Chaturmukha Basadi Karkala

Bangalore to Karkala Cab Service - Outstation Taxi with Driver

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Places to Visit in Karkala

The Gommateshwara at Gomatabetta

The Gommateshwara at Gomatabetta

A forty-two foot Bahubali carved from a single granite block and raised in 1432 by the Bhairarasa ruler Veera Pandya, standing on a bare rock hill above the town with the coastal plain on one side and the Western Ghats on the other. It is the second largest of the Karnataka monoliths after Shravanabelagola and it stands in the open with none of the enclosure that surrounds most of them. The climb is short and stepped. Visit in the early morning or the late afternoon; the view from the top is worth as much time as the statue.

The Gommateshwara at Gomatabetta

The Gommateshwara at Gomatabetta

A forty-two foot Bahubali carved from a single granite block and raised in 1432 by the Bhairarasa ruler Veera Pandya, standing on a bare rock hill above the town with the coastal plain on one side and the Western Ghats on the other. It is the second largest of the Karnataka monoliths after Shravanabelagola and it stands in the open with none of the enclosure that surrounds most of them. The climb is short and stepped. Visit in the early morning or the late afternoon; the view from the top is worth as much time as the statue.

Chaturmukha Basadi

Chaturmukha Basadi

Built in 1586 and quite unlike anything else on this coast - a square granite structure with four identical entrances facing the cardinal directions, each opening onto a sanctum with Tirthankara images looking outward, so the building has no front and no back. The stone is plain and precisely cut, and the effect is severe rather than ornate. It sits on a low rise near the Gommateshwara hill. Visit for half an hour and walk around all four sides; the symmetry is the point and it is only apparent from outside.

Varanga Kere Basadi

Varanga Kere Basadi

Twelve kilometres from Karkala, a Jain basadi stands in the middle of a lake and is reached by rowboat - the Kere Basadi at Varanga, with images of the Tirthankaras inside and water on every side. There is a second basadi on the bank. Getting there involves being rowed across, which takes a few minutes and is a large part of why people come. Visit in the morning when the water is still. Boat operation depends on the boatman being present and on water levels, so it is worth confirming locally rather than assuming, particularly outside the season.

St Lawrence Basilica at Attur

St Lawrence Basilica at Attur

Seven kilometres from Karkala, the basilica at Attur is one of the more visited Catholic shrines in coastal Karnataka, with a history going back to the eighteenth century and a reputation for miracles that draws pilgrims of every community - the annual feast in January brings very large numbers. There is a holy spring on the grounds. Visit at any time of year; it is quiet outside the feast. Together with the basadis and the Hindu temples nearby it makes Karkala a genuinely plural district, which is characteristic of this coast.

Anekere and Ramasamudra

Anekere and Ramasamudra

Anekere - the elephant lake - sits in the middle of Karkala and is said to have been where the Bhairarasa rulers washed their elephants. There is a small basadi on an island in it. Ramasamudra is the larger of the two town tanks, with a walking path around it. Neither is a destination in itself, but both are pleasant at either end of the day and they explain how the town is laid out. Visit at sunset. Karkala is small enough that the lakes, the basadi and the hill are all within a short drive of each other.

Udupi, Malpe and Agumbe

Udupi, Malpe and Agumbe

Karkala sits thirty-five kilometres from Udupi and its Krishna temple, where the deity is viewed through the celebrated nine-holed window and the ashta matha system has run the worship since Madhvacharya. Malpe, a little further, is the harbour with boats out to St Mary Islands and their columnar basalt formations. Agumbe is around forty kilometres inland with the sunset viewpoint and the rainforest research station. Visit any as a day from Karkala. For most groups the town is the base and these are what fills the second and third days.

