Explore these regions through active hikes, bike rides, kayaking and water rafting as we hit the coastline to the west of the state. Along the way, you will get to soak in local cultures through food, some touristy experiences along with a lot of local and immersive interactions. From the stories of coffee to jungle safaris, from cycling the countryside through villages to active hikes up some of the highest peaks in the region, we’ve packed a fair amount of active adventures for you on this tour.
Who can do this tour:
This tour is a great way to explore a region for the active adventurer who enjoys a good day’s activity amidst nature and the outdoors with some insights into the local culture and relaxed fun evenings. This tour is graded HIGH INTENSITY for the number of active back to back days packed with active biking which includes some intense hill climbs as well.
This tour is not a traditionally cultural rich experience visiting “touristy” monuments, but immersive with the stories of the region and experiences like plantation walks, jungle safaris, hiking up to beautiful views and many hands-on experiences like cooking sessions etc.
“NA-MUH-SKARA” – Welcome to Karnataka!
Your tour starts in Bengaluru the state’s capital, known to be the technology hub of the world in the east. But at its core, Bengaluru is an old-world town with the charm of its old markets. Bengaluru’s flower market is known to be one of the largest markets in Asia. Your journey begins with some cultural experiences in the two prominent cities, Bengaluru and the old capital of Mysuru famed for its extravagant palace. We’ll walk these markets, relishing local food and experiencing India. With some early morning rides along the river and appreciating farm life, your journey will then lead you in towards the Western Ghats locally called the “Male-Nadu”, the mountain region of Karnataka. This mountainous region is lush green and forms 30% of the state dotted with forest reserves and abound with many waterfalls. Biking along verdant peaks winding your way through these hills, coffee and spice plantations, old towns and hiking up some of the highest peaks makes for a fantastic few days lost in nature. A jungle safari and the opportunity to spot elephants, tigers, leopards and the largest wild bovine is one that must not be missed. We finally descend from the mountains and into the coastline on the western peninsular region of India to some of the most beautiful and less crowded beaches in the area. Hike about, and you will be able to get to an uninhabited beach all for yourself or take a kayak into the sea spotting dolphins. On our final leg of the journey, we go back into the hills for some more adventures in the water, riding steep rapids, white water rafting on the Kali river and some more experiences in the forest to spot the elusive Black Panther or the Indian Hornbill.
You will arrive into Bengaluru today and make this a relaxed day with a post-lunch Market Madness walk, soaking in the local culture, understanding local crafts and savouring the local food. We’ll have an informal tour briefing to get you acquainted with the plan for the ride the following day and a quick introduction to the team.
Dinner and overnight in Bengaluru.
Drive Distance: 12 Kms (City tour in a car)
Accommodation Type: Boutique/Heritage Hotel
Highlights:
• Meet and greet your tour host
• Local market walk
• Tour Briefing
We start the day early and drive out of the city before hopping on our bikes riding along the countryside through villages and farms enroute to Mysuru. The countryside around Bengaluru is rocky outcrops of hills. As we ride we stop to learn of farming practices, learn about sericulture and silk worm rearing and about the local strain of silk that is very popular in the region. We ride on until 12:00 noon with a picnic breakfast on route, stop by a local artisan space to learn about a unique wood carving factory and understanding how crafts are made. A relaxed evening as we drive into Mysuru.
Dinner and overnight in Mysuru.
Ride Distance: 70 Kms
Accommodation Type: Boutique/Heritage Hotel
Highlights:
• Ride along the countryside
• Local crafts and learn about silk production
• Relaxed evening in Mysuru town
Another early day as we drive out of Mysuru to the banks of the Kaveri river. Ride along a scenic trail through farms, stop by the river’s edge for some bird watching and learning about the local way of life. This half-day trail ends at the famous island town of Srirangapatana, the once erstwhile capital of Tipu Sultan that set the scene for one of the bloodiest battles fought against the British. Post lunch and relaxation we go on a tour of the Mysuru Palace, one of the largest palace complexes in South India and famed for its beautiful design and architecture. In the evening, we walk the streets of Mysuru soaking in the local culture, learn about some traditional snacks and try some local food.
Dinner and overnight in Mysuru.
Ride Distance: 39 Kms KMs
Accommodation Type: Heritage Hotel
Highlights:
• Countryside bike trail
• Mysuru palace tour
• Local markets and dinner
Coorg is a region named after the Kodava/Coorgi community of people who have made this region their home. Traditionally, an estate-farming area, Coorg is famed for its Coffee plantations. We drive out to the outskirts of Mysuru, and we ride into a Tibetan settlement through open farmlands to the estate plantations in the higher regions of Coorg. The ride is a mix of trailing along the countryside, connecting with the migrant Tibetan settlements and visit one of the largest Buddhist temples in the region. Our stay today will be in a plantation homestay.
Dinner and overnight in Coorg.
Ride Distance: 174 KMs
Accommodation Type: Plantation Resort/Hotel
Highlights:
• Riding along the countryside
• Visit a Tibetan settlement
• Ride into the hills through coffee plantations
Today is a day of exploring Coorg, and the day begins with a short hike to Mandalpatti, a scenic viewpoint with vistas of rolling mountains. Post our hike we will ride out to a plantation tour and visit a traditional Kodava home, to learn about architecture, stories of local legends and insights into their culture and traditions. In the evening we have the choice of a traditional cooking session or some much-needed rest.
Dinner and overnight in Coorg.
Hike Distance: 5 KMs
Accommodation Type: Plantation Resort/Hotel
Highlights:
• Hike to Mandalpatti
• Plantation walk
• Traditional Cooking experience
We ride higher into the hills winding our way alongside mountain ranges, lined with coffee & spice plantations, beautiful scenic vistas and stopping by the many rain-fed streams and waterfalls along the way. The road leads us to Sakleshpur.
