Days 11 nights / 12 days

Routing Hyderabad - Bidar - Gulbarga - Bijapur - Hospet - Hampi - Badami - Pattadakal & Aihole - Goa

Description

Day 01: Arrival in Hyderabad
On arrival in Hyderabad, you will be met and transferred to your pre booked hotel. The twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the capital of the State of Andhra Pradesh, represent an unprecedented combination of Hindu and Islamic influences. Hyderabad is unique among southern cities where Urdu is the major spoken language. As the capital to a 95% Hindu state, its population is almost 50% Muslim. An important centre of Islamic culture, it has a charming blend of the ancient and the modern. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 02: Day in Hyderabad
This morning, embark on a sightseeing tour of Hyderabad City, visiting Charminar, an impressive square gateway with four minarets, which is the most famous landmark of this city. Emerging from the great arch is the Lad Bazaar or "Street of Love", truly a shopper's paradise, selling traditional handicrafts. Located near the Charminar is also the Mecca Masjid, one of the largest mosques in the world. Its name is derived from the grand mosque at Mecca on which it is patterned. Later, visit the Salar Jung Museum, which houses an unusual collection of jade, marble, rare manuscripts, Persian miniature paintings, Chinese porcelain and other objects of art. The credit for this invaluable collection goes to Mir Yusuf Ali Khan Salar Jung, the 3rd Nizam of Hyderabad.

In the afternoon, take an excursion to the 13th century Golconda Fort, one of the most magnificent fortress complexes in India located on the outskirts of Hyderabad city. One of the most remarkable features of Golconda is its system of acoustic. The sounds of hands clapped in the grand portico can be heard in the durbar hall, at the very top of the hill. Also, visit the stately tombs of the Qutab Shahi Kings that lie just outside the outer wall of the Golconda Fort. Built during the 16th and 17th centuries, these tombs have a unique architectural style, which is a mixture of Persian, Pathan and Hindu forms. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03: Drive Hyderabad / Bidar / Gulbarga
This morning, you will drive to Gulbarga (approx. 260 kms/5 hrs) en route visiting Bidar, which was the capital of the Bahamani Kings in the early 15th century. Bidar is known for its fort, within which are the three palaces - Rangeen Mahal, Chini Mahal and Turkish Mahal. Also visit the famous university, Khwaja Mahmud Gawan Madarsa, and the tombs of the Bahamani and Barid Kings. Near Ali Barid’s tomb is the Nanak Jeera Gurudwara, which, according to a legend, was visited by the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak, when the land was in the grip of famine.

Continue your drive to Gulbarga and check-in at your pre booked hotel. The town of Gulbarga is famous for its association with the erstwhile medieval kingdom of Bahamani (1347 - 1526). A number of monuments dating from 13th to the 15th century can be seen here that reflect the architectural skills of the Bahamani rulers. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 04: Drive Gulbarga / Bijapur
This morning, take a tour of Gulbarga visiting the Fort that has 15 towers. Though the fort is in ruins, it still reflects some of its past glory. The Jama Masjid within the fort premises is said to have been built by a Moorish architect from Spain in the late 14th century on the lines of the great Cordoba Mosque in southern Spain. Other places of interest within the town are the imposing tombs of the Bahamani rulers, the Haft Gumbaz, the tomb of Khwaja Bande Nawaz (an important local Muslim saint) and the Sharana Basaveshwara temple.

Later, drive to Bijapur (approx. 140 kms/3 hrs) and check-in at your pre booked hotel. The foundation of this historic city was laid between the 10th and 11th centuries, during the reign of the Chalukyan dynasty of Kalyani. They called it 'Vijayapura' or the "City of Victory" from which, comes its present name Bijapur. Bijapur experienced a great burst of architectural activity under the Adil Shahi dynasty, who encouraged building activity to such an extent that Bijapur itself has over 50 mosques, more than 20 tombs and a number of palaces. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 05: Drive Bijapur / Hospet
This morning, take a tour of Bijapur visiting Gol Gumbaz, the mausoleum that dominates the landscape of Bijapur; Ibrahim Rauza that houses the tombs of Ibrahim Adil Shah II and his family; and the Malik-e-Maidan, the legendary canon of Ali Adil Shah. This is one of the largest bell metal guns in the world, measuring 4.45m in length, 1.5m in diameter and weighs 55 tons, a unique feature of the cannon is that it is always cool to touch, even under the blazing sun. Bara Kamaan, the unfinished mausoleum of Ali Adil Shah, if completed, might have surpassed all others of its kind. Its 12 graceful arches which give it the name Bara Kamaan, makes one feel the power of time & death.