Distance

360 Km

One way

Time

8 hrs

Via expressway

Starting from

10480

Plus GST

Top Cab Routes from Bangalore

Dzire Swift A/C

Dzire Swift A/C

NORMAL4 Seats

Driver Allowance: ₹400Included Km: 720Additional Price /Km after 720 kms: ₹15

₹10,480

+ ₹1814 (Taxes & Charges)

Etios A/c

Etios A/c

NORMAL4 Seats

Driver Allowance: ₹400Included Km: 720Additional Price /Km after 720 kms: ₹15

₹10,480

+ ₹1814 (Taxes & Charges)

Innova 6 A/C

Innova 6 A/C

LUXURY6 Seats

Driver Allowance: ₹400Included Km: 720Additional Price /Km after 720 kms: ₹19

₹14,080

+ ₹2462 (Taxes & Charges)

Innova 7 A/C

Innova 7 A/C

LUXURYAC7 Seats

Driver Allowance: ₹400Included Km: 720Additional Price /Km after 720 kms: ₹19

₹13,360

+ ₹2333 (Taxes & Charges)

Innova Crysta 7 A/C

Innova Crysta 7 A/C

LUXURY7 Seats

Driver Allowance: ₹400Included Km: 720Additional Price /Km after 720 kms: ₹21

₹14,800

+ ₹2592 (Taxes & Charges)

Innova Hycross

Innova Hycross

LUXURY7 Seats

Driver Allowance: ₹400Included Km: 720Additional Price /Km after 720 kms: ₹27

₹19,120

+ ₹3370 (Taxes & Charges)

Toyota commuter A/C

Toyota commuter A/C

LUXURY10 Seats

Driver Allowance: ₹800Included Km: 720Additional Price /Km after 720 kms: ₹65

₹47,600

+ ₹8424 (Taxes & Charges)

Corolla-altis A/C

Corolla-altis A/C

LUXURY4 Seats

Driver Allowance: ₹400Included Km: 720Additional Price /Km after 720 kms: ₹35

₹25,600

+ ₹4536 (Taxes & Charges)

Camry A/C

Camry A/C

LUXURY4 Seats

Driver Allowance: ₹500Included Km: 720Additional Price /Km after 720 kms: ₹50

₹36,500

+ ₹6480 (Taxes & Charges)

Audi A6

Audi A6

LUXURY4 Seats

Driver Allowance: ₹800Included Km: 720Additional Price /Km after 720 kms: ₹70

₹51,200

+ ₹9072 (Taxes & Charges)

Audi-q7 A/C

Audi-q7 A/C

LUXURYAC4 Seats

Driver Allowance: ₹800Included Km: 720Additional Price /Km after 720 kms: ₹120

₹87,200

+ ₹15552 (Taxes & Charges)

BMW 5 Series A/C

BMW 5 Series A/C

LUXURY4 Seats

Driver Allowance: ₹800Included Km: 720Additional Price /Km after 720 kms: ₹180

₹1,16,000

+ ₹20736 (Taxes & Charges)

BMW-7-Series A/C

BMW-7-Series A/C

LUXURY4 Seats

Driver Allowance: ₹800Additional Price /Km after 720 kms: ₹150

₹1,08,800

+ ₹19440 (Taxes & Charges)

Mercedes-benz-s-class-320 A/C

Mercedes-benz-s-class-320 A/C

LUXURY4 Seats

Driver Allowance: ₹800Included Km: 720Additional Price /Km after 720 kms: ₹160

₹1,16,000

+ ₹20736 (Taxes & Charges)

Mercedes Benz E Class Rent

Mercedes Benz E Class Rent

LUXURY4 Seats

Driver Allowance: ₹800Included Km: 720Additional Price /Km after 720 kms: ₹90

₹1,01,600

+ ₹18144 (Taxes & Charges)

Rolls-royce-ghost

Rolls-royce-ghost

LUXURY4 Seats

Driver Allowance: ₹1,000Included Km: 720Additional Price /Km after 720 kms: ₹600

₹4,33,000

+ ₹77760 (Taxes & Charges)

