South India Heritage with Goa & Mumbai

Destinations : Mumbai – Goa - Belgaum - Badami - Aihole - Pattadakal - Hospet - Hassan - Shravanabelagola - Hassan - Madikeri - Mysore - Srirangapatnam - Bangalore - Mumbai

Duration : 15 Nights / 16 Days

Day 01: Arrival in Mumbai
Welcome to India! You will receive a warm and cordial reception on your arrival in Mumbai. Further, you will be transfered to hotel. Relax and have an appetizing dinner.

Mumbai – The most happening commercial hub in India. It is the parental city from where your enchanting India tour will set forth. Bounded by Arabian Sea, this dream city hosts Bollywood, the world’s second producer of movies. After witnessing several historical and political events in past, the place is a captivating venue boozing with stirring events happening all around. You can spend the evening strolling along famous beach of Mumbai Juhu/Chowpatty and witness its azure beauty at the time of sunset.

Overnight stay in hotel in Mumbai

Day 02: Mumbai (Elephanta Caves and Marine Drive)
After you enjoy an appetizing breakfast in hotel, you will be taken on drive to visit mystic Elephanta Caves and breathtaking Marine Drive, both located in Mumbai, 'Island City of India'.

Located on the panoramic Elephanta Island, which is 11 kms far from Mumbai Harbor, the Elephanta Caves are a complex of ancient cave temples. You will enjoy the hour-long ferry ride around the quite & picturesque land covered with light-green foliage and monkeys sprinting by your side. The caves display a perfect and peaceful fusion of two faiths, Hinduism and Buddhism. You will be mesmerized by its rock-cut architecture and intricate carvings on walls.

In the evening, you will visit the six-lane ‘C’ shaped avenue Marine Drive which shines like a Queen’s necklace after sunset when the street lights of the road along the bay are switched on. You will find yourself wonderstruck by the spectacular vista of Marina Drive after sunset.

Overnight stay at hotel in Mumbai.

Day 03: Mumbai – Goa
After taking relishing breakfast in hotel, you will have groovy sightseeing tour of Mumbai.

Mumbai is a city full of frantic meddle that will open to you architectural wonders, culinary treat, art gamut and a lot more. You will visit here Gateway of India, Jehangir Art Gallery, Hanging Garden, Kamla Nehru Park, Mahalaxmi Temple, Haji Ali, Mani Bhavan, Taraporwalla Aquarium, World Trade Centre, Jehangir Art Gallery, Prince of Wales Museum, Bandra - Worli Sea Link, Nehru Planetorium and Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple (ISKON).

In the late evening, Company representative will drive you to Mumbai airport and from there you will catch flight to Goa. There at Goa airport, our Company representative will receive you and help getting you transfered to hotel.

Overnight stay in hotel in Goa.

Day 04 : Goa (Beaches & Carnival)
After enjoying delicious breakfast in hotel, you will set off for Goa beach treat.

Goa has an array of stunning coastal lines some of which offer you perfect solitude for meditation while some provide bulks for adventure lovers like water Sports-like, para sailing and water skiing. Also enjoy delightful pizzerias and terrace cafes that trace along the beaches.

In the evening, you will get to enjoy Goa Carnival, which is one of the most colorful and popular festival of Goa. The carnival involves street plays, music, songs, dances, frolic parades and merry making. In this revelry you will enjoy traditional Goan food, wine and various cuisines. Imbibe the Goan aura and bask in its bliss.

Overnight stay in hotel in Goa.

Day 05 : Goa (Goan Fishing Village)
After taking lip smacking breakfast, you will be taken on Goa City tour to explore the city's culture & heritage.

The chief feature of Goa and its people is the element of mingling; mingling of cultures, traditions and life-styles. That said, it also invites visitors to get mingled with them. So, explore Goa's traditional performance arts, its music & dance, culinary delights etc. Add to it the architecture of Goa, which is a combination of Indian, Islamic and Portuguese styles.

In the evening you will live through an enchanting experience as our Company representative takes you to a typical Goan Fishing Village, created in the premises of the hotel. In this ensemble, you will find local band, traditional Goan dance and artisans portraying their skills. Grab this opportunity of becoming a part of the local life of Goa which is full of liveliness.

Overnight stay in hotel in Goa.

Day 06 : Goa - Badami (enroute Belgaum)
After having breakfast, you will check-out of hotel and the representative will drive you to Badami. Enroute from Goa to Badami, you will visit Belgaum.

Located near the foothills of Sahyadri mountain range (Western Ghats), Belgaum is one of the oldest states of Karnataka. It is surrounded by abundant natural beauty and enjoys moderately cool climate. Here, you will be fascinated by visiting Belgaum Fort, Kapileshwara & Kamala Basti temple. Also, you will get to see Dudhsagar Water Falls which seems like sprinkling azure pearls bursting upon earth.

