Karnataka

For general information please visit the Karnataka Information page. You may also put up your questions to us regarding any matter if you do not find the answers on our website. Apart from that, we suggest you to do some background reading before visiting Karnataka so that your visit becomes a great experience.

While planning your trip we suggest you to consider the festivals which will be taking place in Karnataka during your trip. Upon receiving the information from you we will combine your trip with the Festivals in Karnataka which will make your trip a great experience. For any further information on Festivals please visit our Karnataka Festivals page. On this page, you will find the dates of the festivals taking place in Karnataka. Our guides will also tell you about the cultural activities that will be taking place during the festivals.

Karnataka is comparatively a safe state to travel. The crime rate against foreigners remains low. However, especially to our female guests we recommend not being alone on the road after late evening just to be on the safer side. In case you need any help, you can call the police on 100.

Karnataka is a shopper's paradise. There are various shopping places in Karnataka. However, we recommend you to shop from the government-approved emporiums. You can bargain everywhere except in government craft emporiums, pharmacies, bookstores, or Western-style grocery stores. Even if a price is written on an object, ask the price and bargain from there. Decide what you are willing to spend on an item. Make this your last offer in a bargaining session. If the shop owner is willing to sell at your price, he will sell you the item without much argument. It is better to buy large and expensive items, such as rugs or jewelry, only from reputable dealers recommended by Indian acquaintances, hotels, or your guide and driver. Most of the large stores also ship your purchase. Although, for convenience and to avoid postal delays, it is advisable to carry purchased items with you or book them as baggage.

The public facilities are rarely good, including all the major cities. You will find Western-style toilets in all the standard hotels and restaurants. Be prepared to find them not as clean as you are used to in your country. Indian trains usually have both Indian and Western-style toilets. You will find public bathrooms and toilets in hotels, restaurants, railway stations, bus stations and some shops in big cities. There is usually a picture on the door to indicate which bathroom is for which sex. In some places, there may be a row of stalls with Indian-style "squat" toilets and one that is Western - style. But in small cities or towns where the tourist flow is less are rather poor. Keep toilet paper or tissues, paper soaps or liquid soaps with you for convenience.

The general meal plan in Karnataka consists of three main meals in a day with one or two added tea-coffee breaks. The main meals are breakfast, lunch and dinner. All standard restaurants and hotels in Karnataka offer a variety of cuisines including Continental, Chinese, Indian and typical Karnataka. Though the meal pattern is the same, the food served in the meals varies in different regions of Karnataka. Bisibele Bath, Chow Chow Bath, Idli, Masala Dosas (which took birth in Udupi, Karnataka), Plain Dosa, Rave Idli, and Poori are the different dishes in Karnataka.