Deccan and The Ruins of Hampi
Visitors to Hampi never cease to get amazed - located in a barren landscape with giant boulders, the famed ruins include the Vittala Temple, a World Heritage Site.
We cover the Chalukyan capital of Badami, dotted with a profusion of outstanding temples; Bijapur with the spectacular dome of Gol Gumbaz; the intricately carved Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebid. The colourful bazaars of Mysore are a fitting finale to a trip so rich in offerings. The hotels in the remote areas are modest but the experience rewarding. On offer in this very tour is the opulent palace of the Nizams of Hyderabad, the Falaknuma Palace, now a hotel and a destination unto itself.
Recommended Itinerary
DAY 01 - FLIGHT
Fly to Hyderabad
DAYS 2 & 3 - HYDERABAD
Arrive into Hyderabad and transfer to the Radisson Blu (or the opulent Falaknuma Palace); visit the Charminar, Lad Bazaar, Salar Jung Museum, Chowmahalla Palace, Qutab Shahi Tombs and the Golconda Fort; try the famous biriyani in one of our recommended restaurants or with a local family.
DAY 4 - GULBARGA
Drive to Bidar to see the ruins of the Bahmani Kingdom; continue to Gulbarga for a night at the simple Hotel Aditya.
DAY 5 & 6 - BIJAPUR
Explore the fort and the tombs of Bahmani kings; drive on to Bijapur, stay at Sabala Heritage Home. Visit Gol Gumbaz and the magnificent tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah.
DAYS 7 & 8 - BADAMI
Drive on to Badami, stay at the Heritage Resort or Badami Court; visit Aihole including the Lad Khan temple, dating back to 450 AD, where the earliest form of temple design can be seen, and the World Heritage Site of Pattadakal, which has temples of the northern Nagara and southern Dravida schools. Later visit Badami's cave temples from the 6th & 7th century AD and the Malegitti Shivalaya Temple.
DAYS 9, 10 & 11 - HOSPET (HAMPI)
Drive to Hospet, stay at the Heritage Resort or Malligi Tourist Home (or Hampi's Boulders/Evolve Back); visit Hampi - a World Heritage Site comparable to the Angkor Wat in Cambodia - the city razed by the five Deccan sultans in 1565, including the Vittala and Virupaksha temples.
DAY 12 - CHIKMAGALUR
Drive to Chikmagalur, stay at the Taj Gateway for the night; optional visit to coffee plantations.
DAY 13 - HASSAN
Continue to Hassan; visiting the intricately carved Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebid; stay at the Hoysala Village.
DAYS 14, 15 & 16 - MYSORE
Drive to Mysore visiting the imposing statue of Gomateshvara at Shravanabelagola and Tipu's Summer Palace at Srirangapattanam; stay at a Guest House (or Radisson Blu/Metropole); visit the sights including the Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hill, Nandi Bull and the colourful Devraja Market; optional excursion to Somnathpur.
DAY 17 - BENGALURU
Drive to the Garden City of Bangalore (Bengaluru) or take a train; stay at Lemon Tree (or stay at Taj West End, Oberois) ; take an orientation tour; walk in Cubbon Park; pick some shopping; try out a local pub; have an indulgent meal at the Taj West End.
DAY 18 - RETURN
Transfer to the airport for your return flight.
Extensions
Nagarhole
Arguably one of the finest natural parks in South India, Nagarhole is a couple of hours drive from Mysore; enjoy game drives and coracle rides to see elephants in the wild, gaur (bison) and, with some luck, wild dogs, leopards and tigers.
Beach
You can drive to Bekal in Kerala or take a train to Chennai to reach Covelong; there is a choice of excellent beach resorts in both places.
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