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Disclaimer: This answer is not a travel guide, but only written to introduce the readers to the major tourist attractions of the Indian state Karnataka and inculcate interest in them.Karnataka is a land with diverse geography as well as culture. As our state tourism tagline says "One state, Many Worlds", you can find numerous micro worlds within Karnataka. When it comes to tourism, it caters to every kind of tourists, may it be a History enthusiast or a Nature lover.So lets have a look at the places we can visit in 3 days span. Let me start with the district I grew up in - Bagalkot (once the part of Bijapur District).Option 1 - The Land of ChalukyasDay 1 - Aihole - Pattadkallu - Banashankari - Mahakuta - BadamiDay 2 - Kudalasangama - AlamattiDay 3 - BijapurYou can choose this option if you're interested in History.Bagalkot is the land of Chalukyas (Badami Chalukyas), which used to be one of the glorious kingdoms of South India. A glimpse of the places mentioned will help inculcate some interest.AiholeThe image is of Durga Temple (it's not technically Durga Temple though). It is said that the architecture of Parliament is based on this. I can't validate the fact, but you can definitely see the similarity. This is just one of the many works of art present there. There are about 125 temples in Chalukyan architecture, which were built around 5th century!PattadakalThe picture is of the temple complex at Pattadkal, which is recognized as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Pattadakal also served as the capital of Chalukyas once. The temple complex here were built around 7th - 9th century. The sculptures here are delicate and the temples stand strong even after centuries of ransacking. The most famous temples here are Sangameshwara temple, Kadasiddheshwara and Jambulingeshwara temples. The temples here are built in all famous Indian architectures. You may have noticed this is Raja Mouli's Magadheer. ;)Banashankari (Not to be confused with the locality in Bengaluru)This is the abode of Goddess Banashankari (the goddess of Forest) or Shakhambari, the incarnation of Parvati. It was built in 7th century and later renovated again in 18th century. An annual fair is held here which lasts for almost a month and attracts tens of thousands of people.MahakutaMahakuta, also built by Chalukyas around 6-7th century, is a notable Shaiva Monastery, which has a Panchamukhi Linga (a five faced Linga). The only other Panchamukhi Linga is present in Nepal. There are many other legends associated with this place. It was popularly called as 'Dakshina Kashi'.Lets move to the capital city now - BadamiWords fall short to describe this. The main attraction here are the cave temples, which are carved in the rocky hills of Badami. This is not only the melting pot of Shaivism and Vaishnavism, but also Hinduism and Jainism (and also Buddhism to some extent). The sculptures present here are marvelous. One of the famous ones is 18 handed Nataraja.This beautiful sculpture of Nataraja displays 81 different dance moves. You can do the math (Mohan-avre, something for you :D ).Many of these locations may look familiar because Vikramarkudu, Veera Madakari, Rowdy Rathore and even few scenes of Guru were shot here.[Me and my friend doing the (in)famous Chinta ta ta (I know it's lame :P)]KudalasangamaKudalasangama is the main pilgrimage centre of the people of Lingayath faith (also happens to be my faith). This is the place where river Krishna merges with river Malaprabha and flows towards Srisailam. This is where Vishwaguru Basavanna lived and attained his salvation. This is the centre of Vachana Sahitya and Sharana Movement.AlmattiThis is the most favourite picnic spot of North Karnataka. One of the 3 majestic dams that I have ever seen is here. The dam is not the only attraction, Alamatti has the India's largest musical fountain which is at the centre of an amphi-theatre where more than 1500 people can be seated.That's not it, there is more to Alamatti. There are acres and acres of gardens here. Each of them is themed and contains ceramic sculptures related to the theme of the garden. Let me list them out.Rock Garden - This is largest of all. It again has many mini themed gardens in itself like ape, snake, village life, tribal, butterfly, Jurassic etc. An ideal spot to spend your time in greenery.Krishna/Gokul Garden - This garden is on the other end of the dam and has the sculptures based on the life of Lord Krishna.Lava - Kusha Garden - Themed after the life incidents of Lava and Kusha.[Just a T-Rex and my overacting friends :P]BijapurBijapur, the capital city of Adil Shahi dynasty, is the place where you can find numerous marvels of Islamic Architecture. The prominent one among them is Gol Gumbaz, the acoustic wonder, whose dome is the largest in India. Whatever sound you make inside this building echoes for 7 times (it has now deteriorated to about 5 times due to the lack of maintenance).Also there is a Whispering Gallery, where even a whisper can be heard clearly 37 metres away.No, Bijapur is not confined only to Islam. There is also a huge statue of Lord Shiva, which I believe is the second largest in India.Option 2 - The Vijayanagara EmpireDay 1 - HampiDay 2 - Hospet - SandurDay 3 - ChitradurgaHampiHampi - The capital city of the glorious Vijayanagara Empire, during which almost all of the south India flourished. It is also recognized as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city of Hampi was once very huge and hence there are innumerable monuments spread across many kilometres. Just an example to demonstrate the prosperity of Hampi is that Gold and other precious gems were sold at the footpaths of Hampi!But unfortunately most of the monuments have been destroyed during the attack of Muslim rulers and their raids to loot the treasure.The iconic monolithic can be seen in the above pic. That's just the trailer, there's much to learn and discover here.Many of the major scenes of the movie The Myth starring Jackie Chan were shot here.Also the Kananda Vishwavidyalaya (University), the only university of its kind is located in Hampi.HospetHospet is one of the main cities of North Karnataka as it has much archaeological importance, hence a tourist attraction; geological importance and is full of well irrigated lands supported by Tungabhadra Dam. TB dam is the second of the 3 majestic dams I have seen. It will good to spend some peaceful time in the gardens of TB dam.Sandur"See Sandur in September", Mahatma Gandhi had said mesmerized by the beauty this place possesses right after the monsoons. It's not just the nature's beauty worth seeing here, but also the mines present. You can see the actual mining process of Manganese and Iron ores here.ChitradurgaChitradurga is the land of Nayakas where the legend of the warrior-woman Onake Obavva happened. Chitradurga obtained its name from the fort which is built in 7 concentric layers across several hills. It is sometimes called as Fort of Steel to describe its strength and is said that even the thunder can't harm it. It 'stands' true to its legends. You can also trek here (not in conventional sense). You can reach Tuppada kola by rock climbing which is thrilling and also very much doable (coming from a fat guy who did it). There's much to explore here.Option 3 - The Mysore KingdomDay 1, 2 and 3 - In and around MysoreMysore'Mysore', as every other person knows, in Karnataka is derived from the word 'Mahishasura' (the dude posing in the pic). A beautiful city in every sense. I was fortunate enough to live here for 4 years and would love to go back there anytime. Once the capital city of Karnataka, Mysore, is full of spectacular places both natural and man-made.You may have seen the photo of Mysore Palace decorated from the outside by lighting which is very beautiful and famous. What's inside the palace is even more beautiful.