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Karnataka

A state in Southern India, Karnataka stretches from Belgaum in the north to Mangalore in the south. It has a coastal region with numerous coconut trees and beautiful beaches and an interior with mountains, valleys and farmlands. It has the largest population of tigers in the world.

Cities

 * (Bengaluru) — the state capital as well as the information technology capital of India

 * (Belagavi) — the commercial hub in North Karnataka and the second biggest overall export powerhouse in Karnataka after Bangalore

 * — the former capital of the Hoysalla dynasty; Hale Belur is the older capital

 * (Hubballi) — the fastest-growing city in Karnataka after Bangalore

 * (Gulbarga) — centre for northern division of the state, with the historical Gulbarga Fort

 * (Mangaluru) — the chief port city of Karnataka and second IT destination in Karnataka after Bangalore

 * — in Udupi (district). home to Manipal University and Syndicate Bank

 * (Mysuru) — erstwhile capital of the Kingdom of Mysore that ruled over much of present-day Karnataka, Mysore city is also known worldwide as the 'City of Palaces'

 * — the sericulture (silk) capital in Karnataka, also known as Silk City or Silk Town

Other destinations
Below is a selective list of sites of interest in Karnataka. It is far from exhaustive. For other sites, check regional articles.

Historical

 * — Badami was the capital of the Early Chalukyas, who ruled much of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh between the 6th and 8th centuries. It was founded in 540 A.D. by Pulakesi I (535-566 AD), an early ruler of the Chalukyas.
 * — the ruins of the fabulous Vijayanagar Empire. Considered to be one of the finest cities in its time circa 14th and 15th centuries. Hampi Utsav in the 1st week of November celebrates its history. The ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
 * The Hoysala structures of Shri Chennakeshava Temple at Somanathapura, Belur and Halebeedu are an added attraction in the southern part of the State.

Waterfalls

 * — the walk down to the base of the waterfall is nice, and you can take a coracle ride by paying ?50 per person. You can also swim at the base of the waterfall.
 * — A beautiful waterfall in Shimoga district, famous for the hydroelectricity project, a major tourist attraction. Raja, Rani, Roarer, Rocket are the 4 splits of the falls, collectively forming the Jog falls
 * Various waterfalls like the Abbey Falls, the Cauvery and Lakshmana tirtha dot this district, as its various tributaries flow down to the Plateau.
 * Bordering the Goa/Maharashtra State, this district has various gushing falls like Godachinamulki, Gokak Falls, Dudhsagar Falls formed by the various west-flowing rivers like Kali river and small tributaries like Mallaprabha which join the River Krishna
 * Bordering the Western Ghats, Sirsi and Yellapura have various waterfalls formed by the West Flowing rivers, like Unchalli Falls, Sathod Fallf

National parks
Wildlife in Karnataka is administered under such institutions as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and bird sanctuaries initiatives.

Karnataka has 5 declared national parks that abound in diverse flora and fauna, including:

 * — A tiger reserve next to the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.
 * — 890 km² area wildlife sanctuary in Chamarajanagar district.
 * — just 22 km from the heart of Bangalore. A zoological reserve with 104 km², a zoo, safari and butterfly enclosure. The Park is surrounded by the Bannerghatta tropical deciduous forest and an important elephant corridor on the Karnataka-Tamilnadu border
 * Deriving the name from the Biligiri Ranganna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the area borders the Sathyamangalam Forests of Tamilnadu and is a major elephant Habitat.
 * — 600 km² area in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikamaglur district.
 * — 643 km² area in Kodagu and Mysore District.
 * — Black Buck Sanctuary, near Madhugiri of Tumkur District, about 140 km from Bangalore

 * — Sloth Bear Sanctuary in Bellary District, near Tornagallu
 * Bhadra Tiger Reserve – Bhadra Tiger Reserve is spread over two revenue districts of Chicmagalur and Shivamogga. It covers catchment area of Bhadra river.
 * Bordering the Tumkur Ditrict, famous for the Narasimha Temple, this forest is home to the leopards, along with other wildlife and birds. No permission provided for staying in the forest, however sightings possible en route to the Temples depending on luck

Beaches
Coastal Karnataka is dotted along with beaches forming the complete Coastline.

 * Bordering the Goa state, this not so crowded beach sees a major inflow from Goa tourism
 * Though famous for the Pilgrim place and Athmalingam Temple, this place is dotted with Beaches far away from the Pilgrim site. Om Beach, Half-moon Beach are most common. Beach treks are a common affair
 * Famous for the Lord Shiva temple, in relation to the Gokarna Temple, the beach is one of the safest beaches for play
 * The beach on the national highway, bordered by the river on the other side of the road
 * Malpe Beach, about 7 km from Uudpi, is a famous attraction. St. Mary's Island (Tonsepar), 8 km from the coast, is accessible from ferry from this point. The beach has a walkway
 * A business town. Tannerubhavi, Panamburu, Surathkal, Ullal and Someshwar Beaches form the major attraction.

Understand
Karnataka is the 7th-largest state in India in area and 8th-largest by population. Karnataka is bordered by Maharashtra in the north, Goa in the north west, Tamil Nadu in the south east, Kerala in the south west, Andhra Pradesh in the east and Telangana in the north east.

History
In the 3rd century BCE, the region we now know as Karnataka came under the Maurya emperors of Magadha. Chandragupta, the founder, is said to have spent his retirement in Shravanabelagola as a Jain ascetic. Jainism, introduced by the Mauryas, survives and flourishes to this day in Karnataka, and has given it some of its finest and oldest attractions including the Gomateswara statues that stand tall in their majestic nakedness in multiple places in the state. The Mauryas were followed by the Satavahanas who ruled from Pratishtana in Maharashtra and Amaravathi in present day Andhra Pradesh. Their reign lasted over 400 years, ending in the 3rd century CE They in turn were followed by the Kadambas of Banavasi, and the Western Ganga dynasty that ruled the region that is now Mysore. They are considered the first Kannada rulers. During the time of the Kadambas, the first works in Kannada were written by Adikavi (or first poet) Pampa, who wrote that even torture by an elephant bullhook would not make him forget the beauty of his beloved Banavasi.

The Chalukyas, the Rashtrakutas and the Hoysalas were the other major dynasties who ruled major parts of Karnataka from the 7th to 12th centuries. They are responsible for many of the temples that survive to this day and are considered architectural marvels, These include Pattadakal, Belur and Halebeedu.

The Cholas seem to have had a hold on the Southern Part of Karnataka, with various Dravidian Architecture Temples adorning the regions of Bangalore and Kolar.

Hoysala Dynasty ruled over the Mysore region and have developed structures, majorly a star shaped design occupying their designs in various Temples. The Period around 9th to 11th century seem to have been in the hands of the hoysalas, especially the Mysore region.

The Vijayanagara Empire ruled over much of what's now Karnataka and the larger Deccan Plateau from the mid-13th to the mid-16th century. The ruins of Hampi provide a glimpse into the splendor of the Vijayanagara Empire.

The Kingdom of Mysore in the early 14th century was centered around their capital city of Mysore which was then a small town ruled by the Wodeyar Dyanasty. The kingdom remained small till the 16th Century.

The Bijapur Sultanate rose into prominence after defeating the Vijayanagara Empire in 1565. Bijapur was the capital of the Adilshah Dynasty which ruled the region. Bijapur is a historic place with lots of archaeological sites — most notably Gol Gumbaz, the largest dome in Asia.

After the defeat of the Bijapur Sultanate by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the mid 16th Century the Wodeyar Dynasty expanded the Mysore Kingdom by leasing land from Aurangzeb. This enabled the kingdom to remain prominent.

In 1857 the British took over what is now India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and this period of rule was known as the British Raj.

The Wodeyars continued their rule as an independent kingdom under the British Raj by paying tribute till India's independence in 1947. After India's independence the Kingdom of Mysore became an Indian state. The city of Mysore has so many surviving palaces that it is known today as the "City of Palaces".

The Wodeyars' immense contribution in various fields - education, arts, governance, industry and infrastructure - laid the foundation for the rise of Karnataka after India's independence.

Art
Mysore painting - Mysore is famous for the Mysore style of painting that is well known for its attention to detail. Some of the best examples of this style are inside the Mysore Palace.

Flora and fauna
Karnataka is known for its wealth of flora and fauna. Around 25% of India's elephants and 10% of its tigers are in Karnataka. Many regions in Karnataka are as yet unexplored, leading to new discoveries of flora and fauna. The Western Ghats teem with wildlife and are an acknowledged bio diversity hotspot.

Talk
Kannada is the official language and is spoken by virtually all of the state's inhabitants. Dialects of the language spoken in each of the regions differ from each other. Regional dialects in the state are influenced by the languages of neighbouring states, and sometimes a person from the southern region may find it difficult to understand the Kannada spoken in the northern region.

Like with the rest of South India, Hindi is not widely spoken nor understood, save for a few urban areas. People will respond more readily to English than Hindi.

In the districts along the borders of neighbouring states, people do speak multiple languages and many of them can speak the language of their neighbours across the border. In the Northern Karnataka region, many people can understand Hindi/Urdu in the districts of Bidar, Gulbarga and Yadgir and Telugu in Raichur and Bellary districts, while in the Belgaum and Bijapur districts bordering Maharastra in the Northwestern Karnataka region, people can speak Marathi.

By plane
Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore Rural is the 3rd-busiest airport in India, connecting with major state capitals and cities as well as 20 international destinations.

Mangalore International Airport serves primarily the Gulf region, and domestically, the four metro cities–Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai and the state capital of Bangalore.

Hubli Airport at Hubli–Dharwad serves the northern part of Karnataka with regular flights to Mumbai and Bangalore.

By train
Karnataka is served by South Western Railway and connected to all major railway stations across the country. Major junctions are Bangalore, Hubli, Mysore,  Mangalore (Served by Konkan Railway & Southern Railway), and Gulbarga.

Rajdhani - superfast fully air-conditioned trains connecting India's capital New Delhi with Bangalore via Raichur and Secunderabad. This is a long-distance train which takes just under 34 hours to cover the journey.

Shatabdi - superfast fully air-conditioned day trip trains which connects Mysore and Bangalore with Chennai

Jan Shatabdi- Superfast with AC and Non-AC Reserved Accommodation, fastest connection between Hubli and Bangalore

Bangalore is well connected to the metro cities of Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and major other Capital cities across the country.

Hubli falls on the junction of Bangalore Mumbai Line and Vijayawada Vasco railway  and is connected to Kolkata, Mumbai  Bangalore, New Delhi, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.

Mangalore falls at junction of Southern Railway and Konkan Railway and is well connected to major northern states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, as well as to Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Gulbarga falls on the Mumbai- Chennai & Hyderabad Main line and is connected to Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Tirupati and Chennai through long distant trains

By car
A number of national highways link Karnataka with the neighboring states of Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Pondicherry, Goa and Tamil Nadu.

By bus
Karnataka government-owned and -operated Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) connects Karnataka with the neighboring states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Goa and the Union Territory of Pondicherry. KSRTC provides trip planning, hotels and ticketing on KSRTC as well as smartphone apps for Android and IOS. KSRTC reservation counters are available at their bus terminals and their numerous dedicated travel agents located across the state. Discounts are provided for return journeys purchased online. KSRTC has dedicated bus terminals across Karnataka and in other states use dedicated sections of the government-run Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBT) that are run by respective state governments. Tickets of KSRTC buses can be booked online

Other state-owned bus operators from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, Andhra Pradesh also provide inter-state bus services into Karnataka with dedicated ticketing services on their websites.

