Duration: 16 Nights / 17 Days Places Covered: Mumbai - Hyderabad - Chennai - Mysore - Bangalore - Hampi
- Bijapur - Bangalore - Goa - Mumbai Day 1: Mumbai
A fitting place to start.
On arrival - met, assisted and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day at
your discretion.
Day 2: Mumbai
The city of dreams.
For the day visit Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Hanging Gardens
on the slopes of Malabar Hills offering nice view of Marine Lines & Chowpatty
Beach, Kamla Nehru Park, Mani Bhawan (where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay) and
then to Dhobi Ghat. Also visit Afgan Church, Flora Fountain (Bombay nerve
centre), Colourful Crawford Market and Marine Drive.
Day 3: Hyderabad
Nijams rich legacy.
You will be transferred to Hyderabad by flight. After lunch, we visit the
Charminar- rectangular four arched monumental gate often described as "The
Arch of Triumph of the East", the Mecca Mosque and Salar Jung Museum
- one man's collection of manuscripts, ancient weapons, costumes and curios.
Later drive past the High Court buildings.
Day 4: Hyderabad
Uncovering the Mysteries of Golconda.
Full day excursion to Golconda Fort. Golconda, once famed for its diamond
mines (from which the famous Kohinoor diamond of the British crown was mined),
is the site of a strategic fort dating back to the 13th century. This invincible
fort has an extraordinary acoustical system and massive battlements. Later
visit the Usmansagar Lake- one of the most beautiful man-made lakes.
Day 5: Chennai
Dravidian Citadel.
From Hyderabad board the flight for Chennai. Arrive and check in hotel. For
the day visit Museum to see the Art & Bronze Gallery. Drive through the
Flower and Fruit Markets, High Court, Fort Museum, Marina Beach, San Thome
Cathedral, The Theosophical Society and Snake Park.
Day 6: Chennai
Sacred journey to Tirupati.
After breakfast, we take full day excursion of Tirupati- one of the most important
& the richest temple of the world. It is famous for the shrine of "Seven
hills" of Tirumala which attract millions of pilgrims from all over India.
Picturesquely situated amidst sacred waterfalls and tanks, the shrine presents
a fine example of early Dravidian art. In front of it is the "Hall of
Pillars" from where an attractive stepped way leads to the temple. Evening
return back to hotel.
Day 7: Mysore
Silk & sandalwood.
Early morning board the train for Mysore. From Railway station, you will be
transferred to hotel. After lunch we take half-day sight seeing tour of Mysore
visiting the palace of the Maharaja built in 1911-12. The palace is a harmonious
synthesis of the Hindu and saracenic styles of architecture with magnificient
Archways, Domes, Turrets, Colonnades and Sculptures.Also visit the Art Gallery,
drive upto Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple & panoramic view
of Mysore. On your way back see the Nandi Bull -a monolith structure.
Day 8: Mysore
Sublime expressions of stone.
Full day excursion to Sravanbelagola, Belur and Halebid. At Sravanbelagola,
hewn out of a single rock and visible from a distance of 25 kms is the statue
of Lord Gomteshwara, which is bathed with milk , sandalwood,saffron once every
12 years. The Chennakesava temple of Belur built 900 years ago is an exquisite
example of Hoysala art. Halebid 's 12th century Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara
temples are masterpieces of Hindu art.
Day 9: Bangalore
Passing through history.
After breakfast, we drive towards Bangalore. On the way we visit Srirangapatnam
,16 kms from Mysore. This fort was the stronghold of Tippu Sultan, son of
Hyder Ali. Tippu fought a valiant battle against the British in 1799 before
laying down his life. Among the many fort buildings till intact are Tippu
's airy summer palace and his tomb at the Darya Daulat Bagh (Garden). Also
visit Sri Ranganatha Temple.
Day 10: Bangalore
India's silicon valley.
For the first half we take day sightseeing tour of the "Garden City"
which covers the Lal Bagh having variety of old Trees, Fountains, Lotus, Pools,
Terraces and an assortment of Tropical Herbs and Sub - Tropical Herbs. Also
see the Government Buildings and the Maharaja's Palace. Utilise rest of the
day in shopping or personal activities.
Day 11: Hampi
A city that was.
Proceed to Hampi- the erstwhile capital city of Vijayanagar Empire which had
Palaces, Temples and sculptures spread all over. The city was razed to the
ground by the Sultanates of South in 1565. We Check in hotel at Hospet (12
km from Hampi). Rest of the day at your discretion or you can explore group
of monuments at Hampi.
Day 12: Hampi
Conversation with the monuments.
Whole day we explore the wealthy monuments of Hampi. Evening return back to
hotel for overnight stay.
Day 13: Bijapur
Gol Gumbaz - where the silence screams.
Buildings to see are Ibrahim Rauza, Gagan Mahal, Bara Kaman etc. Transfer
to Airport for onward flight to Bangalore for onward journey.
Day 14: Goa
Baywatch.
After break fast we proceed to Goa. Arrive and check in hotel. For the day
you are free to relax.
Day 15: Goa
Rome in India.
We start our half-day sightseeing tour from the slopes of Altinho Hill for
a breathtaking view of Panjim and river Mandovi. Then to Dona-Paula for a
view of India's largest natural harbour-Mormugao. Afterwards we visit old
Goa and see the Basillica of Bom Jesus which contains the tomb & mortal
remains of St. Francis Xavierh housed in a silver ornate casket , Se. Cathedral-
the biggest Church in the East, St. Cajetan- built like St. Peter (Rome),
Church of Our Lady Rosary and St. Monica. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 16: Goa
Time out for leisure.
Whole day free to explore its beaches or to relax.
Day 17: Mumbai
A fitting finale.
From Goa board the flight for Mumbai. Day will be kept free at your discretion
till the time of your departing flight. You'll be transferred to the Airport
for onward flight.
INCREDIBLE TOURISM
