THE SOUTH INDIA TOUR
Overview
Tour Description
Duration : 13 Night & 14 Days
Destination : Bangalore - Mysore - Hassan - Hampi - Badami - Goa - Mumbai
Accommodation : Luxury Hotels / Palaces or Heritage Hotels.
Best Time to Visit : October to June
Journey Type : Group & Private Journey
The Southern Tour of India has been specially designed to showcase some of the most fascinating ancient temple ruins, incredible cave temples and historical forts of Southern India which is one of the most culturally rich regions of the country. You will also get to unwind on the undulating golden-sand beaches of Goa famous for its sun, sand, seafood and spirituality. You can experience centuries of accumulated history in Mysore known for art, heritage and spectacular monuments. Explore the IT hub of India - Bangalore, also known as the Garden City. You will also visit some of India's most ancient temples with incredible architecture in the heritage towns of Hassan, Hampi and Badami. This is a unique tour which will take you in the interiors of Southern India and make you journey back in time to witness India's Golden era of art, architecture and culture.
Itinerary
You will get a warm welcome at the Banglore Airport by our travel counsellor who will then assist you in your hotel transfer and check-in. Also known as the Silicon Valley of India, Banglore is one of the most cosmopolitan and developed Indian cities. It is delightful with beautifully decorated parks and lakes. In the evening you will proceed for city sightseeing.
You will visit the largest state legislative building in the country, the magnanimous Vidhan Soudha which boasts of exquisite Neo-Dravidian style of architecture. You can also stroll around Lal Bagh Botanical Garden, a haven for nature lovers and internationally renowned for its botanical work, scientific study and plant conservation. A trip to the IT hub can also be arranged for those who are interested.
After enjoying a leisurely morning you will drive 3 hours to Mysore. En route you will visit Srirangapatnam, the erstwhile capital of Mysore during the reign of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. This island town is a place of outstanding architectural, religious and historical importance. You will visit the Ranganathaswamy temple, one of the most important Vaishnavite centres of pilgrimage. On arrival in Mysore you will be assisted in your Hotel check in.
Mysore was the former capital of Wadiyar dynasty whose kings were great patrons of art and culture. It's incredible history and spectacular monuments make it one of South India's most enchanting cities. After breakfast you will proceed for sightseeing. The Mysore Palace will bedazzle you with its stunning faade and elaborate designs. You will enjoy the Dravidian architecture and intricate carvings of the Trinesvaraswamy and Chamundeshwari temples.
You will also get an opportunity to visit the second tallest church in Asia, St. Philomena's Church. Behold the grand palace of Lalitha Mahal built in 1921. Bird watching enthusiasts can visit the Ranganathethu Bird Sanctuary famous for its rich and varied bird species. In the evening you can stroll around local markets overflowing with fragrant spices, exquisite Mysore silk sarees and aromatic sandalwood products.
After breakfast, you will drive 3-4 hours to Hassan. En route you will stop at Sravanbelgola, an important Jain pilgrimage centre with a spectacular 57 meters tall monolithic sculpture of Lord Gomateshwara. On arrival in Hassan you will be assisted in your Hotel check in after which you can spend a leisurely evening.
After breakfast, you will visit the beautiful heritage towns of Belur and Halebid. Nestled on the banks of River Yagachi, these twin towns were part of the Hoysala Empire during 12th & 13th century. Their magnificent temples showcase the exemplary artistic taste and elaborate Dravidian architectural technique of the past. Overnight at the Hotel in Hassan.
After breakfast you will drive 5-6 hours to reach Hospet. This town will be your base for visiting Hampi. You will be assisted in your hotel check-in. The town of Hospet is famous for its iron ore industry and Tungabhadra Dam located on the Tungabhadra River. You can spend a leisurely evening at the Hotel.
Hampi, erstwhile capital of the kingdom of Vijayanagara around 1500 AD, is called City of Ruins. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi is an open museum with spectacular edifices of temples, ancient monuments and historical city buildings, some well preserved and others in ruins.
After breakfast you can enjoy a full day excursion to Hampi. The magnificence and opulence of the remains of its temples, market places and concert halls tell tales of the greatness of Hampi and the magnitude of its cultural, historical and trade significance. Overnight at hotel in Hospet.
After breakfast you will drive 3 hours to Badami and will be assisted in your Hotel check in. Earlier known as Vatapi, the former capital of Chalukya empire, Badami has intricately carved red stone cave temples and fortresses. Located in a valley with rugged sandstone cliffs surrounding Lake Agastya, it is an architectural delight.
After breakfast you will proceed for sightseeing of Badami. It's Dravidian architecture showcases both South and North Indian styles of structural design. You will get to explore three Hindu one Jain rock cut temple in the incredible caves. History buffs will enjoy the ancient inscriptions and carvings there.
After breakfast we will leave for an excursion to the towns of Aihole and Pattandakal, 22 kms from Badami. You will witness the grandeur of Chalukyan architecture in the 125 temples of Aihole. Built in 4th and 6th AD these temples are examples of early stages of South Indian architecture.
Pattadakallu is home to ten magnificent stone temples majestic in their size and architecture, dating back to 7th and 8th century. You will see friezes on their walls depicting stories from various Hindu scriptures. In this world heritage site, you will see their best known edifices - Virupaksha Temple, Sangameshvara Temple, Mallikarjuna Temple, Jain temple and Papanatha Temple.
After an early breakfast, you will drive for 7 hours covering a distance of 345 kms to Goa. You will stop for rest and will be given a packed lunch for your journey. On arrival in Goa you will be assisted in your Hotel/Resort check in. One of the smallest Indian states, Goa is known for its stunning sandy beaches, mouth watering sea food, Portugese heritage and lovely colonial churches.
After many days of intense sightseeing and rigorous travelling, you can finally spend the entire day unwinding and exploring the golden beaches of Goa. Enjoy the unique spices, scents and flavours that make Goan cuisine delicious. You can also explore the crumbling forts and white washed churches there.
After breakfast, you can spend a leisurely morning relaxing on the golden sandy beaches with the shimmering sun in Goa. In the afternoon you will check out of the hotel and board your flight to Mumbai. On arrival, you will be assisted with your Hotel transfer and check in.
The city of Mumbai is one of the biggest cities of India and its financial and fashion capital. An interesting fact for movie buffs, Mumbai is also the heart of the Bollywood Film Industry. It is brimming with monuments and skyscrapers, beaches and slums as well as temples and churches, all vying for space in the buzzing city. Overnight stay at the Hotel.
After breakfast, you will visit the iconic Gateway of India overlooking the Arabian Sea, known as the Entrance point of India. You can stroll along the boulevard of Marine Drive which arcs around the Arabian Sea. Dazzling with hundreds of streetlights at night, it is often called the 'Queen's Necklace.'
You can also visit the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, a majestic train station with an exquisite faade. Later you will be transferred to the Mumbai Airport to board the flight to your onward destination.
