Top Things to do in Dakshina Kannada District
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The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka
Discover the best top things to do in Dakshina Kannada District, India including Bandaje Arbi Falls, Kumara Parvatha, Biladwara Cave, Chamadka Waterfalls, Batapady Beach, Sammilan Shetty’s Butterfly Park, Narahari Parvata, Sri Somanatheshwara Cave Temple, Sasihithlu Beach, Aithal Snake Park.
Restaurants in Dakshina Kannada District
1. Bandaje Arbi Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Vasuki0407 - Bengaluru, India
Bandaje Arbi falls is located in the charmadi forest range. It is around 300kms from Bangalore. We took a KSRTC bus to dharamastala visited the temple. Its around 30kms from dharmastala. One can get a jeep rise till ujire and then you can go by the auto rickshaw to the base of the hill. There is one person who can get you some food (basically idli sambar and some rice item) if order it in advance. Bandaje Arbi falls trek can be done in 2 ways, one ascend from ujire side and descend in the same direction after seeing the falls. We ascended from ujire side and camped near the falls and then next day we further moved and saw Ballarayanadyrga Fort and descended near Horanadu side (better option). We had the darshan of goddess Annapoorneshwari and headed back to Bangalore by bus. Carry lots of water and save some energy rich chocolates or bars. Don't forget to carry tent's, torches (2 per person recommend), Volini sprays and other required things. I don't remember paying any kind of entrance fee..but do carry identity cards.
2. Kumara Parvatha
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By SUMASHREECOM_123
We started our journey from Mumbai on 25th Jan, we went to Manglore, from there we reached to kukke Subramanya temple by bus araund 11am. We started our trecking araund 11:30 am. It was a Sunday so there were so many people who were climbing dawn while we were climbing up. This was my first experience of trecking and staying in tent, that's why I was so excited.we went through dense forest it was amazing. Sounds of birds was attractive. We visit spring over there that was fabulous. We reached at Bhatt's house till 3 pm. We enjoyed meal there, fixed our tent and took rest for some time. At eve araund 5 pm we went sunset point we spent quality time there, took photographs, enjoyed nature's beuty, sat quietly. After that we had our dinner at Bhatt's house, hot sambar rice with pickel was really tasty. After dinner we enjoyed a fantastic view of sky......and slept nicely. On second day morning after breakfast araound 9:30 am we started climbing dawn and reached to kukke Subramanya temple araund 12 noon. Really it was very nice experience. thanks to my best friend for adding such a wonderful experience in my life.
3. Biladwara Cave
4. Chamadka Waterfalls
5. Batapady Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Mangalore Beaches offer so much to explore that it's hard to fit it all into one family beach vacation. In fact, you really need to live here to experience everything this popular Coastal City has to offer. Nestled between the Arabian Sea and Western Ghats Mangalore "The Gateway of Karnataka" is the largest city in Dakshina Kannada district and is one of the most cosmopolitan non-metro cities of
6. Sammilan Shetty’s Butterfly Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
A butterfly reserve spread across 7.35 acres of land in Belvai village. The place being admist Western Ghats has recorded more than 150 species of butterflies, including some of the endemic and most dazzling butterflies of the world. The experience includes a guided field tour, where one can spot butterflies in their natural habitat and also a video presentation on butterflies and their life. Months to visit:June to November Please call before you plan your visit.
