Hyderabad & Karnataka

Arrival Hyderabad

Arrive at Hyderabad. You will be met on arrival and transfer to Hotel (30 minutes). 

The Old City of Hyderabad is everything you might dream an Indian old city to be – narrow lanes thronged with markets, chai shops, wandering animals, autorickshaws, a whirl of noise, colour, languages and religions dotted with stately old architecture in varying states of repair. Two unbelievably wealthy Muslim royal houses, the Qutb Shahs and the Asaf Jahs, came and went from this city of pearls and diamonds, leaving a legacy of magnificent palaces, mosques and tombs. 

Overnight at Hyderabad

Explore Hyderabad

Visit Golconda Fort. Once famed for its Diamond mines ,Golconda is the site of a strategic fort dating back to the 13th century. Visit Charminar-the city’s landmark has four minarets built in the 16th century. Salr Jung Museum house an extra ordinary collection including rare fine art objects of the Nizam once the wealthiest man in the world. 

Evening explore the local market by foot.

Overnight at Hyderabad.

From Hyderabad to Gulbarga en-route visit of Bidar

In the morning drive to Bidar (140 km, 03 hrs).  Bidder’s Fort, the palaces in ruins, the magnificent tombs and the monuments are worth a visit. Later drive to Gulbarga (110 km, 02 hrs). 

Overnight at Gulbarga

From Gulbarga to Bijapur

Morning sightseeing of Gulbarga .

This city holds history in the era of 6th century and considered as the first capital of Bahamani Kingdom. Tourists are attractions in Gulbarga are  Bhamani fort & Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah. Also it has a religious history justified with the elaborate temples over here.  

Later drive to Bijapur (150 km, 03 hrs). 

Nestling in the northern part of Karnataka, Bijapur is a historically important city of the state .It was once the celebrated capital of Adil Shah dynasty. The city was established by the Chalukyas and the city was named as Vijayapura. Soon it came under the rule of Bahmini Sultanate and was named Bijapur. Under this dynasty, A lot of monuments have been partially destroyed during the wars, but still the uniqueness of the monuments is not hidden and attracts all enthusiastic travellers. 

Overnight at Bijapur.

From Bijapur to Badami

Morning visit the Gol Gumbaz

Gol Gumbaz is the tomb of Mohammad Adil Shah and is the second largest tomb in the world, next only to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Gol Gumbaz is 124 m in diameter. The structure of the tomb is unique and the four minars of the corners, serve as staircases to the top of the tomb. Gol Gumbaz is most famous for the 'Whispering Gallery'. The gallery is a circular balcony on the periphery of the dome where even the tiniest of sounds can be heard at the other side of the room. It is said that a sound gets echoed 9 times in the room before starting to fade away.

Later drive to Badami (130 km , 2.5 hrs).  

Badami, located in the Bagalkot district of North Karnataka, was the capital of the Chalukya Dynasty. It is situated at the mouth of a beautiful ravine, flanked on either side by beautiful sandstone hills.

Evening visit the Badami Caves. The cave temples are marvelous examples of the Badami Chalukya architecture. The temples are located between a ravines surrounded by huge cliffs. The architecture is a fine cross between north and south India.

Overnight at Badami

From Badami to Hospet

Morning ,  drive to Hospet (165 km , 04 hr) en-route visit Aihole and Pattadackal                                                                                                                                         

Aihole , this temple city is famous as the 'Cradle of Indian Temple Architecture'. 
Aihole has over 125 temples, all intricately carved and rich in detail. The oldest temple here, is perhaps the 5th century Lad Khan Temple. 

Pattadackal , a World Heritage site of early Chalukyan architecture.   These temples are built in the seventh and eighth centuries.  
      
Hospet is the gateway town to the Hampi ruins. 

Overnight at Hospet.

Explore Hampi

After breakfast , proceed for a full visit of Hampi (18 km)

The splendid remains of the magnificent palaces, gateways and creativity of architects silently narrate the story of the prosperous kingdom of the 14th century, and the destruction it was inflicted with by the Moghuls. Nestled between granite ridges and with the Tungabhadra river flowing in full force on one side, Hampi, the erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagara empire, has now been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Although in ruins today, this capital city once boasted riches known far beyond the shores of India. 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.   

