Traditions & Art Forms of Karnataka

Heritage handlooms, majestic monuments, intricately designed handicrafts, and more

Local Traditions

of Karnataka

of Karnataka

Local Traditions

Karnataka’s cultural treasures include remnants of the ancient Vijayanagara and Hoysala dynasties, and native crafts like toy making, and sandalwood carving.

Stunning temples, like the intricately carved temples in Belur and Halebidu, and the stunning ruins of Hampi dot its Deccan landscapes. Exploring these temples gives travelers an insight into the region’s architectural brilliance and rich history. Additionally, travelers can explore and shop for  Karnataka's exquisite handicrafts, including Mysore silk, Bidriware, and Sandalwood carvings, which showcase the region's creativity, artistic traditions, and cultural depth.

Navigate the ancient ruins, stunning temples, and scenic landscapes of Hampi on an exclusive bicycle tour
A banana fiber handicraft workshop in Anegundi, Hampi
Handloom weaving workshops to learn about Mysore silk
Exploring the 5th-century town of Banavasi, with the Madhukeshwara Temple, its intricate carvings, and serene spiritual ambiance

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Karnataka

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Guest Experiences

"Served over 26000 travellers to India.."

We entrusted the organization of our trip in Tamil Nadu and Kerala to the agency of Travel XS. They perfectly respected our wishes, the rhythm, the hotels we wanted. In addition, the choice of our driver, who assisted us from the first to the last day was perfect. Very good driver, because the traffic is very particular and intense, very nice, very helpful. Two very different regions, Tamil Nadu more focused on temples, Hinduism and its history, a very smiling, welcoming, and very spontaneous population. Kerala is very green, with its various crops of rice, pineapple, rubber... Catholic fervour, its backwaters, its beaches, but a more restrained population accustomed to tourists. A magnificent trip, and beautiful encounters.

Christian Niquet

France

The local agency was able to translate our idea of ​​travel into activities that met our tastes well. Drivers and guides: punctual and available. The local agency was in constant contact with us via WhatsApp. The flexibility on the planned activities was also good. Excursion to Periyar, during the monsoons - it is better to do it with rubber boots. The idea of ​​not limiting yourself to the north (Rajasthan) and including the south (Kerala) is excellent, you go fast and take internal flights but it is worth it. Recommended houseboat in Kerala and tea plantations in Munnar, all the classics of the north including Amber Fort in Jaipur were good. Good idea of ​​dinner with a family in Jaipur.

Fabrizio marino

Italy

The organization of the agency was very well structured. The choice of hotels, the stops, our drivers of incredible kindness and caution. This trip was exotic, the guides very well selected. We loved Cochin, Madurai, Bandipur, Munnar, Marrari etc. If all the tours are organized in the same way, it makes us want to travel again via Travel XS.

Kakie Wenner

France

India has always been in my heart for many years, this is the third time I've been back, even if the last one dates back many years ago. This year I entrusted myself to the agency and I wasn't wrong, they packaged the tour well, with some modifications of my own to shorten the hours in the car. Excellent driver (shish pal), guides all in Italian and very competent, hotels - especially those outside Delhi (historical residences), dinner with a family from Rajasthan (really interesting), traditional dance in Udaipur and visit to the monuments.

Pasqualino Gerlando

Italy

Everything was well arranged in the short term by the local partner, handy app that could also be viewed offline, nice and fast communication. Enjoyed Kaziranga NP, Gibbon wildlife Sanctuary, Kabini Forest and Bandipur NP

Sandra Timmermans

Dutch

The theme of the trip was the flora and fauna of South India and it was in line with our expectations in this regard. It was a beautiful trip, very exotic, a beautiful first discovery of India, with beautiful landscapes especially in the Ghats, the tea plantations, the backwaters and Kochi and beautiful encounters with the Indians who are very welcoming. The Travel XS agency and in particular our correspondent Kalanithi were very professional, calling us several times to find out if everything was going well and very responsive to any requests. Our driver and the local guides we met were efficient and friendly.

Yves Marino

France

Our three-week trip with our five-year-old son took us first through the tropical south in Kerala and then along the 'Golden Triangle' in the north, including detours to several national parks. This enabled us to get to know two parts of the country that were very different in terms of culture and landscape and to experience at least some of India's diversity. We will always remember the impressions of the lives of the people and nature. Despite the intense experiences, we were able to relax thanks to the accommodations (oasis of peace) that were well-selected by the travel agent. The conversations with our two drivers and the people in the host families were enriching. We hardly came across any Western families. With a little travel experience, however, even small children are no obstacle to traveling to this exciting country.

Jürg Bickel

German

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