Karnataka - The Nawabs of India

Traditional welcome on arrival at Hyderabad international airport by Travel Pals executive to transfer to hotel for immediate check-in.

Enjoy the lavish breakfast. Morning visit the Falukuma Palace, Mecca Masjid, the Salar Jung Museum and the splendid Charminar. In the afternoon drive to the fortress of Golconda and the tombs of the Qutab Shahi kings. Enjoy the Nawabi dinner with scrumptious meals and cuisines. Overnight at hotel.

After beakfast drive to Gulbarga, enroute stopover at Bidar to visit the 15th century Bidar Fort and the Bahmani tombs. Arrive Gulbarga, in the afternoon to check in hotel for wash-n-change. Later visit the remarkable 15th century Jama Masjid. Overnight at hotel.

After an early breakfast, drive to Bijapur. Check into the hotel followed by a full day guided tour of Bijapur. Mohammad Adil Shah built Bijapur during the 17th century. Visit the Gol Gumbaz or the round dome. This structure has the largest dome unsupported by pillars to be found in India and the second largest in the world. Later visit Ibrahim Roza, a beautiful tomb built by Adil Shah II for his queen. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Leaving behind the world of Islam we drive to the early 6th century temples of Badami and Pattadakal. On arrival check in hotel. Later, a guided visit of Badamai to the rock cut caves, the Mahakuteshwara Temple and the Northern Fort. In early evening, drive to Pattadakal, a World Heritage Site. Pattadakal reached its pinnacle under the Chalukya kings. Visit the cluster of 10 major temples, each displaying interesting architectural features. Return to Badami. Overnight at Badami.

Activities : Heritage

After breakfast drive to Hampi, enroute stopover at Aihole, a tranquil village on the banks of the Malaprabha River. There are hundreds of temples in the villages and fields nearby. We visit the Durga Temple, the Lad Khan Temple, Ravalphadi Cave Temple and the Buddhist Temple. On arrival at Hampi, check in hotel. Evening free to explore this 14th century sleepy town set amidst an awesome boulder strewn landscape along the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Overnight at hotel.

Activities : Heritage

Breakfast followed by a full day guided tour visiting the three main complexes, the Virupaksha temple, The Vittala Temple and the King's Palace. Evening free to stroll among the ruins of Hampi, which are extensive and fascinating, and one is sure to discover something new at every bend along the road. Overnight at hotel.

Activities : Heritage

Breakfast at hotel. Morning free on own. Afternoon drive to Chitradurga. On arrival, check in hotel for wash 'n' change. Later visit Kallina Kote Fort (Palace of Stone), a marvel of military architecture made impregnable by the Nayak Palegars. Encircled by seven massive walls, the fort has 19 gateways, 38 posterior entrances, four of which are secret, granaries, oil pits, water tanks, a palace and a mosque. Overnight at hotel.

Activities : Heritage

Breakfast then drive to Chikmagalur, a calm, serene town full of scenic surprises: hills, valleys, streams and the aroma of coffee wafting in the misty air. This famous coffee town, is located at a height of over 1900 metres in a luxuriant valley south of the Baba Bundangiri range and is a trekker's paradise. On arrival check in hotel. Early evening excursion to Belur (35 kms) to visit the famed Chennakeshava temple built in 12th century AD to celebrate Hoysala military victories and took over a hundred years to complete. Return to Chikmagalur by evening and enjoy the Nawabi style dinner retreat. Overnight at hotel.

Activities : Hill Stations & Valleys

After breakfast drive to Malpe, a beach resort. Enroute stopover at Halebid the ancient capital of the Hoysalas. Visit the Hoysaleswara temple perched on a star-shaped base. Its walls are richly carved with an endless variety of Hindu deities, sages, stylised animals, birds, and friezes depicting the life of the Hoysala kings. Drive to Malpe, on arrival check into a beach resort. Overnight at resort.

Activities : Hill Stations & Valleys

After breakfast, spend the morning on the beach. Afternoon drive to Coorg (Kodagu), is an enchanting expanse of natural tourist spot that nestles amid the hills and valleys of the picturesque Western Ghats. Evening free for leisurely walks. Overnight at hotel.

Activities : Hill Stations & Valleys

After breakfast, drive to the Nagarhole National Park. On arrival check into a jungle resort. Nagarhole (Snake River) has an astonishing abundance of wildlife, especially the Asiatic elephant. Take a jeep safari into the jungle. The backdrop of the distant misty blue Brahmagiri Mountains, the natural sounds of the jungle, the gurgling of streams and rivers, and the twittering of the birds make Nagarhole a memorable experience. Overnight at resort.

Activities : Hill Stations & Valleys

After breakfast, drive to Mysore, the erstwhile capital of the Wodeyar Kings. On arrival check into hotel followed by a guided tour of Mysore city covering the Mysore Palace, St Philomena's Chruch, the Rail Museum and the Folklore museum. In the evening visit Brindavan Gardens famous for its dancing fountains. Overnight at the hotel.

Activities : Hill Stations & Valleys

After breakfast drive to Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka. Enroute stopover at Sharavanbelagola, a Jain pilgrimage site. Visit the world's tallest monolith statute of Lord Bahubali (Gommateshwara) located atop the Indragiri. Just opposite is the smaller Chandragiri hill where some Jain temples and tomb of Chandra Gupta Maurya, famous patron of Jainism can be seen. Drive onto Bangalore. On arrival check into a hotel. Evening free. Overnight at hotel.

Activities : Hill Stations & Valleys

Scrumptious breakfast at hotel. Later, Transfer to the airport to board flight for onward destination.

Activities : Hill Stations & Valleys