Tour Info

Southern part of  India is the perfect place to visit the finest ancient Indian architecture. Apart from Hindu architecture, you will find the Islamic architecture as well. Cave temples of Badami built in 06th century are the finest example of rock-cut Indian architecture. Architects from all over the world mentioned about Aihole and Badami Caves as a cradle of temple architecture in India.

Pattadakkal built in 07th and 08th century by Chalukya dynasty is a group of temple declared by UNESCO as world heritage site.  Hampi –The capital of Vijayanagara Empire was one of the largest and richest cities in the world. Another prominent Empire in Karnataka was Hoysala in the 12th Century and Halebidu was its regal capital.

Also Karnataka's visit is never complete without visiting its crown - Mysore Palace. It is built in Indo-Saracenic architecture and one of the largest private residences in the world.

Itinerary

Arrive at Hyderabad airport and you will be assisted by our representative and transfer to hotel. Hyderabad is also known as the city of pearls because it was a diamond and pearl trading center in the past. Overnight stay in Hyderabad.

Morning after healthy breakfast start your Hyderabad sightseeing, Beginning with Charminar -  the classic mark of the Hyderabad city.  Four minarets towering almost 50ft high poise the structure. Later visit Golconda Fort– one of the imposing forts of South India.

Later in the evening, visit the attractions Qutub Shahi Tombs and Mecca Masjid. Return to hotel for overnight stay in Hyderabad.  

After breakfast, drive to Bidar. On arrival check-in to the hotel and relax, Later take a guided tour of Bidar Fort. Designed with Persian Style architecture this fort features excellent woodcarvings and captivating glassy tile mosaics.  The interior of these square tombs has been wonderfully carved and colored. Overnight stay at hotelin Bidar. 

 Morning after breakfast drive to Gulbarga. On arrival check-in to the hotel and later take a sightseeing tour of enormous Gulbarga Fort.

Gulbarga Fort is one of the initial examples of Islamic architecture in Karnataka. The main attractions of the fort complex are Tomb of Khaja Bande Nawaz, Jama Masjid and the main Fort. Overnight stay in Gulbarga. 

Morning after breakfast Bijapur. Visit Gol Gumbaz- the central dome of Gol Gumbaz is second to the dome of St Peter’s Basilica of Rome in size. This Gumbaz stands unsupported by any pillars. It serves as the crypt of King Mohammed Adil Shah (Sultan of Bijapur).

Also, take the tour of Ibrahim Roza – it is a palatial Mosque considered as one of the forerunners of Taj Mahal and measured as one of the supreme exemplars of Islamic architecture.

Arrive at Badami and visit the superb Badami Caves Complex, which includes four ancient rock-cut cave temples. The caves complex is one of the examples of Hindu Temples of the ancient Deccan period. Later visit Badami Fort and Bhutanatha temples. Badami Fort is a well-known archaeological location that is situated on the apex of a hill.

King Pulakeshi of Chalukya Dynasty constructed this ancient fortress. The Bhutanatha temples are a group of sandstone temples dedicated to the God Bhutanatha. The architecture of the temples is an amalgamation of different architecture of different periods. 

Morning after breakfast proceed to Hampi stop en route to visit Pattadakal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, located on the banks of the Malaprabha River. It is a compound of the seventh and eighth-century’s Hindu and Jain temples. Pattadakal is evidence of the wealth and prosperity of Chalukyan architecture. Also stop on the way at Aihole, known as ‘the cradle of Indian Architecture’. It houses various ancient as well as the medieval era’s Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain monuments. Upon arrival at Hampi Hotel, complete the check-in and relax. 

Take a full day trip to Hampi – a UNESCO world heritage site. Hampi was the splendid capital of the great Vijayanagara Empire. Hampi is currently a ruined city that holds over 1,600 existing remains of riverside features, forts, sacred and royal complexes, temples, pillared halls, water structures and more belonging to ancient Hindu Dynasty of South India.
Hampi is the perfect place to see the Hindu architecture.

Morning after breakfast drive for Hassan; en route take the tour of Halebid and Belur. During the 12th century, Halebid was the royal capital of the Empire of Hoysala. The city is acknowledged for its temple complexes such as Hoysaleshwara temple and Kedareshwara temple. Belur is well-known for its Chennakeshava Temple, one of the premium exemplars of Hoysala artistry that is still active.
Finally, reach to Hassan and take rest at the hotel. 

Today, after breakfast drive to “city of Palaces”, Mysore; en-route visit Shravanabelagola- one of the prominent Jain pilgrim centers in India. It is believed Chandragupta Maurya (founder of Maurya Reign) had died in this town in 298 BC after he turned into a Jain monk and implicated an ascetic lifestyle.

On arrival at Mysore take a guided tour of Chamundi Hills to view a huge Nandi Bull built out of a single rock-hewn. You can also visit Chamundeshwari Temple situated on the top of the Chamundi hills. Later visit the Mysore Palace, which is one of the most magnificent palaces in Southern India. Mysore Palace is the bench of the Kingdom of Mysore and the official home of the Wadiyar dynasty.

Morning, post breakfast take an excursion to Somnathpura (a small village located on the banks of River Kaveri) to visit Chennakesava Temple. Chennakesava Temple is one of the best examples of Hoysala style architecture. The ceiling and walls of the temple are beautifully carved with the Hinduism’s Theological iconography and it also depicts friezes of various Hindu Epics.

Later depart Mysore for Bangalore by road. En-route, visit Srirangapatanam – the summer capital of Tipu Sultan that holds great cultural, religious and historic importance. On arrival at Bangalore, you will be transferred to Airport for onward journey.

 

·       Welcome and assistance on arrival and departure by Travel representative.

·       Accommodation on Twin / Double / sharing basis.

·       Breakfast will be served in inhouse hotel.

·       All sightseeing and transfers as per the itinerary using airconditioned vehicle

·       English speaking Local Guide as per itinerary.

·       Parking, toll taxes, fuel, driver allowance.

·        Taxes.

Inclusions

Tour Highlights :

·       Visit the India’s “City of Pearls” Hyderabad

·       Visit the Persian style of architecture – Bidar Fort.

·       Visit on of the earliest Islamic architecture of India – Gulbarga Fort

·       Visit the Gol Gubaz of Bijapur.

·       World famous cave architecture of Badami.

·       Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Pattadakkal and Hampi.

·       Visit the Karnataka’s Crown – Mysore Palace 

Location Map