Toyota Fortuner A/C

Toyota Fortuner A/C

LUXURY5 Seats

Driver Allowance: ₹500Included Km: 720Additional Price /Km after 720 kms: ₹60

₹43,700

+ ₹7776 (Taxes & Charges)

About the Bangalore-Karkala route

Bangalore

Where Your Journey Starts

Chikmagalur

245 Km

Moodabidri

340 Km

Karkala

360 Km

Bangalore

Bangalore

Departure Point


Chikmagalur

Chikmagalur

Coffee Cradle of India


Moodabidri

Moodabidri

Jain Kashi of Karnataka


Karkala

Karkala

Black Stone Town of Tulu Nadu


Other Popular Routes from Bangalore

Our Trusted Clients

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Cab Packages for Every Traveller

Every quotation is built around what you actually need rather than a fixed menu. The four tiers below describe how we typically structure car booking enquiries on this corridor.

Coastal and Heritage Circuit Package

The shape most Karkala bookings should take. The town works best as a base rather than a destination: the Gommateshwara, Chaturmukha Basadi and Varanga fill a day, Udupi and Malpe fill a second, and Agumbe or Moodabidri a third. Three days with the vehicle retained covers all of it comfortably, and the driving between is short. Innova and Innova Crysta are the usual choice. For groups continuing north to Murudeshwar and Gokarna, this is a natural first stop on a longer coastal run.

Jain Pilgrimage Package

For visitors coming specifically for the Jain sites. Karkala, Moodabidri and Venur together hold three of the finest concentrations of Digambara heritage anywhere in South India, and Varanga adds a basadi in a lake that has no parallel. Two days covers them properly with the vehicle retained, since Varanga and Venur have no practical alternative transport. For Mahamastakabhisheka at Karkala or any of the other monolith sites, tell us early - the ceremonies run on long cycles and the towns fill entirely when they fall.

Weekend Package

Karkala works as a Bangalore weekend at seven and a half hours each way, though the ghat means a Saturday dawn start rather than a Friday evening departure. That gives you the town and Varanga on the first day, Udupi and Malpe on the second, and the drive home on the third. The Agumbe routing is worth taking one way if the weather is right - the sunset viewpoint and the descent through rainforest make the drive itself part of the trip rather than the price of it.

Premium and Luxury Cab Package

For senior family groups, guest hosting and travellers who want the drive and the ghat to be comfortable. This tier covers our premium car rentals in bangalore range and the innova hycross rent bangalore fleet, alongside our luxury car rental bangalore options. All three approaches to Karkala involve a ghat descent with genuine hairpins, and on the Charmadi and Agumbe routings in particular the suspension is felt considerably more than the distance would suggest.

Fare Inclusions, Exclusions and Advance Payment

Every Tejas Tours and Travels quotation for the Bangalore to Karkala corridor is issued in writing with the structure below. Nothing outside this list is charged, and everything inside it is stated before you confirm.

Advance payment: 20 percent of the total fare is payable in advance to confirm the booking.

Included in the Quoted Fare

1.   Base fare and fuel charges

2.   Driver allowance

Not Included in the Quoted Fare

3.   Toll and parking charges

4.   Interstate tax and permit charges

5.   Driver bata after 9:45 PM, charged extra

6.   Final rental is calculated on total kilometres and hours from our garage to garage

7.   GST

Insurance note: Tejas Tours and Travels does not cover passenger insurance. Passengers are advised to arrange their own travel cover where required. Vehicles carry the statutory motor insurance required under law.

Three points are specific to this route. First, this journey stays entirely within Karnataka, so no interstate permit arises - the exclusion above remains in our standard terms because it applies on our other corridors. Second, basadi and temple charges, the boat at Varanga and any boat to St Mary Islands from Malpe are paid on site; the Varanga crossing in particular depends on the boatman being present and on water levels, which is not something we can guarantee. Third, on a circuit using Karkala as a base the local running to Udupi, Malpe, Agumbe and Moodabidri is substantial, so our circuit quotes carry a stated allowance.