The numerous private bus operators also provide inter-state bus services into Karnataka. The private bus operators operate from the ISBT located in the states. They feature their own stops as well as schedules. Ticket booking for the various private operators is available online as well as owned booking offices for most operators. Some larger private operators maintain individual websites for ticketing services. Travel agents across Karnataka provide bus tickets for the private bus operators.

By bus
KSRTC, mentioned in "Get in", also plies intrastate buses connecting most of Karnataka. NWKRTC and NEKRTC buses serve the northern part of Karnataka state and  to some places of  adjoing states.

Services available:
 * Nagara Sarige: City Bus Services in the major District Headquarters from Central bus stand to important places
 * Gramanthara Sarige: Rural services operated from the District Headquarters to the nearby Towns for daily passengers livelihood
 * Karnataka Sarige: Express Services with limited stops connecting Major Towns
 * Rajahamsa:Non-A/C Semi Sleeper Deluxe buses which are comfortable for short distances and cheapest for longer journeyconnecting important Towns Intra state as well as inter state. Similar Service operated by NEKRTC is named as Suhas
 * Airavat:Semi-sleeper Volvo a/c buses
 * Non-AC Sleeper: Operated between major Towns and long distant at a cheaper rate than the AC sleeper buses on Tata and Ashok Leyland Chassis
 * Ambari: AC Sleeper Bus operated on Corona Chassis
 * Club Class Airavat: Semi-sleeper Volvo multi-axle a/c buses with B9R & B11R chassis
 * FlyBus: Volvo multi-axle a/c buses direct connection from Mysore, Madikeri, Kundapura and Salem to Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore. Bus features in-bus Pantry as well as chemical toilets.

The Subsidiaries of KSRTC provide bus services in Karnataka as follows:

 * Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) - bus services within the city of Bangalore as well as some outlying areas.
 * North Western Karnataka (NWKRTC) - bus services in North Western  Karnataka and the adjoining states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
 * North Eastern Karnataka (NEKRTC) - bus services in North Eastern Karnataka, Maharashtra and Telangana

Numerous private bus operators like VRL, SRS, Ganesh and SUGAMA provide bus services for interstate areas, as well as to the neighboring states. Travel agents provide tickets as well as private package tours for various destinations across Karnataka. The

By car
All major cities in Karnataka are well connected by a mix of national and state highways. Tolled roads are applicable on the newer highways as well as certain areas within Bangalore such as Bangalore Elevated Tollway located on the outskirts of Bangalore on the way to Hosur.

By plane
Kempegowda International Airport serves most domestic routes in India.

Mangalore International Airport also serves domestic destinations.

Domestic-only airports in Karnataka with varying service levels include Hubli, Belgaum, Hampi, Vidhyanagar and Mysore. These airports also connect with the Kempegowda International Airport in the state capital of Bangalore.

By train
There are trains run by Indian Railways originating from major cities of Karnataka like Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubbali and connecting to different places in Karnataka.

See

Thanks to its long and varied history Karnataka has an interesting mix of religious sites, remnants of historical empires, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, national parks, bird sanctuaries, wildlife sanctuaries, palaces, forts, beaches, hill stations, caves and waterfalls.

Religious sites
Owing to the multi-religious influence in Karnataka through its history, there are a vast number of religious sites in Karnataka, some even dating from antiquity. Belur and Hale Belur are home to ancient Hindu temples. Kudalasangama is a pilgrimage center for people of the Lingayat faith and is at the confluence of the Krishna and the Malaprabha rivers. Murudeshwara has a beautiful Shiva statue situated on the tallest place on the Arabian Sea coast, with a colorful panorama. Shravanabelagola is a Jain Pilgrimage centre and home to the biggest monolithic (single stone) statue of Babhubali in Karnataka. The statue is visible from a distance of 30 km. Udupi Krishna matha and Kollur Mookambika Temple  are also very ancient Hindu temple in Karavali region.

One of the oldest mosques of Karnataka is in the Kalaburagi Fort, built in 1367 by the Bahmani King Muhammad Shah I. It is the biggest mosque in Karnataka, and when compared in plan and design, the mosque resembles the mosque at Cardova in Spain. The Jamiya mosque in Bijapur is another huge monument built by Adilshah in 16th century. It has a proportionate dome and its mihrab is gorgeously painted. The Malika Jahan mosque in black stone is another notable mosque in Bijapur. Bidar has the famous Solha-kamb mosque with 16 cylindrical pillars built in the year 1423. The Andu masjid of Bijapur, Mahal masjid of Afzalpur in Kalaburgi district and the Khali masjid of Åland in Bidar district built during Adilshahi period are some beautiful examples of Islamic architecture in Karnataka. The Mausoleum of Ahmed Shah Wali, at Ashtur near Bidar is a tall structure with paintings in it. This prince is venerated as a saint by both the Hindus and Muslims. Vijayapura has two princely Mausoleums, Ibrahim Rauza, a twin structure is standing on an arched platform. The Gol Gumbaz is another famous mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah.

Museums
The Government Museum built in the year 1880 in Bangalore has a collection of ancient arms, a sculpture gallery and a collection of old coins. There are exclusive painting collections of noted artists like K. Venkatappa and K.K. Hebbar. Jaganmohan Art Gallery housed in an old palace of Mysore has fine art works (including some by Raja Ravi Varma) in colours, metals, ivory and wood but a huge collection of musical instruments too of yore. The Mysore Palace has a large collection of art works from various countries, besides a gallery of armory.

At the district museum in Shimoga in an old palace, queer items of Keladi rulers are preserved. The Kalaburagi Museum has the items of Bahmanshahi times and huge collection of Buddhist sculptures (Decorative plaques) from Sannati. Museum in Chitradurga has many antiquities connected with the local chieftains, hero-stones, weapons and other items. There are Karnataka State Government Museums at Kittur, Hassan, Keladi, Raichur, Basavakalyana, Huvina Hadagali, Dharwad, Gadag and Srirangapatna.

Waterfalls
Waterfalls are one of the major tourist attractions in Karnataka, many of which are primarily located in Malenadu, Cauvery Basin and Karavali regions. Best time to visit these waterfalls would be during rainy season months of June, July, August or post-rainy seasons between September to October months. Jog falls near Sagara in Shimoga district is one of the highest waterfalls in India and Abbey Falls, Achakanya falls, Balmuri falls, Chunchanakatte falls, Gokak falls are some of the other well known falls among the many waterfalls of Karnataka.

 * Hebbe Falls, Kalhatti Falls, Kallathagiri Falls, Shanti Falls in Chikmagalur district.
 * Netgodu Falls, Hosagodu Falls, Muktihole Falls, Konala Falls, Vibhooti Falls, Devakar Falls, Vajragundi Falls in Uttara Kannada district.
 * Onake Abbi Falls, Hidlumane Falls, Dabbe Falls, Bheemeshwara Falls in Shivamogga district.
 * Hallihole Falls, Thombattu Falls, Kunchikal Falls, Kudlu or Koodlu Falls, Koosali or Kusalli Falls, Belkal theertha Falls in Udupi district.

Adventure sports
Dandeli is popular for trekking, river rafting and wildlife discovery

Botanical and rock gardens
The Brindavan Gardens offer ornamental gardens adjoining the Krishnarajasagara Dam (also known as KRS dam) located in Mandya District near the city of Mysore. In Bangalore Urban District, look for Cubbon Park and Lalbagh Botanical Garden. Tungabhadra dam near Hosapete has also beautiful garden.

Scuba diving
Pigeon Island (Netrani Island) lies about 12 nautical miles (22 km) off the coast of Murudeshwar in Karnataka. It is a 4-hour drive from Goa, or can be reached by Konkan Railway, with Murudeshwar and Bhatkal being the nearest stations. The Dreamz Diving is the only local dives centers here. Please check in advance with them as quite a few times due to Navy training the place is closed for scuba diving.

The visibility here is generally in the 15-20m range and the dive sites are 10-30 m. Marine life is spectacular, with huge schools of jacks, barracuda, triggerfish and fusiliers. Many times giant groupers, black tip sharks, kobias and giant tunas are spotted here, as are whales, whale sharks, orcas, dolphins, have been spotted by many divers at Netrani Island.

Netrani is considered to be the best dive location from main land India which is accessible within a day's trip to Murudeshwar.

There are plenty of companies in Bangalore who arrange for weekend scuba diving trips to Netrani.

Trekking
Trekking is the best way to discover the natural beauty of Karnataka. Trekking is the most popular adventure sport for the nature enthusiasts in Karnataka.

There are many places for trekkers starting from the southern parts of the Sahyadri hills to the Western Ghats of Kodagu. Most of the trekking places are found in Uttara Kannada (North Canara) district, Dakshina Kannada (South Canara) district, Shimoga district, Chikmagalur district and Kodagu district.

Kodagu and Chikmagalur districts cover unknown and very beautiful trekking places. These places are well known for beautiful mountain ranges, national parks, forests, wild animals and waterfalls.

The following are popular places for trekking in Karnataka.

 * Agumbe and Kodachadri, in Shimoga
 * Anthargange in Kolar
 * Kudremukh and Narasimha Parvatha, in Chikmagalur
 * Kumara Parvatha and Yedakumeri, Ettina Bhuja, Amedikallu, Ombattu gudde, in Dakshina Kannada
 * Siddara Betta in Tumkur
 * Tadiyandamol in Kodagu
 * Makalidurga, Kabbaladurga, Savandurga, Bhairavadurga, Nandidurga, Channarayanadurga, Huthridurga, Huliyurdurga, Devarayanadurga all near to Bangalore city.

Learn
Gokarna, Udupi and Shringeri are well-known centres for the study of Sanskrit and Hindu philosophy.

Eat
Karnataka is known for a wide variety of local fast foods which are available at outlets everywhere. Some are standalone outlets while others are well known names with branch locations. The outlets are self-service where you stand and eat, although some of the newer ones provide sit-down table service for a higher charge. The outlets are open throughout the day and popular during breakfast and lunch. Some outlets specialize, while others have more variety as indicated in their menus.Udupi cuisine (vegetarian) is known worldwide through Udupi hotels and restaurants.

