Top
India Tours & Travel
India Tours & Travel Plans >> India Cultural Tours >> Heritage Tour of Karnataka

Heritage Tour of Karnataka

Mumbai (Bombay) - Bangalore - Mysore -Hassan - Hampi - Aihole - Pattadakal - Badami - Goa -Bombay

Duration: 14 days.

Day 01: Arrive Bombay

Assistance by our representative on arrival at Bombay International airport, transfer to hotel for relaxation & overnight.

Day 02: Bombay

Morning take a sight seeing tour of Bombay at 1000 hrs, covering Elephanta Caves which is approachable by Catamaran from gateway of India, cruise for a hour to Elephanta Caves which are known for its stone carvings & vegetable painting which dates back to 12th Century AD, The caves are dedicated to Lord Shiva and the paintings on the statues still glows as it was painted very recently. Cruise back to gateway of India, you can have a good lunch at the Taj Mahal Hotel here, later visit Prince of Wales museum, Marine drive also known as queens necklace in the night, Mahalaxmi Temple, ISKON temple of Hare Rama & Hare Krishna, and Juhu Beach. Return to the hotel for overnight.

Day 03:Bombay - Bangalore (By air at 0900 hrs)

In time transfer to airport at 0700 hrs, to board the flight for Bangalore at 0900 hrs, assistance on arrival in Bangalore at 1100 hrs, transfer to hotel. Relax till afternoon; later take a sight seeing tour of Bangalore visiting Bull Temple, Government Museum, Tipu Sultan Palace and Ulsoor Lake in the evening. Overnight in Bangalore.

Day 04:Bangalore - Mysore -139 kms (3 hrs)

Morning checkout and drive to Mysore, enroute visit Tomb of Tipu Sultan at Sirangapatnam, on arrival transfer to hotel. After lunch take a sight seeing tour of Mysore visiting Lalitha Mahal palace which has now converted to 5 star deluxe hotel, Mysore Palace & Museum, and visit Musical Gardens of Brindavan in the evening. Overnight in Mysore

Day 05:Mysore - Hassan - 115 kms (3 hrs)

Morning visit Chamundi Temples on Chamundi Hills, later checkout at 1200 hrs and drive to Hassan enroute visiting Shravanbelgola Statue, This 17 meter high Jain statue was made in the 10th century. It is of prince Bahubali who stood in meditation for so long that plants grew up around him; later proceed to Hassan, on arrival transfer to hotel. Evening free to relax, overnight at the hotel.

Day 06: Hassan

Morning take a sight seeing tour of Halebid - 27 kms visit The Hoyasaleswara Temple, dating back to the 21st century, is astounding for its wealth of sculpture details. The walls of the temple are covered with an endless variety of Gods and Goddesses, animals, birds and dancing girls. Yet no two facets of the temple are the same. This magnificent temple - guarded by a Nandi Bull - was never completed despite 86 years of labour. Later visit Belur - 17 kms from Halebid, visit The Shennakeshava temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. It took 103 years to complete this architectural marvel. The facade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures and frescos, with no portion left blank. Viranarayana Temple and the smaller shrines are worth a visit.

Day 07:Hassan - Chitradurga - Hampi (380 kms - 8 hrs)

After early breakfast checkout and drive to Hampi enroute visiting Chitradurga visit the famous fort and Ganesha Temple in Chitradurga. The city of Chitradurga itself is said to be named after the Fort of Seven Rounds (of walls). On arrival transfer to hotel early evening, rest of the day is kept for relaxing after this long drive, overnight at the hotel.

Day 08:Hampi

Morning visit Virupaksha temple this temple is located at the base of Hemakuta hill and has been a place of worship since the 7th century. It began as a small shrine but was enlarged by the Vijayanagara kings, Hemakuta hill temples, Bal Krishna temples, Narsimha statue, Zenana enclosures, elephant stables, stepped tanks and kings' palace. Evening free for individual activities, overnight at the hotel.

Day 09:Hampi - Aihole - Pattadakkal - Badami (206 kms - 5 hrs)

Morning checkout and drive to Badami, enroute visit Aihole is situated 51 kms before Badami on the banks of the Malapravha River and is the next phase of the Chalukyan temple architecture. It was the first capital of the Chalukyan Empire. On the road to Aihole, just outside this town, you see two temples dating to the 6th century; buried until recently, a French archaeologist uncovered them with the help of the local villagers. The remains of the city walls tell you of the importance this city once enjoyed. In 4 sq. kms. Both inside and outside the walls, there are approx. 100 temples, varying in size and style; this is truly where the Chalukyas began experimenting with temple architecture. The banks of the river have nagara styled temples of North India as well as Dravidian styled temples of the South. Some of the temples here also have a distinct flavour of Muslim architecture. Pattadakal also lies on the banks of the Malaprabha River, 19 kms from Badami. The original name for this place was Pattada Kisuvolal, Pattada meaning coronation of kings, which was conducted here. This second capital of the Chalukyan Empire is a World Heritage site known for its temples, which were constructed in the 7th and 8th centuries. There are ten temples here; some built in the northern nagara style and some in the Dravidian style of the south, though some of the temples incorporate both styles to a certain degree. A fine example of southern architecture is the Vijayeshwara temple, renamed Sangameshwara in honour of Lord Shiva. Though unfinished, this temple exhibits a nice parapet and multi-storey tower. Proceed to Badami, on arrival transfer to hotel, evening free to relax. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10:Badami

Morning visit Badami, the one time capital of the Chalukyas, is noted several temples, some structural & other rock-cut, of the 6th & 7th Centuries. The foundations of Badami, or Vatapi as it was called, were laid by Pulakeshi I (535 - 566 AD) his son Kirtivarman, the 1st (567 - 598 AD), beautified the town with temples & other buildings. Visit Badami Caves: this group of 4 cave temples have been carved out of the hill opposite Badami fort. The Chalukyan king, Mangalesha (598-610)AD) was responsible for the completion of these cave temples. Of the four, three are Brahmanical, while the fourth is Jain. Nearly 2000 steps have to be climbed to reach the cave. Later visit Badami Fort strategically situated on top of the hill, the fort encloses large granaries, treasury impressive temples on top of the northern end of the hill. Malegitti Shivalaya, perhaps the oldest temple of the lot, is dedicated to the benign aspect of Shiva as the garland maker. Placed on the summit of a rocky hill, the temple is built of stone, finely joined without mortar, & with Dravidian tower. The lower Shivalaya has a Dravidian tower of which only the sanctum remains now. Evening free for individual activities, overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Badami - Belgaum - Goa (285 kms - 6 hrs)

Morning checkout and drive to Goa on arrival early evening transfer to hotel relax and overnight at the hotel.

Day 12:Goa

While your stay for 3 nights / 4 days visit the few famous beaches such as Baga, Calangute, Candolim, and Cavelossim and also visit Mandovi River. Also visit the famous churches in Goa such as Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, The Basilica of Bom Jesus which contains the remains of St Francis Xavier, St. Augustine church consisted of eight chapels, a convent and one of the best libraries in Goa. The Se Cathedral, dedicated to St Catherine, is the largest church in Goa.

Day 13:Goa

Day free to explore Goa on own.

Day 14:Goa - Bombay - back home. (By air)

Day free for individual activities, checkout at 1430 hrs and transfer to airport to board the flight for Bombay at 1630 hrs, assistance on arrival at 1730 hrs, transfer to hotel, day free to relax, in time transfer to international airport to board the flight back home.