Dinner and overnight in Sakleshpur.
Ride Distance: 80 KMs
Accommodation Type: Farm Stay/Resort
Highlights:
• Long ride day
• Plantation stay
• Relax beside a Campfire
Today we hike up a beautiful hill called “Ettina Buja” translating to “oxen’s shoulder” in the local language, referring to the shape of the mountain. The hike trails through a reserve forest leading up to some of the best views of the Western Ghats. Following our hike and depending on the time we drive down to Manjarabad fort to explore the old fort ruins and learn about the region’s history.
Dinner and overnight in Sakleshpur.
Hike Distance: 10 KMs
Accommodation Type: Farm Stay/Resort
Highlights:
• Hike & explore Sakleshpur from vantage viewpoints
• Plantation stay
• Visit an old Fort
Today we ride out of the property and ride uphill toward an old temple ruin and for a final vantage view of the mountain ranges and head downhill through coffee plantation towards the Bhadra Tiger Reserve. A part ride and part drive day, with a winding climb and downhill ride in the morning followed by a long drive to get into the forest. Hop in on a safari jeep for an evening of spotting wildlife through Bhadra wildlife sanctuary.
Dinner and overnight in Bhadra.
Ride Distance: 80 KMs
Accommodation Type: Jungle Camp/Resort
Highlights:
• Winding ride along plantations
• Steep Hill climbs to beautiful views
• Stay at a Jungle camp
The day starts early with a morning safari spotting rare avifauna and wildlife. Following breakfast, we drive out from the forest edge to a town before riding along the Sharavati backwaters through villages and farmlands. We leave the coffee plantations behind and reach a region famed for its betel nut farms. The ride leads us to a beautiful property overlooking the backwaters.
Dinner and overnight in Sharavati.
Ride Distance: 90 KMs
Accommodation Type: Jungle Camp/Resort
Highlights:
• Morning Safari
• Bike along the backwaters
• Ferry hopping
After 6 days of riding the mountain ranges we’ve crossed the mountains and will now make our way downhill towards the coastline. But before that our first stop is the view of the most majestic waterfalls, among the tallest waterfalls in India- Jog Falls. This is an exceptionally long ride day with some beautiful views and long stretches of riding through forests and countryside as we descend about a 1000 meters to the sandy beaches of the Arabian sea.
Dinner and overnight in Gokarna.
Ride Distance: 120 KMs
Accommodation Type: Beach Resort
Highlights:
• Waterfalls View
• Long Bike ride
• Stay in a Beach Resort
Today we get off our bikes and go hiking from beach to beach with a picnic lunch arranged on a secluded beach. The hike takes us to some picturesque beaches along the coastline with beautiful views of rocky outcrops along the waters edge and sights of ships disappearing into the horizon.
Dinner and overnight in Gokarna.
Hike Distance: 10 KMs
Accommodation Type: Beach Resort
Highlights:
• Hiking
• Beach hopping
• Picnic lunch
Our toughest ride day takes us back into the hills and to an adventure jungle camp. The ride takes us through a forest reserve and up into the dense forest of the Kali Tiger Reserve in Dandeli. Famed for its sightings of the Tiger and the elusive Black Panther. We check-in to our Jungle camp and head out for an evening safari to catch the elusive cat and most often spot some rare endemic birds including the Pied Hornbills.
Dinner and overnight in Dandeli.
Ride Distance: 100 KMs
Accommodation Type: Jungle Resort
Highlights:
• Biking up-hill
• Evening Safari
• Stay at a Jungle Resort
Today will be a day of rest and relaxation or alternatively you can satiate your hunger for more active adventures! If you choose the latter then we start the day with forest hike looking for birds and animals on foot guided by a local naturalist. Following this we bike out of the forest and head to the dam or choose to take a kayak along the river and relax by the waters. Post lunch we head out for some white water rafting on the Kali river. The evening will be a relaxed one by the campsite.
Dinner and overnight in Dandeli.
Ride Distance: 20 KMs
Accommodation Type: Jungle Resort
Highlights:
• Biking up-hill
• Evening Safari
• Stay in a Jungle Resort
Our last day of the tour, we will drive out of the property after breakfast to the Hubli/Belgaum airport and fly back into Bengaluru city where we end the tour. If you choose to extend your stay and need us to help you with logistics, talk to us and we will help you plan your travels.
Drive Distance: 70 KMs
Highlights:
• Drive to Airport
• Bid adieu to your team and fellow riders
This tour is an active multisport adventure biking and hiking in the Western Ghat Mountains and journeying down to the coastline appreciating, nature the outdoors, meet with the locals and their way of life. This is a Medium intensity tour with active riding on most days with some short day hikes and some active water sports.
PREPAREDNESS – PHYSICAL & MENTAL
The tour is a mix of multiple sports, local experiences, rich cultures, urban adventures and cuisine from the region. It’s a unique insight into the local way of life, biking the back roads of Karnataka and hiking up the hills, spotting wildlife and beach hopping. This tour is graded as medium intensity in terms of physical activities.
Accommodation: Accommodation will be in Heritage Hotels, Boutique hotels and Eco/Jungle resorts with good hygienic rooms (offered on a twin-sharing basis) with attached bathrooms.
Transport: We will have a dedicated AC private vehicle at your service through the entire term of the tour. All transfers from the Airport to the hotel will be in comfortable cars or vans.
Meals: All meals starting from lunch on Day 1, till breakfast on Day 14