These are a few specialty dishes you can feast on in Karnataka:

 * Bisibele Baath - As the name suggests, it is served hot. It's made of rice and lentils and a lot of spices.
 * Chutney - A favourite accompaniment eaten with dosa, idli, vada, chutney can be prepared from virtually anything including vegetables (tomato), fruit (mango), nuts (groundnuts) or chopped coconut. Chutney is prepared fresh every day for optimal taste and can be stored for few days.
 * Dharwad Peda - A sweet delicacy created in the city of Dharwad. Made from milk, thickened milk and sugar. Also available at Nandini branded milk booths of the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) a milk co-operative in Karnataka.
 * Dosa - A thin dough fried until crisp, usually served as One Serving. To eat, the pieces are broken off and dipped in the amazing chutney and sambar served in bowls accompanying the dish. Numerous varieties of dosa are found across Karnataka like 'masala dosa', 'set-dosa' (soft spongy fluffy dosa served as a pack of 3 or 4 with vegetable curry, kurma or sambar and tomato-onion chutney), 'benne-dosa (a dash of butter added to standard dosa preparation for distinctive flavor and aroma), rava-dosa (rava - sooji or semolina), etc. Neer or Bajjare dosa is a delicacy unique to coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.
 * Idli - Idli, also romanised "idly", is made by steaming batter, that is traditionally made from black lentils and rice into patties using a two to three inch diameter mold. Traditionally a breakfast dish since it is light yet wholesome. The shape and size of the "idli" moulds varies across Karnataka. Always accompanied by steaming hot sambar and fresh chutney that vary in preparation region wise. Variations include 'Tatte idli' (tatte - plate in Kannada), 'rava (sooji or semolina) idli' are a popular specialty in some outlets.
 * Jolada Roti - A thin tortilla made of jowar (aka jawar, similar to corn / millet / maize) baked on both sides for 2-3 minutes. Jowar is specially grown in the northern part of Karnataka which is the 2nd most arid region of India. Served with brinjal curry (various types of preparations) and chutney (peanuts and garlic variant). A staple diet in Northern Karnataka and the border areas with Maharashtra.
 * Kesari Bhath - Originally a dessert item, this is now popular as breakfast. Made with sooji (semolina), ghee (for taste), water and milk. Garnished with cashew nuts and dried fruits for added taste. In some parts of Karnataka it is known as Shira.
 * Mysore Pak - A sweet delicacy created in the Royal Kitchen of Mysore under the Wodeyars. Made with gram (chana) flour, ghee and sugar. Available across Karnataka.
 * Raagi and Akki Rotis - Similar to tortillas but made of raagi (English: coracan, finger millet) or rice flour and black cumin, asafoetida, fresh coriander, green chillies and finely chopped onions.
 * Raagi Mudde – A staple food in the interior since preparation is simple. Basically cook raagi flour in water and roll into thick-consistency balls. Raagi mudde is swallowed and not chewed after dipping it in ghee and sambar.
 * Upma - prepared as a thick porridge from soji (semolina) with cut vegetables and seasonings. Served hot and a popular breakfast item.
 * Uttapam - a dosa like dish with toppings cooked into the batter during frying. This is thick, unlike Dosas which are crisp.
 * Vada - A fried savory doughnut. This is consumed along with idli and known as idli-vada.Vada are very popular item at breakfast time since it is light yet wholesome. Vadas are available on Indian Railways and most transport hubs all day. Although deep fried in boiling oil, this is not oily when fried correctly. Served with steaming hot sambar and chutney.

Drink

 * Badam milk - crushed almond powder mixed with milk and is served hot or cold as preferred.
 * Filter coffee - unique varieties of preparation, famous across Karnataka. Without chicory.
 * Tea - grown in the various tea gardens in the mountainous Western Ghats in Karnataka and elsewhere in India provide great variations in taste.
 * Tender coconut - naturally sterile and available everywhere. The best thirst quencher during the hot Indian summer. An all natural health drink due to its high mineral content.

Sleep
Karnataka provides a wide variety of accommodation to suit the budget of every kind of traveller. The international chains like Hyatt are not limited to the state capital of Bangalore, but are also present at the smaller cities like Hampi as well with a similar experience as checking into London or Paris or for that matter New York City. The well known domestic hotel chains provide accommodation options at various price points with multiple hotels in some cities across the budget range. Home stays are a New and fast growing option for those who would like to experience the native life and are around places as divergent as Chikmagalur or even Nandi Hills.

The Karnataka-Govt owned Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) also runs in-house branded hotels which range from Budget to Luxury at many of the tourist destinations located around the state.

Budget
Budget hotels also called lodges are found near the transport hubs (railway stations and bus stands) as well as the central areas of most cities and towns. Meals are had at the nearby local fast food joint.

Mid-range
Medium range hotels comprise national and notable foreign chains with a range of options to suit the budget. Buffet breakfast is provided as part of the room charges or chargeable separately. In Bangalore for the Upper Medium Range hotels a continental breakfast (chicken variant is provided instead of pork - chicken sausage, chicken ham, chicken salami) and is provided alongside the typical South Indian breakfast of idli, vada, dosa, upma, etc. as well as the local specialty items termed Today's Special. Some properties provide only South Indian buffet breakfast. Most of the district headquarters like Mangaluru, Udupi, Dharwad, Belagavi, Davangere, Shivamogga, Ballari, Vijayapura, Kalburgi, and Bagalkote have medium priced hotels for stay and dining.

Splurge
The high-end 5-star and 5-star deluxe hotels are similar to what's offered across India's major cities with domestic as well as international chains and standalone properties. Multiple properties belonging to the same chain adhering to customer categories are found especially in Bangalore. Additionally in Bangalore breakfast includes continental breakfast, specific menu's typical of their target clientele (Japanese, South Korean, etc.) and the specialties of various Indian Breakfasts like idli, vada, dosa, upma, poha, parantha with Mosaru (curd) including Today's Special. One can try the local breakfasts to get a hang of the varied tastes of India.

Stay safe

 * People of Karnataka are friendly by nature and will help you in many ways. However, common crimes such as theft and purse-snatching do occur so be careful with your valuables.
 * When travelling late at night, a group offers better safety and protection.
 * Police assistance is available by dialing 100 from land line phones or mobiles.
 * Bangalore City Police provides Mobile Patrol Vans Hoysala and bike patrols Cheetah. These vehicles provide first response in emergency situations.
 * It is advisable not to venture into sea at certain beaches like Surathkal, Taneerubhavi, Panamburu, Malpe and Ullala.
 * Before trekking in reserved forests take permission from Karnataka forest department (Forest Range Officers). Also carry Water, Torch, Whistle, Food, Medicine and appropriate clothes before trekking. Medical emergency facilities within and in vicinity of  reserved forests and national parks are poor.
 * Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone-Idea & BSNL mobile phone signals are available at most places in the state.

Go next

 * Andhra Pradesh
 * Goa
 * Kerala
 * Lakshadweep Islands
 * Maharashtra
 * Tamil Nadu
 * Telangana

कर्नाटक

title: Karnataka


text:
Karon

Karon Beach (หาดกะรน) is on the west coast of Phuket, south of Patong and north of Kata.

Understand
Karon is the second largest of Phuket's tourist beaches at 3 km length. It is 8 km south of Patong on Rte 4233 and 20 km from Phuket town.

Few, if any, hotels have direct beach frontage. Most are across the road (which usually is not a busy one). The entire beach is public (as are all beaches in Thailand). Large resort complexes line the opposite side of the road from the shoreline, but the long, broad beach itself has no development. The sand is very white, and squeaks audibly when walked upon. The southern point has a fine coral reef stretching toward Kata and Bu Island. Also, there is a wide pedestrian / bicycle path on the beach side of the road running the length of the beach.

Most restaurants, bars, tour companies and other non-hotel businesses are at the north central end, near the traffic circle, or near the south end, on Bangla Rd (not that Bangla Rd!) connecting the back road with the beach road. Nightlife is pretty much confined to dining and a few beer bars.

The northern third of Karon Beach is essentially undeveloped and flanked by Nong Harn Lake which is the largest beach side park in Phuket offering a nice exercise/jogging/cycling path. North Karon also offers white beach and clear water with no crowds.

At the south end of Karon, a narrow road between Kata and Karon has a number of small businesses.

There is a regular daytime bus service to and from Phuket Town.

Get in
If coming from Phuket Airport, you can pick up a voucher from the airport transportation booth for a flat rate of 750 baht. The drive is just under an hour. Many hotels offer transport from airport to the hotel for around 1,000 baht.

You can also take metered (yellow) taxis at about 650 baht. Turn right as you exit the airport building (ignore the touts) and you'll see a stand at the end of the walkway. You tell your destination to the staff at the stand and they will give you a paper with the taxi driver number for you to keep in case you need to report a problem. Fares to other destinations in Phuket cost around 300 baht and up. The rate is what is displayed by the meter plus 100 baht airport fee. The meter will start with a 50 baht display. You may stumble upon a freelance taxi driver that will take you from the airport to Patong for the flat fee of 400 baht. If the driver is pleasant, you may wish to ask for his mobile number for the return trip later. The same driver can take you from Patong to Phuket Town for 350-400 baht.

For those who are price conscious, the transportation booth inside the airport also sells seats on a minibus for 200 baht. The minibus makes several stops along the way to drop off other passengers.

For those who want to save even more, take a near-hourly (till 20:45) airport bus to Phuket Town (85 baht, 1 hour). From there, go to the downtown market (around 1-2 km away, but motorbike taxis will offer you rip-off prices like 40 baht, bargain or wait for a public songthaew), then wait for a bus/songthaew to Karon Beach (40 baht).

Get around
Probably the cheapest and most convenient way to get around is to rent a motorbike for yourself which is suitable for one or two people. These can be rented at various shops around the island, with one located a few hundred metres to the east of the traffic circle on Patak Rd (east). Typical rates run 150 baht (manual) to 200 baht for an automatic. This would allow you to get around anywhere on the island for one flat rate for 24 hours. Be careful with this though, as driving up and down the winding mountain roads, as well as the unpredictable Phuket traffic, is not necessarily for the first-time driver. A wise strategy is to take public transport for a short period to orient yourself, then hire a motorbike.

You can easily get around by tuk-tuk or taxi, which are mostly needed to go to other parts of the beach or nearby towns. To get to Phuket Town taxis are available and cost around 400 baht. There are also public buses (songthaews) which leave from Karon to different places every hour for around 20 baht.

Karon-Patong will cost you 400 baht per tuk-tuk ride, though if you keep moving through the drivers you may eventually find one for 350 baht. (The local tuk-tuk Mafia seem to have stitched up the prices.) From Patong-Karon Beach should be cheaper as there are a lot more tuk-tuks vying for passengers.

See

Unlike the bigger, busier, and noisier Patong further north, Karon offers visitors a nice long quiet stretch of sand, with plenty of beach umbrellas available for rent. Facing west, it gives a beautiful view of the sunset.

Do

 * There are some nice snorkelling and diving sites located off Karon Beach. Always seek local information before diving and snorkelling in Phuket. There can be dangerous currents present at certain times of the year.

Buy
Bars, tailors, and clothing markets are plentiful in Karon, either in the main part of town or along the beach front. There are also a number of supermarkets, convenience stores, and pharmacies; there's not much you need to travel elsewhere for.

Stay safe
Beware of rip tides at the beach, especially during the summer rainy season — they killed 10 people in 2009 alone.

Go next
Transport back to Phuket Town is relatively easy, local buses (rather large contraptions with wooden benches in back) run between Phuket and Karon/Kata. The fare is 40 baht per person. From Phuket Town, connections to buses to Bangkok or other destinations on the Thai mainland are available, as are shuttles, taxis and/or minibuses to transport you from the city centre to Phuket Airport.

Alternately, you can go straight to the airport by taxi, which would be more expensive (unless travelling in a sizable group) running about 600 baht. Phone number for the Phuket International Airport Taxi is +66 86 4781234.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Karon


text:
Karonga

Karonga is a city in northern Malawi located on the coast of Lake Nyasa.

Understand
Karonga is the closest major town north of Tanzania on the coast of Lake Nyasa. Historically, Karonga was known as for its slave trading industry. Today, it is also noted for its prehistory, with a museum showing dinosaur fossils from the area. A discovery in 2009 of prehistoric human-made tools and a human tooth have put Karonga on the evolutionary map for being the potential "Cradle of Life," for humankind.

