Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at hotel.After breakfast leave for half day excursion to Elephanta Caves. An early morning excursion across the Mumbai harbour to 1200-year old Elephanta Caves housing some of the most beautiful rock-cuts of the period. The famous Trimurti sculpture of three-faced Shiva depicting his three aspects as Creator, Preserver and Destroyer is powerfully portrayed in the massive sculpture. (Closed on Mondays and not available during the Monsoon.)
Afternoon half day visit to Gateway of India, Mumbai's principle landmark erected on the waterfront in 1924 to commemorate King George V's visit to this colony in 1911. Visit Mani Bhavan where Mahatama Gandhi stayed suring his visit to Mumbai and hanging Gardens which offer a splendid view of the city, Chowpatty, Kamala Nehru Park. Drive along the Marine Drive which is fondly known as the 'Queen's Necklace', Haji Ali Mosque, a shrine in honour of a Muslim Saint on an island 500 m. out at sea .Stop at the 'Dhobi Ghat' where Mumbai's 'dirties' are scrubbed, bashed, dyed and hung out to dry.
Morning transfer to airport to connect flight for Goa. Meeting and assistance on arrival, and transfer t hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast proceed to Altinho Hill for a breathtaking view of Panjim and river Mandovi. Arrive to Donapaula for a view of India's largest natural harbour Marmgoa. Visit Basillica of Bom Jesus where in is enshrined the body of St. Francis Xavier in a silver ornate casket. St. Cathedra, the biggest church in the East. Heavily gilded central altars depict the martyrdom of Saint Catherine, to whom the cathedral is dedicated Also visit Ponda, the temple city & visit Mangueshi & Shantadurga temples. Also visit the famous churches at Old Goa – Basilica of Bom Jesus & The Se Cathedral.
Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at leisure to explore the place with local bazaar visits etc. Overnight at the Hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.Later leave for Badami by surface. On arrival check-in at hotel.
Badami is known for its beautifully carved cave temples, artificial lake, museums and rock-cut into the cliff face of a red sandstone hill of 6th & 7th Century. Badami was at one time the capital of the Chalukyas. The Pallavas, who had been defeated by Pulakesi II, later captured and destroyed Badami to avenge their defeat. Badami was also in the possession of the Vijayanagar Kings, the Adil Shahis, the Savanur Nawabs, the Marathas, Hyder Ali and finally the British who made it part of the Bombay Presidency.Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning sightseeing tour of Badami, known for its rock-cut cave temples. Numbering five, these temples are over thirteen hundred years old. They have been carved out of the red sandstone hills surrounding Badami. Apart from rock-cut temples, the town also has some other temples and a beautiful tank. Lord Shiva is worshipped as the God of Souls in the Bhootnath Temple. The Agastyatirtha Tank is a beautiful water body considered as holy by the pilgrims. The Archaeological Museum has a good collection of objects from Badami as well as Aihole and Pattadakal. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning leave for Hospet enroute visiting Aihole & Pattadakal. Being a region steeped in history, the vicinity of Badami offers a plethora of attractions to the touirists. Pattadakal was the second capital of the mighty Chalukyans and a place that hosted important state functions of the time. Aihole, situated some 46 km off Badami, was another architectural centre of the Chalukyas. There are a number of Hindu temples constructed in the 6th and 7th centuries. The Mahakuta Temple, situated around 14 km from Badami, is a well-known place of worship.
