Architectural Delight (16 Days)
Mumbai | Goa | Badami (Aihole & Pattadakal) |
Hospet (Hampi) | Bangalore | Mysore | Hassan (Belur & Halebid)
Day 01 : Arrive Mumbai
Arrive
Mumbai international airport & transfer to hotel. Mumbai - India's
finance centre, the economic powerhouse of the nation & the heart of
Hindi film industry "Bollywood". The islands that now form Mumbai
were first home to fisher folk as far back as the 2nd century. The
Portuguese did little to develop, the British government took possession in
1665 & leased for 03 yrs to East India Company. Rest of the day is free
to relax / explore the city on own. Overnight stay in Mumbai.
Day 02 : City Tour
Today after breakfast proceed on a half day city tour, visit the Prince of
Wales Museum built in grand Indo Saracenic style, Gateway of India, drive
past Marine Drive, Mumbai's most popular seaside promenade, and see the
Kamla Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens on the slopes of the Malabar hills,
offering a nice view of the marine lines and the Chowpatty beach. Visit the
Jain temple, Mani Bhawan where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay, and the Dhobi
Ghat. Also, drive past the Flora Fountain, the colourful Crawford Market and
Victoria Terminus train station. Evening is free for your own. Overnight
stay in Mumbai.
Day 03 : Fly Mumbai - Goa
Early morning after breakfast drive to Goa - A forever enchantment. A
paradise of virgin beaches, fun loving people, mouth- watering delicious
cuisine, pretty whitewashed chapels and churches that dot the landscape, and
sleepy little villages among the rice fields. Goa is known for its Gothic
churches, crumbling forts, palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves, ferry
rides, bubbly folk music… and the famous afternoon siesta need and want
relaxation. Arrive & check in to hotel. Overnight stay in Goa.
Day 04 : In Goa
After a relaxed breakfast rest of the day is free for leisure. Overnight
stay in Goa.
Day 05 : City Tour
After breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing tour of Goa visit various
beaches like Dona Paula, Calangute, Anjuna, Colva, Miramar, and Vagator can
be compared with the best beaches around the world, The strong Roman
Catholic community, with the active support of the erstwhile Portuguese
rulers, has had a number of churches built in this picturesque locale. In
Panaji, one must visit the church dedicated to our Lady of Immaculate
Conception, and the Chapel of St. Sebastian. Evening is free for leisure.
Overnight stay in Goa.
Day 06 : Drive Goa - Badami
Today
after breakfast drive straight to Badami - 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. Climb a flight
of steps to reach the four ancient rock-cut caves replete with carved
pillars and bracket figures, all hewn out of red sandstone on the precipice
of a hill. The largest of them is the third cave, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
The first sculptural embellishment to dazzle the eye is the 18-armed
Nataraja striking 81 dance poses in the first cave. Overlooking the caves is
the Agastya Theertha Tank, its banks dotted with a cluster of Bhoothanatha
temples. Arrive & check in. Evening is free for leisure in Badami.
Day 07 : Visit Aihole & Pattadakal
After an early breakfast proceed for visit to Aihole - A tranquil village
on the banks of the Malaprabha river, Aihole is acclaimed as the cradle of
Hindu temple architecture. There are hundreds of temples in the villages and
fields nearby. The most impressive one is the Durga Temple with its
semicircular apse, elevated plinth, and the gallery encircling the sanctum.
The Lad Khan Temple, which is one of the earliest temples, was originally a
royal assembly hall and marriage mantapa chosen as the abode of a Muslim
prince, Lad Khan. The Huchimalli Temple with a sculpture of Vishnu sitting
atop a large cobra, the Ravalphadi Cave Temple celebrating the many forms of
Shiva, the Konti Temple Complex, the Umamaheswari Temple, the Jain Meguti
Temple, and the two storied Buddhist Temple are other sights worth seeing.
Pattadakal - With its beautifully chiselled temples, this World Heritage
Site on the banks of the Malaprabha river bears testimony to the richness of
Chalukyan architecture. Pattadakal reached its pinnacle of glory under the
Chalukya kings and was once used as a ceremonial centre where kings were
crowned and commemorated. It has a cluster of 10 major temples, each
displaying interesting architectural features. At the entrance of the site,
visit temples of Jambulinga, Kadasiddeshvara, and Galaganatha with their
curvilinear shikaras or spires. The biggest temple, dedicated to Virupaksha,
has a huge gateway, several inscriptions, and a profusion of friezes from
the epics. The Mallikarjuna Temple is similar in design to Virupaksha
Temple, but smaller in size. The ornate Papanatha Temple is yet another
impressive piece of architecture. Evening return. Overnight stay in Badami.
Day 08 : Drive Badami - Hospet
After a relaxed breakfast drive to Hospet : Set amidst an awesome boulder
strewn landscape along the banks of the Tungabhadra river 12km away from the
sleepy town of Hospet in Bellary district. Arrive & check in. Rest of
the day is free for leisure in Hospet.