By plane

 * Swiftair Ceased trading 2012 Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Karonga.

By bus
There are AXA buses and Vans going to and from Mzuzu. the trip takes 4 hours. there are also buses going to the Tanzanian border.

Sleep
Karonga has many hotels.

 * Royal Fortune House. Owned by a local businessman, Sanday Zimba. It is next to the market and travellers may simply ask for "Zimba's hotel" and they will be directed. Rates are fair and the food is good.
 * Club Marina. A bit farther from town but on the water. Rates are a bit more expensive but the view is wonderful.

title: Karonga


text:
Northern Cape Karoo

Karoo is a district in the Northern Cape of South Africa. The Karoo - “Place of Thirst” - is a boundless and mysterious area covered by vast sheep and game farms, where broad plains roll away toward distant koppies and multilayered mountains that seem to touch the indigo sky.

It is formally known as the "Pixley ka Seme District Municipality", and named after Pixley ka Isaka Seme, one of the founders of the African National Congress.

Cities

 * — renowned for producing high-quality racehorses and many stud farms
 * — there are ancient Khoisan rock engravings on the nearby Volksrust and Brandfontein farms
 * — founded in 1991 as an Afrikaner-only village, some see it as a last outpost of Apartheid
 * — the ‘place of the lost she-goat’
 * — a holiday resort near the Rolfontein game reserve
 * — home of the Victoria West Regional Museum
 * — home of the Victoria West Regional Museum

Understand
One can stop almost anywhere in the Karoo and listen to the silence, breathe in the aged earth and the Karoo Bossies (which conjures up the taste of Karoo lamb!), and gaze at a startlingly clear horizon that seems drawn at the other end of the earth. The Karoo’s clear night sky is densely studded with countless stars and huge, bright planets; even other galaxies are visible with the naked eye, offering some of the best star-gazing in the world. Fossils of some of the earliest forms of one-celled life have been discovered in the Karoo, indicating that life has existed in this region for more than 3 billion years. The richness of predinosaur fossils in this region is world-renowned. To experience the magic of this area, you must venture off the N1 national road where you will discover eccentric little hamlets, sprawling farmsteads and historical towns populated by warm and welcoming people that love to share their stories and legends.

Tourism information offices

 * Blue Crane Route Tourism Office, +27 42 243 1448, bluecranetourism@gmail.com
 * Graaff-Reinet Tourism Office, +27 49 892-4248, info@graaffreinet.co.za.
 * Nieu Bethesda Tourism Bureau, +27 79 070-8988.

By plane
There are two airports located in close proximity to the Karoo. The closest is the Port Elizabeth airport which is 162 km from the Karoo. The East London airport is 256 km away. There are regular flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and other South African destinations to the airports in Port Elizabeth and East London.

By car
The Karoo is easily accessible by motorways from Cape Town (717 km), Durban (815 km), and Bloemfontein (453 km). You could also drive in from Johannesburg (1014 km) or Port Elizabeth (250 km). The road conditions are fairly good if you are coming from any of these cities.

By bus
All major South African coach companies offer regular schedules to and from destinations like Addo.

Do
The Karoo is an outstanding choice for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, swimming in natural pools, horseback riding, 4x4, quad-biking and fossils trails or walks For the nature lovers there are 235 bird species to identify and a wealth of plant life to discover. Other adventures include fly-fishing, golf, malaria free safari and hunting operations. Annual events include the Castle Lager Biltong Festival, the Spring Rose & Flower show, and the Bruintjieshoogte Cycle Tour & Bruintjieshoogte - ADD Marathon race between Pearston & Somerset East.

Game viewing
The Camdeboo National Park has 24 km of gravel road that offer tourists a chance to sight Buffalo, Red Hartebeest, Eland, Gemsbok, Springbok, Blesbok, Ostrich and Black Wildebeest. The park supports a diverse spectrum of wildlife including 43 mammal species, of which 13 are carnivores. Also located in the Karoo area is the Kamala Game Reserve, a Big 5 reserve that is situated at the confluence of the high Bruinjieshoogte and Boschberg mountain ranges.

Eat
Karoo lamb is widely known in the whole of South Africa, and is a must if you visit Karoo.

Drink
Drink a lot of water during the hot summer month from November to March. Make sure you have enough water on board when travelling around.

Buy
Nieu Bethesda does not having filling stations, and the shops and restaurants accept cash only. Colesberg and De aar are one of the most popular and biggest cities in the Karoo. Hanover and birtstown the two smallest towns in the Karoo they lie on the N1 and N2.

Connect
Local telephone directory: 1023

International telephone directory: 10903

Ambulance: Tel: 10177 or +27 49 891-0356

Police: Tel: 10111

Fire Station: Tel: +27 49 892-2121 or +27 82 853-7036

Go next

 * Addo
 * Baviaans
 * Grahamstown
 * Jeffreys Bay
 * St Francis
 * Sunshine Coast
 * Tsitsikamma

title: Northern Cape Karoo


text:
Karoo Heartland

Karoo Heartland is in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

Cities

 * — an architectural conservation area with many examples of Victorian architecture
 * — Many believe Cookhouse was named after a small stone kitchen erected by garrison troops during the frontier wars. Today best known as a railway junction
 * — home of the annual Fish River Canoe Marathon, a two-day, 80-km event
 * — renowned for its architectural heritage and has more national monuments than any other town in South Africa
 * — site of a large basilican-style Dutch Reformed Church
 * — this little burg is in the middle of it all
 * — a remote artistic community known for the "Owl House"
 * — produces some of the finest roses in the country, and is home to the Walter Battiss Art Gallery
 * — Tarkastad mountain is nearby
 * — this little burg is in the middle of it all
 * — a remote artistic community known for the "Owl House"
 * — produces some of the finest roses in the country, and is home to the Walter Battiss Art Gallery
 * — Tarkastad mountain is nearby
 * — Tarkastad mountain is nearby
 * — Tarkastad mountain is nearby
 * — Tarkastad mountain is nearby

Other destinations

 * — a 194-km² park in the foothills of the Sneeuberge (Snow Mountains), known for the spectacular Valley of Desolation
 * — home to the very rare and endangered mountain zebra

title: Karoo Heartland


text:
Karoo National Park

The Karoo National Park is just west of Beaufort West in South Africa. This semi-desert area covers an area of 750 km² (290 sq mi). It is a sanctuary for herds of springbok, Oryx, zebra, buffalo, hartebeest, rhinoceros, eland, kudu, klipspringer, bat-eared foxes, black-backed jackal, ostriches, and lions. It also has the greatest number of tortoise species of any park in the world - five in total.

Flora and fauna

 * While birding on the plains route, larks and chats are prominent. Karoo Korhaan, Ludwig’s Bustard and Namaqua Sandgrouse should also be looked for. The park’s best birding occurs in and around the campsite. Acacia Pied Barbet, Red-eyed Bulbul, Karoo Scrub Robin, Cape Robin-chat, Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler, Layard’s Tit-babbler, Yellow-bellied Eremomola, Pale-winged Starling, Southern (Lesser) Double-collared and Dusky Sunbird and Redheaded Finch are all ever present. Karoo Eremomela, Namaqua Warbler (Prinia) and Pririt Batis are regional specials to be looked out for. Raptors to look out for include Booted Eagle, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Rock Kestrel and large numbers of Lesser Kestrel in summer. The park also has a high concentration of Verreaux’s (Black) Eagle.
 * Because of the sparse vegetation, game viewing in Karoo National Park is very easy. Best viewing is achieved on the 13 km “Lammertjiesleegte” Route on the plains. Large herbivores such as Red Hartebeest, Eland, the two zebra species, kudu and springbok are all regularly seen. Klipspringer are regularly seen on the pass of the same name. Other species are less obvious due to smaller size, nocturnal habits or restriction to the wilderness areas of the park.
 * Karoo National Park has a very rich reptilian fauna. Of particular significance are the 5 species of tortoise. However there is also a terrapin, an agama, 2 chameleons, a monitor, 18 snakes and several geckos, skinks and lizards.
 * The vegetation in the Karoo National Park falls within the Karoo-Namib bio-geographical region, with areas of the park falling into the Nama Karoo Biome. The vegetation physiognomy consists of Montane Karoo grassy shrublands, Karoo grassy dwarf shrublands, Karoo succulent dwarf shrublands, and riparian thicket. Steep elevation and precipitation gradients have a direct impact on gradients in vegetation. High elevation (1800m) and relatively high rainfall (406mm) montane grasslands occupy communities dominated by grasses. The increasing aridity away from the escarpment edge is steep, and Motane Karoo dwarf shrublands replace these mesic communities. At lower elevation (800m) the precipitation is very low (175mm) and uncertain. The substrata influence the vegetation, with the sandy substrata of the drainage lines supporting more woody taxa and grasses. Moving away from the mesic environment of the riparian zone, rapid desiccation occurs and more xeric communities are encountered.

Get in
Take the N1 highway from Cape Town and drive for about 400 km, until you reach Beaufort West.

Fees
Valid to 31 October 2017:
 * South African citizens and residents (with ID): R44 per adult, R22 per child, per day
 * SADC nationals (with passport): R88 per adult, R44 per child, per day
 * Foreign visitors: R176 per adult, R88 per child, per day

Get around
The park can be viewed by visitors on their own or with a guide.

The main roads are tarred. Some of the passes are not for the faint-hearted. There are nice 4x4 routes.

There are two main game viewing drives that do not require a four-wheel drive vehicle: the one to the east remains on the “Lammertjiesleegte” plains of the Lower Karoo; the other is the 49-km-long circular route to the west which ascends the Klipspringer Pass on to the plateau (Upper Karoo), and eventually returns to the plains at the "Doornhoek" picnic site at the western extremity of the loop. From there it follows a south-easterly course across the plains to the beginning of the Klipspringer Pass, near the camp site and chalets. At the top of the Klipspringer Pass the Rooivalle View Point presents a magnificent panorama of the Lower Karoo. The middle portion of the park, to the west of the Klipspringer Pass circular route, is easily accessible in 4x4 vehicles, and covers an extensive area, with rewarding game viewing opportunities.

See

 * A large collection of fossils, dating back many millions of years
 * Interpretive Centre

Do

 * A bird hide

Buy

 * Shop where curios and basic commodities may be purchased between 07:30-20:00.

Eat
Doornhoek picnic site in the game viewing area.
 * Fully licensed a la carte restaurant which is open for breakfast and dinner from 07:00-10:00 and 18:00-21:00.
 * Picnic, braai and ablution facilities for day visitors at Bulkraal picnic site.

Lodging

 * Lodging
 * Washing machine and tumble dryer in the camping site.

Camping
The park has a camp site for caravans and tents, chalets, and picnic sites.

title: Karoo National Park


text:
Karpacz

Karpacz (German: Krummhübel) is a resort town in southwestern Poland in Lower Silesia in the Giant Mountains. In summer the town is a popular destination, mainly for hikers wishing to explore the Karkonosze National Park. Nestled in the foothills of the Giant Mountains directly below the range's highest peak, this Polish town is by far the most established resort in the Polish Karkonosze. Originally, a German resort town (until 1945), Karpacz catered to tourists as far as Berlin, and included visits from the Prussian royalty. Today Karpacz retains some of its German character with its impressive architecture of Silesian wood decorated buildings including its two fine churches. It serves as ski resort in the winter season and is a launching point for hiking and biking excursions in the summer months.

