This is a comfortable weeklong Bangalore to Murudeshwar, Jog Falls, Udupi, Mangalore and Sakleshpur road trip from Bangalore.
Karnataka has some gorgeous beaches which are unexplored and unspoilt. The vast seafront of Karnataka is not only known for its sands, it is also known for its amazing cultural diversity as well. The region is well known for its temples, cuisine, and folk arts.
The coastline is hugged by mountains on one side with countless rivers draining their waters into the sea creating beautiful estuaries. You will be covering some finest waterfalls, beaches and valleys of coffee country in western ghats in this sojourn. We call this the “Karavali Koffee Kombo” roadtrip!
The best time to do this Bangalore to Murudeshwara, Jog Falls, Udupi, Mangalore and Sakleshpur road trip is winter months.
Weather Alert – This is summer and day times are hot and humid. Cover well and drink a lot of water and be well hydrated.
The Circuit
Bangalore – Jog falls – Murudeshwar – Udupi – Mangalore – Sakleshpur – Bangalore
Please make sure you have recharged/topped up your FASTag account before going on the road trip.
Day 1 – Bangalore – Jog falls
Distance – 380 KMs
Road Condition – Very Good
Leave early morning and drive along Bangalore – Chitradurga – Ranebennur – Hirekerur- Shiralakoppa – Soraba – Siddapur – Jog Falls.
Have breakfast in Kamat Upachar (Sira), Sai Palace (Between Sira and Hiriyur), Cafe Coffee Day (Sira), Upadhya Ruchi (Chitradurga bypass), Kapatharu ( after Tumkur), Adigas Pakashala (Sira Byepass). Our Choice is Adigas Paakashala and Upadhya Ruchi. All these places have restrooms.
If you can leave around 6 AM, you can reach Jog Falls around 2.30 PM for a late lunch. Check-in at Gundimane Home Stay or Jungle Lodges Sharavati Adventure Camp.
Relax for an hour. Drive to Jog Falls in the evening and enjoy the sights.
Jog falls….
Night stay at any of the three places of your choice.
Day 2 – Jog Falls – Murudeshwar via Honnavar
Distance – 90 KMs
Road condition – Very good.
If you love some hill driving, then you can drive through Kargal and Bhatkal to Murudeshwar. It is a newly built concrete road and has few hairpin curves. The road is narrow but is thrilling to drive on this! the scenery is spectacular!
Jog Falls – Kargal – Bhatkal – Murudeshwar
After breakfast, depart for Murudeshwar. Enjoy the drive through Sharavathi Valley. Look out for lovely Bangara Kusuma waterfalls ten KMs from Jog Falls and stop at Sharavathi Valley view point for a lovely view of the valley.
Reach by noon.
Sharavathi Valley view
Check-in and lunch done, relax for an hour before exploring Murudeshwar. Don’t miss going by the lift to the top of the Gopura or the temple tower – see picture below – by lift for an awesome view of the Arabian Sea.
The temple tower at Murudeshwar
Enjoy the beach and witness the fabulous sunset.
Night stay at Murudeshwar.
Day 3 – Murudeshwar – Gokarna – Honnavar – Murudeshwar
Distance – 160 KMs
Road Condition – Very Good
After early breakfast drive along the coast to Gokarna which is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. After the temple, visit the famed OM Beach.
OM Beach
On the way back stop for half an hour to visit lovely Mirjan Fort which is on the highway and reach Honavar for lunch, visit the Apsarakonda water falls and the lovely Kasarakkod beach. Return to Murudeshwar.
Night stay at Murudeshwar
Day 4 – Murudeshwar – Udupi Via Kollur
Distance – 156 KMs
Road Condition – Very Good
After breakfast hit the road and take a deviation at Uppunda for a visit to the famous Mookambika temple at Kollur. After the temple visit, drive back to the highway on the same road which will help you visit Maravanthe to enjoy the beautiful landscape with the Swarnamukhi river on one side and the sea on the other.
Mookambika temple
Maravanthe Beach
For lunch, stop over at famous Shetty’s lunch home at Kundapur for their mouthwatering Chicken Ghee Roast and Kane fish Fry. Check out a nice post on Shetty’s Lunch home here:- Shetty’s Seashore Sensation
Reach Udupi. Check in and relax.
In the evening visit Krishna Temple and savour the old-world charm of temple surroundings by walking around.
Night stay at Udupi
Day 5 – Udupi
After breakfast in Mitra Samaj or Diana drive to Malpe beach. Catch a boat and travel to St Mary’s Islands. Spend a few hours on these beautiful islands. Come back for late lunch. Relax.
St Mary’s Island
In the evening drive to beautiful Kaup beach to spend some serene moments watching the sun go down the Arabian Sea.
Night stay at Udupi
Day 6 – Udupi – Mangalore
Distance – 60 KMs
Road Condition – Very Good
After breakfast drive to Mangalore. On the way visit the famous Durga Parameshwari temple at Kateel. Reach the hotel in time for lunch. After a siesta visit Pilkula Nisargadhama – an eco-park.
