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.
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