About Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC)

The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) is a government enterprise dedicated to promoting and facilitating tourism across the diverse landscapes of Karnataka. Since its establishment in 1971, KSTDC has been instrumental in developing tourism infrastructure, offering reliable travel services, and showcasing the state's rich cultural heritage, historical sites, and natural beauty.

KSTDC aims to provide comfortable, safe, and memorable experiences for both domestic and international tourists, making it a trusted choice for exploring Karnataka.

Services Offered by KSTDC

KSTDC provides a comprehensive suite of services to cater to every traveler's needs:

1. Tour Packages:

KSTDC is a major tour operator in Karnataka, offering a variety of conducted tours from major cities like Bengaluru and Mysuru. These include:

• Heritage Holidays: Tours to historical sites like Hampi, Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal, Belur, Halebeedu, Mysuru, and more.
• Nature Holidays: Packages covering scenic destinations like Coorg, Ooty (Tamil Nadu), Wayanad (Kerala), Shivanasamudra Falls, Jog Falls, and various wildlife sanctuaries.
• Pilgrimage Holidays: Tours to popular religious sites within and outside Karnataka, including Tirupati, Sringeri, Dharmasthala, Kukke Subramanya, Mantralaya, Shirdi, and Navagraha temples.
• City Holidays: Local sightseeing tours within Bengaluru, Mysuru, Bidar, and other cities.
• Special & Customized Tours: Options like "Ambaari Double Decker" city tours, "Women Special Tours," and tailor-made packages for corporate or student groups.

Detailed itineraries, departure points, durations (half-day to multi-day trips), and pricing for all packages are available on the official KSTDC website.

2. Accommodation (Mayura Hotels):

KSTDC operates a chain of hotels and resorts under the "Mayura" brand, strategically located at popular tourist destinations. These hotels offer comfortable and affordable accommodation options, often with catering facilities. Some prominent Mayura Hotels include:

• Mayura Hoysala, Mysuru
• Mayura Pine Top, Nandi Hills
• Mayura Valley View, Madikeri (Coorg)
• Mayura Vijayanagara, Hampi (T.B. Dam)
• Mayura Chalukya, Badami
• Mayura Kauvery, KRS (Brindavan Gardens)
• Mayura Adil Shahi, Vijayapura (Bijapur)
• Mayura Velapuri, Belur
• Mayura Shantala, Halebeedu
• Mayura Gerusoppa, Jogfalls
• Mayura Biligiri, B.R. Hills
• Mayura Sudarshan, Ooty (Tamil Nadu)
• Kumarakrupa Hotel, Bengaluru

3. Transportation Services:

• Bus Services: KSTDC operates a fleet of buses, including luxury, mini, and Volvo buses, for its conducted tours and for providing smooth connectivity across various cities.
• Taxi Services: KSTDC also manages prepaid and postpaid taxi services, notably at Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) in Bengaluru, ensuring convenient and transparent transport for arriving tourists.
• Vehicle on Contract: Vehicles can also be provided on a contract basis for large groups or specific requirements.

Online Booking for KSTDC Services

KSTDC has streamlined its booking process through online portals for convenience:

1. Official KSTDC Website: The primary platform for all bookings is the KSTDC website.
2. Tour Package Booking:
   • Visit the "Tour Packages" or "Bus Tour Packages" section on the KSTDC website.
   • Select your departure city (e.g., Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi, Bidar).
   • Browse through the available packages by type (Heritage, Nature, Pilgrimage, City) or duration.
   • Choose your desired package and check the itinerary, inclusions, and exclusions.
   • Select dates and number of passengers.
   • Proceed to online payment using debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI.
   • Receive booking confirmation via email/SMS.
3. Hotel Booking (Mayura Hotels):
   • Navigate to the "Hotels" or "Mayura Hotels" section on the KSTDC website.
   • Select the destination and specific Mayura Hotel.
   • Enter check-in/check-out dates and number of rooms/guests.
   • Check room availability and tariffs.
   • Complete the booking by making an online payment.
4. Third-Party Portals: KSTDC services, especially bus tours, might also be available for booking on popular online travel agencies (OTAs) like redBus, MakeMyTrip, etc., which often act as official booking partners. However, for the most comprehensive and direct information, the KSTDC official website is recommended.

Always ensure you are using the official KSTDC website or a trusted partner portal for bookings to avoid fraudulent websites.

Key Initiatives & Focus Areas

• Sustainable Tourism: KSTDC is committed to promoting sustainable tourism practices, including waste management, water conservation, use of organic products, and reducing fossil fuel consumption.
• Community Engagement: Efforts are made to decentralize procurement, encourage local produce, and promote livelihood opportunities for local communities, especially youth and women.
• Accessibility: Focus on making tourism accessible and comfortable for all travelers.
• Green Charter: KSTDC has adopted a "Green Charter" with a 9-point agenda to ensure environmentally responsible tourism.
• Luxury Train - Golden Chariot: KSTDC also promotes the luxury train "Golden Chariot" which offers premium tours across South India's cultural and historical sites.
• Guided Tours: Recently, KSTDC has introduced guided walking tours for significant landmarks like Vidhana Soudha, providing deeper insights into Karnataka's heritage and governance.

Contact Information & Official Portals

KSTDC Head Office:

• Address: Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., 5th Floor, Indhana Bhavan, Race Course Road, Opp Hotel Renaissance, Bengaluru-560 069, Karnataka, India.
• Phone: +91 80-4334 4334
• Email: info@kstdc.co

Important Official Portals:

• KSTDC Official Website: https://kstdc.co/ (This is the primary portal for KSTDC services)
• KSTDC Tour Booking Portal: https://tours.kstdc.co/BusTripBookingPassengerCT.aspx
• Official Karnataka Government Portal: https://www.karnataka.gov.in/
• Land Services (Relevant): Including JharBhoomi for land records, e-Nibandhan for property registration, and Jharkhand Municipal for property tax payment.

For specific hotel contact details, tour package inquiries, or grievance redressal, please refer to the contact section on the official KSTDC website.