Later, drive to Hospet (approx. 280 kms/5 hrs) and check-in at your pre booked hotel. Located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, the town of Hospet is the base to visit the UNESCO designated World Heritage Site of Hampi. The town's main bazaar is interesting to walk through. The Dam on the Tungabhadra River here has a Japanese styled garden at its base. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 06: Drive Hospet / Hampi / Hospet
This morning, embark on a full day excursion to the World Heritage Site of Hampi, located 12 kms from Hospet. Hampi is the site of the medieval Vijayanagara Empire, one of the most fascinating historical sites in South India and the most beautiful and evocative of all the ruins in Karnataka.

The Vijayanagara Empire was a great centre of Hindu rule for 200 years and the city was enormously wealthy. Most of the ruins date to early 16th century, built during the reign of Krishna Deva Raya, with the Citadel standing on the bank of the river. The Tungabhadra River flows through Hampi, on the banks of which, it is said, the Goddess Hampi (Parvati, companion of Lord Shiva) attained Lord Shiva. The important sites in Hampi are the Hampi Bazaar, Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple Complex, Sule Bazaar, Achyutaraya Temple and the Royal Centre. Return to Hospet in the evening. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 07: Drive Hospet / Badami
This morning, you will drive to Badami (approx. 140 kms/3 hrs) and check-in at your pre booked hotel.

In the afternoon, take a tour of the town of Badami, which was the capital of the Chalukya Empire, during the 6th and 8th centuries. Now a small rural town, set in beautiful countryside at the foot of a red sandstone ridge, Badami is well known for its several earliest and finest examples of Dravidian temples and rock-cut caves. In its ancient temples and forts, Badami preserves an important chapter in the history of architecture in Karnataka. Visit the Cave Temples that are cut into the cliff face of a red sandstone hill. Three of the four main caves are dedicated to Hindu deities whereas the fourth is dedicated to the Jain apostles. The Bhutanatha Temples are the other attractions of Badami, located on the bank of the ancient Bhutanatha Lake. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 08: Drive Badami / Pattadakal & Aihole / Badami
This morning, you will embark on an excursion to Pattadakal and Aihole. Pattadakal, though a tine village, is an art historian's dream, known for its structural temples. It represents the culmination of early Chalukyan art. It has a set of nine temples built almost in a single file, showing the architects' desire for experimenting with various styles. Four of the temples here are in the south Indian Dravidian architectural style, four others in the north Indian Nagara style while the Papanatha temple exhibits a hybrid style. The Virupaksha temple is probably the most beautiful of all temples here.

Then visit Aihole, the first capital of the early Chalukyas, before they shifted to Badami. Aihole is widely regarded as the birthplace of Indian temple architectural styles and the site of the first built temples, as distinct from those carved out of solid rock. Aihole has over a hundred temples, scattered around the village - some within the fort walls. The oldest temple here is, perhaps, the Lad Khan temple dating back to the 5th century. This temple was originally a royal assembly hall and marriage mandapa and was chosen as the abode of a Muslim prince, Lad Khan. The other notable monuments here are the Durga Fort temple, Huchimalligudi temple, Kontigudi group of temples, Ravanaphadi temple, Meguti Jain temple and the Museum of Archaeological Survey of India.

Return to Badami in the evening for overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 09: Drive Badami / Goa
This morning, drive to Goa (350 kms/8 hrs) and check-in at your pre booked hotel/beach resort. A small tropical paradise, wedged between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, with its dazzling 105-km long palm fringed coastline, Goa creates a seductive atmosphere that no tourist can resist. This former Portuguese enclave is one of India's gems. Piazzas of churches, cool temple tanks, traditional Goan houses and elegant mansions splashed with the colour of bougainvillea lend the atmosphere of a sleepy Portuguese village. With some of India's finest beaches, Goa is famous for its sea-food, cashewnuts and locally brewed feni (wine), the lively Goan music and dances, and above all for its peaceful and serene atmosphere. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 10: Day in Goa
This morning, embark on a half-day tour of Old Goa, which is the state's showpiece and the only remnant of the massive and overpowering Portuguese presence. Half a dozen imposing churches and cathedrals, amongst the largest in Asia are all that remain of the Portuguese capital that was once said to rival Lisbon in magnificence. In the 16th century, Goa was the largest and most flourishing of the great Asian cities and rightly called `Goa Dourada' (Golden Goa). The monuments and cathedrals today represent just a fraction of the urban development that was Old Goa. The most important church here is Basilica of Bom Jesus, which houses the relics of St. Francis Xavier, Goa's patron saint, making it an international pilgrim centre. The other notable churches are Se Cathedral, Convent & Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Church of St. Cajetan, and Church & Convent of St. Monica. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 11: Day in Goa
Full day is at leisure for you to relax in the sun kissed beaches of Goa. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 12: Departure from Goa
Today you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight for onward journey.