By train
There is no train service to Karpacz.

By bus
Hourly bus service runs from Jelenia Gora (5zł to 6.40zł, one hour). In July and August there are daily buses to Szklarska Poręba (6.40zł, 50 minutes) at 9:15 and 18:15.

Do

 * Climb Śnieżka, located in the Karkonosze National Park. It's also named Sněžka in Czech, is the highest summit in the Czech Republic, and the border crosses the mountain (it's accessible from both countries). See the Giant Mountains National Park article for information about the Czech side of the region.

title: Karpacz


text:
Karpathos

Karpathos (Greek: Κάρπαθος) is an island in the Dodecanese. It is situated between the islands of Rhodes and Crete.

North Karpathos

 * (Αυλώνα)
 * (Όλυμπος)
 * Diafani

Central Karpathos

 * Lefkos
 * Mesochori
 * Spoa

South Karpathos

 * (Πηγάδια) – also known as Karpathos is the main town and port, in the east coast.
 * (Απέρι) – in the mainland, isolated village.
 * (Αρκάσα) – on the western coast, lies on the site of an ancient city.
 * (Μενετες)

Other destinations

 * (Σaρία)
 * (Kασος)

Talk
Greek is the native language of the people of Karpathos. However, most people also speak passable English and many speak German or other European languages.

By boat
Karpathos is accessible via ferry from Athens (Piraeus), Kasos, Crete, and Rhodes.

By plane
Karpathos airport connects the island with Athens, Rhodes and Crete and many other European cities.

By bus
Public buses operate throughout the islands.

By taxi
There are taxis available until 2AM, then only one or two.

By car
You can rent a car or a motor scooter. Asphalt roads run across the west coast of the island. Roads in the interior turn out to be little more than dirt paths.

By motorcycle
Motorbikes and mopeds are popular alternatives to cars. Especially mopeds are frequently used by local youths and can go to many places that cars cannot go - for example the twisted narrow streets of Karpathos City. An additional advantage is that they are cheap to rent - €10-15 a day is the usual price.

If you start a day-trip with a moped, make you sure you do so on a full tank, as gas stations are sometimes hard to find. An extra stop at a gas station can save a lot of nerves. When renting a moped, check if the profile of the tyres is ok and if the brakes work properly. If it is the last vehicle in store, be suspicious - it could be the one that needs a repair badly. Though helmets are not required on the streets, it might be a good idea to ask your rent-a-bike for one, especially if you intend to drive on streets with more traffic.

Be careful when driving to places like Olympos, it can be very windy in open spaces/roads.

See

 * The villages: Avlona, Menetes, Olymbos, Aperi and Pyles. The islands: Saria and Kasos.
 * 15 August: 3 days celebration in Menetes.
 * Karpathian weddings.
 * Karpathian Easter in Menetes village.

Do

 * Sunbathing
 * Swimming
 * Scuba diving
 * Windsurfing. Karpathos is one of the best destinations for windsurfers in Greece. Beginners can take lessons in Chicken Bay, other spots will satisfy more advanced riders.

Beaches
There is a good variety of beaches on Karpathos. The south-west side of the island has sandy beaches with calm waters. The wind mostly comes in from the west and also the sea tends to be somewhat rougher to the west. restaurants and it is reachable by car.
 * Amopi 5 km from the town is the most popular and friendly place for all in karpathos island have 5 beaches where you can find everything from the party beach, the family beach, the quiet beach next to you. There are taveras, markets, bus every hour or so, and taxi station. The prices for one umbrella and 2 chairs is €6 per day, the prices in tavernas are logical, all the beaches are free for all, and the beaches are Mikri (small) and Megal (large). Votsalakia beach in front of votsalakia beach hotel, Kastelia in front of Aegean village hotel, Maounas in front of Kastelia bay hotel.
 * Afiartis , 15 km from the town is a very good place for wind surfing.
 * Achata beach 15 km from town, further to the North, is a pebble beach ith deep waters.
 * Kyra Panaya beach 12 km from town, named after Madonna, is situated between rocks capes. To swim in its deep waters demands caution.
 * Apella 20 km from town.
 * Agios Mynas beach 20 km from town in the north of Karpathos, although isolated, has become more and more popular, however the prices of restaurants and chartering of deckchair and beach umbrellas have risen a lot.
 * Arkasa a well-organized beach in Arkasa southwest of Pigadia. It is one of the best beaches of the island with sandy beach with nice white sand and shallow sea while it is very popular because of big wave. There are sunbeds, umbrellas, and showers.
 * Lefkos it's on the east coast 25 km from the town.

Buy

 * Jewelry stores are common in the island.
 * Colorful sea shells are a popular souvenir item.
 * Many brand name products for sale in the tourist shops. In Karpathos tax is only 6%.
 * Locally made olive oil, sweets, honey, handmade boots, etc.

Eat
You can eat local food like makarounes and other plates in many tavernas and restaurants, but it is not all original recipes. Fresh fish at Sokaki Ambrosia restaurant is a must try

Drink
The tap water is drinkable and restaurants will serve glasses of ice water upon request. Local drinks include Mythos (beer) and Ouzo. The prices for alcohol are low.

Stay safe
Karpathos is a generally safe destination.

title: Karpathos


text:
Karratha

Karratha is a city in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, with a population of 17,013 in 2021. It's entirely modern, built from 1968 to house mining and port workers - Dampier is the port. The main reason for other visitors to linger, apart from urgent car repairs on the hot dusty road to Broome, is to view the petroglyphs in Murujuga National Park.

Understand
This area was traditionally the home of the Yapurarra. The coast was explored by Europeans from the 17th century, one of them being William Dampier (1651-1715) who gives his name to an island and small port. Settlement for livestock farming got underway in the 19th century and led to conflict with the Aboriginals. When two police officers and a pearling worker were murdered in 1868, reprisals led to the Flying Foam Massacre - casualties are debated but it effectively wiped out the Yapurarra.

Livestock was exported via Dampier and other small ports, and not much else happened until the 1960s, when vast reserves of iron ore and other minerals were discovered inland across Pilbara. A series of mining towns sprang up, railways were built to the coast, and the ports grew into modern industrial zones. Karratha was built as a new town from 1968, and rail and road causeways linked it to Dampier, no longer on an island but on what's now called the Burrup Peninsula. Iron ore is still big business and then in the 1980s the North West Shelf oil and gas field was discovered.

This has sucked in a huge workforce who are mostly FIFO, "Fly in, fly out." They work a "swing" of say two weeks solid then are flown home for a week off. Their families don't relocate here, no company could pay them enough, so they stay in camp - trailer parks or simple motel-type accommodation. They're decent hard-working folk but have no long term commitment to the town.

is the Visitor Centre, on De Witt Rd 500 m south of the shopping centre. It's open Tu-Sa 10AM-2PM.

Get in
Karratha has several flights a day from Perth by Qantas and Virgin. They take two hours non-stop and you might pay $600 return. Alliance don't fly here.

Local flights by Aviair are from Newman, Paraburdoo, Port Hedland and Broome.

is 14 km northwest of Karratha and 5 km southeast of Dampier. The terminal is small but modern, with car rental from all the major companies.

Integrity Coaches run 3 nights a week from Perth, taking 25 hours along the coast via Dongara, Geraldton, Carnarvon and Exmouth. The bus stop is on Welcome Rd outside the shopping centre, and the adult fare in 2022 is $600 return. These buses continue east to Port Hedland and Broome.

By road from Perth follow the North West Coastal Highway. This continues east to Port Hedland, where it meets the Great Northern Highway via Mount Magnet and Newman, and continues to Broome.

Get around
PTA Bus 881 runs 2-3 times a day east from Dampier to Karratha (45 min), Roebourne, Wickham and Point Samson; the 880 is the westbound service.

on Welcome Road is the stop for these and intercity buses, and the closest thing to a downtown hub in this strung-out settlement.

Taxis wait outside the Shopping Centre. Operators are Karratha Taxis (+61 131330), Karratha Silver Taxi (+61 135060) and Premier Taxi (+61 439 747 800). You need your own wheels to explore the National Park. Rent a car at the airport: 2WD gets you most places, including Deep Gorge, but you need high-clearance 4WD for the top of Burrup peninsula.

See

 * is the fellow that greets you at the entrance to Dampier. He was a cattle dog (1971-79) that ranged independently across Pilbara, loping along or hitching rides, with several owners but adopted by the community at large as a true Australian free spirit. Then someone poisoned him, and his status as a "sight" says it all about Dampier's other attractions. The residential area is nondescript, while north is the ugly dusty port. Turn back 1.5 km for the start of Burrup Rd, the route north up the peninsula.
 * or Deep Gorge has a remarkable collection of Ngarda-Ngarli Aboriginal rock engravings and other artefacts - some over 47,000 years old. You explore it along a 700-metre boardwalk, accessible free 24 hours but with the best viewing in afternoon light. The gorge is within the detached southern part of Murujuga National Park.
 * Hearson's Cove is a scenic beach 1 km east of the Ngajarli turn-off, suitable for swimming at high tide. It has public toilets, which Ngajarli doesn't. It's not within the Park: barbecues are permitted but not camping.
 * Staircase to the moon is a natural effect seen on the Pilbara coast March-Oct on the full moon spring tides. Water caught between the ripples on the mudflats exposed at low tide creates the image of a golden staircase towards the rising moon. You need a southeast-facing view, and Hearson's Cove is about the best spot. Viewing times are published locally, eg by the Visitor Centre.
 * explains the huge natural gas facility west side of the peninsula. Hours vary, but usually Wednesdays 9AM to noon.
 * Mount Wongama is a lookout reached by a turnoff from Burrup Rd. Look north, you don't want to look at the industry west. This turn-off is far as you should venture with 2WD. The road continues by Withnell Bay and becomes rough: you need high-clearance 4WD to reach Conzinc Bay, and Aremvee Beach where camping is permitted. North coast of the peninsula, a narrow channel separates Dolphin Island.
 * northern section occupies the north of the peninsula.
 * is a group of 42 islets west and north of Dampier. They have many fine beaches and boat trips visit for marine life, diving, snorkelling and fishing. Camping is permitted.
 * east on the main highway was a gold-rush town in the 1880s then lapsed into slumber. It has several historic buildings of that era, including the old gaol which now houses the Visitor Centre.
 * is a small village north of Roebourne with basic accommodation. This is another beach for seeing the "staircase to the moon" as it has a view southeast, while northeast is the disused lighthouse on Jarman Island. Cossack has a museum, and near the turn-off is a memorial to Red Dog, buried in the boonies hereabouts.
 * is the resort village at the end of the sideroad.
 * are a group of 174 islets some 200 km west of Dampier, so they're beyond a day trip. Boat tours sometimes visit. They're a wildlife reserve from which cats and rats have been removed, and indigenous species re-introduced. Vodka Beach on Trimouille Island is the preferred camping spot, but don't dig too deep to build your sandcastle. In the 1950s Britain tested atomic bombs here, and there is residual contamination. For Barrow Island to the southwest see Onslow.

