DestinationDrives
The Route
There are three ways to reach Gokarna from Bengaluru. Each of these routes can be an enjoyable scenic drive. The typical time estimate falls anywhere between 9-9.5 hours.
Road Map 1
Via NH48 – Bengaluru Chitradurga Route
Bengaluru – Tumakuru – Hiriyur – Chitradurga – Tilyalli – Sirsi – Gokarna
Road Map 2
Via NH48 and NH69 – Bengaluru Devpura Route
Bengaluru – Tumakuru – Hiriyur – Ajjampur – Shivamogga – Kumta – Gokarna
Road Map 3
Via NH69 – Bengaluru Shivamogga Route
Bengaluru – Kunigal – Arsikere – Kadur – Shivamogga – Hinnavar – Kumta – Gokarna
Things to Do
5 Beach Trek
Go beach hopping across the 5 most popular beaches in Gokarna. These tropical landscapes have clean water, gentle waves and amazing views! Lush green hills intercept the 5 beaches. Making this a particularly scenic trek.
Mahabaleshwar Temple
This historical temple is said to date back to the 4th century. It is considered the main temple of Gokarna and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is a great addition to your itinerary for a touch of history!
Yana Caves
A field day for your inner historian and adventurer! The Yana Caves are at a distance of 40 kilometres from Gokarna. The two ancient rock monoliths are accessible via a short 500-metre hike from the main road.
Holiday Your Way
You can have your pick when you visit this charming coastal village. Gokarna offers several accommodation options that range from wellness retreats to youth hostels to beach side villas.
Savour Authentic Southern Delights
Insanely delicious and incredibly healthy, traditional Kannada recipes vary hugely even from one district to the other within the state. But there is one place you can enjoy it all – Bengaluru – the cosmopolitan cauldron of the ultra modern and conventional, of bytes and bites, and of generations old foods that are still savoured every day in every home.
Mysore Masala Dosa
The Mysore Masala Dosa is to Bengaluru what choley bhature is to Delhi – Comfort food. Crisp and golden, with a hint of red chutney smeared inside and boiled potatoes and crunchy veggies enfolded within, the piece de resistance is the generous dollop of butter on top as it is expertly slid onto your plate to comfort your palette.
Bisi Bele Bath
Roughly translated, it means ‘hot lentil rice’. However, it is more than just that. It is a wholesome dish of cooked rice, cooked lentils and cooked vegetables that are transformed with the magic of bisi bele bath masala - every housewife and every cook has their secret one too, ranging from basic ingredients to over 30!
Filter Coffee, nee Kaapi
No outing is ever complete without a helping of hot authentic filter coffee or kaapi as it is traditionally known. Perfect as an accompaniment to breakfast or evening snacks, this frothy decoction packs a punch with its taste and aroma, guaranteed to wake you up…and smell the coffee, shall we say.
Mysore Pak
If Nirvana had an alternative, it would be a bite of this delicacy, with your feet up and your eyes closed as you experience the melt-in-your mouth sensation, while reaching out for seconds. How could anybody have imagined that the combination of Ghee, sugar syrup and besan would be so potently divine!
Mangalore Fish Curry
This is one fish curry that will make you forget other fish curries. Not fried, but simmered gently in a medley of tamarind, onions, coconut water and curry leaves, the fish is very much the star of the show throughout, assisted by fluffy appams, neer dosas or plain boiled rice.