Coastal Karnataka Tour
The Coastal Karnataka tour is a scenic journey along the Arabian Sea, covering temple towns, quiet beaches and coastal landscapes. This itinerary connects Udupi, Murudeshwar and Gokarna, three of the most popular destinations along the Karnataka shoreline. From the spiritual atmosphere of Udupi to the seaside temple at Murudeshwar and the relaxed beach setting of Gokarna, the tour offers a balanced mix of temple visits, coastal drives and leisure time by the sea.
Tour Summary
| Starting From | Udupi | Ending at | Udupi |
| No of days | 3 | Number of nights | 2 |
| Night stays at | Udupi (3 nights) Gokarna (3 nights) Honnavar (1 night) | ||
Coastal Karnataka Tour Itinerary Overview
This itinerary is designed as a relaxed coastal circuit covering the major highlights of Karnataka's shoreline. The journey typically begins in Udupi, known for its famous Krishna Temple, and continues southward or northward along the coast. Travelers then visit Murudeshwar, home to a towering Shiva statue and sea-facing temple complex, before reaching Gokarna, a peaceful coastal town with scenic beaches and temple heritage. The schedule is planned to keep travel distances comfortable while allowing enough time at each destination.
Key Highlights of the Coastal Karnataka Tour
Sri Krishna Temple: One of the most important Krishna temples in India, known for its unique traditions.
Malpe Beach: A popular coastal spot near Udupi, ideal for relaxed visits.
St. Mary's Island: A scenic island known for its unique rock formations.
Gokarna's temple town: Home to the sacred Mahabaleshwar Temple.
Om Beach and Kudle Beach: Popular scenic beaches in Gokarna.
Scenic coastal drives: Pleasant journeys along the Karnataka shoreline.
Day wise Itinerary of Udupi Tour
Day 1: Udupi Arrival
Arrive at Udupi by 10 AM. Checkin to a hotel / homestay and freshen up. Start your tour of Udupi by visiting Malpe Beach. This is the most popular beach of Udupi. Take a ferry / boat to St. Mary's Island. Spend enough time at the special rock formations at the island.
After lunch, we can visit to Hoode Beach and a Hanging Bridge nearby.
In the evening, we will visit Kaup Beach (also called Kapu Beach). This is yet another popular beach and also has a lighthouse. If the lighthouse is open for visiting, we can climb up to the top, and get an aerial view of the beach. Enjoy a beautiful sunset before returning to hotel.
Day 2: Udupi Karkala Tour
After breakfast, we will visit Udupi Sri Krishna Temple. This is a popular temple with a lot of stories behind it.
Later, we will visit Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village Museum in Manipal
After lunch, drive to Karkala. Karkala has several offbeat places and Jain temples whose architecture will amaze you. Visit some of them
Return to hotel for overnight stay
Day 3: Udupi Managalore and Departure
After an early checkout, drive to Mulki for kayaking in the backwaters. This is an amazing experience early in the morning.
Later, visit Sasihitlu Beach. After that, drive to Moodabidri 1000 pillar Jain Temple.
In the evening, reach Mangalore, visit Kadri Temple and Mangaladevi Temple. Later, visit Tanneerbhavi Beach to watch beautiful sunset
After having a great time during the tour, it is time to drive back to Udupi for overnight stay
Day 4: Udupi - Murudeshwar - Gokarna
After early breakfast, checkout of hotel and drive towards the Northern Coastal towns
Our first stop will be at Maravanthe. This is a wonder where the National Highway passes in between the sea and a river. One side of the road is sea, where you can take a dip in the water. The other side is a river, which joins the sea after 12 kms! (so close yet so far)
Drive further down to visit Murudeshwara which is home to 123 foot status of Lord Shiva. Go around the statue and look at the beautiful art and sculptures nearby. You can also visit the temple, and take a lift to reach the top floor of 21 story Gopura. From here, you can get a view of Murudeshwar Beach and the Statue.
Have lunch at the floating restaurant next to the statue.