Our Services from Bangalore and Mysore

Tejas Tours and Travels operates a full ground-transport fleet across Bangalore and Mysore, and every service below is available on this corridor and on every other route we run.

Cab Service: Sedans, SUVs and premium cars for one to seven passengers. Our premium car rentals in bangalore fleet covers car rental bangalore, luxury car rental bangalore and premium cab requirements from local use to week-long outstation itineraries.

Tempo Traveller Service: The 9 to 17 seater band, which suits the community and family groups that make Jain heritage circuits. Our luxury tempo traveller bangalore fleet handles tt vehicle requirements with pushback seating and full air conditioning.

Minibus and Bus Service: The 13 to 35 seater mini bus rental in bangalore fleet covers minibus rental and mini bus booking online for pilgrimage and study groups. Full-size 35 to 55 seater coaches through our bus rental in bangalore service handle rental bus booking and bangalore bus booking, though for a long wheelbase we would route via Shiradi rather than Charmadi or Agumbe.

Force Urbania and Luxury Volvo Bus: Our force urbania rent bangalore fleet offers 10, 13 and 17 seater configurations, and urbania on rent bangalore suits these ghat roads particularly well. For long-haul group comfort, our volvo bus rental bangalore service covers volvo luxury bus and luxury bus hire.

Corporate Travels: Managed transport for companies. Our corporate travels bangalore desk provides corporate cab service bangalore and corporate car rental bangalore with GST invoicing, PO-based approvals and monthly consolidated billing.

Airport Transfer: Round-the-clock Kempegowda International Airport pickups and drops with live flight tracking, and transfers connecting to Mangalore airport, which is the nearest to Karkala at around sixty kilometres. Our airport transfer bangalore service covers bangalore airport cab and kempegowda airport taxi needs.

Employee Transport: Our employee transportation services bangalore programme covers office cab service bangalore and night shift cab service bangalore with GPS tracking and night-shift marshals, plus it employee transport service, employee pick up and drop service, tech park cab service and employee shuttle service Bangalore.

School Commute: Our school transportation services cover school bus service bangalore and school bus rental bangalore with verified drivers, onboard attendants and live tracking, plus school excursion bus rental bangalore and safe school transport service Bangalore.

Outstation Travel: Our outstation cabs bangalore service handles outstation cab booking, outstation taxi bangalore and outstation vehicle booking, with permits arranged in advance where a route requires them.

Wedding Cab and Bus: Our wedding car rental bangalore service covers wedding cars for rent, marriage car rental bangalore and wedding bus rental Bangalore as one managed booking.

Innova Hycross: Our innova hycross rent bangalore service offers innova hycross taxi and hycross car rental for families and executives, and the hybrid drivetrain suits ghat driving well. Curated tour packages from Bangalore and Mysore are also available across Karkala, Moodabidri, Udupi, Agumbe and the wider coastal circuit.

How to Book a Car for Rent in Bangalore — Step-by-Step

Booking a Car for hire in Bangalore with Tejas Travels takes under 5 minutes. Follow these 4 steps:

STEP1

Contact Tejas Travels

Call or WhatsApp +91 9980277773, or email info@tejastravels.com — available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Share your travel date, Bangalore pickup location (area or landmark — Whitefield, Electronic City, MG Road, Koramangala, KIA airport, hotel name, tech park), destination or full itinerary, number of passengers, and preferred vehicle. For KIA airport pickups, share the flight number — the driver tracks live flight status and adjusts pickup timing for delayed flights automatically. For luxury vehicles (Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Rolls-Royce), also mention the occasion — corporate, wedding, VIP event — so the team can ensure the best-condition vehicle and, where required, formal chauffeur attire.

STEP2

Receive Your Written Quote

Within 2 hours of your enquiry, Tejas Travels sends a written quote via WhatsApp or email. The quote clearly itemizes every charge: vehicle hire rate (Rs/km or flat package), driver allowance (Rs 400-1,000/day depending on vehicle class), applicable toll estimates, and any interstate permit if applicable (Tamil Nadu for Ooty, Kerala for Wayanad, Andhra Pradesh for Tirupati). No verbal-only prices — everything in writing before you confirm. For corporate clients requiring reimbursements, a Proforma Invoice can be issued at this stage. If you want to compare two vehicle classes, request both quotes at the same time.