Overnight at Hospet.

From Hospet to Hassan

Morning, drive to Hassan (340 km, 06 hours) 

Overnight at Hassan

From Hassan to Kabini en-route visit of Belur & Halebid

Morning, proceed to visit the two famous Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebid. The temple in Belur is dedicated to Lord Chennakesava and the construction commenced in 1116 A.D. and took 103 years to complete. The Hoysaleswara temple in Halebid has two shrines dedicated to LordShiva – Hoysaleswara and Shanteleswara. The open air museum in the temple premises displays treasured articles of sculpture. 

Later drive to Kabini (170 km, 4 hr)

The legend and romance of Kabini plays out in a theatre called Nagarhole, and revolves around a pristine river called Kabini (originally Kapila) that snakes its way through the Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka, and forms an aqueous boundary with the Bandipur National park.Together, this area constitutes the largest contiguous forest cover in this part of the world and is part of the Nilgiri biosphere, the largest in Asia, and home to the largest concentration of herbivores in Asia. And herbivores don't get larger than the Asiatic elephant, whose favourite playground this is. At Nagarhole, one can witness the largest congregation of Asiatic Elephants in the world, and these majestic mammals rule the roost here.

Overnight at Kabini

At Kabini – Jungle safari

Early morning proceed for a Jungle Safari. During the safari, which lasts for two hours the visitor has a good opportunity to sight the herbivores. Sightings of the predators are less frequent, but improve considerably during the summer.

Overnight at Kabini.

From Kabini to Mysore

Morning drive to Mysore (90 km, 2.5 hrs)

Mysore, once the capital of the Wodeyar kingdom, is today the second largest city in Karnataka and one of the finest in southern India. Small, easygoing, famous for its silks and sandalwood, it is a city of fine gardens, tree-lined boulevards, art galleries and an intriguing palace. Mysore’s ten day Dessara festival in September-October is still celebrated with medieval pageantry.  

Afternoon visit Maharaja’s palace built in 1911-1912. The palace harmoniously synthesizes the Hindu and the Saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures, which are truly magnificent .  Visit the Art Gallery. Later drive up to the 1062 m high Chamundi hill to see the Chamundeshwari temple with a panoramic view of Mysore. On your way back, see the 5 m high Nandi Bull carved out of solid rock in 1659.  

Evening visit the devaraja fruit & Vegetable market. For a visitor to this city, Devaraja market  is an apt place to get a flavor of the local people’s . With more than 100 years of history, this market is well knitted into the heritage of Mysore. If you are new to the bazaars of India in general, do not miss Devaraja Market. This is a good sample of a traditional Indian market place that is colourful, noisy, vibrant and a tad chaotic. 

Overnight at Mysore 

Mysore

Before breakfast , proceed for a heritage walk with a guide,who will explain the history and heritage of Mysore. Heritage walk commences from Mysore city Town hall, Clock tower, Palace North gate and K.R. circle, R. Hospital and back to Town hall. You will also stop at a small vegetarian hotel to taste Masala Dosa followed by Tea.  

In the morning visit  Somnathpur .The Keshava Temple stands at the edge of the tranquil village of Somnathpur – 33 km east o Mysore.  Built in 1268 during the heyday of the Hoysala kings, it’s an astonishingly beautiful, unpoilt building.  The walls of this star-shaped temple are covered with superb sculptures in stone depicting various scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabarata, Bhagavad Gita and the life and times of the Hoysala Kings. 

Overnight at Mysore

Mysore/Bangalore

In the morning visit Sritangapattanam. 
SRIRANGAPATNAM
The ruins of Hyder Ali’s and Tipu sultan’s capital, from which they ruled much of Southern India during the 18th century.  In 1799, the British finally conquered them with the help of disgruntled local leaders.  Srirangapatnam was built on a long island in the Cauvery River.   The dungeon where Tipu held a number of British officers has been preserved.  Inside the fortress walls there’s a mosque and the Sri Ranganathsway Temple  

Later drive to Bangalore (140 km, 3.5 hours). Overnight at Bangalore

Departure Bangalore

In time transfer to Bangalore airport (45 minutes) to connect flight back home.