Boat ride in Pilkula Nisargadhama
Spend time on the beach or visit the beautiful churches built by the British.
Rosario Church
Night stay at Mangalore.
Day 7 – Mangalore – Bekal – Nileshwar – Mangalore
Distance – 180 KMs
Road condition – Very Good
After early breakfast drive to Bekal and visit the 18th-century fort by the sea. After visiting the sea fort, drive to Nileshwar for a Malabar Mapilla lunch in Nalanda restaurant.
Bekal fort
Anantheshwara Temple
Lunch is done, go for a backwater cruise, watch the sunset on the beach and return back to Mangalore. Don’t miss the lovely Anantheshwara Temple in Kasaragod City. Check out this link for backwater cruises in Bekal/Nileshwar:- Back Water Cruises in Bekal/Nileshwar
Night stay in Mangalore
Day 8 – Mangalore – Sakleshpur via Kukke
Distance – 165 KMs
Road condition – Very Good
After breakfast, leave for Sakleshpur. On the way visit the famous Subramanyeshwara temple at Kukke. Reach Kadamane estate for lunch
Five acres in Kadamane estate!
After lunch, go for a short trek to the nearby waterfalls.
Night stay at Sakleshpur at Kadamane estate or any other homestay.
Day 9 – Explore Sakleshpur
Distance – 90 KMs
Road condition – Good with potholes
Get up to the chirping sounds of birds. Go for a morning walk to Five Acres. Get a WOW feeling standing on top of the hill in front of a lovely valley.
After breakfast, drive around Sakleshpur to see the beautiful landscape. Drive to Bisle ghat to see the awesome valley of Bisle. On the way back from Bisle Ghat don’t forget to visit Mallalli Falls. Enjoy the vistas of the lovely unexplored falls and return back for late lunch.
Mallalli falls
Post lunch, just relax with a book in hand!
Day 10 – Sakleshpur – Bangalore
Distance – 252 KMs
Road Condition – Very Good
After breakfast leave for Bangalore. On the way visit Manjarabad Fort and reach Bangalore by lunch.
Travel Tips
a) This road trip from Bangalore to Murudeshwar is a lovely drive to explore the sea coast and Malnad regions of Karnataka. Bangalore to Murudeshwara distance is 502 KMs.
b) There are many places to explore around Jog Falls. You can do that on the morning of Day 2 before lunch.
c) Stop by the viewpoint – a white watch tower – while driving from Jog Falls to Murdeshwar to see the vastness of Sharavathi Valley.
d) Be careful while playing in the sea. Respect safety instructions published on the beach.
e) At Gokarna, don’t be fooled by priests who will try to fleece. Enter the temple and have darshan and come out.
f) Apsarakonda Falls is a beautiful place where there is a waterfall next to the beach! Enjoy the place on the way from Gokarna to Murudeshwar.
g) Go to the famous Kollur Mookambika temple on the way from Murudeshwar to Udupi. Do come back on the same route which will help you see the beautiful Maravanthe.
h) Udupi is a small little town. Explore the surroundings of the temple by walking around. Mitra Samaj, the iconic Udupi restaurant is famous for its Masala Dosa and Goli Bajji. Don’t miss savouring fried idlis and ice creams in Diana restaurant.
You may add another day to this itinerary to explore around Udupi. On this day you may cover
- Leave after early Breakfast and visit the Lovely Varanga Jain temple in the middle of a lake, the newly built Parashurama theme park and Karkala which is famous for Gommateshwara. Have lunch at Karkala.
- Return to Udupi and then drive to Heroor Hanging Bridge and beautiful Kodi Bengere beach which is a small strip of land with sea on one side and river on the other. See this Google map Link – https://goo.gl/maps/VjbiHwfMNS8MpzvJ8
i) Do visit the Durga Parameshwari temple in Kateel. The temple is situated on a small island surrounded by water on either side.
J) Pilkula Nisargadhama is a nice place for kids. It has a musical fountain, zoo, toy train, boating etc.
h) Try and reach Bekal before 11 AM as the sun will be harsh after that. Marvel at the views of the sea from the ramparts of this impregnable fort built by Tipu Sultan.
i) Nileshwar is a hidden gem on the Malabar coast. The serene backwaters canals beckons you for a quiet cruise.
J) Enjoy the sprawling estate of Kadamane in Sakleshpur. Appreciate the way the British enjoyed their stay in India.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- How is the road from Bangalore to Murudeshwar? – Very good condition. The best route is via Davanagere – Ranebennur bypass – Hirekerur – Shiralakoppa – Soraba – Siddapur – Jogfalls – Honnavar – Murudeshwar
- How many hours journey from Bangalore to Murudeshwar? – The journey time will be around 10 hours including Breakfast and lunch breaks.
- Which route is best for Murudeshwar? – The best route is Bangalore – Davanagere – Ranebennur bypass – Hirekerur – Shiralakoppa – Soraba – Siddapur – Jogfalls – Honnavar – Murudeshwar
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