STEP3

Confirm Your Booking & Pay Advance

Once satisfied with the written quote, confirm via WhatsApp or phone. A 15-20% advance payment confirms the booking. Payment: UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm), NEFT/IMPS/RTGS bank transfer, or credit/debit card via payment link. Advance receipt within 30 minutes. Confirmation includes: driver name and mobile, vehicle registration, departure time, pickup location, and full billing breakdown — all in writing. For luxury vehicles (Rolls-Royce Ghost, BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S-Class), advance may be higher due to limited fleet and Bangalore peak-date demand (wedding season November-February, New Year).

STEP4

Your Driver Arrives Early

Your assigned Tejas Travels driver arrives at your confirmed Bangalore pickup point 15 minutes before scheduled departure. For KIA airport transfers, the driver coordinates at the Arrivals gate. The vehicle is clean, sanitized, fuelled, and ready. For wedding and VIP bookings, the driver arrives in formal attire. The driver calls 30 minutes before arrival as a courtesy. During the trip, the driver handles all routing, toll payments, and Bangalore traffic navigation. At trip end, balance payment is settled after deducting the advance. Any additional km or hours are billed at the pre-agreed rate.

Quick Booking for Hire: WhatsApp +91 9980277773 with your vehicle preference, Bangalore pickup location, destination, and travel date. Written quote in 2 hours.

Payment Methods — Car Hire in Bangalore

Tejas Travels accepts all major digital and traditional payment methods for both advance booking and final settlement at trip end.

Method

Options

Notes

UPI

Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM UPI, Amazon Pay

Fastest method. Instant confirmation on receipt. Recommended for all advance deposits.

Bank Transfer

NEFT, IMPS, RTGS

For corporate clients and advances above Rs 5,000. IMPS instant; NEFT up to 2 hours.

Credit / Debit Card

Visa, Mastercard, RuPay

Via payment link to registered mobile or email. Valid for advance and full payment.

Net Banking

All major Indian banks

Payment link via WhatsApp or email. Preferred for Bangalore IT corporate PO-based approvals.

Cash

Balance at time of travel

Accepted at trip end. Advance must be digital for booking confirmation. Receipt issued.

Corporate Credit

Registered corporate accounts

30-day credit terms for signed Bangalore corporate clients. Monthly consolidated invoicing available.

Luxury vehicle note: For Rolls-Royce Ghost, BMW 7 Series, and Mercedes S-Class, a higher advance may be required given limited Bangalore fleet availability and Bangalore wedding season demand.

Cancellation Policy — Car Hire in Bangalore

Tejas Travels maintains a fair, transparent, and tiered cancellation policy. All terms communicated in writing at booking confirmation.

Cancellation Timing

Cancellation Charge

Refund on Advance

More than 72 hours before departure

NIL — No charge

100% of advance refunded within 5-7 working days

48 to 72 hours before departure

10% of total trip fare

Advance refunded less 10% deduction

24 to 48 hours before departure

25% of total trip fare

Advance refunded less 25% deduction

12 to 24 hours before departure

50% of total trip fare

Advance refunded less 50% deduction

Less than 12 hours before departure

75% of total trip fare

Minimal or no refund depending on trip value

No-show (car deployed, client absent)

100% of total trip fare

No refund. Full fare payable.

