Day 01: Arrive Bangalore:
Arrival at Bangalore Airport and greeted by Enrich India Representative. Transfer to hotel and check in. Overnight at Hotel
Day 02: Bangalore:
After breakfast start city tour of Bangalore. Visiting Bangalore’s hottest attractions like Vidhan Sabha, a government edifice built in Neo Dravidian style; Lal Bagh Botanical Garden, adorned with beautiful flowers; Tipu’s Palace, belonging to the popular ruler, Tipu Sultan, this palace reflects Mughal architecture at its best, and Bangalore Palace, built in Tudor style. Overnight at Hotel
Day 03: Bangalore – Mysore:
After breakfast proceed to Mysore (150 Kms, 03 Hrs Drive). Known for its magnificent palaces and majestic buildings, sprawling gardens and tree lined boulevards, shimmering silks and sandalwood, the ‘City Royale’ always figures in the tourist’s itinerary. On arrival check in at Hotel.
Afternoon we proceed to visit Mysore Palace, the most famous palace of India, built in 1912, with the Indo Saracenic style of architecture; and Brindavan Garden, beautiful garden adjacent to a multipurpose dam, weaving a soulful panorama. In the evening visit Chamundi Hill – perched atop a hill – the 4.8m tall monolith of Nandi and the gigantic Mahishasura statue are great attractions of this place. Overnight at Hotel
Day 04: Mysore – Hassan:
Post breakfast proceed to Hassan (125 Kms, 03 Hrs Drive), En-route visit Shravanabelagola which is world famous for the monolithic naked statue of Lord Gomateshwara, the 75 feet tall standing atop one of the hills. The statue was carved out of the black granite and is a picture of serenity and composure.
Then drive to Hassan and check in at hotel. Afternoon tour of Belur & Helebid. Belur which was the early capital of Hoysala empire and visit Chennakeshava Temple which houses sculptures showcasing variety of ornaments, the doorways, the ceilings.
Then visit Halebid, the ancient capital of the Hoysalas, formerly known as Dwarasamudram (Gateway to the seas). The temples here represent one of the most artistically excited periods of Hindu cultural development. Overnight at Hotel
Day 05: Hassan – Hospet:
Post breakfast leave to Hospet (350 Kms, 07 Hrs Drive), a satellite town built during the reign of Krishnadevaraja. Overnight at Hotel
Day 06: Hospet:
After breakfast drive to visit Hampi temples (13 Kms). It is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River with a backdrop of majestic rock boulders and was the capital of the Vijayanagara Kingdom. Visit 15th century Chandramauleshwar Temple is centrally located in Hampi and is one of the site’s most prominent architectural buildings. Vithala Temple is noted for its extraordinary pillars with the animated carvings on it. Also visit Virupaksha Temple, Lotus Mahal, Sule Bazaar, Achutaraya Temple, Queen’s bath and Elephant Stables. Overnight at Hotel
Day 07: Hospet – Badami:
After breakfast proceed to Badami (170 Kms, 04 Hrs). Upon arrival check in at hotel.
Afternoon visit Badami Caves – Picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills, the exquisite sculptures and the rust red sandstone cliffs of Badami tell many a tale of yore, North Fort – This is the largest enclosure, including two major platform structures, an underground chamber which must have served as a treasury or private audience hall, Banashankari – is a quaint hamlet taking its name from the goddess Banashankari. Built in the Dravidian style, the temple is dedicated to Banashankari, a form of Parvati. Overnight at Hotel
Day 08: Badami:
Morning breakfast and proceed for a day excursion to Aihole and Pattadakal.
Aihole was the first capital of the early Chalukyas and is famous as the Cradle of Indian Temple Architecture. The temples here date back to as early as 6th century. It has over 125 temples which are all intricately carved and rich in detail.
Pattadakal – A World Heritage centre has 10 major temples representing early Chalukyan architecture. An impressive series of nine Hindu temples, as well as a Jain sanctuary, can be seen there. One masterpiece which clearly stands out is the Temple of Virupaksha, built by Queen Lokamahadevi to celebrate her husband’s victory over the kings from the South. Overnight at Hotel
Day 09: Badami – Bijapur:
Post breakfast leave to Bijapur (130 Kms, 04 Hrs Drive) and upon arrival check in at hotel.
Afternoon go for city tour of Bijapur which is known for its medieval monuments and for their architectural excellence, including the world famous Gol Gumbaz. Most of the monuments of Bijapur are built by the Adil Shahi rulers between 15th and 17th century. Visit the much visited dome of Gol Gumbaz which is second in size only to St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome. It was built by Muhammad Adil Shah in the year 1656 for the singular purpose of burying his mortal remains. Overnight at Hotel
Day 10: Bijapur – Gulbarga:
Post Breakfast drive to Gulbarga (150 Kms, 04 Hrs). On arrival visit Khwaja Bande Nawaz Durgah, the tomb of the great Sufi saint Syed Mohammad Gesu Daraz (1320-1422), one of South India’s holiest Muslim shrines, the Durgah is a unique example of communal harmony.
Also visit Gulbarga Fort which was originally built by Raja Gulchand, a feudatory of the Orangal Kakatiyas. Overnight at Hotel
Day 11: Gulbarga – Bidar:
Post Breakfast drive to Bidar (120 Kms, 03 Hrs). On arrival visit Bidar Fort which was built in the 8th century and later renovated again in the 14th century. Among the congregation of royal palaces here, the Rangin Mahal stands out for its sheer elegance and exquisite carvings, fascinating glazed tile mosaics and mother-of-pearl decorations which bear the hallmarks of Persian architecture. Also visit Solah Khamba Mosque, built in 1327, which is another prominent structure inside the fort. Overnight at Hotel
Day 12: Bidar – Hyderabad:
Post breakfast proceed to Hyderabad (150 KMs, 03 Hrs). Hyderabad is the city of Nizam as it is also known reflects a perfect blend of old and new, the traditional and modern. Later city tour of Hyderabad, start by first visiting Charminar, built by Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah in 1591, it was said to be the centre around which Hyderabad was once built. The Charminar is a squarish structure with its four towers facing all the four directions, each measuring 20 meters in length. Also visit Salar Jung Museum which has the largest one-man collection of antiques in the world, exhibiting over 35,000 objects of art. Later visit mighty Golconda Fort, a majestic monument on the outskirts of Hyderabad city, speaks of a great cultural heritage of 400 years. The fort is famous for its military architecture, built to withstand enemy attacks of any kind. Overnight at Hotel
Day 13: Hyderabad – Back Home:
Breakfast at hotel. In time transfer to Airport to board flight to back home.