Do

 * Beaches near town are east along Searipple Rd. At its foot a staircase leads down to the beach. Continue 3 km east on Mystery Rd to reach Back Beach, which has a boat ramp.
 * Yaburara Heritage Trail is a 3.5 km walk between Tank Hill Lookout by the Visitor Centre and the Leisureplex.
 * Red Earth Arts Precinct is on Welcome Rd opposite the shopping centre. Its auditorium can be configured for theatre, live music or cinema. Box Office is +61 8 9186 8600.
 * Golf: Karratha Country Club is north side of town off Searipple Rd. Blue tees are 5891 yards, par 72.
 * Karratha Leisureplex is off Dampier Hwy 1 km east of town centre. It has a gym / fitness centre and pool; a one-day drop in without membership is $20.
 * Diving: Pilbara Dive and Tours are based in Karratha 1 km west of the shopping centre. They offer training, and shore- and boat-based diving around the Dampier islands.
 * Nickol Bay Speedway is 5 km from Dampier, facing the airport across the lagoons. Race meetings are April-Sept.
 * Horse-racing: Roebourne Races has meetings in June and July.

Buy

 * Karratha City Shopping Centre has Woolworths (open daily 7AM-9PM) and ATMs.
 * Dampier has an IGA on High St, open M-Sa 8AM-8PM. The food and liquor store next to it keeps the same hours.

Eat

 * Point Samson and Cossack don't have free-standing restaurants, but Wickham on the access highway has Rambla bar and bistro.
 * Point Samson and Cossack don't have free-standing restaurants, but Wickham on the access highway has Rambla bar and bistro.
 * Point Samson and Cossack don't have free-standing restaurants, but Wickham on the access highway has Rambla bar and bistro.
 * Point Samson and Cossack don't have free-standing restaurants, but Wickham on the access highway has Rambla bar and bistro.

Drink

 * Karratha has a handful near the shopping centre. choose from Florita Wine Bar, Blanche Bar, Sweet but Pyscho, Evolution or others.

Sleep

 * Searipple Village at the foot of Searipple Rd is a miners' camp but may be able to accommodate passing visitors.
 * Mermaid Hotel in Dampier got poor reviews in 2021 / 22.
 * Point Samson accommodation includes Point Samson Resort, Cove Holiday Village, Delilah's B&B and Samson Beach Chalets, all clustered around the park.
 * Searipple Village at the foot of Searipple Rd is a miners' camp but may be able to accommodate passing visitors.
 * Mermaid Hotel in Dampier got poor reviews in 2021 / 22.
 * Point Samson accommodation includes Point Samson Resort, Cove Holiday Village, Delilah's B&B and Samson Beach Chalets, all clustered around the park.
 * Mermaid Hotel in Dampier got poor reviews in 2021 / 22.
 * Point Samson accommodation includes Point Samson Resort, Cove Holiday Village, Delilah's B&B and Samson Beach Chalets, all clustered around the park.
 * Mermaid Hotel in Dampier got poor reviews in 2021 / 22.
 * Point Samson accommodation includes Point Samson Resort, Cove Holiday Village, Delilah's B&B and Samson Beach Chalets, all clustered around the park.

Connect
As of Feb 2022, Karratha and Dampier have a patchy 4G signal from Telstra. This extends east to Port Hedland, but there's nothing west or south, and no signal from other carriers. 5G has not reached the Pilbara.

Go next

 * West, Exmouth and Coral Bay have great diving and snorkelling on the world heritage listed Ningaloo Reef.
 * East, Port Hedland is a dusty port shipping iron ore, but turtles nest on its beaches.

title: Karratha


text:
Kars

Kars is a city in Eastern Anatolia. It is most frequently visited as a jumping off point for travelers going to Ani, but it is a viable destination in its own right for its 19th-century Russian imperial buildings, and, of course, its role as the setting for Orhan Pamuk's famous novel Snow.

Understand
A small village on the Rideau River in Ottawa, Canada is named "Kars" in honour of General Sir William Fenwick Williams's defence of the town of Kars, Anatolia during the Crimean War.

Climate
Kars is one of the highest cities in Turkey, at an altitude of about 2000 metres above sea level. This, coupled with its lack of maritime influence, causes the city to experience a hemiboreal climate, with short, mild to warm summers and long, frigid and snowy winters. It also features a storm season from April to June, which tends to be much more severe than other places in Turkey. Kars is one of the only cities in Turkey that is both far from the Black Sea and gets year-round, frequent precipitation.

Summers are short, and fairly warm during the daytime, and therefore the best time to visit the city. Despite this, nights are chilly, sometimes even cold, and nighttime temperatures can fall below 0°C even during summer. Rain is frequent but brief during this time of year, falling for around 15 days a month, even if it's usually a brief shower.

Winters are frigid with average night-time temperatures below -15°C (5°F), which means the average night-time temperature is colder than the coldest recorded temperatures of most temperate climates. Furthermore, temperatures vary a lot throughout winter making night-time temperatures below -25°C quite a common occurrence. Contrary to most Turkish climates, winter is the driest time in Kars, with occasional and fairly light snows distributed throughout the season. Nevertheless, the constant low temperatures allow Kars to accumulate massive amounts of snow, making travel in winter a rather tough task.

Spring and fall are short, chilly seasons, as March and November are basically extensions of winter. During spring, especially from May to mid-June, Kars enters its storm season, when afternoon showers and thunderstorms can erupt every day, with an average of 20-25 days of showers during May. This, coupled with its high altitude, makes Kars a very hail-prone city.

Read
Kars is the setting of Orhan Pamuk's novel Snow (ISBN 0-375-70686-0).

By plane

Anadolujet flies regularly between Ankara and Kars.

By bus
Most companies serve Kars – though you might need to change bus at either Erzurum or Iğdır, depending on where you come from. There is a daily bus between Hopa and Kars, leaving Hopa at 10:30. It costs 200 TL (2022) and takes 6-7 hr with a stop for lunch. There are also buses from Doğubayazıt.

Buses usually stop at a gas station near Kars and not at the official bus station. The official bus station is occupied by stray dogs and no humans go near it. The buses will only drop you off there if you explicitly ask for it, but there are no taxis, humans, or any sort of facilities, so it is better to get off at the gas station.

By train
The Doğu Express departs Ankara daily at 18:00, reaching Kars 24 hours later. The return train leaves at 08:00. There are couchettes and a buffet. Main stops along the route are Kayseri, Sivas, Erzincan and Erzurum. Buy tickets online from Turkish Railways.

There is also a more expensive "tourist" version of this train, running daily in winter. It makes long stops for sightseeing eastbound at İliç (for Kemaliye), Erzincan and Erzurum; the westbound train makes long stops at Divriği and Bostankaya. Total travel time Ankara-Kars is 30 hours, and you are tied to the train schedule without flexibility of stopover. The accommodation is in standard sleeping cars, which have been purloined from the conventional train, so the travel experience on that has been degraded.

There's also a daily regional trains from Akyaka, near the border with Armenia, which is of limited use for tourists.

Turkey’s rail link via Kars to Georgia and Azerbaijan opened in 2017 for freight only. As of 2024, passenger services between Ankara and Baku, via Kars and Tbilisi, initially planned with just one train a week, have not started yet.

Get around
There are a few taxis serving the city centre. It's a pretty small place so it's quite possible to cover it by foot.

See

Kars has a large heritage of Russian architecture, locally known as the "Baltic style" of the townhouses on the old town's grid formed during the Russian occupation of Kars between 1878 and 1918.

Buy
Gravier cheese is delicious! You can enjoy some from the shops near the castle. You can try the Soldier Souvenirs Passage on the main street with a lion statue sells stuff for rare collector's items.

Eat
A local speciality is goose (kaz), usually made into a stew.

 * Ani Restaurant is a good local restaurant, located under Kar's Otel.
 * Antep Pide & Lahmacun Salonu is popular with the locals, makes cheap and tasty pide.

Sleep
There are at least twenty hotels in the north central part of town, just south of the castle. Prices start around 100 TL per night and there are high-end options too. (May 2022)

Connect
As of Dec 2020, Kars has 4G from all Turkish carriers, but there is no signal on the highways to town. 5G has not yet reached this area.

Ani
A visit to Eastern Anatolia is not complete without a visit to the ruins of the ancient Armenian city of Ani, 45 km east of Kars.

Daily bus departures from Kars in front of the Antik Cafe (corner of Faikbey Cd. and Gazi Ahmet Muhtar Paşa Cd.) at 09:00 in winter (see Ani article)

You can charter a taxi (100 TL, 2016) or get a guide (entrance fee €8 foreigners 2024). In summer, it is very easy to find travel mates to fill a taxi. In winter, you will most probably travel alone.

If you're on a tight budget you can also try hitch-hiking to Ani. Walk about 2 km out of town to the cross section where the street heads towards Ani (There are enough street signs to find it). There is not a lot of traffic on this road but eventually a local will stop for you.

Sarıkamış
is a town 60 km southwest of Kars. The winter sports centre just outside the town is a favourite of a small but growing group of enthusiasts for its easy access, snow quality (often compared to the Alps), and long and highly scenic tracks amidst an old-growth Scots pine forest.

As with Kars, Sarıkamış was a part of the Imperial Russian Kars Oblast from 1878 to 1917. Therefore, a variety of sites from that epoch can be visited in the town or in its outskirts, such as the Yanık Kilise, a Russian Orthodox church converted to a mosque in 1970, and the hunting lodge of Nicholas II, the last tsar, although that building is known anachronistically after Catherine the Great by the locals.

Ardahan
Several minibuses to Ardahan every day, every hour from 8am (at least 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am). Departs from the minibus station (city center). About 1 hr 30 min.

Roughly in the same direction, an excursion to wintry Lake Çıldır is quite popular among the passengers of the "Instagram Express" (see above), for a horse-drawn sleigh ride over the frozen lake.

Artvin and Hopa
Bus every morning at 10:00 to Rize that stops in Göle, Artvin and Hopa from the minibus station (city center). The bus is run by Artvin Ekspres and departs almost everyday; check one day before just in case. This option is the best to reach Georgia through Batumi. As of July 2022, the price for the Kars-Hopa bus - on Artvin Ekspress - is 220 TL per person. The journey is about 6 hours to 7 hours with a break to eat around 14:00.

If the bus from Kars to Hopa does not run, first go to Ardahan by minibus and, from there, take the 12 hr 30 min to Hopa (35 TL).

The same bus continues onwards to Trabzon (45 TL from Ardahan).

title: Kars


text:
Kartli

Kartli is a region in central Georgia containing Tbilisi, Mtskheta, Mount Kazbeg and the Georgian Military Highway.

Cities

 * – the biggest, busiest and most popular city, as well as capital of Georgia
 * – formerly Katharinenfeld, famous for its history and Swabians settlers from Germany (try Hotel Deutsche Mühle for starters)
 * – a city known for its Stalin cult and the nearby famous Uplistsikhe
 * – mainly a popular ski resort
 * – former summer residence of the Georgian kings
 * – a UNESCO world heritage site
 * – famous for its Sioni Church, and the Auto Trade Center, the biggest for used cars in the Caucasus
 * – famous for the spectacularly situated Gergeti Trinity Church
 * – famous for the spectacularly situated Gergeti Trinity Church

Other destinations

 * – contains one of the highest mountains in Europe, Mount Kazbeg

Talk
Georgian is the principal language throughout most of Kartli, but there is a significant section of southern Kvemo Kartli (around Gardabani), where most residents are Azeri speakers and you may be able to communicate effectively with knowledge of Turkish. Speaking Russian will help best in areas where ethnic minorities live, where it is the lingua franca. It is spoken to various degrees by most older people, including by many taxi drivers, but this is no longer to be completely relied upon. The younger generation is increasingly speaking English due to hostility towards Russia, and also because English is taught in schools since independence and has replaced Russian as a second language in schools nation-wide. When in need for help, look for younger people, as they are more likely to know some English.