Next stop is at Sharavathi Mangrove Broadwalk. This is a man made path built amidst the mangroves. A great place for photo enthusiasts (call it Insta-worthy place :-) )
If you are interested in boating in between the mangroves, this is the time to do that
In the evening, we will visit Mirjan Fort. Understand how this fort used to be a trading hub during the yesteryears.
By late evening, reach Gokarna. Check-in to a hotel and relax.
Day 5: Explore Gokarna
Start your day by visiting Mahabaleshwar Temple. Know the amazing mythological story behind this temple. After darshan, walk about 100-150 meters to the main Gokarna Beach.
After lunch, we can drive to Om Beach. The beach is named after it resembles the religious symbol of 'Om'. This is a quiet beach with shallow waters and mild waves. This makes it popular with groups having kids as they can play in the waters.
Once at Om Beach, you can choose for one of the two options to explore the other beaches. You can hire a boat to visit Half Moon Beach and Paradise Beach. However, if you are a little adventurous, you can choose to trek from Om Beach to Belekhan Beach which passes through amazing cliffs by the sea, and many hidden beaches. You may need 3-4 hours to complete this stretch depending on your speed.
Return to hotel / homestay after a great first day of the tour.
Day 6: Yana Caves Excursion
Yet another activity filled day today. Start the day by visiting Kudle Beach, enjoy some time by getting and playing in the waters. Later, explore Shiva Caves nearby. Back to hotel / homestay for freshening up.
After lunch, drive to visit Vibhuti Falls and the majastic Yana Caves. The visit requires a trek of about 40 minutes, but the caves is worth the walk. Do you know the history behind these caves? Visit it to know more
After another exciting day, it is time to say good bye to an awesome tour to Gokarna, as we drop you to bus stand / train station.
Day 7: Sirsi - Jog Falls - Sagara
After breakfast, checkout of the hotel.
Our first stop today is at Sirsi for visiting the popular Marikamba Temple. Later, we will visit a completely offbeat location where you can see several carvings of Shivling and Nandi on a river!
Later, drive to the popular Jog Falls. While Jog Falls is at its best during monsoon only, some people do want to include this in the coastal Karanataka tour. After enjoying a good time at Jog Falls, we will drive to hotel and checkin
Day 8: Udupi Drop
After exploring the entire Coastal Karnataka for the past week, it is time to drop you to Udupi Railway Station or Bus stand. In case, you have a flight to catch, we will drop you at Mangalore Airport.
Why Take a Coastal Karnataka Tour?
The Karnataka coastline offers a mix of temple towns, quiet beaches and scenic drives that are less crowded than many other coastal destinations. This tour allows travelers to experience different aspects of the region, from spiritual centers to relaxed beach environments. The route is well suited for a comfortable road trip, with multiple stops that break the journey into enjoyable segments.
How Many Days Are Needed for the Coastal Karnataka Tour?
A 5 to 7-day itinerary is ideal for covering Udupi, Murudeshwar and Gokarna at a comfortable pace. This allows enough time for temple visits, beach exploration and scenic drives without long or tiring travel days. Shorter versions may focus on two destinations, while longer itineraries can include additional coastal or inland stops.
Best Time to Visit Coastal Karnataka
The best time for this tour is between October and March, when the weather is pleasant for beach visits and sightseeing. Summers can be warm and humid, while the monsoon season brings heavy rains but also lush green coastal scenery and fewer crowds.
Who This Coastal Tour Is Ideal For
Travelers interested in temple visits along the coast
Couples looking for a relaxed beach trip
Families planning a comfortable coastal holiday
Road-trip enthusiasts exploring the Karnataka coastline
Can This Tour Start from Bangalore?
Yes, this tour can start from either Bangalore or Mangalore, depending on travel preferences and logistics. Starting from Mangalore reduces overall travel time and allows more time along the coast. Starting from Bangalore creates a longer road-trip experience, often with scenic inland routes and stopovers and hence the tour may need to be extended by two days.
Can This Tour Be Extended to Dandeli or Karwar?
Yes, the itinerary can be extended to include nearby destinations such as Dandeli or Karwar. Dandeli adds a forest and adventure component to the trip, while Karwar offers quieter beaches and coastal viewpoints. These extensions are ideal for travelers with additional time (approximately one day for each location).
