Tour Package to Udupi
A much understated small coastal town, also a district, carved out of Dakshina Kannada district is one of the most happening towns for adventure seekers, devotees, art & craft lovers, beach lovers, and everyone else who has a keen interest in heritage and history. A culturally rich district has something or the other to offer to each category of traveller and adventure seekers. Udupi also relates to the Udupi style of restaurants serving amazing south Indian fast food at affordable prices. They specialize in great cuisine originating from this laid-back coastal town in Karnataka.
Any tour package depends upon the traveller as to how much they want to immerse into the city’s offerings. However, anything between 3 to 5 days is good to explore Udupi in leisure. A quick 3 days itinerary that can be followed to cover most of the attractions of Udupi.
Day 1
A combination of heritage, pilgrimage, and a beach can be the best way to unwind and immerse in the history and culture of Udupi.
Hasta Shilpa Kala Heritage Museum
Hasta Shilpa Kala Heritage Museum
A heritage village consisting of ancient Guthu Mane, palaces, and ancestral homes from the Tulunadu region. These structures are restored in one place by Mr. Vijaynath Shenoy and are open for tourists, researchers, and students as a museum. The breathtaking abodes from the ancestral past are restored here to give you a glimpse of the history and the heritage of the state.
It takes about 2 hours to cover the heritage village.
Pro Tip: Wear comfortable slip-on footwear as there is a lot of walking and shoes are not allowed inside the houses.
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Shri Krishna Mutt/Matha
Shri Krishna Mutt/Matha
It is just 6 km away from the hasta Shilpa Kala Heritage museum towards the city center located the famous temple/ ashram dedicated to Lord Krishna. Tourists and pilgrims flock from all over the country to offer prayers. It is believed the idol of lord Krishna as a Bala Krishna (child Krishna) is the most beautiful idol. The procession of the chariots is gold and silver and the Kanakadasa Kidaki ( window) are the highlights of the temple.
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Malpe Beach
Malpe Beach
After the temple and heritage site visits proceed towards Malpe beach for a beachside walk. Just 7.5 km away from Sri Krishna Matha is Malpe Beach. The all-new walkway, beach gardens, beautiful artistic structures, food joints, play area for kids and much more can be expected at Malpe beach. The place is well maintained for tourists and locals with a calming and beautiful beach sidewalk. The highlight is the sunset sighting at the beach.
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Day 2
The beach town deserves a full day to soak up the essence of the beach town of Karnataka. The day can be started from St. Mary’s Island then proceed towards Delta Beach and end the day with majestic sunset at Kapu Beach or vice-versa.
St. Mary Island
St. Mary Island
It can be reached by boat available at Malpe beach for an array of adventure activities and the photogenic sea rocks formations. If you have enough time in hand half a day can be easily spent on the island. Take a boat from Malpe beach and reach St. Mary’s Island in less than half an hour. The water sports activities like banana rides, jet skiing, parasailing, and much more. The island has some of the best eating joints where one can relish coastal food, especially the Tulu-style fish fry. Even if you do not indulge in adventure activities, a walk on the rocks is soothing.
Kapu Beach
Kapu Lighthouse
It is just 25 km away from Malpe Beach is Kapu beach. A drive to Kapu takes about an hour excluding the time taken by ferry from the island to Malpe beach. Kapu beach is one of the most pristine and serene beaches in Udupi. Famous for the 27 feet tall lighthouse on the rocks built in 1901, Kapu beach has amazing sunsets.
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Day 3
A day can be dedicated to a trip to Kundapura. A combination of adventure, a beach, and a temple, this day can be spent meaningfully.
Kodi Beach
Kodi Beach
Kodi beach and Delta Point are one of the best places in Udupi to indulge in some serenity of backwaters, kayaking, pamper yourself in a houseboat, boat ride to mangrove forests, and get some lessons/demo on surfing and get inspired. Plan your tour to witness the glory of thousands of migratory seagulls in the middle of the backwaters or observe the movement of jelly fishes in the water.
Maravanthe Beach
Maravanthe Beach
One of the most beautiful beaches of Udupi. Experience a unique boat ride watching the glorious sunset from the River Saupernika. The highlight of Maravanthe beach is the unique drive at the national highway 66 that passes through the Arabian sea on one side and river Saupernika on the other. A calm and quaint beach is to spend time at the shore watching waves and the glorious sunset. Maravanthe beach is also famous for water sports.
Mookambika Temple
Mookambika Temple
One of the most pious temples in India is the Mookambika Temple in Kolluru, Udupi. The impactful story of Goddess Parvati alias Mookambika and Adi Shankarayacharya and the Swambhu Shivalinga will leave you spellbound. People especially from Kerala visit the Mookambika temple in thousands every day to pay homage to the goddess as Shakti peetha. Mookambika Temple is 36 km and an hour’s drive away from Maravanthe Beach and can be reached easily by road.
Art Forms
Yakshagana Artists
The culturally rich district is also famous for its art forms concerning music and dance. One cannot afford to miss the traditional music and dance performances named Yakshagana performed primarily by men. Even the female characters are performed brilliantly by men. The live music and dance performances with astonishing expressions by artists are something you can watch without blinking. Yakshagana is performed in Kannada or Tulu languages, however, it is not difficult to understand the concept and the stories performed because of the intense expressions by artists.
Other traditional performances include Huli Vesha, Kambala, Theyyam, Bhoota Kola Aaradhane, and Naga Mandala. These are essentially religious rituals performed during festivals. Kambala is one of the most thrilling and breathtaking events in the region. Ensure that you plan your visit during these festivals to grab a glimpse of these amazing and enthralling performances.
What to eat
Being a coastal town, seafood is one of the best cuisines available in Udupi. The roasted fish, prawns, and even other non-vegetarian dishes prepared with special coastal and traditional recipes are the highlight of Udupi. The Rava fry Pomfret is something one should try. However, this doesn’t make vegetarian dishes less popular. Golibajji and Mangaluru Buns are the vegetarian specialties of Udupi. The satvik food offered after the prayers at Srikrishna Temple as prasadam is something everyone must have it. Mangaluru Buns are deep-fried sweet and salty puris kind of a delicacy flavoured with bananas served hot with coconut chutney and bhaaji. A little different from the regular Dosa, Neer Dose served with chutney and veg/non-veg gravy is a mouth-watering dish served in the region.
How to reach
Udupi is well connected with major cities in India, especially with the western coast of India. Udupi has good connectivity with major towns in Karnataka like Bangalore and Mangalore and also is well connected to Mumbai, Goa, and Kochi.
By Air
The closest International and domestic airport to Udupi is Mangalore, about 59 km, and takes about an hour and a half to reach Udupi by road. One can take prepaid taxis from the airport itself. Mangalore International Airport is well most of the cities in India and a couple of Middle-eastern destinations as well.
By Rail
Udupi is a major railway station on the Konkan railway route and has good connectivity with cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Mangalore. There is also Rajdhani Express starting from New Delhi to Udupi. One can also enjoy the scenic train journey by Vistadome coaches from Bangalore to Mangalore.
By Road
A scenic and spectacular Ghat section route takes you to Udupi. A road journey from various parts of Karnataka, Mumbai, and Kerala leads to Udupi. The state-run KSRTC Volvo and other buses are a great choice to reach Udupi by road.
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