[My happy friend celebrating his ascent of Chamundi Hill]Wake up early in the morning and climb Chamundi Hill by steps (approx. 1800 steps if I remember correctly), the sense of achievement once you reach the top of the hill is priceless and so is the view. Only the local people know the best viewpoints here. ;)An evening ride to Chamundi Hill is equally beautiful.[Night view from Chamundi Hill during Dasara]A visit to Karanjikere, a lake park, will be refreshing. Birds roam here freely and you can boat peacefully. This is situated right beside the Zoo (though the gates are far apart).Krishna Raja Sagara and Brindavan GardensOne of the marvels of engineering in India, Krishna Raja Sagara Dam was engineered by the mastermind Sir M. Visvesvaraya. Like the other dams mentioned before, this also has the garden named Brindavan Gardens and musical fountain, probably both of them the oldest in Karnataka.Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary is worth a visit. The most beautiful and exotic birds can be spotted here. Do make sure you visit it at the right season.On the banks of river Kapila stands this beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, who drank the poison originated during the great churning of the Ocean. Nanju in Kannada means poison and hence the name Nanjundeshwara, the lord who drank the poision. Nanjanagud is also famous for "Nanjangud Rasabaale" a variety of banana. There is also a Nestle plant here. ;)SrirangapatnaSrirangapatna is named after Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple present here. This temple is first of the 5 temples along the banks of river Kaveri dedicated to Ranganathaswamy called as Pancharanga Kshetrams. Other places of interest include Tipu Sultan's Tomb, Daria Daulat Gardens and many other temples and masjids.Option 4 - Kodavara NaaduDay 1 - Bylakuppe Tibetan Camp - Kaveri Nisargadhama - Dubare Elephant CampDay 2 - Mandalpatti - Abbey Falls - Madikeri - Bhagamandala - TalakaveriDay 3 - Iruppu Falls - NagarholeKodagu is the land of valour and beauty, a heavenly place in the cradle of Western Ghats. Kodagu is known for its contribution to India in various fields like armed forces, sports, coffee industry (to name a few). It is one of the most visited hill stations of India and sometimes referred to as Kashmir of the South. Kodava Girls are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. ;)BylakuppeBylakuppe houses two of the biggest Tibetan refugee settlements in India, established as early as 1961. There are a number of beautiful monastaries here. Golden Temple is the major attraction. It has serenely beautiful huge idols of Guru Padmasambhava, the Shakyamuni Buddha and Amitayus which are coated with gold. The unique and rich cultural heritage is seen in every inch of their monasteries. Apart from this there is also a small shopping area and you can meet the happy Tibetans.Kaveri NisargadhamaThis is an island in Kaveri river (mostly artificial), on which a natural park is situated. You can see here Elephants freely roaming and can even go for an elephant ride. There's a deer park too. As the place is blessed by Goddess Kaveri, she is worshiped here.Dubare Elephant Training CampThe official training camp of Dasara elephants. This is the Nalanda of Elephants. Most of the elephants are trained here and the sick ones and trapped ones are treated and helped here. All the Dasara elephants including Balarama and Arjuna graduated from here and still live here. There is also river rafting available for "adventurous people".MandalpattiA breathtaking view of Western Ghats. A place which delivers freedom from your day to day chores, pollution, mobile etc . A must visit place. Leave the clouds below your feet. Mandalpatti in Kodava means the town in the sky, which it is.[My friend in deep thought mode at Mandalpatti :P]Abbey FallsA beautiful waterfall, not too high, yet breathtaking. For most part of the year, milky white water falls here with a roar. There's a bridge in front of the falls to watch it closely and savour it for long.Raja's SeatRaja's Seat meaning the seat of the king is the place where the King used to come for a walk in the evening and sit here savouring the beauty of Western Ghats during sun set. One should visit this place to capture the spectacular beauty of lush greenery and the hills of western ghats in a blend with the white mist, and feel just as happy as the king!TalakaveriTalakaveri is the birthplace of the river Kaveri, the lifeline of the Mysore Kingdom and many regions of Tamil Nadu. There is a temple dedicated to Goddess Kaveri here. From here, you can also enjoy the beauty of a part of Western Ghats.Irupu FallsIrupu Falls is one more beautiful falls situated in the Brahmagiri Range. It's the birthplace of one of the tributaries of Kaveri - Lakshmana Tirtha River. Legend says that this falls was created by the arrow shot by Lakshamana to quench the thirst of his brother Rama. Hence this falls is also called Lakshmana Tirtha Falls.Nagarahole National ParkOne of the prominent national parks of India. The fauna here ranges from otter to tiger, ospreys to leopards and a diverse flora to nurture that. A safari here is worth your time. It is a part of Project Tiger Reserve and also Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It is also in consideration by UNESCO as world heritage site.Option 5 - The PilgrimageDay 1 - Kukke Subramanya - DharmasthalaDay 2 - Venur - Moodabidri - KarkalaDay 3 - Hornadu - SringeriThis option is the well suited for Theists and Atheists alike. While the theists are busy praying, the atheists can enjoy the nature around these temples and also have good food. ;)Kukke Subramanya TempleThe richest temple of Karnataka, one among the richest of India. The abode of Shri Subramanya. Here Lord Subramanya is worshiped as the lord of all serpents. Also the elephant of this temple dances. ;)DharmasthalaDharmasthala is the confluence of different sects of people. It is well known for the Manjunatha Temple which is nearly 800 year old. It is an unique temple as the temple is Shaiva, the priests are Vaishnavas and the administration is run by Jains. Also there is Manjoosha museum and a vintage car museum. Other attraction here is a monolithic Bahubali statue atop a low hill. The temple serves free food.VenurOnce the glorious capital of Ajila dynasty and the centre of Jainism, Venur is one of the 5 places that have a huge monolithic Bahubali statue in Karnataka.MoodabidriMoodabidri is considered as "Jaina Kashi". I was lucky to spend two most important years of my life here when I fell in love with the city (or Tulu Nadu as whole). The city houses a number of Jain Basadis, among which Saavira Kambada Basadi (Thousand Pillars Basadi) is the most famous and a holy shrine for all the Jains worldwise (or across the country).KarkalaAlso a prominent Jain Pilgrim centre. Here is one more Gommateshwar statue. One should visit Chaturmukha Basadi and Ananthapadmanabha temple here.HornaduHornadu is the abode of Annapoorneshwari Devi, a beautiful temple amidst the beautiful valleys of Western Ghats, on the banks of river Bhadra. Annapoorneshwari is the goddess who feeds one and all, and literally so, food is served here to all visitors.SringeriSringeri is the first peetha established by Sri Adi Shankara, the exponent of Advaita Vedanta, in the 8th century. It has a beautiful Sharadamba temple on the banks of river Tunga, where the beautiful goddess stands smiling upon her devotees. One of the things to do here is feed the fishes in the river Tunga. They are very friendly and never shy away. ;)Option 6 - Coastal Line - Dakhina Kannada & UdupiDay 1 - Pilikula - Ullal - Sultan Battery - TannirbhaviDay 2 - Panambur - Surathkal - KapuDay 3 - Sri Krishna Temple - St. Mary's Island - MalpePilikula NisargadhamaThis is not really on the coastal line (about 10kms inwards). It is a beautiful garden cum natural forest cum zoo which also has a lake. Pilikula literally means Tiger-Lake. Tigers used to come here to drink water in the ancient days (which are now captured and put here on display), hence the name. There are many animals including tigers, lions and pythons. Adjacent to the zoo, there is also a water park and a golf course.UllalUllal is one of the earliest places where the Europeans (specifically Portuguese) landed. It is the land of the brave queen Abbakka who fought the Portuguese oppression. You can visit the peaceful beach here, which is also a prominent fishing centre.Sultan Battery (Mangalore)Sultan Battery is a watch tower constructed by Tipu Sultan in 1784. One can spend some time here peacefully (ironic given its dark history). And it is not pronounced Battery, as in Duracell. It is more like 'Batheri'.Tannirbhavi BeachTannirbhavi beach is an ideal place to view the sunset in calmness. It is mostly devoid of a huge crowd. It can be reached by ferry from Sultan Battery, crossing the Gurupura river. A calm and beautiful place for a perfect evening.Panambur BeachPanambur beach is one of the cleanest beaches of India which is often much crowded. It is the only Indian beach maintained by a private company. It draws huge crowds as it provides various water sports and also fun activities along the beach like camel ride. It also hosts Kite festival. A fun place to be.SurathkalSurathkal is the place which is associated with NITK. I envy the students of NITK, who are lucky to be the part of such a beautiful campus. It has a peaceful beach along with a lighthouse. A good place to spend some time in solitude.KapuKapu Beach is one more famous beach of Tulu Nadu. The main attraction here is the lighthouse which is more than a century old, standing tall till date. One can experience the cool breeze as well as the power of the Arabian sea, as some part of the beach is outlined with rocks. Do get some Shankarapura Mallige, a very famous Jasmine breed, if you love flowers. ;)Udupi Sri Krishna MathaWe saw the Sharada Peetha established by Sri Adi Shankara, founder of Advaita Vedanta. Now let's go to the Sri Krishna Matha established by Sri Madhwacharya, the founder of Dvaita Vedanta. This temple's origin is almost 1500 years ago. It has the famous Kanakana kindi, a crack/window in the temple created by the almighty Krishna himself to provide darshan to his dearest devotee Kanakadasa, who was denied of the entrance as he belonged to lower caste. Till date Krishna is worshipped through that window.St. Mary's IslandsSt. Mary's Islands are set of four small islands off the coast of Malpe, Karnataka. They are famous for the unique columnar basaltic lava formations, which were formed by volcanic activity when Madagascar was still attached to our subcontinent more than 88 million years ago. It is one of the 26 geological monuments of India and an ideal picnic spot.MalpeI will just derive few lines from my latest favourite movie - Ulidavaru Kandanthe -In Kannada -ಮಲ್ಪೆ,ಅರಬ್ಬೀ ಸಮುದ್ರ ತೀರದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಕರಾವಳಿಯ ಒಂದು ಪ್ರಮುಖವಾದ ಮೀನುಗಾರಿಕಾ ಪ್ರದೇಶ.ಸಮುದ್ರದ ಅಲೆಗಳು ದಿನವು ತನ್ನ ದಡವನ್ನ ಸ್ವಚ್ಛಗೊಳಿಸುವಂತಹ ಪ್ರದೆಶ.Translated into EnglishMalpe,A major fishing town on the Arabian Coast of Karnataka.A town whose beaches are cleansed everyday by the sea.A calm and serene beach, of which some part is covered with coconut trees, and an important fishing port.Option 7 - Coastal Line - Kundapura - Uttara KannadaDay 1 - Maravanthe - MurudeshwaraDay 2 - Apsarakonda - GokarnaDay 3 - Gokarna - KarwarMaravantheMaravanthe is one of the most beautiful beaches of Karnataka and one of it's kind in India. NH-66 passes beside the beach and on another side of the road is Suparnika river. All the three of them - Arabian Sea, NH-66 and Suparnika river run parallel to each other at least for 10kms, making it a spectacular view. Though you can't play here on the beach, you can enjoy the beauty.MurudeshwaraMurudeshwara is the place where the majestic Lord Shiva is sitting calmly on the coast of Arabian Sea. According to the mythology, a part of AtmaLinga destroyed by Ravana fell here and that is where the Murudeshwara temple is built. The Shiva statue present here is the second largest and this is a must visit spot.Apsarakonda FallsWaterfall, pond, caves, hill, and a beach - all at one place. That is the specialty of Apsarakonda. The meaning of Apsarakonda is 'The pond of Angels' in Kannada and it stands true to its name with crystal clear water falling and filling the pond. You can also go exploring the caves here and the hill here is an ideal spot to watch the sunset.GokarnaA place which is equally a pilgrim centre and a party city(recently). Gokarna has a number of temples including the Mahabaleshwara temple and Maha Ganapathi temple. It is believed that Shiva's AtmaLinga given to Ravana is here in the Mahabaleshwara temple and Ganapathi, who stopped Ravana was hit here in the head by him. From past decade Gokarna has developed as a holiday destination attracting tourists from all over the world. There are a number of beaches here, of which Om beach is relatively cleaner and attracts more people.Karwar[Maritime museum at Tagore beach]Karwar is one of the most important ports of India. It is situated at the mouth of river Kali. INS Kadamba, a naval base of Indian Navy is situated here. It is also a major fishing port. There are a lot of places to visit here including leisure boats in river Kali, Maritime museum, Tagore Beach, Baithkola beach and Saddashivagad fort.Option 8 - Belgaum and BeyondDay 1 - Gokak Falls - Godchinamalki FallsDay 2 - Amboli Ghat - Dhudhsagar FallsDay 3 - DandeliNo, not Belgium.Gokak FallsGhataprabha river after travelling a long distances, plunges 52 metres over the sandstone cliff near the city of Gokak, forming Gokak falls. It very much resembles Niagara falls apart from the dimensions and colour of water. One can also find the ruins of Chalukyan temples on either side of the falls.Godchinamalaki FallsGodchinamalaki Falls is formed by the two tiered plunge taken by the Markandeya River in Belgaum district. It is located in a rugged valley very near to Godchinamalaki village.Amboli GhatAmboli is one of the many beautiful parts of Western Ghats or the Sahyadri Hills. It has numerous waterfalls and hill stations you can go exploring. Also in the hills of Amboli originates river Hrishikeshwara. There are many breathtaking places in this lush green ghat.Dudhsagar FallsWords fall short to describe the beauty of this 'Sea of Milk'. It is considered one of the most exquisite waterfalls of India and the world. Mandovi river gushes from a height of 310m in a number of tiers, making it the fifth highest waterfalls of India. There are many routes to trek here. The Konkan railway passes in front of this waterfalls making it the most beautiful scenario for Indian railways.DandeliDandeli is yet another beautiful place in Western ghats, near which Kali river flows. Dandeli wildlife sanctuary is the second largest in Karnataka and was declared a tiger reserve in 2007. Its fauna include tigers, leopards, black panthers, elephants, gaur, deer, antelopes, and bears. The adventurous people can go for river rafting here in Kali river. Nearby attractions include Ulavi, Syntheri Rocks, Anashi National Park, and Moulangi.Option 9 - Beyond MysoreDay 1 - Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta - BandipurDay 2 - Bandipur - OotyDay 3 - OotyHimavad Gopalaswamy BettaHimawad Gopalaswamy Betta is the highest peak in the Bandipur National Park. It is almost always covered with fog, hence the name prefix Himawad. It has an ancient temple of Lord Venugopalaswamy