Best Time to visit : Mid October to End March
Day
01, Bangalore or Mumbai : Arrive Bangalore or Mumbai from your home
country, Garland welcome, assistance and transfer to the pre-booked hotel.
Morning free to relax. Late morning transfer to the domestic airport, board
flight to Hyderabad. Upon arrival at Hyderabad, transfer to the hotel.
Hyderabad endearingly called 'Pearl City', the fifth largest city in India,
is famous, the world over, for its twinkling pearls, glass embedded bangles
and the delectable Hyderabadi cuisine besides monuments of great historical
interest. Evening we will make a short drive to visit the most famous
monument of Hyderabad, Charminar (180 ft high), is located in the centre of
the old city. Just few steps away from Charminar is Mecca Masjid, one of the
India's largest mosques. It is said to have bricks brought from Mecca, built
into the central arch and hence the name. O/n Hotel
Day
02, Hyderabad : Morning after breakfast visit the Birla Temple
which stands for its grand fusion of Khajuraho and Buddha gaya of North
Indian and Rajagopurams of South Indian architecture. This is the temple
built of white marble by Birlas. Visit the Lumbini Park situated on the
banks of Hussain Sagar Lake, a picturesque park with variety of attractions,
offering beautiful entertainment with musically synchronised water fountain.
Proceed to Hussain Sagar popularly known as Tankbund. Built in late 16th
century. The Buddha statue in the middle of the rock of Girbaltor is a
reminder of the ancient Buddhist heritage in Andra Pradesh. We will do a
small cruise in Hussain Sagar Lake. Rest of the day to relax or stroll
around the market. O/n Hotel.
Day 03, Hyederabad
To Bidar To Gulbarga : Morning after breakfast drive to Bidar
(about 140 km/ 03 hrs) a tiny district steeped in history. The Fort, the
Cannons, Palaces in ruins, the magnificent tombs and the massive monuments,
all combine to make a visit to the one-time capital of the Bahamani and
Barid Shahi dynasties. Proceed to Gulbarga (about 110kms/ 02 hrs), check
into the hotel. Evening stroll around the small city. O/n Hotel.
Day
04, Gulbarga To Bijapur : Today upto afternoon we will do the
sightseeing of Bijapur, a Hindu city before the Mohammedan conquest,
Gulbarga is a unique synthesis of two cultures. We will start our tour with
the Fort, the fort has 15 towers and 26 guns, one of them measuring 25 feet
in length!
Inside the fort is the Jumma Masjid fashioned on the
lines of the great mosque of royal tombs. The most important monument in
Gulbarga is probably the Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah. The tomb of the great
Sufi saint, Khwaja Syed Mohammead Gesu Daraz. The magnificent building in
the Indo-Saracenic style, is the venue of an annual urus, attended by nearly
one hundred thousand people, both Muslims and Hindus. After sightseeing
proceed to Bijapur (about 150kms/ 03hrs), check into the hotel. The rest of
the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
Day 05, Bijapur
: Today we have a full day to visit the Bijapur. Morning after
breakfast we will make a short drive to the Gol Gumbaz, the tomb of Mohammed
Adil Shah, boasts of the second-largest tomb in the world. 44 metres in
diameter, this dome forms a highly sensitive echo-chamber. The slightest
whisper echoes seven times over and the tick of a clock held at one end can
be distinctly heard at the opposite end 125 feet away. Jumma Masjid has been
called one of the finest mosques in India. Here, in a beautiful
mihrab-covered by a heavy curtain are verses of the Quran, beautifully
inscribed in letters of gold and the Malik-e-Maidan the largest medieval
cannon in the world, is fourteen feet long, weighing about 55 tons. The rest
of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel
Day 06,
Bijapur To Badami : Morning after breakfast drive to Badami (about
132kms/ 03hrs) the capital of early Chalukyas is picturesquely situated at
the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills. Check into the hotel.
Afternoon we make a short drive to visit the Cave temples dedicated to
Vishnu and Shiva. Climb a flight of steps to reach the ancient caves all
hewn out of sand stone on the precipice of a hill. Enter the first cave
temple past Shiva's doorkeepers and there he is! The eighteen armed Nataraja
striking 81 dance poses. The largest and most ornamental is the third cave
temple dedicated to Vishnu. Here are some splendid carvings of the Hindu
pantheon. Narasimha the half man half lion avatar of Vishnu, Hari Hara, the
composite god who is half Siva and half Vishnu… There are also some
paintings on the ceiling and wonderful bracket figures on the piers.
Overlooking the cave temples is a reservoir and also visits the Bhootha
Natha temples that lend their name to the lake just beneath the cave
temples. Take a dip in this green tranquil lake. It is said to have healing
properties. O/n Hotel.
Day 07, Badami :
After breakfast drive to Aihole (2hrs), famous as the 'Cradle of Indian
Temple Architecture', Aihole has over 100 temples scattered around the
village. Wherever one looks, it's temples that meet the eyes. Intricately
carved rich in detail, quiet and peaceful. Mute witnesses of a bygone era.
Visit the oldest temple here is, perhaps, the Lad Khan temple dating back to
the 5th century. On the roof of the temple is another shrine-like vimana.
