Discover Karnataka - The Nawabs of India
Karnataka is a region that has it all, except the snow. This two-week tour explores a few of the most fascinating destinations in Karnataka. We start at Hyderabad and drive down to Bidar, Gulbarga, and Bijapur, all having been ruled under the Muslim reign. The monuments at these places speak ...
Read Full Description- Destination:
- Bangalore, India; Gulbarga, India; Hyderabad, India; Karnataka, India; Mysore, India
- Trip Length:
- 15 days
- Price Range:
- From $0 to $2000 per person See what this includes and what this excludes
- Best Time to Go:
- Any time.
- Recommended for:
-
Infants (under 2)
Children (2 - 5)
Children (6 - 8)
Children (9 - 11)
Children (12 - 14)
Children (15 - 17)
Adults (18 - 20)
Adults (25 - 29)
Family Trip, Group Retreat, Trip Around the World
Detailed Trip Description
Karnataka is a region that has it all, except the snow. This two-week tour explores a few of the most fascinating destinations in Karnataka. We start at Hyderabad and drive down to Bidar, Gulbarga, and Bijapur, all having been ruled under the Muslim reign. The monuments at these places speak volumes of this splendid symmetrical architecture and fine inlay work. We then move to the next stage of Hindu architecture. Both Pattadakal and Hampi declared World Heritage Sites, portray the rich heritage of the place. From here we travel to the greener pastures of Chikmagalur, Coorg, and Nagarhole National Park. We end this journey through Mysore, the second biggest city of the state and completing at Bangalore, the IT hub of the new India.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - Hyderabad
Arrive Hyderabad.
Traditional welcome on arrival at Hyderabad international airport by our executive to transfer you to your hotel.
Day 2 - Hyderabad
Sightseeing
Enjoy the lavish breakfast. In the morning, we will visit the Falukuma Palace, Mecca Masjid, the Salar Jung Museum, and the splendid Charminar.
Sightseeing
In the afternoon, we will drive to the fortress of Golconda and the tombs of the Qutab Shahi kings.
Food and Dining
Enjoy the Nawabi dinner with scrumptious meals and cuisines.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 3 - Gulbarga
Hyderabad – Bidar – Gulbarga (136 kms / 2.5 hrs and 110 kms / 2 hrs).
Sightseeing
After beakfast, we will drive to Gulbarga and stopover at Bidar to visit the 15th century Bidar Fort and the Bahmani tombs.
Hotel
Arrive to Gulbarga, and check-in to the hotel in the afternoon to freshen up.
Sightseeing
Later, you will get the chance to visit the remarkable 15th century Jama Masjid.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 4 - Gulbarga
Gulbarga – Bijapur (160 kms / 3 hrs).
Sightseeing
After an early breakfast, we will drive to Bijapur and check into the hotel, followed by a full day guided tour of Bijapur. Mohammad Adil Shah built Bijapur during the 17th century. We will visit the Gol Gumbaz or the round dome. This structure has the largest dome unsupported by pillars in India and the second largest in the world.
Historical and Educational Tours
Later, we will visit Ibrahim Roza, a beautiful tomb built by Adil Shah II for his queen.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 5 - Karnataka
Bijapur – Badami (130 kms / 2.5 hrs).
Private Car Service
Breakfast at hotel. Leaving behind the world of Islam, we will drive to the early 6th century temples of Badami and Pattadakal. On arrival, check-in to the hotel.
Sightseeing
Later, there will be a guided visit of Badamai to the rock cut caves, the Mahakuteshwara Temple and the Northern Fort.
Sightseeing
In early evening, we will drive to Pattadakal, a World Heritage Site that reached its pinnacle under the Chalukya kings.
Sightseeing
We will visit the cluster of 10 major temples, each displaying interesting architectural features.
Hotel
Return to Badami. Overnight at Badami.
Day 6 - Karnataka
Badami – Hampi (140 kms / 3 hrs).
Sightseeing
Enroute to Hampi, we will stopover at Aihole, a tranquil village on the banks of the Malaprabha River. There are hundreds of temples in the villages nearby. We will visit the Durga Temple, the Lad Khan Temple, the Ravalphadi Cave Temple, and the Buddhist Temple.
Hotel
On arrival at Hampi, check in hotel.
Sightseeing
Evening free to explore this 14th century sleepy town set amidst an awesome boulder strewn landscape along the banks of the Tungabhadra river.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 7 - Karnataka
Sightseeing
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.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 8 - Karnataka
Hampi – Chitradurga (155 kms / 3 hrs).
Private Car Service
Breakfast at hotel. The morning is free to discover the area on your own. In the afternoon, we shall drive to Chitradurga. On arrival, you will check-in to the hotel and freshen up.
Sightseeing
Later, we will 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, and four of which are secret, granaries, oil pits, water tanks, a palace, and a mosque.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 9 - Karnataka
Chitradurga – Chikmagalur (200 kms / 4 hrs).
Sightseeing
Breakfast, then we will 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 meters in a luxuriant valley south of the Baba Bundangiri range and is a trekker’s paradise.
Hotel
On arrival check in hotel.
Sightseeing
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.
Food and Dining
Return to Chikmagalur by evening and enjoy the Nawabi style dinner retreat.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 - Karnataka
Chikmagalur – Malpe (250 kms / 5 hrs).
Sightseeing
After breakfast, we will drive to Malpe, a beach resort. Enroute, we shall stopover at Halebid, the ancient capital of the Hoysalas. Also, we will 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.
Hotel
Drive to Malpe, on arrival check into a beach resort. Overnight at resort.
Day 11 - Karnataka
Malpe – Coorg (250 kms / 5 hrs).
Beach
After breakfast, we will spend the morning on the beach.
Sightseeing
In the afternoon, we will drive to Coorg (Kodagu), an enchanting expanse of a natural tourist spot that nestles amid the hills and valleys of the picturesque Western Ghats. The evening is free for leisurely walks.
Hotel
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 - Karnataka
Coorg – Nagarhole (100 kms / 2 hrs).
National Parks
After breakfast, we will drive to the Nagarhole National Park.
Beach
On arrival check into a jungle resort.
Safari
Nagarhole (Snake River) has an astonishing abundance of wildlife, especially the Asiatic elephant. We will 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.
Hotel
Overnight at resort.
Day 13 - Mysore
Nagarhole – Mysore (95 kms / 2 hrs).
Private Car Service
After breakfast, we shall drive to Mysore, the erstwhile capital of the Wodeyar Kings.
Sightseeing
In the evening visit Brindavan Gardens famous for its dancing fountains.
Sightseeing
On arrival, you will check-in to the hotel, followed by a guided tour of Mysore city covering the Mysore Palace, St Philomena’s Chruch, the Rail Museum, and the Folklore museum.
Hotel
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 - Bangalore
Mysore – Sharavanbelagola – Bangalore (85 kms-1.5 hrs / 145 kms-3 hrs).
Sightseeing
After breakfast, we shall drive to Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka. Enroute, we will stopover at Sharavanbelagola, a Jain pilgrimage site. We'll also 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. We will drive onto Bangalore.
Hotel
On arrival check into a hotel. Evening free. Overnight at hotel.
Day 15 - Bangalore
Bangalore – Onward Destination.
Scrumptious breakfast at hotel. Later, Transfer to the airport to board flight for onward destination.
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- Discover Karnataka - The Nawabs of India
- Karnataka is a region that has it all, except the snow. This two-week tour explores a few of the most fascinating destinations in Karnataka. We start at Hyderabad and drive down to Bidar, Gulbarga, and Bijapur, all having been ruled under the Muslim reign. The monuments at these places speak ...