or Krishna which was established in 1315 A.D. by the Hoysalas and was later maintained by the Wodeyars of Mysore.Bandipur National ParkBandipur National Park is a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and the largest protected wildlife area in South India. This is where the Deccan Plateau meets the Western Ghats, hence you can see various biomes here. Diverse Flora in biomes support diverse fauna. It was started as a Tiger reserve in 1974. The highway going to Ooty passes through Bandipur. So on the way you can see many animals including elephants, antelopes, peacocks etc (not tigers, that's very rare). Make sure to keep your eyes on the road. Me and my friend ended up with injured hands when I, the rider, took a moment to watch the elephants. :P[That was painful but we were injected with painkillers. So the happiness]OotyOoty is rightly named as the Queen of Hill Stations. One will be dumbfounded when they see this exquisite place. Two eyes aren't enough to capture the serenity of Ooty. The tea plantations, the numerous lakes, the freezing temperature and fog even when it's summer elsewhere, the hill stations, everything is just beautiful here. South India's highest peak - Doddabetta Peak is here amidst the Nilgiris.Option 10 - Mandya - ChamarajanagarDay 1 - Melkote - Kokkare Bellur - Shivanasamudra - TalakadDay 2 - B. R. HillsDay 3 - M. M. HillsMelukoteMelukote is one of the holy places of Karnataka,w here you can find Cheluvanarayanaswamy temple atop the Yadavagiri hill. This is the place where Sri Ramanujacharya, the founder of Vishishtadvaita Vedanta lived for 12 years. Tamil Nadu's current chief minister Jayalalitha is also from this place. ;)KokrebellurKokrebellur is a village near Maddur taluk, which is situated between Bangalore and Mysore. It is one of the 21 breeding spots of birds in India. Prominent birds found here are Spot-Billed Pelicans and Painted Storks. The village has gotten its name from Painted Storks, which are called Kokkare in Kannada. There are many other birds also apart from these two, which arrive here for breeding.Shivanasamudra FallsShivanasamudra, often referred as the Niagara of India, is one of the most powerful and beautiful waterfalls of India. This is a segmented and perennial falls. The height of the waterfall is about 98m. One of the very first hydro-electric power plant was set here as early as 1902.TalakadTalakadu is a place on the banks of river Kaveri with rich history and also unfortunate recent past. As the legend claims, the town of Talakadu got completely buried in the sand as cursed by Alamelamma. It was only recently that the sand was cleared and many prominent temples were unearthed. It is an important pilgrim centre for Hindus because of the presence of five lingams of Lord Shiva and also Keerthi Narayana temple established by Sri Ramanujacharya.Biligiriranga HillsBiligiriranga Hills is a hill range situated at the confluence of Eastern and Wester Ghats at the border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. As a result the area has a rich flora and fauna and is a wildlife sanctuary. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in December 2010. These hill ranges are abundant in Sandalwood, from which our state derives the name 'Gandhada Gudi'. Once the infamous dacoit Veerappan used to roam in these forests.Male Mahadeshwara HillsMale Mahadeshwara Hills is a hill range where the temple of Mahadeshwara, believed to be an avatar of Lord Shiva, is situated in the middle of forest. It is a major temple for many people in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Adjacent to it, there is also dense forest as well as deciduous forest with rich flora and fauna. It is soon to be declared as a protected wildlife sanctuary.Option 11 - The Land of Hoysalas (& Gowdas)Day 1 - ShravanabelagolaDay 2 - Halebidu - BelurDay 3 - Sakleshpur - Manjarabad Fort - Bisale GhatShravanabelagolaShravanabelagola is one of the most prominent places in the map of Jainism with its history dating back to more than 2000 years. It is the place where the tallest monolithic statue of the world, Bahubali, stands atop the Vindhyagiri hill. It was voted the first among the seven wonders of India in 2007. It is one of the architectural marvels of India. Though it is a exhausting task to ascend the hill, it is worth that much sweat.HalebiduHalebidu was once the majestic capital of the eminent Hoysala kingdom in 12-13th century. Hoysaleshwara temple is the major attraction here. It has many sculptures on its walls from Hindu Mythology, animals and Shila Balikas. And no two sculptures are the same. The sculptures here are sculpted in soap stone with intricate detail. It proposed to be made as World Heritage Site.BelurBelur, also once the capital city of Hoysalas, has the finest example of Hoysala architecture int he form of Chennakeshava temple present here. The whole temple complex is filled with mesmerizing sculptures. All of the sculptures present here look almost humanly impossible. Legends say that it took 103 years to complete the Chennakeshava temple. Most of the sculptures are said to be carved by Jakanachari, who was considered one of the best sculptors ever.Manjarabad Fort, SakleshpurManjarabad fort is a fort constructed by Tipu Sultan on the top of a hillock near Sakleshpur. It is constructed 3240 ft above sea level. It was a main storage for ammunition and served as a watch tower and control point for the routes passing into Mysore from the coast. It provides a picturesque sight of the Western Ghats.BisleBisle is a small village in the middle of Western Ghats near Saklespur. A view point established here provides a breathtaking view of mountain ranges of three districts namely, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu and Hassan. One will be spell bound watching the beautiful valley and the river separating the mountain ranges from here.Option 12 - The Land of KadambasDay 1 - Sathodi Falls - Magod FallsDay 2 - Yana - SahasralingaDay 3 - Banavasi - Sirsi - MundgodSathodi FallsSathodi Falls is a picturesque waterfalls near Yellapur in Uttarakannada district. Many streams join together in the Kallarmane Ghat forming the 15m wide waterfalls with pristine water. This falls is a part of Ganeshgudi forest range.Magod FallsMagod falls is also a beautiful waterfalls near Yellapur amidst thick evergreen forest. River Bedti comes rushing in two leaps into the rocky ravine from a height of 650ft. This along with some nearby spots is an ideal picnic spot.YanaYana is a place well known for the unusual rock formations present here, the two peaks namely Bhairaweshwara Shikara (390 ft) and Mohini Shikara (300 ft) peaks. The huge rocks are composed of solid black, crystalline Karst limestone. These peaks in the background of Western Ghats are feast for eyes for any nature lover. There is a self-manifested Shiva Lingam in the Bhairaweshwara peak, so it is also a pilgrimage centre.SahasralingaSahasralinga is an unique place near Sirsi where you can find hundreds and hundreds of Shiva Lingas carved in the rocks in the middle and the banks of the river Shalmala. Sahasralinga literally means thousands of Lingas. This is an ideal picnic spot. The water here is unpolluted and it isn't much crowded. It is also a pilgrim centre.BanavasiBanavasi, the first ever capital of Karnataka, is an ancient town prominent throughout the history of India. It was the glorious capital city of the very first royal dynasty of Karnataka - The Kadambas. The main attraction here is the Madhukeshwara temple which was built in the 9th century. Pampa, eminent poet of Kadamba era wrote,It is a virtue to be born in Banavasi as a human being. If not as a human being, then at least one should be born as a bee or a cuckoo in the garden of Banavasi'.Marikamba Temple, SirsiMarikamba temple