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South India Tour

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Day 01 Arrive Bangalore

Arrive Bangalore. You will be met by our representative at the arrivals lounge and escorted till your check in at Hotel.

Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka. A city of gardens founded in 1537 by Kempe Gowda, a chieftain who constructed a mud fort at this site, later rebuilt in stone in the 18th century by Hyder Ali, it is in ruins today and is situated at an altitude of 1914 m, it has a salubrious clime throughout the year. It is one of India’s main commercial and industrial centers. 

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 02 Bangalore – Mysore

Morning visit the Bull Temple, the monolithic deity being the Nandi or celestial bull, a marvellous work on granite. The Mysore Arts & Crafts Centre, and drive through Commercial Street past the magnificent Neo-Dravidian structure, Vidhana Soudha, the government secretariat. Time & interest permitting, visit the Lal Bagh gardens developed with lavish care since the Muslim era and which now offer a variety of century-old trees, fountains, lotus pools, terraces and an assortment of herbs and plants spread out over several acres. In the centre of the park is the Glass House where thousands of colourful fragrant flowers go on show ever year in January and August.

Afternoon drive to Mysore 

This ‘Garden City’ stands by a rocky hill named after the goddess Chamundi. It is a city of palaces and museums. The palace of the Maharaja within the Old Fort is admittedly one of the most beautiful buildings in India. The best time to visit Mysore is during the Dussehra festival which are observed with pomp and pageantry for ten days in the month of September/October. sightseeing of Mysore City includes a visit to the Zoological Gardens, Mysore Arts and Crafts Centre, the beautiful Brindavan Gardens illuminated during the weekends, and the Chamundi Temple overlooking the city.

On arrival check in at Hotel for Overnight stay.

Day 03 Mysore

Morning visit the Maharaja’s Palace - a synthesis of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles. Gateways, domes, arches, turrets, colonnades, sculpture - all are here in great profusion. Visit Chamundi Hill named after the Royal Family’s patron goddess and the site of summer palaces, an ancient temple and the 16-foot Nandi (Siva’s bull) carved out of a single huge boulder. The view from the hill offers a beautiful panorama of not only all Mysore, but also ranges of hills, lakes and the turrets of temples and churches. 



Afternoon visit Somnathpur.

At Somnathpur.the Hoysala temples, the seemingly unobtrusive village of Somnathpur, 35 km south of Mysore, contains the largest of the exquisite Hoysala temples. The individuality of the Somnathpur temple dedicated to Lord Keshava, is the shrine, considered to be a highly evolved specimen of the Hoysala school. It is a triple shrine on a chiselled plinth surmounted by three pyramidal Vimanas (shrines). Intricately carved friezes (30 cm high) of animals and by larger figures are relieved by larger figures of dancers and musicians. Incidents from Hindu epics are intricately carved, the termination of each chapter being indicated by a closed door.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 04 Mysore – Sravenbelgola - Chikmangalore

Post breakfast drive to Chikmangalore (165 Kms / 04 Hrs) enroute visiting Sravanbelgola.

Sravanbelgola is the most important Jain pilgrimage center. The name of the place translated as naked ascetic (Sravana) and white pond (belgola), is known for the greatest monument of Jain art. The colossal statue of Gomateshwara (17 meter high) situated on the summit of Indragiri hill is one of the two giant sculptures in the world after the colossus of Ramses II in Egypt. Chamundaraya, General under the King Rachmalla, had commissioned the carving of this huge statue during the 10th c. The Jain muni Bhadrabahr is said to accompany Emperor Chandragupta to this place in 300 BC, Thousands of devotees congregate here to perform the 'Mahamastakabhisheka'. A spectacular ceremony-held once in 12 years-when the 1000 year old statue is anointed with milk, curd, ghee, saffron and gold coins

Check in at Hotel for Overnight stay.

Day 05 In Chikmangalore

Full day visit to Belur & Halebid.

Belur is 39 km from Hassan, Belur was a flourishing city some 800 years ago under the Hoysala kings. The Belur Temple, also called the Chennakeswara Temple, has typical Hoysala architectural features. Its stone walls are covered with a profusion of intricate carvings, enough to take one’s breath away. 