Cancellation by Tejas Travels (breakdown, force majeure)

NIL — No charge

100% refunded within 2 working days OR substitute vehicle offered

Special Cancellation Conditions for Bangalore Car Hire

  • Weddings: Bangalore wedding hire: Minimum 7-day notice for full refund. Cancellations within 3 days of wedding date are non-refundable.
  • Luxury Cars: Luxury vehicles (Rolls-Royce, BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S-Class): Minimum 5-day notice for full refund due to limited Bangalore fleet and wedding season demand.
  • Peak Dates: New Year, Diwali, and Bangalore long-weekends: Minimum 48-hour notice for full refund. Less than 24 hours is non-refundable.
  • Force Majeure: Bangalore bandhs / force majeure (traffic disruptions, road closures): 100% refund within 2 working days regardless of notice period.
  • Modifications: Modifications (date change, vehicle upgrade, route additions) with more than 24 hours notice: Accommodated at no penalty, subject to availability.

How to Cancel: Call or WhatsApp +91 9980277773 with your booking reference. Cancellation confirmation within 2 hours. Refund to original payment method within stated timelines.

Refund Policy — Car Hire for Rent in Bangalore

All refunds processed to the original payment instrument. No cash refund unless advance was paid in cash.

Refund Scenario

Refund Amount

Processing Timeline

Cancellation 72+ hrs before departure

100% of advance paid

5-7 working days to original payment instrument

Cancellation 48-72 hrs before departure

Advance minus 10% charge

5-7 working days

Cancellation 24-48 hrs before departure

Advance minus 25% charge

5-7 working days

Cancellation 12-24 hrs before departure

Advance minus 50% charge

7-10 working days

Cancellation by Tejas Travels

100% of advance paid

2 working days — priority processing

Trip shortfall: actual km less than minimum

Proportional credit on excess

Settled at trip end

Billing error / overcharge

Full overcharged amount

2-3 working days after verification

Duplicate payment

Full duplicate amount

2-3 working days after confirmation

Refund by Payment Method

  • UPI: UPI (GPay, PhonePe, Paytm): Refund to UPI-linked bank account within 3-5 working days.
  • Card: Credit/Debit Card: Refund to originating card within 5-7 working days.
  • Bank: Bank Transfer: Refund to originating account within 3-5 working days. Account re-confirmed before processing.
  • Cash: Cash: Cash refund at Tejas Travels Bangalore office or via IMPS within 5 working days.

Refund Contact: WhatsApp +91 9980277773 with booking reference, advance receipt, and refund reason. Confirmation within 24 hours.

Book Your Bangalore to Karkala Cab Today

Whether you are coming for a forty-two foot figure standing on a bare rock above the coastal plain, for a temple with four identical faces, for a basadi you reach by rowboat, or simply for a quiet base an hour from Udupi and the sea, Tejas Tours and Travels has the vehicles, the drivers and the route knowledge to plan it properly - including which of the three ghats suits the rest of your trip. Our bangalore to karkala cab service is priced transparently, quoted in writing within two hours, and confirmed with a 20 percent advance.

Call or WhatsApp +91 9980277773, or email info@tejastravels.com. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Share your travel dates, pickup area and whether Udupi, Agumbe or the Bahubali circuit is part of the plan, and your written quote arrives within two hours.

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What Our Customers Say About Our Cab Services in Bangalore

rahul

Travelled to Bangalore

So nice that the service we have received from Tejas travellers. Ms Revati is very good coordinator and so polite and have much patience. Thank you so much for making our journey nice and beautiful with sending experienced drivers.🙂

rahul

6/11/2025 Bangalore

5/5

Mas S

Travelled to Bangalore

Very good and clean vehicle provided for family trip for two days. Driver was professional and polite. Excellent service

Mas S

6/3/2026 Bangalore

5/5

Kishore Lal

Travelled to Bangalore

Hired for day-out trip, It was very pleasant and comfortable journey, with good driver's behaviour and l may strongly suggest Tejas travels for better and comfortable family trip

Kishore Lal

6/11/2025 Bangalore

5/5

Jai Kumar

Travelled to Bangalore

Booked cab from tejas travels, bangalore to madikeri. Excellent service, driver was very polite and he knows all nook and corner. Overall we enjoyed the trip

Jai Kumar

6/11/2025 Bangalore

5/5

Why Choose Tejas Tours and Travels?