On your arrival in Badami you will be transfered to hotel. Have dinner and retire for an overnight stay.

Day 07 : Badami (cave temples)
After taking breakfast in hotel, you will be taken on full day Badami sightseeing.

Settled in a valley at the base of a furrowed, red sandstone rock that rings Agastya lake, Badami is a sleepy town in Bagalkot district of Karnataka. The town is full of cave temples, entryways, fortresses, dedications and carvings. Here you will visit four cave temples, which are carved from a hill opposite to the fort of Badami. Architectural patterns of these caves represent the Brahmanical and Jain style. You will need to climb nearly 2000 steps in order to reach the cave. First cave has sculptures of Shiva as Natraja with 18 arms, in 81 dancing postures. Lord Vishnu is the holy deity of the second cave and is sculpted as a dwarf or Trivikrama. The third cave has Vishnu carved in many forms. The fourth cave is devoted to Jain Thirthankaras. Then you will find a lake located near the caves that is said to have medicinal properties, so you can take a holy dip here. Later you will explore Bhutanatha temple located beneath the caves temples.

After full day Badami tour, return to hotel. Overnight stay in hotel in Badami.

Day 08 : Badami - Hospet (enroute Aihole and Pattadakal)
After breakfast, you will check out of hotel and chauffeur will drive you to Hospet. Enroute to Hospet, you will visit Aihole and Pattadakal.

Located on the west side of Badami, Aihole is a historical place that is known as "the cradle of Hindu temple architecture". There are more than 125 temples in all that are structured as per early Western Chalukyan architecture. Here you will visit several majestic and antique structures including Hutchimalli temple (Vishnu sitting on the top of cobra), Lad Khan temple, Jain and Buddhist temple. An unparalled trait of this architecture is that it includes mortarless fabrication with stress on length, not on width or height and roofs flattened with richly cut up ceilings.

After Aihole, you will visit Pattadkal, a place nearby Badami that also belongs to bygone Chalukayan dynasty. Among many temples Lokeshwari (or Virupaksha) and Mallikarjuna Temples have magnificient carvings that display the episodes of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagvadgita. Other must watch structurtes are Kasinatha, Papanatha, Sangamesvara, Virupaksa and Durga Temple.

On your arrival in Hospet, you will be transfered to hotel and retire for an overnight stay.

Day 09 : Hospet (Hampi World Heritage Site)
After enjoying breakfast in hotel, you will set off for exploration of Hospet.

Hospet is the main gateway town to world heritage site Hampi. Located on the bank of Tunga Bhadra river, the land comprises ruins of Hampi village and is reminiscent of Hindu Vijayanagar empire, the largest empire in the post-Mughal India. In your visit, you will be marvelled on seeing the stone architecture of erstwhile ruling dynasties, that echo the grandeur, splendor and excellence of ancient India craftsmanship. Some temples are still in good position and are being gaurded by rivers and granite ridges. Explore the Hampi village and if possible have a night view of the village as it seems surrealistic at night.

Return to hotel, appease yourself with an appetizing dinner and retire for an overnight stay.

Day 10 :Hospet – Hassan
After enjoying a delicious breakfast, you will check out of hotel. Chauffeur will drive you to Hassan then and will get you transfered to hotel. After taking required relaxation, you will go for Hassan exploration.

Hassan is a quiet and peaceful town and a convenient base or gateway to three heritage sites—Belur, Halebid and Shravanabelagola. This day you'll visit Belur and Halebid.

Belur: Distanced at 38 kms from Hassan and located on the banks of Yagachi river, Belur is a quaint hamlet, reminiscient of Hoysala empire. The place is a famous tourist hub, known for its complex of exquisite temples, which showcase a flawless sample of Hoysala architecture.The ancient structures carry intricately carved sculptures and varied insriptions of elephants, episodes from epics and sensuous dancers. You will also get to see here hand-lathe-turned filigreed pillars and small shrines.

Halebid: Lying 17kms to east of Belur and erstwhile the capital of Hoysala kingdom, Halebid houses excellent samples of Hoysala architecture. Visit here the Hoysaleswara Temple that dates back to 12th century and it will roll out to you its wealth of cultural heritage. The temple's walls are adorned with engravings of myriad of Gods & Godesses, animals, birds and dancing girls. You'll also get mesmerised by the distinctive motifs on temple's interior. This splendid temple is guarded by a huge sculpture of Nandi bull (mythical carrier of Lord Shiva).

After visiting both the places, you will be driven back to hotel. Overnight stay in hotel in Hassan.

Day 11 : Hassan - Shravanabelagola – Hassan
After having breakfast in hotel, you will be taken to visit Shravanabelagola.