Get in
Bordering regions to the west are Samtskhe-Javakheti and Rioni Region, and to the east Kakheti, which all have numerous (mini)buses every day running into Tbilisi and by Gori as well as Mtskheta from its major destinations and cities (and vice-versa) – read there.

Likewise, Tbilisi is also the central hub for connections from/to Armenia (Ijevan, Sevan, Yerevan) and Azerbaijan (Ganja, Baku, Qax (Qakh), Zaqatala).

Get around
Generally, everything is true what is mentioned under the same section in the Georgia country article.

Bus-wise, most connections are explained under Tbilisi or under the above mentioned cities. Of course travelling by car is an option. Also hitch-hiking is very easy, even in remote regions.

See

 * – A 3,600 year old Silk Road cave city that was a major regional center of Caucasian pagan religion

Do

 * The – one of the world's more spectacular roads, the highway cuts through the Greater Caucasus and was built by the Russian Empire in the 19th century to facilitate its conquest of the Caucasus.
 * Ski in Gudauri
 * Hiking in one of the southwestern national parks and forests of Kartli, as well as in the Kazbegi region

Go next
Comprehensive details on transport options are available under Tbilisi.

The following regions and its destinations are next to Kartli:
 * Samtskhe-Javakheti – Famous for Borjomi and Vardzia
 * Rioni Region – Famous for Kutaisi, Chiatura and Oni
 * Kakheti – Famous for David Gareja Monastery Complex, Sighnaghi, Gurjaani and the mountain region of Tusheti

Furthermore, Kartli, and especially Tbilisi, is the central hub for onward travel into Armenia and especially the following cities:
 * Ijevan – The first destination when coming from Georgia / Tbilisi and popular for its post-soviet feel and the surrounding mountains
 * Sevan – The nearby lake (biggest in Armenia) is a famous summer destination
 * Yerevan – The capital, a must see and conveniently located for exploring Armenia

as well as Azerbaijan, and especially the following cities:
 * Ganja – The first major city, coming from Tbilisi, and popular for its architecture and nearby hiking destination, Goygol National Park
 * Baku – The capital, cosmopolitan and spectacular, best reached by night train
 * Qax (Qakh) – A popular and remote city near the Caucasus, great for hiking into the Caucasus
 * Zaqatala – Similar to Qax, though a little more touristic

title: Kartli


text:
Karuizawa

Karuizawa (軽井沢) is a town in Nagano prefecture, famous as an upscale summer resort.

Understand
Karuizawa, at about 1000m above sea-level, is a famous mountain resort in eastern Nagano Prefecture. Elegant summer houses are scattered through the nearby forests, while the central part of the town is elegantly laid out with restaurants, cafes and boutiques.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

Get in

 * Shinkansen (bullet train) from: Tokyo (70 minutes, ¥5250); Nagano (30 minutes, ¥3070)
 * Shinano railway from Nagano (90 minutes, ¥1590); Togura Station (in Chikuma; 70 minutes, ¥1170)
 * Bus from: Tokyo's Ikebukuro Station (2-3 hours, and ¥ 2500).

Do

Onsen

Go next

 * Saku
 * Miyota
 * Komoro
 * Tomi
 * Ueda
 * Annaka
 * Takasaki
 * Tsumagoi
 * Naganohara

title: Karuizawa


text:
Karula National Park

Karula National Park is in Valgamaa of Estonia.

Understand
Karula National Park is Estonia's smallest national park; it was established as a national park in 1993.

Landscape
The landscape of the Karula uplands, formed thousands of years ago by continental glacial activity, is noted for its rich diversity; marshes, swamp-forests, small lakes, streams, meadows and floret-covered knolls and hills.

Seventy per cent of the territory of the national park is forest and there are 38 lakes.

The cultural landscape is sparsely inhabited. Narrow fields, plots of forests, mires, meadows and farmsteads all give the landscape an especially intimate feel.

Flora and fauna
The most typical large mammals living in the park are moose, western roe deer, wild boar and lynx. Common small mammals include the red fox, raccoon dog, polecat, brown hare, red squirrel and European beaver.

157 species of birds have been spotted in Karula National Park.

Get in
Bus schedules, even to this remote location, are easily available online – read more under Estonia.

Fees and permits
Entrance free of charge.

Get around
Hiking is what you would prefer to do here.

See
Bird watching and enjoying the forests.

Observation tower
If you don't have a tent, an observation towers might be a good alternative. However, these here do not have regular roofs, so during rain the platforms will probably not be enough to protect against rain.

Sleep
The official Estonian tourism website provides an extensive list of options for accommodation.

Camping
Fire rings with cooking constructions can be found in marked campsites. Upon leaving the site make sure that the fire is out.

Go next

 * Sangaste and the nearby Sangaste Castle, just about 30 km north.
 * Otepää – A small town set in the hills of south Estonia and best known winter sports centre in the Baltics, and the Winter Capital of Estonia. Surrounded by lakes, hills and ski jump towers. A little further after Sangaste.
 * Valga – A town on the border with Latvia, where it literally grows into the Latvian town of Valka. Just to the west.
 * Võru – A picturesque town not far from the highest hill in the Baltic states, Suur Munamägi. The birthplace of the writer Kreutzwald and the dialect of the Estonian language. Just to the east.

title: Karula National Park


text:
Karumba

Karumba is the only place where there is sealed road access to the Gulf of Carpentaria. It is a prawning and fishing town, where you can watch the sun set over the gulf.

The settlement of Karumba was previously known as Norman Mouth and Kimberley.

The Gulf Savannah is an interesting region to visit all year; however, during the monsoon season, transportation methods must be carefully considered, as some parts of the Gulf Savannah region suffer from a lack of road infrastructure. Karumba is situated on the mouth of the Norman River and is the centre of the Gulf's prawning industry. Surrounding environ is flat wetlands which extend inland for approximately 30 kilometres. Wetlands are a series of meandering saltwater tidal estuaries, habitat for saltwater crocodiles and vast array of bird species, such as pelicans, cyrus cranes, brolgas and black swans.

Get in
Karumba is 79km from Normanton on a sealed road. The road can get flooded in wet season.

Karumba does not have a sealed airstrip. There are no commercial scheduled flights.

Get around
On entering the town, a right turn takes you to Karumba Point, which has the best accommodation, the beach and some restaurants. Going straight will take you to Karumba Town.

Do
A 3.8km walking/cycling path links Karumba to Karumba Point through wetlands filled with birds and 'roos. It is gravelled but can get muddy in wet season.

Fishing charters and river tours are available in dry season.

Eat

 * Prawns. The technology of the prawning industry is such that many of the prawns are never taken to shore, and are processed on board ship. There is still some local catch available.

title: Karumba


text:
Karur

Karur is a town of some 10,76,588 (2011 census) people in Central Tamil Nadu.

Understand
Karur district has a very rich and varied cultural heritage. The town and the countryside is made fertile by the perennial flows of the Kaveri River on the northern side (Thavittupalayam, Vangal, Muniyappanur, Kattalai (confluence of Kaveri River and Amaravati River) Mayanur, Kulithalai) and also the Amaravati, Nalkasi, Kudaganar and Noyyal rivers. The area is famous for its hand-loom textile products.

Speak
Tamil is the language spoken in Karur. The accent of Tamil spoken here is the closest to Coimbatore (Kongu Tamil). English is understood by few in the town. Hindi is neither spoken nor understood by the majority of the people.

Get in
Karur is well connected with rest of India through all modern means of transportation.

It is the major junction point of three roadways connecting:
 * Bangalore & Salem to Madurai & Tirunelveli.
 * Coimbatore & Tirupur to Trichy & Tanjore.
 * Mangalore, Mysore & Erode to Trichy, Madurai & Thoothukudi.

Get around

 * Kolli Hills
 * Kodaikanal
 * Dindigul
 * Erode
 * Coimbatore
 * Namakkal

Famous temples

 * Kalyana Pasupatheeshwara Swamy Temple - Shiva temple: Pasupathieswarer temple is one of the chief attractions of Karur. Pasupathieswarer temple, which dates back to the time of Cholas, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is considered among the seven Sivalayams or the Sivasthalams or the holy abodes of Lord Shiva in western Tamil Nadu, the others being Thirunanaa (Bhavani) Sangameshwarar temple, Tiruchengode Arthanareeswarar temple, Tirumurugapoondi Tirumuruganathaswamy temple, Tiruppandikodumudi (Kodumudi) Kodumudinathar temple, Tiruppukkoliyur (Avinasi) Avinasiappar temple and Venjamaakudal Vigirthanatheswarar temple. The temple is noted for its five-foot-high Pasupathieswarer Linga which is represented by a group of five sculptures. This linga, situated in the sanctum sanctorum, is also shown as being bathed by the milk oozing from the rudder of a cow.
 * Sri Balasubramania Swamy Temple - Vennamalai
 * Kalyana Venkataramana Swamy - Thanthontri Malai: Kalyana Venkattaramasami temple is one of the popular destinations at Karur. This temple is situated at Thanthoni, which is about 5 km away from Karur. Kalyana Venkattaramasami temple is popularly known as Then (south) Tirupathi. This temple situated atop a hillock, is dedicated to Lord Srinivasa (Vishnu), who is worshipped in the sanctum sanctorum along with his consorts Goddesses Sri Devi and Bhoomi Devi. The most auspicious occasion at Kalyana Venkattaramasami temple is the Deepam festival which is conducted during September – October. Other famous festivals of Kalyana Venkattaramasami temple are the 22-day-long Purattasi festival and the Masi Maha car festival.
 * Shree Karuvur Mariyamman Temple, Karur: Sri Mariamman temple is one of the most important temples in Karur. This temple, situated towards the center of Karur, is the second-largest Amman temple in Tamil Nadu. The most auspicious occasion at Sri Mariamman temple is the annual festival which is held during the month of May. In this festival, 'Kumbam' is brought out of the Amman temple, is carried to River Arkavathi, accompanied by a huge procession. This Kumbam is then lowered to the river bed with due respect. This festival is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety regardless of religion and caste at Karur.
 * Sadasiva Brahmeendral Temple/Jeeva Samadhi - Nerur: around 10 km from Karur, Nerur is one of the scenic destinations at Karur. Nerur, situated on the banks of River Cauvery, is known for its lush vegetation. This place is also the abode of the Samadhi of Saint Sadashiva Brahmendra, who was the disciple of Sri Parama Sivendra Saraswathi, the 57th Guru in charge of Kanchipuram Matt. This Samadhi was built by Vijaya Ragunatha Thondaiman of Thondaiman Dynasty who ruled over the Kingdom of Pudukkottai. A handful of sand, believed to be written on by Saint Sadashiva Brahmendra, is preserved at the Pudukkottai Palace.