of Sirsi is one of the prominent temples of Goddess Durga. Goddess Marikamba is beautiful and valiant form of Parvati, and this temple was built for her in the 17th century. This is located in the middle of hillocks and evergreen forests covering the town of Sirsi.Mundgod Tibetan CampMundgod Tibetan Camp is called Doeguling Tibetan Settlement. It is well known as 'Mini Tibet'. It is the largest concentration of Tibetans in the world. Once you enter this camp, the very atmosphere changes. There are a total of seven spectacular monasteries here. One should visit this camp and experience the culture of Tibet.Option 13 - The Coffee Valley - ChikkamagaluruDay 1 - KudremukhDay 2 - Bababudan Giri - Hebbe Falls - KemmangundiDay 3 - Mullayyanagiri - BelavadiKudremukhKudremukh is many things - a hill station, a mountain range, a former mining town and a prominent tea growing area. Kudremukh peak is the third highest peak of Karnataka. Kudremukh National Park is home to many endangered species. It is covered by the evergreen forests of the western ghats and the Shola grasslands and is breathtakingly beautiful. One will fall short of words. It is also trekker's paradise.Baba BudangiriBaba Budangiri or Dattagiri is a peak in the hill ranges of Baba Budan in Western Ghats. It is the second highest peak of Karnataka. Datta/Baba Budan hill ranges are also known as Chandradrona Parvata Shreni. It is also a pilgrim centre for both Hindus and Muslims (and hence controversial) since it has the Dattapeeta and the shrine of Sufi saint Baba Budan. There are many places to visit around it including some prominent caves and water falls. Unique Kurinji flowers bloom here once every 12 years, enhancing the beauty of these ranges.Hebbe FallsOne more breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls of the western ghats. Hebbe falls gushes down from a height of 168m in two stages - Dodda Hebbe and Chikka Hebbe. It used to be summer retreat for Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV.KemmangundiKemmannugundi is a hill station in the Western Ghats situated at a height of 1434m above the sea level. Mesmerized by its beauty King Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV built his summer resort here, which he later donated to the govt. of Karnataka. Kemmannugundi has beautifully laid gardens, serene valleys and magnificent mountain ranges.MullayyanagiriMullayanagiri, the tallest peak of India between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris, the second tallest of South India, is magnificent peak in the Baba Budan Hill range. You will know what it literally means to be like "Aaj main upar, aasmaan neeche". At the summit of the hill in the morning you won't be able to see your friend who is standing some 2m away from you because of the fog. A sea of clouds will be at your feet and you will fall short of words once you witness the beauty of Western Ghats stretching far far away. There is also a temple atop the peak and it will be extremely cold here.[The sea of clouds seen from Mullayanagiri]Veera Narayana Temple, BelavadiBelavadi is one of the important places which came under Hoysala Regime. It is famous for the Veers Narayana Temple whcih was built during the 12th century and is one of the largest temples built by the Hoysalas. It is also believed that this is the place where Bheema killed Bakasura in Mahabharata. And if you're still engaged in reading this, comment Chhota Bheem. While Belur and Halebidu are famous for theis intricate design, this temple is known for its architecture.Option 14 - ShimogaDay 1 - Gudavi - Jog Falls - Ikkeri - Keladi - Kunchikal FallsDay 2 - Kodachadri - Hidlumane Falls - Tyarekoppa Lion SafariDay 3 - Sakrebailu Elephant Camp - Kuppalli - Kundadri - AgumbeGudavi Bird SanctuaryGudavi Bird Sanctuary of Shimoga is one of the 5 major bird sanctuaries of Karnataka. Nearly 217 species of birds belonging to 48 families come here to breed during various seasons. A natural lake and the trees which provide shelter to the birds here themselves provide a picturesque scene. The birds visiting here range from Grey heron to Darter to Pariah Kite.Jog FallsJog falls, the second highest plunge waterfalls, is like the king of all waterfalls of Karnataka. I was always fascinated by this falls, with its four distinct falls - Raja, Rani, Roarer and Rocket, all of which are named according to the way the gush downwards. This waterfalls is formed by Sharavati river. Mugur Mallappa has written a poem about Jog Falls which says - see Jog Falls at least once in your lifetime.ಮಾನವನಾಗಿ ಹುಟ್ಟಿದ ಮೇಲೆ ಏನೇನ್ ಕಂಡಿ?ಸಾಯೋ ತನಕ ಸಂಸಾರ್ದೊಳಗೆ ಗಂಡಾಗುಂಡಿಹೇರಿಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗೋದಿಲ್ಲ ಸತ್ತಾಗ್ ಬಂಡಿಇರೋದ್ರ ಒಳಗೆ ಒಮ್ಮೆ ನೋಡು ಜೋಗದ್ ಗುಂಡಿ!IkkeriIkkeri was the regal capital of the Keladi Nayakas for some period. The main attraction here is the Aghoreshwara temple. This beautiful temple which was built in the 15th century is the blend of Hoysala, Vijayanagara and Chola style of architecture. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the watchful protector. ;)KeladiKeladi, as you can guess, also served once as the capital of the Keladi Nayakas, a feudatory of Vijayanagara Empire. The main attraction here is the Rameswara temple and the museum in its surrounding. The Rameswara temple houses three gods : Rameswara, Veerabhadra and Lord Ganesha. One can find the mythological creature Gandaberunda can be found on the ceilings which is now the emblem of Karnataka and also the Bengaluru F.C. ;)KodachadriKodachadri is the highest peak of Shimoga district and the 10th highest of Karnataka. It is in the middle of Mookambika National park. It is famous for the scenic view of sunset and sunrise it provides. And one can also see the back waters of Arabian sea from here. Adi Shankaracharya is said to have meditated at the Sarvaja peetha present here and there is also a famous Mookambika temple. It is gaining popularity as an ideal trekking spot lately.[Sarvajna Peetha]Hidlumane FallsHidlumane falls is a waterfall present at the base of Kodachadri. This picturesque waterfalls rushes down as a series of 6 or 7 streams. The fascinating part about these falls is that they are hidden from each other and each one of them seems more enthralling than the previous one. One can enjoy the view of pure water gushing down and also playing in the pool.Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger SafariTyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari is a famous picnic spot of Shimoga for wildlife enthusiasts. The safari was started in 1998, which covers about 200 hectares of forest area. One can catch a glimpse of Tigers, Lions, Sloth bears, Leopards and many more animals here during safari. There is also a well maintained small zoo here.Sakrebailu Elephant CampSakrebailu elephant training camp is an abode to a number of elephants. The elephants visit the backwaters of river Tunga in the camp. They bathe and play there. It will be a delight to watch for the ellie-lovers and children.Kuppalli[Kavishaila]The first thing that comes to mind when a Kannadiga hears the word Kuppalli is the name of the one of the greatest Indian poets ever - Rashtrakavi Kuvempu or Kuppalli Venkatappa Puttappa. Kuppalli is the place where Kuvempu's ancestral home is present where he spent most of his childhood. This home, now called as 'Kavimane', is converted into a museum which reflects the journey of Kuvempu. Kuppali is the place where Kuvempu and his son Poornachandra Tejaswi (the author I admire the most) are laid to rest after their death. A monument is created in the memory of Kuvempu with megalithic rocks arranged in a fashion similar to Stonehenge.KundadriKundadri is mountain peak in Shimoga atop which there is a simple 17th century Jain Basadi along with a pool. The peak is named after a Jain saint