Weekend getaway from Mysuru · #7 of 10
Bylakuppe & Dubare
Day trip up the Madikeri road: Namdroling Monastery's Golden Temple in India's largest Tibetan settlement belt, then Dubare's riverside elephant camp and the Nisargadhama island on the Kaveri. Easy year-round outing.
An easy one-day escape packed with soul and scenery: gaze up at giant golden Buddhas in Namdroling, devour steaming momos in the settlement, catch elephants splashing in the Kaveri, and wind down on a breezy bamboo island.
Getting there
You will spot Bylakuppe right off the highway just before Kushalnagar, and Dubare is another quick 15 km down the road.
Day 1 - Saturday
Golden Buddhas, hot momos, and river giants- 17:30 AMDrive
Drive Mysuru to Bylakuppe
Hit NH-275 for a smooth, scenic two-hour cruise past Hunsur straight into the colorful Tibetan enclave of Bylakuppe.
- 29:30 AMFood
Breakfast in Kushalnagar
Fuel up with a crisp roadside dosa and filter coffee, or save your appetite for an authentic Tibetan feast at the camps.
📍 Kushalnagar, Karnataka
- 310:15 AMSight
Namdroling Monastery (Golden Temple)
Step into the world's largest Nyingma monastery, home to thousands of monks and nuns, and marvel at the jaw-dropping 40-ft gilded Buddhas inside Padmasambhava hall.
📍 Namdroling Monastery, Bylakuppe
Tip · Cover your shoulders and knees. If morning prayers are underway, grab a spot on the floor - the deep chanting and long horns will give you goosebumps.
- 412:30 PMFood
Tibetan lunch
Pull up a chair at a cozy camp eatery for piping-hot steamed momos, hearty noodle thukpa, and a warm cup of traditional butter tea.
📍 Bylakuppe, Karnataka
- 51:45 PMActivity
Dubare Elephant Camp
Hop a boat across the Kaveri to this forest department camp to watch trained elephants splash around during bath time and tuck into afternoon meals.
📍 Dubare Elephant Camp, Kodagu
Tip · Afternoon river baths hinge on current water levels, so keep in mind that morning slots tend to be more reliable in the monsoon.
- 64:00 PMSight
Kaveri Nisargadhama
Stroll the footbridge onto this tranquil river island near Kushalnagar, wandering through thick bamboo groves, spotting deer, and chilling by the water.
📍 Kaveri Nisargadhama, Kushalnagar
- 75:30 PMDrive
Drive back to Mysuru
Wrap up the day with an easy two-hour drive back home along NH-275 as the sun sets.
Where to eat
Juicy, freshly pinched dumplings and steaming bowls of comforting noodle soup dished out in the Bylakuppe camps.
Traditional salty Tibetan po cha - rich, buttery, and an acquired taste you will remember.
Keep an eye out for roadside fruit stalls in Kushalnagar selling sweet local citrus and wild Kodagu honey in season.
When to go
Great to visit whenever you fancy; in the monsoon, the Kaveri runs faster and river crossings get a bit more adventurous.
Visit during Tibetan New Year (Losar) to catch colorful cham lama dances and lively monastery processions.
Good to know
- Keep your camera down in certain prayer halls where photos are off-limits - always ask a monk before snapping.
- Keep plenty of cash handy for the Dubare river boat and entry passes since cell signal is notoriously spotty by the water.