The Durga (Fort)Temple is notable for its semi-circular apse, elevated
plinth and the gallery that encircles the sanctum. The interior is filled
with fascinating carvings. Dating back to the 6th century the Ravalphadi
Cave Temple celebrates the many forms of Siva. Not-to-be-missed is the
Konthi Temple Complex (Kwanthi Gudi), the Uma Maheshwari Temple, the Jain
Meguti Temple and the two-storied Buddhist Temple. Climb up the stairs and
you'll come across a tranquil, smiling Buddha carved on the ceiling. Drive
back to Pattadakal, a world Heritage centre, it has 10 major temples
representing early Chalukyan architecture. Visit the biggest Temple here is
dedicated to Virupaksha. Enclosed in a large quadrangle surrounded by small
cells, it has a massive gateway and several inscriptions. Besides scenes
from the Ramayana and Mahabaratha, there is a wonderful carving designed to
look like an elephant from one side and a buffalo from the other. In front
of the temple is a majestic 2.6 metres high Nandi made of deep green stone
and is covered in a red floral cape. Stop now at the Malliarjuna and
Papanatha temples- dedicatedly chiselled and rich in detail. The inner hall
of the Papanatha temple is guarded by Nandi and Virabhadra. There are 16
pillars in the main hall with beautiful carvings. Besides these temples is a
group of temples remarkable primarily, for representing two chief styles of
Indian architecture, side by side. The detailed descriptions in the
sculptors of the temples give an insight into the social life to those days.
Back to Badami. O/n Hotel.
Day 08, Badami To
Hospet : Morning after breakfast drive to Hospet (about 240kms/ 06
hrs), check into the hotel. Hospet is the nearest small market town, and a
base for seeing Hampi. Evening visit The Tungabhadra Dam (6km). The rest of
the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
Day 09, Hampi :
Morning we make a short trip to Hampi (01hr), also known as ' THE FORT OF
VICTORY VIJAYANAGARA', situated on the banks of the river Tungabhadra in the
region of Bellary, is a vast site of monuments and ruins, a mute witness to
an ear of glories, triumphs and tragedies. The ruins of Hampi, are so
majestic and imposing that they leave the visitor totally dumbfounded,
awestruck and humbled. Visit the Virupaksha Temple, rises majestically at
the western end of a 670m long street that was once the famous Hampi bazaar.
This is the only temple at Hampi that is still used for worship. The most
splendid monument of Hampi is undoubtedly The Vitthala Temple Complex. The
56 pillars in the main hall produce musical notes when struck. To the east
of the hall is the famous Stone Chariot with stone wheels that actually
revolve! Hampi is full of such surprises. Back to Hospet. O/n Hotel.
Day
10, Hospet To Chikamagalur : Today we will start our journey early
morning to Chikamagalur, (about 290kms/ 7hrs) enroute visits the Fort of
Seven Rounds in Chithradurga. Drive through the India's major Coffee growing
area and check into the hotel. The rest of the day free to relax from the
tiring journey. O/n hotel.
Day 11, Chikamagalur To
Hassan : Morning after breakfast we drive to Belur. It was once the
capital of the Hoysala Empire, today made unforgettable for its exquisite
temples.
The serenity of Belur is attributed to the celebrated temple of
Chennakeshava Temple built by the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 A.D,
is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. The main structure of
the temple, which is star-shaped, is a homogenous architectural unit on a
raised platform. Everything is carved in black stone, looking like metal.
Facing the temple, at the entrance, stands the winged figure of Garauda,
Lord Vishnu's carrier. The 650 charging elephants on the frieze around the
walls outside are all different from each other. The exotic bracket figures
on the walls of this temple are serene, playful and amorous, enhancing the
overall effect of this pinnacle of architectural excellence. After visiting
this temple we move to Halebedu (17kms from Belur). The temples of Halebid
bear mute testimony to the rich, cultural heritage of Karnataka. Visit the
Hoysaleswara Temple, dating back to the 12th century, standing on platform
like a casket, is a sculptural extravaganza, richly endowed with most finely
detailed scroll work in stone. The walls of the temple are covered with an
endless variety of gods and goddesses and also visit the Jain bastics. O/n
at hotel in Hassan.
Day 12, Hassan To Mysore :
Morning after breakfast drive to Mysore (about 125kms/03hrs), check into the
hotel. Afternoon visit the Mysore Palace, built in 1912 in the
Indo-Saracenic style, the main attraction in the palace are the Golden Royal
Throne, the Durbar Hall, the Kalyana Mandap, the Gallery and the Ambavilas.
Evening we will drive to Chamundi Hills, towering over the city, these hill
are 13 kms away from Mysore. Half way up is the Nandi Bull, a 4.8 m
monolith. Right on the top is the 2000-year-old Chamundeswari Temple. O/n
Hotel.
Day 13, Mysore To Bangalore :
Morning after breakfast drive to Bangalore (about 140kms/ 03hrs), check into
the hotel. This bustling capital city of Karnataka, is also known as Garden
City and Silicon Valley of India. Late afternoon visit the Vidhan Soudha, a
magnificent building housing the State Legislature and Secretariat. It is
built entirely of Bangalore granite in the Neo-Dravidian style. Visit the
Cubbon park, this beautiful park sprawling across 300 acres, was laid out by
Lieuteneant General Sir Mark Cubbon in 1864. The park is green and dotted
with fountains, statues and flowering areas. The rest of the day free to
relax or stroll around the bazaars. O/n Hotel.
Day
14, Bangalore : The full day to relax before you starting the
journey to your home country. Stroll around the avenues to find some good
sandalwood carvings and handicrafts to put you in memory of your tour to
Deccan. Late night transfer to the International airport, board flight to
your home country.
Day 15 Fly to your
home country.
House
Boat