Located 51 kms southeast of Hassan, Shravanabelagola is one of the most important Jain pilgrim centres. The site houses the Asia's largest monolithic statue of Saint Lord Gomateswara, perched atop the picturesque Vindhyagiri Hill. Enjoy here palanquin ride that is offered to visitors to avoid the strenuous task of climbing the long steps.

The rest of the day is at leisure. You can spend your evening visiting local markets of Hassan and shop wholeheartedly.

Return to hotel, have your dinner and retire for an overnight stay in hotel in Hassan.

Day 12 : Hassan – Madikeri
After taking breakfast, you will check out of hotel. Chauffeur will drive you to Madikeri and after reaching there, get you transfered to hotel. After taking some relaxation, you will set off for Madikeri expedition.

Located at 1525m above sea level, Madikeri, known as “Scotland of India” is a famous tourist destination. Its misty hills, dense verdant forests, acres of tea & cofee plantations and several other breathtaking views make the site a memorable holiday destination. Here you will visit Madikeri Fort, Abbey Fall and Jessi Fall. The fort encases a temple, a chapel, prison and a small museum; it also offers a fantastical view of the town. Abbey Fall & Jessi Fall are more of like a painter's creation. Get enchanted by the sparkling azure beauty of these flourishing waterfalls.

After sightseeing, retire to hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 13 : Madikeri – Mysore
After taking breakfast, you will check out of hotel and be driven to Mysore. On arrival in Mysore, you will be transfered to hotel. After taking some relaxation, Company representative will take you on Mysore exploration.

Located at the base of Chamundi hills, Mysore is a beautiful city with queer charm, wealth of heritage, imposing palaces, sacred temples, huge shady avenues and vast lush gardens. The place has several lakes with breathtaking beauty, prominent ones being Kukkarahalli, Karanji and Lingambudhi lakes. Here you will visit Brindavan Gardens, which are one of the most beautifully laid-out terrace gardens in the world. Drafted in a symmetric design, the gardens are enriched with fountains, terraces, running and cascading waterchannels, water chutes, lush green lawns, flower beds, shrubs and trees.

Further, you will visit verdant Chamundi hills; the summit will give you a panoramic view of Mysore's lakes, parks and palaces.

After witnessing this much beauty, you will return to hotel. Overnight stay in hotel in Mysore.

Day 14 : Mysore
Enjoy lip smacking breakfast in hotel and appease your taste buds with the delicacies of Mysore. It's impossible to imbibe the charm and appeal of Mysore city in just one day, so get ready for your full day Mysore sightseeing.

First you will see Mysore Palace, which is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and appealing works of art. Intricately carved doors, luxuriously furnished chambers, ornate ceilings, sculpted pillars and thrones studded with golds & precious jewelstones form the breathtaking view of this castle.

Thereafter you'll visit Sri Jauyachamarajendra Art Gallery housed in the Jagmohan Palace. This gallery exhibits paintings, which date back to 18th century. You will come across many painting that are painted using natural vegetable and mineral dyes. The famous traditional Mysore 'gold leaf ' paintings are also exhibited in the gallery, as are oil paintings of contemporary artists.

Next you will visit Somnathpur village, which houses a 13th century temple. This temple is also a masterpiece of Hoysala architecture displaying engravings, carvings, inscriptions and sculptures.

In the evening, you can saunter along the city lanes or visit the markets. Overnight stay in hotel in Mysore.

Day 15: Mysore - Srirangapatnam – Bangalore
After your breakfast, you will check-out of hotel and the chauffeur will drive you to Bangalore to transfer to hotel. Enroute from Mysore to Bangalore, you will visit Srirangapatnam.

Srirangapatna, erstwhile a ruling place of Tipu Sultan houses many historical fortresses, tombs, temples and palaces. These ancient structures display perfectionism in architecture & craftsmanship and high level of mastery in inlaid ivory work. Srirangapatna also has the Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary that heralds hundreds of migratory birds from all over the world. The sanctuary is also home to flying bats and marsh crocodiles.

After arriving in Bangalore, you will get transfered to hotel. Overnight stay in hotel in Bangalore.

Day 16 : Bangalore – Mumbai
Enjoy your morning relishing lip smacking breakfast in hotel. This day, you will enjoy sightseeing in Banalore.

Blessed with a invigorating climate, beautifully laid-out gardens & parks, natural sprawling lakes, architectural landmarks, vast shopping malls, oodles of superb restaurants and pubs, Bangalore is a one-stop holiday destination. Explore the State's Legislature & Secretariat and majestic Nandi Temple (also known as Bull temple).

After completing your half day tour, you will check-out of hotel and be driven to Bangalore airport, from where you are to catch flight to Mumbai. From Mumbai airport catch your connecting flight to your onward destination.

Here tour is concluded! Take home pleasant and unforgettable memories of your journey to India.