A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started
Take private tours of Goa to admire its magnificent architecture
10 days, from £3,210 to £4,520
Explore colonial Cochin and the beautiful backwaters of Kerela
17 days, from £3,300 to £5,270
Welcome to southern India with its purple villages and Dravidian temples
12 days, from £3,460 to £4,820
Take a spiritual journey to the roots of Indian civilisation by visiting Gwalior, Orchha, Khajuraho, Lucknow and Benares
13 days, from £3,540 to £4,910
Honeymoon to Rajasthan, going from palace to palace
14 days, from £4,985 to £6,965
Practical advice and inspiration to help you prepare for your holiday
Practical guide
India Travel Advice & Information
Blog
Most holidays to Karnataka start or end in the heart of the Deccan Plateau in Bangalore, not a city that could or would ever claim to be India's most beautiful. That's not to say you should give it a miss though, because Bangalore - or Silicon Plateau - has a burgeoning reputation as a hub for restaurants and vibrant nightlife thanks to the huge growth in IT companies setting up shop in the state capital.
The tech-inspired modernity of Bangalore dovetails nicely with the state's other attractions, including a rich architectural heritage thanks to a succession of powerful dynasties with an eye on immortality through grand building projects. The vast array of temples and sculpture to visit as a result include ancient Vijayanagar (within which sits the UNESCO World Heritage ruins of Hampi); the great palaces of Mysore (one of which was lit by 100,000 light bulbs) and Badami's caves and temples.
Heading for the coast, Karnataka also has 200 plus miles of coastline with some wonderfully unspoiled beaches stretching from Goa in the north to Kerala in the south. As a result, Kerala and Karnataka make a great holiday combination, with Karnataka also home to national parks such as Nagarhole, Kabini and Bandipur, home to the elusive tiger, Asian elephants, sloth bears, leopards and myriad birdlife.
The eagle-eyed among you may have noticed no mention of Himalaya-esque mountains, but Karnataka has some decent peaks and uplands in which to consider trekking, and even a small area of desert called Talakadu.
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
