Mysore Tour Packages

Mysore Palace, officially known as the Amba Vilas Palace, is the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty and one of the grandest royal palaces in India. The current structure, completed in 1912, was designed by British architect Henry Irwin in the Indo-Saracenic style — a magnificent blend of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput and Gothic architecture. The palace interior is a dazzling display of stained glass, carved teak ceilings, mosaic floors, golden thrones and paintings depicting Dasara processions. Every Sunday evening and on public holidays, the palace is illuminated by nearly 100,000 light bulbs — a spectacle that draws thousands of visitors.

Chamundi Hills rises 1,065 metres above sea level just 13 km from Mysore city, crowned by the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple — a 12th-century Dravidian-style temple dedicated to the fierce goddess Chamundeshwari, the ruling deity of the Mysore royal family. The climb involves 1,000 steps lined with shrines, and halfway up you'll pass the famous Nandi Bull — a monolithic granite sculpture carved in 1659, standing 5 metres tall. At the summit, the temple complex is always busy with devotees and the panoramic views of Mysore city spread below are stunning, especially at dawn and dusk.

St. Philomena's Church in Mysore is one of the tallest and most magnificent churches in India. Built in 1936 on the site of an earlier church, it was designed in the neo-Gothic style inspired by the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. The church features two soaring spires rising 175 feet, intricately designed stained glass windows that flood the interior with coloured light, and a beautiful vaulted ceiling. The church is dedicated to St. Philomena and is an active place of Catholic worship. A small underground crypt below the church contains a replica of the catacombs. The church is especially beautiful when lit up in the evenings.

The Mysore Zoo, officially named Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, was established in 1892 and is one of the oldest and best-maintained zoos in India. Spread across 157 acres, the zoo is home to over 1,500 animals representing more than 250 species. Highlights include rare white tigers, gorillas, African giraffes, hippopotamuses, rhinos, orangutans and a large variety of birds and reptiles. The zoo is known for its spacious enclosures and the excellent care of its animals. Lush tree-lined paths wind through the zoo making it a pleasant walk even for non-wildlife enthusiasts.

Brindavan Gardens, laid out in 1932 below the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam, is one of the most beautiful terraced gardens in India. Designed in the Mughal tradition with symmetrical flower beds, terraced lawns, ornamental fountains and elaborate topiary, the gardens stretch across 60 acres. The lower garden features a spectacular illuminated musical fountain show every evening — jets of water dance in synchrony with coloured lights and music, drawing large crowds. The gardens are especially beautiful in the evening when thousands of lights illuminate the fountains, terraces and pathways.

Karanji Lake is a peaceful 90-acre urban lake located adjacent to the Mysore Zoo. The lake is a designated nature park and hosts over 170 species of birds — both resident and migratory — making it a paradise for birdwatchers. A large walk-in aviary within the park houses many bird species in a naturalistic setting. Pedal boats and rowboats are available on the lake. The lakeside walkway is excellent for morning and evening strolls. During migration season (November to February) the lake attracts vast flocks of painted storks, pelicans and ducks.

The Sand Sculpture Museum in Mysore is a one-of-a-kind attraction featuring incredibly detailed sculptures carved entirely from compacted sand. The sculptures depict scenes from Indian epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, wildlife, world landmarks and historical figures — all rendered in remarkable detail. The artists use special techniques to harden the sand sculptures so they last for months without crumbling. The museum is a fascinating display of an unusual art form and is especially enjoyed by families and children. New themed displays are created periodically so there is often something new to see.

The Krishnaraja Sagar Dam — known as KRS — is one of the largest dams in Karnataka, built across the Cauvery river between 1911 and 1931. The dam was a major engineering achievement of its time and the reservoir it created is vast, stretching across 130 square kilometres. The dam itself is impressive to see with its graceful arches. Boat rides on the reservoir offer spectacular views of the backwaters. The area around the dam is peaceful and scenic, and it is of course the home of the famous Brindavan Gardens which are built on the terraced land just below the dam.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is Karnataka's largest bird sanctuary, set on a cluster of small islands in the Cauvery river about 18 km from Mysore. The sanctuary is a nesting ground for thousands of birds — painted storks, open-billed storks, spoonbills, great white pelicans, grey herons and darters crowd the island trees, creating a spectacle of noise and movement. Boat rides take you close to the nesting colonies and to the resident mugger crocodiles basking on the riverbanks. The best time to visit is between June and November when nesting activity is at its peak.