Reviewed By BSavit
If you are a wanderer, love butterflies, plants, photography or simply enjoy being in lap of nature, a visit to Sammilan Shetty Butterfly Park is a must. The park is situated in Belvai, a 50 odd Kms distance from Mangalore. You can drive through or hop on a state transport bus to get dropped in less than two hours to Belvai bus stand. Sammilan Shetty Butterfly Park is walking distance from the bus stand. Talking to Sammilan and planning out the visit at least a couple of hours in advance will help. For the ones into butterfly or macro photography, you will find endemic, hard to find or photograph in wild species here. One can easily boast it as best place to capture Papilio Buddha. The landscape hosts several butterfly host and nectarine plant that attracts many beautiful butterflies (and other insect lives) for food and laying eggs. Equally impressive is the bird life. To benefit from the visit, it is advisable to visit by 9:30-10 am to be able to observe/photograph early morning activities of butterflies. Latter half can be kept to see the other stages of life cycle for butterflies when it becomes sunny. We had two days in hand, many interesting observations were made at the park. A weaver ant family devouring a freshly formed chrysalis of emigrant butterfly, a parasitoid caterpillar of Southern birdwing, a mating pair of medus brown, a peacock pansy caught up by a tiny crab spider, tiny pigmy scrub hoppers and tamil grass dart enjoying rains, Southern birdwings, clippers, pansies, flats and several others visiting their daily food corners, a freshly eclosed yamfly sucking sap from Leea indica twig. However, the sight that made us jump and run around was this Malabar banded peacock floating around in the garden. Three individuals were seen. The park offers best opportunities to photograph this beauty which is otherwise a task in wild! During peak season, there is a heavy footfall at the park. I think all the locals drop by to see the winged beauties, young, old, toddlers all alike. It is now 5 years to the park, it has become popular with schools and colleges. One can only imagine the conservation education message that the park is building up. Heartening to see dedicated college students taking up internships at the park and doing some hard and dedicated research work. Visitors to the park are quickly run through a presentation on butterfly diversity and some interesting behaviour documented, right here at the park. In any given visit one cannot see all the happenings around, or do a close observation. This presentation offers this connect between the butterflies in park, the joy of watching them at close quarters, understanding the delicate web of life and conservation aspects. On request, Sammilan ji also arranged for a visit to nearby Durga Reserve Forest and Someshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. We got more endemic lifers to our list, Tamil lacewing, Malabar tree nymph, Malabar raven to name a few. The home cooked food by Aunty was such a relief to eating outside food we unwillingly eat up during travels. The soft neer dosa, payaasa, kori roti and red rice was something I yearn to eat back on my next visit! It was first time I was getting to taste these local delicacies. Not to miss the lovely coffee in pouring rains. We had a lovely time all together in a very hospitable environment. The interest in butterflies, working towards creating this park and promoting conservation is commendable. I take a bow to this dedication and wish Sammilanji all the very best for coming time. May the Malabar Banded Swallowtail too comes wandering to the park. The host plants are waiting for them.
7. Narahari Parvata
8. Sri Somanatheshwara Cave Temple
9. Sasihithlu Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By arvind_foodie - Bengaluru, India
Sunset at Sasihithlu beach near Mulki (20kms north of Mangalore) is an ethereal experience one should not miss on a visit to Mangalore. Also known as the "surfers' paradise", this is one of the cleanest beaches in the district, where Shambhavi river meets the Arabian Sea. You will find very few tourists here other than those coming to learn surfing. There are some beautiful beach houses near the beach . Please enjoy the beautiful snaps taken on New Year eve.
10. Aithal Snake Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By GREEDYPIG66 - Mumbai, India
Herpetologist Dr Ravindranath Aithal, popularly known as ‘Snake Doctor’ in Puttur, is continuing work on snake conservation from the last 35 + years. Aithal, who plays an important role in conservation of snakes, especially the endangered species, has perhaps lost count of the number of snakes he has rescued while attending snake distress calls. Hundreds of snakes, if not thousands, have found rebirth because this doctor of snakes treats injured snakes and translocates them to the nearby forest area. Just like the way he has treated snakes, he has cured thousands of people with his Ayurvedic medicine. Aithal inherited this medical knowledge from his mother and grandfather. In fact, Dr Aithal is a well-known expert in the field of research and conservation of snakes, and the most sought-after doctor when it comes to snake bites. Many nearby farmers and villagers visit his home to hand over the snake and other reptile eggs that are found their farm so Dr.Aithal can use his natural incubation methods in wooden boxes to safely hatch them and later release them safely in their natural environ, post hatching them! It is a delight to watch his live specimen home Bana (earlier known as Sarpa Loka) with over 20 species of snakes (mostly pairs) including the King Cobra, Common Krait, Pit Viper, Russell’s Viper, Saw Scaled Viper, Bamboo Pit Viper and non-poisonous snakes like Common Worm Snake, Python, Brown Sand Boa, Stripped Kneel Back and Branded Racer, Flying Snake, Wolf Snake, Bronz Back Tree Snake among others. He feels (that's right too) that a majority of the people have an undue fear about snakes and kill these cold-blooded animals for no fault of theirs - regrets Dr Aithal, who is on a mission to create awareness among people. A brief discussion with Dr Aithal and a visit to his Sarpa Loka, now renamed Bana (Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre) will definitely change any person’s perception of snakes as a whole!
