Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Take the overnight bus from Bangalore to Udupi, allowing roughly 8–10 hours door-to-door rather than counting only the bus ride. Include time to reach the boarding point, traffic leaving Bengaluru, luggage handling, and a possible delay on the coastal highway. Since you arrive early, book a hotel near Udupi town that will store luggage or offer early check-in; a prepaid auto-rickshaw or app cab from the bus drop-off is the simplest onward transfer. After breakfast, walk or take a short auto ride to Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt on Car Street. Allow about 1½ hours for the queue, darshan, and the distinctive kanakana kindi. Darshan timings and entry arrangements can vary, so check with the mutt or your hotel that morning; modest clothing and footwear storage are expected.
Stay around Car Street for a traditional vegetarian meal at Mitra Samaj, one of the dependable local choices for dosa, idli, meals, and other Udupi staples. Budget ₹150–₹350 per person and allow about an hour, especially if arriving during the lunch rush. From there, hire an auto or taxi to Kapu Beach—also called Kaup—about 15 km southwest, usually 30–45 minutes depending on traffic. Spend around two hours by the shore and at the historic lighthouse viewpoint. Lighthouse access and climbing hours can change, so confirm locally rather than relying on a fixed schedule; the beach itself is free, while parking and any lighthouse fee are nominal. Start back toward Udupi before dark if you prefer an easier transfer.
Continue to Malpe Beach, roughly 7 km west of Udupi, for a slower shoreline walk and dinner. This is a good place to leave the schedule loose: watch the fishing boats, take in the sea breeze, and avoid swimming after dark or in rough surf. Allow about 1½ hours and budget ₹300–₹700 per person at a well-reviewed coastal restaurant near the beach; seafood availability and closing times can vary, so eating a little earlier is sensible. Return by auto-rickshaw or cab to your Udupi hotel, confirming the pickup in advance, and keep bags ready for the early start to St Mary’s Island the next morning.
Start early at Malpe Harbour, aiming to arrive around 8:00 AM for ticketing, queues, and boarding. From central Udupi, an auto-rickshaw or taxi usually takes 20–30 minutes; keep a little extra time for weekend crowds and finding the correct ferry counter. Boats to St Mary’s Island are weather- and sea-condition dependent, so verify the November 2026 sailing schedule shortly before the trip and reserve ahead if an official booking option is available. Allow roughly 3–4 hours for the complete outing, including waiting and the return crossing.
On St Mary’s Island, spend about 1.5–2 hours walking the permitted paths and viewing the striking basalt-column shoreline. The rocks can be uneven and slippery, and swimming or climbing onto unstable formations is unsafe, so wear grippy footwear and follow local instructions. There is limited shade and usually little reliable food or drinking water, so carry water, a hat, sunscreen, and a small dry bag; keep valuables protected from spray.
After returning to Malpe, take a short taxi or auto ride north to Thottam Beach for a quieter coastal pause of around an hour. It is best treated as a relaxed walk and viewpoint rather than a swimming stop—check the surf, avoid isolated stretches, and leave enough time to return for luggage and checkout. Then have lunch near Malpe Harbour, choosing a busy local seafood restaurant with good turnover; expect approximately ₹400–₹900 per person for fish curry, fried seafood, rice, and drinks. Allow a full hour, as preparation can be slower during the lunch rush.
Collect your bags and travel from Malpe or your hotel to the designated Udupi bus boarding point, allowing at least 30–45 minutes for the transfer and boarding process. A bus journey to Bangalore is commonly around 8–10 hours door-to-door once hotel checkout, traffic, and intermediate stops are included. Choose the departure carefully: a Sunday afternoon or evening service may reach Bangalore late Sunday night or early Monday morning, so confirm the operator’s stated arrival time before booking and keep a buffer if you have work or another connection on Monday.
No packing list attached yet.