Hospet, a small dusty town in Northern Karnataka, was once the seat of the powerful Vijayanagar Empire and 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. Hospet is the ideal base for tourists visiting Hampi and other nearby places. On arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day excursion to Hampi. The artisans of the Vijayanagar Empire perfected the art of blending their architectural style with the rocky terrain of the region. The excavations at Hampi carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1976 have revealed the ruins of a rich and flourishing empire. Today the ruins lie sprawled over a large area of 26 square kilometres. Of the other attractions, the Chitradurga Fort (290 km) situated at the foothills of a group of granite hills is worth visiting. Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast leave for Hassan by surface. On arrival check-in at hotel. Hassan is a picturesque town in the heart of malnad with a pleasant climate. It is about 180 KM from Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka. Hassan District was under the reign of Mouryas of North in the 3rd BC and later kingdoms of Kadambas, Chalukyas, Gangas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagar empire The Hoysalas brought world wide acclaim to the district through their unique style of Temple Architecture. It is surrounded by 6 districts namely Chikmagalur, Mangalore, Madikeri, Mysore, Mandya & Tumkur. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning sightseeing tour takes you to Halebid the last capital of Hoysala rulers in 11th/12th century. The Hoysalas were a mighty martial race, but did not let that interfere with their culture and fostering of some of the greatest masterpieces of the world. The Hoysalesvara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva at Halebid is perched on a star-shaped base. Outside there is a Nandi Bull, the mount of Shiva, was never completed despite 86 years of labour. Every centimeter of the outside wall of this temple and much of the interior is covered with an endless variety of Hindu deities, sages, animals and birds. A few kilometers further we reach Belur. The religious capital of Hoysala. Visit the ornamental gopuram of the Chennakesava Temple dedicate to Lord Vishnu, which appears unexpectedly around a bend. It took 103 years to complete. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel and later leave for Coorg. On arrival check-in at hotel. Kodagu or Coorg is derived from the local version “Kodavu” and the people of Kodagu Kodavas. According to Puranic versions the land of initial settlement was called Krodadesa which later became Kodavu. It is also said that Kodagu is derived from the word Kodava, Kod means 'give' and avva means 'mother', i.e mother Kaveri, the river Kaveri. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Rest of the day free to explore this beauty of nature on your own, visit Madikeri, also called the capital of Coorg Madikeri is often known as the Scotland of India. It has enchanted millions of travellers with its misty hills, lush forests, coffee plantations and breath taking views. he places of interest include Kushalnagar, a great picnic spot. Omkareshwara Temple, With a dome in the middle of a square lake and minarets at each corner, this is a catholic mix of Keralite, Gothic and Islamic architectural styles. Built in 1820 by King Lingarajendra.Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel and later leave for Nagarhole. On arrival check-in at hotel.Nagarhole National Park also known as 'Rajiv Gandhi National Park,' is spread between Kodagu and Mysore districts. Located to the northwest of Bandipur National Park, Kabini reservoir separates the two. The exclusive hunting reserve of the former rulers of Mysore, the park has rich forest cover, small streams, valleys, and waterfalls. The park boasts a healthy tiger-predator ratio, and tiger, bison, and elephant can be found in good numbers. Afternoon visit the Park. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit to Park. Lunch at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning drive to Madhumalai.
On arrival check-in at hotel. Madhumalai Sanctuary, rich in bio-diversity and dense vegetation, is sandwiched between the Bandipur and Annamalai sanctuaries, and together the three form the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats, with the Mysore-Ooty highway passing through it. It is situated at an elevation of 1000 metres and extends over an area of 321 sq. kms where lie the sanctuary between Kerala and Karnataka states. It was one of the first wildlife sanctuaries in the country and is home to the spotted deer, tiger, wild boar & sloth bear. Otters and crocodiles inhabit the Moyar River. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. After the breakfast leave for Mysore by surface enroute visiting Sravanabelgola. Shravanbelagola, a Jain pilgrimage centre famous for the statue of Gommateshwara. The statue, an impressive site, stands on the Vindhyagiri overlooking the town of Shravanbelagola. On arrival check-in at hotel.
Mysore, the former capital of the princely state, is the second largest city in Karnataka. It is a beautiful city of stately palaces, gardens, parks and museums. Sandalwood and a centre for the manufacture of incense sticks. The city is famous for the scent of jasmine in the spring.
Afternoon visit the Maharaja Palace (1857): that was once the residence of the Wodeyars, Built in Indo-Saracenic style in grand proportions, with domes, arches and colonnades of carved pillars and shiny marble floors. One of the largest palaces in the country with some art treasures, Also visit Chamundi Hill has the temple of Durga (Chamundeswari) celebrating her victory over the buffalo god. She became the guardian deity o the Wodeyars. On the road to the top is the giant Nandi Monolith carved in 1659 (4,8m x 7,6m huge bull sculpture). Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. Later leave for Bangalore. On arrival orientation tour of Bangalore including a visit to Lalbagh, Nandi Bull and drive past Vidhan Soudha. Evening transfer to airport to connect flight for onward destination.