Karnataka: The Ultimate Adventure Tourism Destination

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With its unique geographical features, Karnataka provides adventure lovers with every kind of terrain except snow-clad mountains. Thrill seekers and environmentalists can indulge in a host of outdoor activities on land, water and in the sky. Karnataka’s jagged coastline, the Western Ghats with their beckoning peaks, incredible craggy formations, expansive water bodies and the many rivers that crisscross the state make it a haven for adventure sports and other outdoor activities.

Water Sports

White Water Rafting

Experience the thrills of white-water rafting on some unpredictable stretches of the Kali River at Dandeli, the best place for white water rafting south of the Himalayas. Sitanadi (near Agumbe) is also a favourite white water rafting spot. The azure waters of the Cauvery at Barpole also provide for some great river rafting.

Surfing

Mulki is famous for water sports, especially surfing. It is home to one of the few surfing training centres in India. Other activities include wakeboarding, stand-up paddle boards, kayaking, snorkelling, and Yoga lessons.

Sasihithlu Beach nearby has stunning white sand adding to its beauty and is indeed a picturesque location to admire. Sasihithlu beach also plays venue for a few surfing events and competitions.

Scuba Diving

The Nethrani Island, also known as Pigeon Island, is off the Murudeshwara coast. This is an enchanting island with a wild growth of trees and curved rocky formations that shelters numerous pigeons. The island, with its corals and clear waters, is one of the best scuba diving sites in India. There are great opportunities for scuba diving and snorkelling; both for beginners to deep-diving experts here.

Other Water Sports

Honnemaradu, a haven for water sports, is tucked away amidst the lush greenery of the Western Ghats, along the expansive Sharavati backwaters near Sagara. An ideal destination for water sports enthusiasts, the adventure camp here offers water-based activities, including canoeing, kayaking and coracle rides.

Rock Climbing/ Bouldering

Badami

Badami is home to some of the best adventure climbing in India. With climbs ranging from easy to difficult, there is something in Badami for every rock-climbing enthusiast, from beginners to professionals.

Hampi

Giant boulders dot the amazing Hampi landscape, making it perfect for bouldering. Known for its rich heritage and ruins, Hampi is slowly gaining traction as a bouldering Mecca. November to January is the best season to try out bouldering in Hampi.

Ramnagara

The craggy wilderness around Ramnagara, just 50 km from Bengaluru on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway, is a climber’s delight. This awe-inspiring place has plenty of opportunities for budding as well as professional rock climbers. The classic Hindi movie, Sholay was shot on these picturesque rocks.

If you can supplement your love of adventure with some time, there are other rock-climbing options around Bengaluru, which are fortified by interesting rock formations in places like Savanadurga, Kabbaldurga, Tumkur, Turahalli and Kanakpura.

Trekking/ Hiking/ Mountaineering

With its lush tropical forests, hills and dales, caves and cascades, roaring rivers and gurgling streams and flora and fauna, Karnataka is a trekker’s paradise.

Trekking trails are mostly located in the Ghat districts of Uttara and Dakshina Kannada, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan and Coorg.

Coorg

Tadiyendamol, the tallest peak in Coorg, from where you can view the distant Arabian Sea on a clear day, is a trekker’s delight. Iruppu Falls, Kumara Parvatha, Pushpagiri, Brahmagiri Hills, Nishani Motte and Kakkabe are some of the other famous trekking routes.

Chikkamagaluru

Nestled in the Baba Budan Hills, Chikkamagaluru is a calm, serene town full of surprises, with hills, valleys, streams and coffee plantations. Chikkamagaluru is a trekker’s delight with Mullayanagiri, Baba Budangiri, Kemmanagundi, Kudremukh and Devaramane being some of the popular trekking routes.

Shivamogga

High up in the picturesque Western Ghats, the Shivamogga region is a lush green landscape well-endowed with forests, sparkling water bodies, spectacular waterfalls and green peaks rising to the skies. Kundadri, Kodachadri, Agumbe, Kavaledurga are the prominent trekking destinations here.

Yana

Yana, famous for its unique rock formations, is also a favourite trekking/ rock climbing haunt.

Wildlife Safaris

Many of the National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka offer vehicle safaris usually in the mornings and evenings. They are mainly operated by the Karnataka Forest Department and also by the state-run Jungle Lodges & Resorts. Some of the prominent places include Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarahole), Bandipur National Park, BRT Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Kali Tiger Reserve, etc.