KARNATAKA TRAVEL GUIDE · UPDATED OCTOBER 2026
Karnataka in Winter: Best Places, Weather by Region and Trip Plans
Winter is Karnataka’s main travel season, but it does not feel the same everywhere: Madikeri nights drop to about 12°C while Mangaluru stays above 21°C. This guide matches regions to what winter does to them, with temperatures, events and four ready routes for 2026–27.
Quick answer: where to go in Karnataka in winter
Go to the hills for cool mornings (Coorg, Chikmagalur), to Hampi and Badami for heritage while the days are comfortable, to the coast for beaches and Netrani diving, and to Nagarhole, Bandipur and Dandeli for wildlife and rafting. Pack layers for hill mornings but not heavy woollens: even Madikeri’s average January low is about 12°C, and Bengaluru’s is about 16°C.
For most of the state, winter means December to February, with November as the shoulder month that already feels pleasant and October still giving rain in places. It is the dry season on the coast and in the Malnad hills: waterfalls are still carrying monsoon water in the early months, skies are clearer for treks and sunrise points, and rafting, diving and safaris run on full schedules. Our best time to visit Karnataka guide covers every month, while the other seasons have their own pages: Karnataka in monsoon and Karnataka in summer.
The temperatures below come from published climate tables, and they use different reference periods by station, so treat them as typical conditions rather than forecasts. Events and fees are dated where they come from a source; anything announced late is marked as unconfirmed.
Winter weather in Karnataka by region
| Place | Dec (high / low) | Jan (high / low) | Feb (high / low) | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru (about 900 m) | 26.9 / 16.4°C | 28.4 / 16.1°C | 30.9 / 17.6°C | Pleasant; record lows near 8–9°C in Dec–Jan |
| Mysuru | 28.3 / 16.9°C | 29.3 / 16.3°C | 31.4 / 17.3°C | Comfortable for sightseeing all day |
| Madikeri, Coorg (1,170 m) | 25.3 / 13.2°C | 26.4 / 12.4°C | 28.2 / 13.1°C | Coolest of the main tourist bases; evenings need a layer |
| Chikmagalur (about 1,090 m) | Winter range roughly 11–20°C | Avg low about 14.8°C; driest month | — | Cold mornings at the peaks |
| Mangaluru (coast) | 32.0 / 22.4°C | 31.7 / 21.7°C | 31.7 / 22.7°C | Warm and dry; no winter chill |
| Gokarna (coast) | Warm: highs about 29–33°C and lows 20–26°C across the year | Dry | Dry | Beach weather, warm nights |
| Ballari (near Hampi) | 30.2 / 15.6°C | 31.4 / 15.6°C | 34.4 / 18.1°C | Cool mornings, hot by late February |
| Dandeli | About 18°C winter average, 18–30°C range | — | — | Pleasant for rafting and forests |
The pattern is simple. Hill stations get the coolest nights, the coast stays warm, and the dry north warms up fast by February: Ballari’s average February high is about 34°C. Rainfall is minimal in these months; Mangaluru gets about 34 mm in December and almost none in January, and Chikmagalur averages around 2 mm in January. Data sources are climate tables on Wikipedia with differing periods (for example 1961–1990 for Mangaluru and 1981–2010 for Madikeri and Ballari).
Winter month by month
| Month | What changes | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| November | Pleasant; Netrani diving season begins and the Mullayanagiri and Z Point trekking window (September to February) is open | The Hassanamba festival in Hassan runs to 11 November in 2026 |
| December | Bengaluru averages 27 / 16°C and Madikeri 25 / 13°C; Mangaluru still sees about 34 mm of rain | Busiest holiday weeks for hills and coast |
| January | Driest month: about 2 mm in Chikmagalur and almost none in Mangaluru; the coolest nights in Coorg | Best for treks, rafting and safaris |
| February | Warmer by day; Ballari averages about 34°C | Hampi Utsav was held in mid-February in 2026; Maha Shivaratri falls in late February or March |
If you can choose only one month, January combines the driest weather with the coolest hill nights; December has the same weather with larger crowds. In early winter the post-monsoon falls are strongest, so pair a hill trip with waterfalls in Karnataka, Jog Falls or a trek from the treks in Karnataka list.
Best places to visit in Karnataka in winter
Coorg: cool hills and coffee
Coorg’s crisp winter suits walks, coffee estates and waterfalls such as Abbey Falls, plus Raja’s Seat in Madikeri and the Golden Temple at Bylakuppe. Madikeri averages about 12°C at night in January, so carry a jacket for sunrise at viewpoints. See the Coorg 3-day itinerary for the day-by-day route and costs.
Chikmagalur: peaks and estate stays
November to February is the best window for Mullayanagiri and Baba Budangiri. Check the vehicle slot rules at Mullayanagiri before driving up; they are in our Chikmagalur trip guide, along with costs.
Hampi: ruins in comfortable light
Winter weather stays pleasant for long days among the Vijayanagara ruins at Virupaksha, Vittala and the Royal Enclosure, but plan the bulk of sightseeing before noon as February climbs toward the mid-30s. Use the Hampi 2-day itinerary and the guide to reaching Hampi from Bangalore.
Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal
The Chalukya sites in north Karnataka are best before heat builds; see the Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal guide and the list of UNESCO sites in Karnataka.
