Most travelers head directly for Bangalore, Karnataka's capital, using it as a base to fly to Hyderabad, capital of Andhra Pradesh (discussed at the end of the chapter), or as a base from which to catch an overnight train to and from the "lost city" of Hampi, which lies 320km (198 miles) north. (Note that more adventurous travelers, usually backpackers, can also catch a bus from Goa and head straight to Hampi.) Remote and serene, Hampi is good for a few relaxing days -- at least 3 if you intend to explore the under-visited temples of the Chalukyas, which lie north of Hampi. The second principal destination in Karnataka is Mysore, again usually reached from Bangalore. If you're in Tamil Nadu or Kerala, it's also possible to drive directly to Mysore, passing Rajiv Gandhi National Park, or to approach it from the coastal city of Mangalore, connected to Goa and Kerala via the Konkan railway. Spend at least a day in Mysore before spending the next day or two visiting the beautifully decorated 11th-century temples at Belur and Halebid, and the nearby Jain monolithic statue at Sravanabelgola. Karnataka also has a few stunning beaches, just south of the Goan border, but unless you can make do with limited facilities, save your sunbathing for Goa and Kerala.