Kundakundacharya. Sunrise and moon set can be experienced simultaneously here on the day of full moon. It is an adventurous place for trekking.AgumbeWords fall short to describe the this place which abounds in natural beauty. It is sometimes called as 'Cherrapunji of the South', because of the rainfall here and someitmes as the cobra capital due to the abundance of King Cobra. Agumbe is home to many rare medicinal plants like Garcinia, Myristica, Listsaea, Diospyrous, Hoiligarna, Eugenia and Ficus and hence it is also referred to as Hasiru Honnu (Green Gold). Our nation's first automatic weather monitor station is established here to study the changes in rain forests, courtesy well known herpetologist Dr Romulus Whitaker. There are many places to see around Agumbe, the mesmerizing sunset is not to be missed here.Option 15 - The Land of BahamanisDay 1 - BidarDay 2 - Bidar - BasavakalyanDay 3 - GulbargaBidarBidar, once the capital of the Bahamanis, is the northmost district of Karnataka, often referred to as the crown of Karnataka. The town still has the strong fort built by the Bahamani rulers with seven gateways to it. There is a huge Persian influence in this area. There are a number of monuments of Islamic architectures including the Arabic University of Mahmud Gawan. If you have read this far, comment I'm Batman. The city is not confined to Islam, there is also Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib, a sacred place for the Sikhs. And there are also many Hindu temples. Bidar is also famous for Bidrware, an intricate metal handicraft work.BasavakalyanBasavakalyana, formerly known as Kalyan, is a place rich in history. It was ruled by many glorious dynasties like Kalyani Chalukyas, Kalchuris and the Bahamanis. It is also associated with Vishwaguru Sri Basavannna and the Sharana movement. The city has a fort constructed by the Kalyani Chalukyas. The major attraction here now is the world's tallest Basavanna statue which is 33m tall.GulbargaGulbarga, the neighbouring district of Bidar, is also as rich in history as Bidar. Malkhed or Manyaketa in Gulbarga district was once the capital of the glorious kingdom of Rashtrakutas. Gulbarga itself served as the capital of Bahamanis for some period. Right from the ancient Bahamani fort remains, the heart of Sufism renowned Khwaza Bande Nawaz Darga, the famous jain Shwetambur temple 22km from Gulbarga, to the famous Hindu pilgrimage temple of Shranabasaveshwara temple, and to the recently built breathtaking Buddh Mandir within the city boundary, Gulbarga has it all.The Monuments and Forts of the Deccan Sultanate present in Bidar, Gulbarga, Bijapur and Telangana are also listed as UNESCO world heritage sites.On a closing note I would like to say, Karnataka is filled with many more beautiful tourist spots and this is not it. Start exploring Karnataka, it is a never ending journey. Hope the answer helps.Thank you for the A2A Mohan-avre. Though it took me three weeks to write the answer, I loved answering this one. I didn't know what I'm getting into before starting it!Thanks to my friend Kishor Patil for giving me inputs on Gulbarga and to Prerana and Sujana for their inputs on Shimoga.P.S - I have a life! :PImage Credits1. Aihole - Global Holiday Centre | globalholidaycentre.com2. Pattadkal - Trip To Pattadakal - Karnataka, India3. Banashankari - Shri Banshankari Devi Mandir - Badami4. Mahakuta - mytravelphotos.net5. Badami - a. By Sanyam Bahga (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commonsb. By Dineshkannambadi (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commonsc. My Friend, Sanket Srivastwa6. Kudalasnagama - By Mankalmadhu at en.wikipedia (Transferred from en.wikipedia) [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons7. Alamatti - a. By Murughendra (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commonsb. Myself8. Bijapur - a. mytravelphotos.net9. Hampi - a. Visiting Hampi, Karnataka, Indiab. Filming the heritage! - GoUNESCO Travel Challenge10. Hospet - Discover Wildlife Adventure Monuments Temples of Karnataka11. Sandur - a & b - myself12. Chitradurga - a. Tourist Attractionsb. hints, allegations and things left unsaid...: Tuppada Kola13. Mysore - a. By Ramesh NG (Flickr: Mahishasura, Chamundi Mysore) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic - CC BY-SA 2.0)], via Wikimedia Commonsb. In and around the fabulous Mysore Palace - Some glimpses of nocturnal grandeur during Dasara 2012c. My Friend Vasanthd. October | 2008 | churumuri | Page 2e. Karanji Lake, Mysoref. Brindavan Gardens, Pandavapurag. Rahul Aravind - Photography - Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuaryh. Nanjanagud - Places around Bangalore: Nanjangud Temple14. Srirangapatna - http://divyadesamyatra.blogspot.in/2011/02/srirangapatna.html15. Kodagu - Kshatriyas Symbols - Viewing Gallery16. Bylakuppe - By Sahyadri H S (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons17. Kaveri Nisargadhama - Panoramio - Photos by kyucera18. Dubare - www.ccorgclub.com - abby falls19. Mandalpatti - a. Journey towards Mandalpatti (Melukote)b. My friend Sreedhar20. Abbey Falls - By Abhijitsathe (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons21. Raja's Seat - By Dhimant chovatia (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons22. Talakaveri - By Abhijitsathe (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons23. Irupu Falls - By Rameshng (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 Generic - CC BY-SA 2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons24. Nagarhole - By Yathin S Krishnappa (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons25. Subramanya - Panoramio - Photos by deepaknr26. Dharmasthala - By Vedamurthy J (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons27. Venur - By Vikas m at en.wikipedia [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons28. Moodbidri - Savira Kambada Basadi, Moodabidri29. Karkala - Photos by Ismail M Kutty Shivamogga30. Hornadu - idlisandideas31. Sringeri - By Calvinkrishy (Self-photographed) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 Generic - CC BY-SA 2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons32. Pilikula - Pilikula Nisarga Dhama33. Ullal - Page on mangaloretaxi.com34. Sultan Battery - Mangalore - The Full Wiki35. Tannirbhavi - Page on mangaloretaxi.com36. Panambur - Panambur Beach Mangalore37. Surathkal - Manoj Saldana: March 201138. Kapu - ಸುಮ್ಮನೆ: November 201239. Udupi - (WT-shared) Ravikiranr at wts wikivoyage [GFDL (GNU Free Documentation License) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5 Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons40. St. Mary's Island - Udupi Tourism - www.udupitourism.com41. Malpe - Cooking with Gaurav42. Maravanthe - By Nkodikal (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons43. Murudeshwara - By Lucky vivs (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons44. Apsarakonda - Explore Karnataka45. Gokarna - Gokarna Industrial Visit46. Karwar - By Anurag R Naik (It was a photo taken when I visited the place.) [CC-BY-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons47. Gokak - By Shishirmk at en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons48. Godchinamalaki - Godchinamalki Falls, Gokak49. Amboli Ghat - Amboli Ghat | Around Pune50. Dudhsagar Falls - The Kingdom of Goa52. Dandeli - 5 Things to do in Goa !!53. Gopalaswamy Betta - Dawn at Himavad GopalaSwamy Betta!!54. Bandipur - a. By Brocken Inaglory (Own work) [GFDL (GNU Free Documentation License), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (Page on creativecommons.org)], via Wikimedia Commonsb. My friend Vasanth55. Ooty - Adventure Wedding in Ooty India56. Melukote - By Philanthropist 1 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0) or GFDL (GNU Free Documentation License)], via Wikimedia Commons57. Kokrebellur - By Koshy Koshy [CC-BY-2.