The coast: Gokarna, Murudeshwar, Udupi
Beaches are dry and warm all winter. Murudeshwar’s best months are October to March, and Netrani Island diving runs from about November to May; our Murudeshwar guide has timings, the 2025 dress code and costs. For beaches, see Gokarna beaches and the road route in Mangaluru to Gokarna.
Wildlife and rafting
Nagarhole (847.98 km², a tiger reserve since 2003) and Bandipur sit on either side of the Kabini reservoir, with large waterfowl gatherings on the river. Dandeli runs rafting from October to roughly May and safaris in the Kali Tiger Reserve; see the Dandeli adventure guide and wildlife safaris and national parks.
Nandi Hills
A short sunrise trip from Bengaluru: about 60 km away at roughly 4,851 ft, open about 6 am to 6 pm per one listing. Arrive early on weekends because it fills up.
Winter calendar: events from October 2026 to May 2027
| When | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Oct–11 Nov 2026 | Sri Hassanamba Devi and Siddeshwara Swamy Mahotsava, Hassan | Listed by the state tourism department |
| From 18 Oct 2026 to 1 May 2027 | Kambala season, coastal Karnataka: 28 events | Starts at Mysuru Kambala on 18 October and ends at Kadandale Parari on 1 May; venues include Mangaluru, Moodbidri, Puttur, Bantwal and Gurupura. Dates can shift, so check the calendar before booking |
| 13–15 Feb 2026 (last edition) | Hampi Utsav | The tourism department listed the 2026 edition; I did not find 2027 dates, so treat them as unconfirmed |
| Late Feb or early Mar | Maha Shivaratri | Celebrated at temples including Murudeshwar; expect crowds |
For the full festival picture, including Dasara and Ugadi, see our festivals in Karnataka guide. Kambala events are local; confirm the venue date with the organising committee before you travel.
Four winter trip plans
| Route | Best for | Time | Where to read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mysuru, Nagarhole or Kabini, Coorg | Palaces, wildlife and cool hills | 5–7 days | 7-day itinerary and Mysore Palace guide |
| Mangaluru, Udupi, Murudeshwar, Gokarna | Beaches, temples and Netrani | 4–6 days | Coastal road trip |
| Bengaluru, Hampi, Badami | Heritage and ruins | 4–5 days | Hampi and Chalukya sites |
| Chikmagalur and Coorg | Coffee, treks and waterfalls | 4–6 days | Chikmagalur guide, Coorg plan |
A shorter break? Compare options in weekend getaways from Bangalore and the 5-day itineraries. For couples, see honeymoon places in Karnataka.
Winter packing, crowds and booking
What to pack
- Hills (Coorg, Chikmagalur): a fleece or light jacket for 12 to 15°C mornings, plus rain protection because showers are still possible early in the season.
- Coast and Gokarna: light cotton, sun protection, a swimsuit and a cover-up for temples.
- Hampi and north: sun hat, scarf and water for warm afternoons.
- Temple visits: carry modest clothing. Murudeshwar introduced a dress code in 2025, so check the rules at any temple you plan to visit.
Crowds and prices
Winter is peak season. Listings warn that Nandi Hills and Kemmangundi fill up on weekends and advise booking stays early, and I expect the Christmas and New Year weeks to be busiest (my expectation, not a measured figure). Book accommodation, safaris and Netrani trips ahead of time.
Safari fees
A news report says Bandipur, Nagarhole and Bhadra raised jeep safari fees from 1 September 2026, so earlier published figures such as ₹300 to ₹600 per person are probably low. Check the official booking pages before you budget.
Mistakes to avoid in a Karnataka winter trip
- Packing heavy woollens for the whole state. Only the hills need layers.
- Visiting Hampi and the north at midday in late February. Highs approach the mid-30s.
- Assuming the coast cools off. Mangaluru stays around 32°C by day.
- Leaving bookings late. Stays, safaris and diving slots fill up.
- Trusting old fee tables. Safari fees changed in September 2026.
Karnataka winter FAQ
When is winter in Karnataka?
Mainly December to February, with November already pleasant. October can still bring rain, especially in the hills.
How cold does Karnataka get in winter?
Madikeri averages about 12°C at night in January, Chikmagalur has winter lows near 11°C, and Bengaluru averages 16°C with record lows near 8–9°C. The coast stays warm.
Which places are best in Karnataka in December?
Coorg, Chikmagalur, Hampi, Gokarna, Mysuru, Nagarhole and Dandeli are the usual picks, each suited to a different kind of trip.
Is it too cold for beaches?
No. Mangaluru and Gokarna average highs of about 30–32°C in winter, with dry weather in January and February.
Is Hampi good in winter?
Yes. Mornings are cool and days are pleasant, though February afternoons approach the mid-30s.
Does Netrani Island diving run in winter?
Yes. The season is roughly November to May, depending on sea conditions.
When is Hampi Utsav?
The 2026 edition was held on 13 to 15 February. I did not find confirmed 2027 dates; check the tourism department announcements.
Are wildlife safaris open in winter?
Yes. Safaris at Nagarhole, Bandipur, Bhadra and Kali Tiger Reserve run in winter, with fees raised from 1 September 2026 at the first three.
What should I book first?
Stays in Coorg and Chikmagalur, safari slots and Netrani trips, especially around Christmas and New Year.
Keep exploring Karnataka
Browse hill stations in Karnataka, beaches, waterfalls that are full after the monsoon, forts and temples, and plan food stops with our Karnataka food guide.
Distances, fees, timings and access rules are approximate and can change. Confirm with the place or the local authority before you travel.