Helebid 16 km from Belur, it is a double-shrine, more impressive than the temple at Belur constructed a decade after it. The temple here gives one the impression that it was created out of lace rather than of sandstone. Overnight at Hotel.


Day 06 Chikmangalore - Hospet

Morning drive to Hospet. 

Hospet, a small dusty town in Northern Karnataka, was once the seat of the powerful Vijayanagar Empire. Though the town does not have much to offer the visitors, its importance lies in its nearness to Hampi, the erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagar rulers. There was a time when Hampi was the epitome of architectural wonders. Most of the great buildings of this place are now in ruins, though UNESCO and the Archaeological Survey of India have tried their best to recreate the original charm of the place. 

On arrival transfer & check in at Hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 07 In Hospet

Full day excursion to Hampi one of World Heritage Centre

The excavations at Hampi carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India in collaboration with the Karnataka Government in 1976 have revealed the ruins of a rich and flourishing empire. 

The ruins of Hampi of the 14th Century lies scattered in about 26 sq. km area, amidst giant boulders and vegetation. Protected by the tempestuous river Tungabhadra in the north and rocky granite ridges on the other three sides, the ruins silently narrate the story of grandeur splendor and fabulous wealth. The splendid remains of palaces and gateways of the broken city tells a tale of men infinite talent and power of creativity together with his capacity for senseless destruction

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 08 Hospet – Aihole – Pattadakal - Badami

Morning drive to Badami (170 Kms / 03 Hrs) enroute visiting Aihole & Pattadakal

The capital of the Early Chalukyas, Badami is picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills. Badami is famous for its four cave temples - all hewn out of sand stone on the precipice of a hill. 

On arrival transfer to Hotel.

Afternoon tour of Badami visiting the caves, the first cave temple - past Shiva's door keepers - and the eighteen-armed Nataraja striking 81 dance poses. The largest and most ornamental is the third cave temple dedicated to Vishnu. Overlooking the cave temples is a reservoir dotted with temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 09 Badami – Bijapur

Morning drive to Bijapur.

Bijapur was the capital of the Adil Shahi kings (1489-1686), one of the five splinter states formed when the Bahmani Muslim kingdom broke up in 1482. Bijapur is still strongly Muslim in character and it has many important monuments and historical ruins.

On arrival transfer to Hotel.

Afternoon city tour.

Bijapur's greatest attractions are architectural, especially Islamic architecture. Minarets, domes and echoing burial chambers all conjure up images of the Arabian Nights. Few of the major monuments are Golgumbaz Ibrahim Rauza Malik-e-Maidan Bara Kamaan Jumma Masjid Mehtar Mahal Taj Bawdi Asaar Mahal Gagan Mahal 

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 10 Bijapur – Gulbarga

Morning drive to Gulbarga.

Gulbarga, the district and divisional head-quarters was formerly in the Nizam's state, and was the first capital of the Bahmanis from 1347. 

On arrival transfer to Hotel.

Afternoon visit the Gulbarga fort which was originally built by one Raja Gulchand, a feudatory of the Orangal Kakatiyas, and was rebuilt by Allah-ud-din Bahmani with 15 majestic towers. Inside the fort is the huge wonderful mosque built by Muhammed Bahmani in 1367 and it covers 38,000 sq. feet area.. 

The Khandar Khan's mosque and Hirapur mosque (1585) built by Chandbibi are some other monuments, and the tomb of Sultan Hassan and Firoze Shah are imposing structures.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 11 Gulbarga – Bidar – Hyderabad

Post breakfast drive to Hyderabad enroute visit Bidar.

Continue to Hyderabad.

The capital city of Hyderabad has become an ideal destination for tourists with its heritage structures and sites vying for attention with modern high rise buildings. Wide roads, acres of green busy bazaars, a thriving pearl trade and delectable cuisine have made it a tourist heaven.

On arrival check in at Hotel for Overnight stay.

Day 12  Hyderabad

Full day tour of Hyderabad visiting the Golkonda fort just outside the city which has a long and chequered history. It was the capital of the kingdom by that name over four centuaries ago. 

Visit Charminar the modern city built by one of the rulers Mohamad Qutab Shah. The Charminar is another protected monument and has after a gap of 17 years been thrown open to the public recently later visit the Falakkuma Palace.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 13 Leave Hyderabad

In time transfer to airport to connect flight to onward destination.