Professional Travel Solutions

Professional Travel Solutions

Streamlined travel services tailored for your next adventure.

Extensive Vehicle Network

Extensive Vehicle Network

Large fleet of cars and buses for all your needs.

Transparent Pricing

Transparent Pricing

Clear costs and availability with no hidden fees.

Easy Booking Options

Easy Booking Options

Simple reservations for regional and outstation trips.

Frequently Asked Questions — Bangalore to Karkala Cab

The bangalore to karkala distance is around 360 km, with three viable approaches - via the Charmadi ghat, the Shiradi ghat or Agumbe - and reported figures between 345 km and 380 km depending on which is taken. A cab takes 7 to 8 hours 30 minutes with one halt. The route stays entirely within Karnataka. All three involve a ghat descent, which is the slow part of any of them.

It depends what else is in your trip. Charmadi if you are doing the Bahubali circuit, since it passes Dharmasthala and Venur. Shiradi for reliability, since it is the widest and best-graded crossing. Agumbe if Sringeri is in your plan or if the scenery matters - fourteen hairpins through rainforest with the sunset viewpoint at the top, and by some distance the most beautiful of the three. Tell us what else you want to see and we will pick the routing around it.

The Kere Basadi, twelve kilometres from Karkala - a Jain basadi standing in the middle of a lake, reached by rowboat, with Tirthankara images inside and water on every side. There is a second basadi on the bank. The crossing takes a few minutes and is a large part of why people come. Operation depends on the boatman being present and on water levels, so confirm locally on the day rather than assuming, particularly outside the main season.

They are twenty kilometres apart and complement rather than duplicate each other. Moodabidri is the Jain Kashi - eighteen basadis in one town, the thousand-pillar hall, the Dhavala manuscripts. Karkala is the stone town: the 1432 Gommateshwara on its rock hill, the four-faced Chaturmukha Basadi, and the granite quarries that supplied both its own monolith and the one at Dharmasthala. Most visitors do both, and they are an easy half hour apart.

A sedan starts at Rs 10,480. Three-day itineraries taking in Udupi, Malpe and Agumbe are quoted on plan and vehicle. Every quote itemizes base fare, driver allowance, toll estimate and GST separately, and circuit quotes carry a stated allowance for the local running, which with Udupi and Agumbe in the plan is substantial.

A 20 percent advance on the total fare confirms your booking and holds the specific vehicle for your dates. The advance receipt is issued within 30 minutes, and your confirmation includes the driver name, mobile number, vehicle registration, departure time and the full billing breakdown in writing. For the Attur feast in January and for any Mahamastakabhisheka period, book well ahead.

Included: base fare, fuel charges and driver allowance. Not included: toll and parking, driver bata after 9:45 PM, and GST. No interstate permit arises since the route stays within Karnataka. Basadi and temple charges, the Varanga boat and any Malpe boat to St Mary Islands are paid on site. The final rental is calculated on total kilometres and hours from our garage to garage.

No. Tejas Tours and Travels does not cover passenger insurance. Our vehicles carry the statutory motor insurance required under law and our drivers hold valid commercial licences, but passengers wanting personal travel cover should arrange it independently. For the Varanga and St Mary Islands boat crossings, the operators run their own arrangements and those are worth checking with them.

A very good one. Udupi and the Krishna temple are thirty-five kilometres west, Malpe and the boat to St Mary Islands a little further, Moodabidri twenty south and Agumbe forty inland. The town itself is quiet and the driving between all of these is short. For a three-day trip that wants both the Jain heritage and the coast, staying at Karkala or Udupi and working outward is a better arrangement than moving base every night.

October to March. The southwest monsoon from June to September brings extremely heavy rain to this coast and the hills above it - Agumbe records some of the highest rainfall in India - and all three ghat approaches have a history of closure in bad years. November to February is the most comfortable. The Attur basilica feast falls in January and fills that side of the town for several days.

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