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution 2.0 Generic - CC BY 2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons58. Shivanasamudra - 6 Weekend Trips around Bangalore59. Talakad - By Alok567gupta (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons60. BR Hills - A Trip To BR Hills - Images WorthvieW61. MM hills - By Vedamurthy J (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons62. Shravanabelagola - Les arts, l'architecture et le Jaïnisme63. Halebidu - By Vinayaraj (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons64. Belur - By Santhosh (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons65. Manjarabad Fort - Week of reddit.com/r/castles (Sunday 8/1866. Bisle - The art of travelling between Bangalore - Mangalore/Udupi - Team-BHP67. Sathodi Falls - Sathodi Falls, Yellapur68. Magod Falls - Monsooned Valleys of Malenadu69. Yana - Photos by NATESH RAO70. Sahasralinga - Sahasralinga, Sirsi71. Banavasi - File:Madhukeshwara Temple.JPG72. Sirsi - March | 2014 | Harsha.Balur's Blog73. Mundgod - harimohan paruvu74. Kudremukh - Crazy Hikers75. Baba Budangiri - BABA BUDAN GIRI76. Hebbe Falls - By Srinivasa83 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0) or GFDL (GNU Free Documentation License)], via Wikimedia Commons77. Kemmangundi - Kemmangundi, Karnataka, India (with photos)78. Mullayanagiri - FlashBack - Trek to Mullayanagiri79. Belavadi - By Santhoshbapu (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons80. Gudavi - Dr.Shrikanth Hegde's Photography81. Jog Falls - Jughead i at the English language Wikipedia [GFDL (GNU Free Documentation License) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons82. Ikkeri - By Suvarnini Konale (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons83. Keladi - Dineshkannambadi at en.wikipedia [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons84. Kodachadri - a. vryte..we write..what do we write?b. By Irfan Ahmed (Black-z-ro) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic - CC BY-SA 2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons85. Hidlumane Falls - Kodachadri and Arishinagundi Nov 26,27 201186. Tyavarekoppa - Cherry's travel book87. Sakrebailu - Monsoon 2N/3D getaway from Bengaluru to Jog/Ikkeri/Keladi/Kuppalli88. Kavishaila - By HPNadig (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons89. Kundadri - By Manjeshpv (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons90. Agumbe - trekking | footloosegups!!91. Bidar - mytravelphotos.net92. Basavakalyan - By Sscheral (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (Creative Commons - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported - CC BY-SA 3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons93. Gulbarga - Journeys across Karnataka

I’m not quite sure what I was expecting before I visited Cuba last week.Billboards featuring Fidel Castro all over the place like happens in countries in the Middle East, perhaps? Security forces everywhere? People unhappy with their lot under one of the last Communist regimes to still exist? Nope, nope, nope.Whatever your preconceived notions, Cuba will likely surprise you. And as it prepares to open the tourism gates wider now that the US has eased sanctions, here’s a rundown of what to expect should you choose to visit the country.First impressionsThe first surprise comes shortly after you land. We flew to Varadero, which hosts Cuba’s second largest airport after the one in capital Havana. The airport is tiny, possibly the smallest one I’ve seen so far, and has only a single terminal. More surprising was the fact that almost all airport staff appear to be young women. Those manning the X-ray machines where cabin bags are put through wore smiles, skirts, fishnet stockings and heels. Not quite the stern, muscled, military types you might expect to see.​From immigration to baggage pick-up, the process is quick and painless, and it took us less than a half-hour to make our way out of the terminal into the stifling heat of the Cuban sun. The heat! Coming from single digit Celsius to 30+ temperatures can be a bit of a shock to the senses, so it’s great that right at the exit is a stall stocked up with cool drinks, including beer.​Most all-inclusive packages to the resorts will include a bus ride from the airport. The buses (mostly imported from China because of the US sanctions on Cuba) are modern, comfortable and air-conditioned.One of the things that strikes you on the ride to the resort is the number of people standing along the sides of the road looking to hitch a ride. That, according to our tour guide, is one of Cuba’s most popular sports. Car ownership is very low and buses are infrequent, forcing many to try their luck with the outstretched thumb. Do they get rides easily, we asked our tour guide. “If it’s a young woman, it will usually take two minutes. For men…closer to seven hours,” he laughed.The peopleThe Cubans we met—both at the resort as well as during day trips to Havana, downtown Varadero and places in between—were almost all overwhelmingly friendly and helpful. It helps to know Spanish, of course, but there are enough people who speak English that you won’t have trouble making yourself understood. This is especially true at the resorts, service establishments (restaurants, bars), shopping areas and when taking a taxi or bus.We had some interesting conversations with a number of locals, including our tour guides, taxi drivers and people working at the resort we stayed at. If you thought Cubans might be wary of talking to outsiders, think again…they are quite happy to engage in conversation. It was quite a surprise to learn that most people in Cuba—from doctors to labourers—earn only around $25 a month. And yet, at least with the people we spoke to, there didn’t seem to be any real rage against the existing system. As they put it, school and university education is free, as is healthcare, including most dental. (Healthcare in Cuba is very good, something confirmed even by doctors I know in Canada). Food is available through rations at minimal cost. Utility bills (phone, electricity, gas) work out to just $2 a month. Rents are controlled and there are no property or goods and services taxes.Consumerism is clearly not an issue. Big-ticket items are mostly unaffordable or unavailable. Now that I think back, I cannot recall seeing a single billboard marketing anything during my week in the country.Despite what you may suspect, there doesn’t appear to be any huge resentment against Americans (though Cubans do feel aggrieved about the decades-long embargo). In fact, many voiced optimism that the easing of travel sanctions by the United States would lead to a complete lifting of sanctions and a greater inflow of American tourists. For now, they are happy with the steady traffic from Canada which keeps the resorts full and earns them tips that can be many multiples of their salaries.Getting around​The Bacunayagua bridge, at 110 metres, is the tallest in Cuba…you cross it when driving from Varadero to Havana.We were advised it wasn’t wise to rent a vehicle in Cuba, but it’s fairly inexpensive to get around by taxi or bus. A taxi and guide for a group of us from Varadero to Havana (a two-hour drive with multiple stops each way plus about five hours in the city) cost us just $30 each. An all-day multiple-use bus pass in Varadero costs approx $6. There are also the Coco-taxis, which are auto-rickshaws that have a resemblance to coconut shells.