Karur district temples

 * Shree Abayapradhana Ranganathar Temple, Karur
 * Shree ArupadaiMurugan Temple, Pugazhimalai: Pugazhimalai Shree Arupadai Murugan temple is one of the popular pilgrimage destinations located towards the north west of Karur, at Pugalur. Pugazhimalai Shree Arupadai Murugan temple is an ancient temple, situated atop a hillock at Velayuthanpalayam nearby Cauvery, constructed during the time of Cheras. This temple, dedicated to Lord Murugan (Subramanian), is famous for its sculptural excellence. Thaipoosam, celebrated during the first week of February every year, is the most auspicious occasion at this temple when the devotees carry ‘kavady’ to this temple. The deity, placed in the chariot, is also pulled around the temple at night.
 * Sholiyamman Temple, Attur
 * Shree Pudhu Vangalamman Temple, Vangal
 * Sellandiyamman Temple, Madhukkarai
 * Mahalaksmiamman Temple, Mahadhanapuram
 * Puthu Kaliyamman Temple, Manmangalam
 * Tirukkanmalleswarar Temple, Krishnarayapuram
 * Vasantha perumal Temple, Kadavur
 * Kadambar Temple, Kulithalai
 * Neelameegha perumal Temple, Kulithalai
 * Siva Temple, Iyermalai
 * Siva Temple, Shivayam
 * Iyyapan Temple, Lalapet (1st Iyyapa Temple in Tamil Nadu)
 * Sri Jaya Anjaneya, Lalapet (300 Years Old)
 * Murugan Temple, Togamalai
 * Malleeshwarar Temple, Rangamalai
 * Vyakarapuriswarar temple, Puliyur (13 century temple)
 * Pazhayaseevaram is yet another famous temple situated in the vicinity of Tirumukkudal temple, which is dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narasimha.
 * Sellandiyamman Temple and Mariyamman Temple are famous temples in Mayanur which are visited by the pilgrims visiting Karur.

Other places of interest

 * Mayanur - Kaveri bed regulator, riverside park: Mayanur is a famous pilgrimage destination offered by Karur. Mayanur, which lies on the course of River Cauvery, is located on Karur Trichy main road, at a distance of 21 km from Karur.
 * Chettipalayam - Amaravathi bed regulator, park
 * Noyyal - Kaveri-Noyyal rivers coincide here
 * Neyyal village is one of the attractions at Karur. Neyyal village is situated on the banks of River Neyyal and River Cauveri (Ponni). Neyyal village is considered as a sacred area as it lies besides the converging point of sacred rivers, Neyyal and Cauveri. Neyyal village is also famous for its ancient Sellandiyamman temple.
 * Nerur - Sacred madham, meditation, riverside park
 * Kadavur - Ponniyar dam, park
 * District Museum, Karur
 * Tirumukkudal - Kaveri-Amaravathi rivers coincide here. Tirumukkudal is a popular pilgrimage destination offered by Karur, which is situated about 4 km away from Walajabad. The name ‘Tirumukkudal’ stands for mukkudal or the union of three sacred rivers - Palar, Cheyyar and Vegavati. Tirumukkudal is recognized as a heritage site by the Archaeological Survey of India. This is an ancient temple constructed during the reign of early rulers of the Thondaiman Dynasty. The temple is dedicated to Lord Agasthiswarar and his consort Anjanakshi.

Do

 * Visit Kalyana Pasupatheeshwarar Temple - This temple has a great history and believe to bring good deeds equivalent to that of visiting 12 main Shiva temples in North India.

Buy
Karur is famous for blankets. Definitely buy blankets from cooperative stores. Its also famous for mosquito net which is being exported to other countries.

Eat
Karur is for its garam (combination of puffed rice, onions, beetroot and spicy chutney).

title: Karur


text:
Karviná

Karviná is a town in Czech Silesia, Czech Republic.

Understand
Describing Karviná as a spa town is really a little misleading. Although there is a spa in the nearby Darkov, Karviná looks very different from your typical image of a clean, tranquil spa town. In fact, it is one of the centres of the (now declining) coal mining industry. There is a pretty town square, a little chateau and an animal park you can visit. The rest is all communist-built shopping centres and not so attractive hypermarkets that have sprung up in the 1990s.

Get in
You can get in by bus from nearby towns like Ostrava, Český Těšín, Havířov or Orlová (at least once an hour).

You can also get in Karviná by train. There is a direct connection to Prague, Žilina or Košice. The biggest railway junction in the area is Bohumín, which is connected to the most surrounding railway lines in Czech republic and also to railway line to Poland.

Get around
Going by bus is cheapest way to travel around Karviná. One bus ticket is about 15Kč (approx. €0.6).

You can go by taxi, about 20Kč per km (approx. €0.7)

title: Karviná


text:
Karwar

Karwar is a city in Karnataka.

By plane
You can fly to Dabolim Airport (Goa), 97 km north, and take a taxi or go to Margao. From Margao there are trains and buses to Karwar. Devbagh resort is just 2 ½ hours from there.

The next nearest airports are Belgaum Domestic Airport, 145 km away, and Hubli Domestic Airport, 185 km away.

By train
Karwar is connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Mangalore, Cochin and other important places through the Konkan Railway. Most trains stop at Karwar; else one has to alight at Madgaon (Station code : MAO) (Goa) and reach Karwar by road. The journey between Mangalore & Karwar takes not more than 4 hours. Visitors from Chennai can enter via Mangalore. For details, enquire with the railway authorities.

Travelers from Bangalore and Hyderabad should get off at Hubli and proceed by road to Karwar.

By bus
Overnight deluxe bus services are available from Bangalore. Buses also ply between Madgaon and Karwar at regular intervals. There are local buses to Gokarna as well, so you can connect easily if going from Goa to Gokarna or back (but you may have to ask people where is the right bus, as, unlike in Goa, signs on the local buses are generally only in the local language, Kannada). The road between Hubli & Karwar, is one of the best in Karnataka and passes through thick jungle.

Distances to Karwar- 1. Madgaon - 76 km - 2 Hrs 2. Panjim - 108 km- 3 Hrs 3. Vasco-da-gama - 95 km- 3 and half Hrs 4. Hubli - 170- 4 and half Hrs 5. Mangalore - 288km - 6 Hrs 6. Bangalore- 520km- 12 Hrs 7. Mumbai- 855km- 16 Hrs 8. Shimoga - 235 km - 4 and half Hrs 9. Bhatkal - 115km- 3 Hrs

Get around
Auto rickshaw, or car. You can also rent a boat to visit some of the islands. For the environment-friendly, bicycles are also available on Rent basis. Bicycles in the standard non-geared, and now MTBs are also available.

See
Beaches, Islands and mangrove up on the Kali river.

Sadashivgad Sadashivgad is a fort located in Karwar, Uttara Kannada district, in the state of Karnataka in India. Significant and picturesque, the fort is now a popular tourist destination located by the Kali river bridge, which has been built at the confluence of the river and the Arabian Sea. Konkani is spoken as a local language. The fort was built on an old fortified site on the north bank of Kali River where it meets the sea. It had about 8 meters high ramparts which were about 2 metres wide at the top. There were towers and openings for guns. The citadel was at the highest point. An outwork was on the west, near the sea at the base of the cliff and was appropriately called Pani Killa. There was another outwork on the eastern slope. The citadel had single arched gateway. Samvargad was a very small fort, about 60 metres by 20 metres on top of a hillock east of Sadashivgad. It was a satellite fort guarding the former on its east & north east. Very few ruins remain. The fort was named Sadashivgad by Basavlingraj after his father Sadashivlingraj in 1715. They were chieftains of Sonda who assumed the title of 'Raja' after incorporating Chittakula, Simveshwar (Angadi), Kadra, Kadwad, Ankola and some other parts of Canara. The old Karwar fort was pulled down and its material used to build Sadashivgad. The fort is in ruins as most of it was pulled down by East India Company General Matthews in 1783. A road now runs between it and its satellite fort Samvargad.

Midway on the Sadashivagad hill is the many centuries old Shantadurga Temple, known for its serenity. From the peak of the hill, the view of the sun setting in the Arabian sea, is an experience in itself. The 17th century Dargah also attracts a lot of Muslim pilgrims. At a distance of approximately 2 km northwards a village lies by name Shiveshvar which got Fortress Kot Shiveshvar (mentioned in the Mangalore treaty between Tipu Sultan and the East India Company, as well as in earlier historical accounts) built exclusively for guarding the northern borders of Canara. It was built by the Bijapur Sultanate and subsequently, its fortunes were connected to the Sadashivgad Fort. This fort is in a shambles but the eastern gate, a Muslim graveyard, well and tunnel can still be seen. Another important village is Kadwad situated on the banks of tributary of the Kali River, from which the name 'Karwar' has been derived. At this location the British used to have a factory and it was an important trade port in earlier days. It also had a large Muslim population and a larger mosque which was frequented by traders from Arabia and Africa. The National Highway NH-17 continues on a bridge built over Kali River and the road splits the Sadashivgad granite hill to connect Karnataka to Goa. Sadashivgad used to be a popular word for native konkani speaking people travelling from Mumbai to Karwar before the advent of Konkan Railway. Maharashtra State Transport Corporation buses plying on this route carried the Bus Route Name as Bombay Central - Sadashivgad. Jayshree Gadkar a noted Marathi movie actress and a star of Marathi cinema in the 1960s was born in a Marathi speaking family at Kanasgiri village very close to Sadashivgad.

Do
Beautiful beaches, snorkeling, banana boating

Buy
there are small pan stalls, chat stalls, etc.

Eat
Sea Food and some local restaurants, "Gadbad" Icecream.

Some of the famous local restaurants include:

Poornima Restaurant, Main Road, Karwar. (Veg - Moderate expense) Premier Hotel, Green Street, Karwar. (Non-Veg - Expensive) Amruth Bar & Restaurant, Main Road Karwar. (Non-Veg - Moderate) Parvati Fish Land (Non-Veg - Moderate - Fish/Sea Food) Shweta Lunch Home (Non-Veg - Moderate - Fish/Sea Food)

Drink
Tender coconut, Soda Sharbath at local cold drinks shop

Sleep
Devbagh beach resort. Somewhat pricey, but the beach is quite brilliant, as is the nature walk they provide around the resort, through mangrove forests among other things. Don't miss the quicksand!

Connect
By B.S.N.L mobile network which is widely spread

Go next

 * Sirsi
 * Anshi National Park
 * Mangalore

 * Kumta - 75 km from here.
 * Honavar - 95 km from here.
 * Gokarna - 75 km from here.

title: Karwar


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Kasai

Kasai is the central region of Democratic Republic of the Congo, known mostly for its diamond mines. Since 2016, the region has been destabilized by the violent Kamuina Nsapu conflict.

Understand
Kasai is known for diamond mines and the Kasai River.

Get in
There is one major airport in the region, Mbuji Mayi Airport. While mainly a domestic airport, there are a small number of international flights from other African cities. A railway runs between Lubumbashi and Ilebo. As of 2021, there are a passenger trains from Lubumbashi as far as Mwene-Ditu with about 2-3 departures per month. Journey time for the full journey is scheduled to about 48 hours, but delays and breakdowns are common.

Kasai is also readily accessible by train. DR Congo's national railway company, the SNCC, operates services from Kinshasa and Lubumbashi to several cities in the region.

Get around
Roads are generally in bad shape, with many sections being almost impassable, especially during the rainy season.

Stay safe
Travel to Kasai is strongly discouraged. If you are employed in the area, your company will provide security. Otherwise don't go.

title: Kasai