Day 09 : Visit Hampi Ruins
Early today proceed for visit to Hampi Ruins - was the capital city of the
powerful South Indian Vijayanagar Empire. The once proud city of victory is
now a city of desolation. However, the ruins of these historical monuments
have stood the ravages of man and time and still evoke memories of the
grandeur of a bygone era. Hampi was the magnificent capital of the mighty
Vijayanagar kingdom. "The city is such that the pupil of the eye has
never seen a place like it, and the ear of intelligence has never been
informed that there existed anything to equal it in the world,"
marvelled a 15th century Persian ambassador. There were opulent palaces,
marvellous temples, massive fortifications, baths, markets, aquaducts,
pavilions, stables for royal elephants, and elegantly carved pillars. A
visit to Hampi is a sojourn into thr past. The best way to experience this
World Heritage Site is to take a leisurely stroll through the eloquent
ruins. Evening return. Overnight stay in Hospet.
Day 10 : Drive Hospet - Bangalore
After
breakfast drive to Bangalore - is one of the most visited destinations of
southern India. Known as the garden city of India, the climate of Bangalore
makes it a happening place all through the year. One of the highly developed
cities of southern India, it is the capital of the state of Karnataka.
Bangalore is also the seventh largest city in India. Rest of the day is free
for leisure. Overnight stay in Bangalore.
Day 11 : City Tour
After breakfast proceed on sightseeing tour of Bangalore visiting Lal Bagh
Gardens, Vidhan Soudha, the Bull Temple, Tipu Palace, Museum & ISKON
Temple, Venkatappa Art Gallery, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Vishweshwaraiah Museum.
Evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay in Bangalore.
Day 12 : Drive Bangalore - Mysore
Today drive to Mysore - The city of Mysore offers a visitor an insight into
the lifestyles, cultures and traditions of its erstwhile rulers. The palaces
and temples around the city speak volumes about heritage and architecture of
the medieval times and the kind of patronage the city received from its
rulers. Arrive & check in. Evening is free to relax. Overnight stay in
Mysore.
Day 13 : City Tour
Early today proceed on a half day excursion to Somnathpur - Keshava Temple
stands on the edge of the this tranquil village 33 kms off Mysore. Built in
1268 during the heyday of the Hoysala kings, it's an astonishingly beautiful
building. The walls of this star-shaped temple are covered with superb stone
sculptures. Later return to Mysore. The old Capital town offers to visit the
magnificent Maharaja's Palace - Built enormous and lavish in 1911 to replace
the old palace in the fort that burned down, Chamundi hills, Jaganmohan
Palace, St Philomena Church, Zoological Gardens. Evening is free to relax.
Over night stay at Mysore.
Day 14 : Drive Mysore - Hassan
After breakfast drive to Hassan - is an ideal base to explore these
historical sites. The region of Hassan had been under the control the
Hoysalas from 11th to 13th century AD. It was during this period that the
great temples of Belur and Halebid were constructed. Hassan was also greatly
influenced by Jainism. It became a well-known centre of Jain literature.
This busy little town has a pleasant climate throughout the year. Arrive &
check in. Evening is free for relax. Overnight stay in Hassan.
Day 15 : Visit Belur & Halebid
Later
proceed for excursion to Belur : The Channekeshava Temple is the only one of
the three major Hoysala sites. The temple's 14th century seven - storey
gopuram has some sensual sculptures explicitly portraying the après-temple
activities of dancing girls. Much decorative & artistic work can also be
found on the internal supporting pillars & lintels. Halebid :
Construction of Hoysaleswara Temple began around 1121. Despite of more then
80 yrs of labour, it was never complete. Nevertheless, it is easily the most
outstanding example of Hoysala art. Every centimeter of the outside walls &
much of the interior is covered with an endless variety of Hindu deities,
sages, stylized animals & birds. The temple is set in a well - tended
garden and there's a small museum adjacent housing a collection of
sculptures. Overnight stay in Hassan.
Day 16 : Departure
After breakfast transfer to Bangalore airport. Enroute visit
Sravanabelagola - one of the oldest & most important Jain pilgrimage
centres in India, and the site of huge 17m-high naked statue of God
Bahubali. Said to be the world's tallest monolithic statue, it overlooks the
sedate country town. Later transfer to Bangalore airport for flight to
onward destination.
End of a memorable tour !!!
Tariff Chart :
| Destination |
Standard Hotels |
Tour cost per person
Validity : May to Sep 2008
Request for rates valid Oct 2008 onwards |
US $ 1190
(twin sharing) |
| Mumbai |
Suba Palace |
| Goa |
Victor Exotica Resort |
| Badami |
Badami Court |
| Hospet |
Hotel Malligi |
| Bangalore |
Vijay Resideny |
| Mysore |
President |
| Hassan |
Hotel Ashok |
Package Includes :
- Accommodation for 16 days / 15 nights in well appointed double room
- Daily breakfast at all hotels on tour
- Transportation by air conditioned Tata Indica car as per itinerary
- Airport transfers & sightseeing in Goa by non aircon car as per hotel
package
- Services of local English speaking guide during sightseeing tour
- Driver allowances, fuel, parking interstate permits, toll charges &
Govt taxes
Package Excludes :
- Any air / train fare to destination on tour
- Meals other then specified
- Entrance fees to monuments
- Items of personal nature viz, laundry, tele con, mineral water,
insurance, etc
- Anything not specifically mentioned under package includes section