​Need a guide to take you around? One option is of course to ask at the desk at the resort/hotel you are staying at, but you can also ask any of the service staff (waiters, bartenders, gardeners) and they are almost certain to link you up with someone who can be your guide. Rates can vary wildly and are almost always negotiable. Declining a quote is accepted with good grace; there isn’t the kind of pushy behaviour you might see in parts of Asia or the Middle East.Most parts of Cuba (that we went to) are safe, though our guide did warn us about some sections that were apparently not advisable to visit at night. Interestingly, one of these sections (which we drove through) was spruced up with freshly-painted building facades and good roads as it apparently was where Pope Francis passed through during his recent visit.What to seeIt may be tempting to sit back and enjoy the resort life with its beaches, entertainment and unlimited supply of food and alcohol, but you would be doing yourself a huge disservice by not going out and seeing the city. Havana especially is deserving of at least an entire day or two.​A street in Old HavanaIn the limited time we had, we walked around Old Havana (where many of the buildings date back to when it was ruled by Spain), checked out the massive Revolution Square (the stage used for the Mass by Pope Francis was still not fully dismantled), saw several forts and monuments, dropped in at the Havana Cathedral, shopped for souvenirs, and as a special treat, drank hugely overpriced martinis at the same bar that Ernest Hemingway used to frequent when he lived in Cuba.​Signatures fill the walls of the Martinez room at La Bodeguita del Medio, one of Ernest Hemingway's favourite watering holes in HavanaWe also relaxed by the marina where Cubans in their little boats cast their lines for fish. The seafood in Cuba is simply divine. If you get a chance, try the grilled lobster at the Hostal y Paladar El Canonazo. This outdoor restaurant has great atmosphere with its thatched roofs, live music, small chickens running around and even a turtle you can pet.​The classic carsIf you haven’t already heard, this is one of the highlights of visiting Cuba. The US embargo and limited purchasing power has meant that the entire country is like a vintage car museum. The embargo was imposed in 1960, so the American cars you see on the road today—Chevys, Plymouths, Hudsons, Fords—are all of 1950s or earlier vintage.​​How on earth do they keep them running after all these years, I asked some of the drivers. The best response I got? “This is not an old car, it’s a hybrid!” All the drivers said they would replace parts as needed from whatever was available. Some of the vehicles had completely refurbished, modern interiors even though the shell was still of original vintage.Many (perhaps most) of these classic cars that I saw were being used as taxis; an indication that tourists enjoyed being driven around in them.Other points of interestCarry cash in Euro or Canadian dollars (not US). Cuba has two types of currency, the convertible CUC which is what you'll need to use most of the time, and the Cuban peso (CUP), which is accepted only in very, very few places unless you are Cuban. (Note: See comment by Yiğit Günay about acceptance of CUP). Don’t take US dollars if you can help it…although technically the CUC is pegged at 1:1 with the US Dollar, the greenback is the only currency subject to a 10% special additional commission when converting. You wind up getting just 83-85 CUC for every US$100 depending on where you buy them. You can only purchase CUCs in Cuba, and cannot take them outside the country, so don’t convert more than you think you might need. Credit cards aren’t widely accepted.Limited internet. Hotels and resorts do not offer internet in rooms, free or otherwise. You need to purchase a wi-fi card (2 CUC for an hour), which will work only in a very limited area. So unless you’re happy to be stuck in the resort lobby fiddling with your phone and dealing with a slow connection, you might as well forget about internet and just enjoy your vacation.Travel plug adapter. Hotels tend to have mostly 220V outlets with round sockets, so carry an appropriate adapter.Shopping. It’s best to purchase souvenirs while in Havana or in the city your resort is located in. Shops at the resorts themselves charge three to four times the price for the same item; it can be even more at the airport Duty Free. On the other hand, alcohol and cigars are best left for Duty Free when you are leaving the country.A few more of my Cuba pictures: Hola Cuba!Thank you to Fred Landis, Jared Alster, User-10148113096371180602 and Luis Vitier for answering my Quora questions before I visited Cuba. Special thanks to Leonardo Morán, for all his tips and advice by PM. Unfortunately I couldn't make it to Santiago this time; hopefully there will be a next!

The IAS officer is responsible for the entire district. Therefore, the authority of district administration is in their hands.1.) Leadership:-As an IAS officer acts as government representative at whichever position they are deployed. Being part of the government, the IAS officer needs to show exceptional leadership skills and guide others towards a unified goal of development and betterment of people of India.Image from fan page instagram…IAS Deepak Rawat sir2.) Administration :-One of the key responsibilities entrusted to an IAS officer by the government, is to look after the day to day administrative affairs of their jurisdictional area. To fulfil this responsibility and be able to meet all administrative tasks by building a general consensus, the IAS officer needs to be an able administrator.Image from google3.) Honesty:-Corruption is the biggest problem in government machinery and despite several efforts from numerous governments no long lasting and effective solution has been found to this problem. Being responsible for administration, finance and law-order of a jurisdictional area, gives an IAS officer immense power to curb this problem. An officer with high sense of personal integrity and honesty can lead the charge against problems like corruption and put an end to this menace.4.) Patriotism:-This is the single most important quality that an IAS officer should possess. Keeping your country before one’s personal interest may sound very easy and idealistic, but when implemented will have a monumental impact on. The single most important task that IAS officers are entrusted with is to build an India for tomorrow; and being a patriot will guide all the actions of a person in a way that benefits the country.Image from google5.) At Sub-Divisional Level:-IAS officers are posted at sub-divisional level on the post of sub-divisional magistrate at the beginning of their career. Here, they have to maintain law & order as well as look after general administrative and developmental work in the area allotted under their jurisdiction.5.) At District Level: -IAS officers are deployed on District Magistrate’s post or as a District Collector or Deputy Commissioner.The responsibilities and associated powers of IAS officer at district level remain same. They have to look after administrative affairs of the district and implement and supervise developmental work in the area allotted under their jurisdiction.6.) Facilities:-a) Residence:- IAS officers generally get huge houses as residences on very low or no rent. They also can avail of the services of maids, cooks, gardeners, security guards, etc. DM gets a bungalow to stay. And SDM gets possibly flat. It depends on the city.(Image from Google)b) Transport:- They are allotted one or more vehicles with chauffeurs for official purposes. Also 1 or 2 policemen are there for security.Image from google.c) Bills:- They generally get free or highly subsidised electricity, water, gas and phone connections.d)Job Security:- IAS officers have enviable job security. It is not easy to fire an officer and the process requires extensive investigations and inquiries. IAS family protection is provided if needed.Image from google.Thank You..!!..For reading :-)