South-Architectural Tour
Day - 01 ARRIVE MUMBAI
On arrival you will be met by our representative & transferred to hotel, where we will be holding the rooms on ready occupancy basis. After traditional welcome check in into hotel. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day -02 IN MUMBAI
Morning after breakfast excursion to Elephanta Caves - from the Gateway of India take a motor launch to the 7th century sculptures of manifestation of Shiva.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Mumbai city visiting Prince of Wales Museum (closed on Mondays), Fish Aquarium, Jain Temples, Hanging Gardens on the slopes of Malabar Hills offering nice view of Marine Lines and Chowpatty Beach, Kamla Nehru Park and Marine drive. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day -03 MUMBAI-GOA
Morning after breakfast departure transfer to airport to board flight to Goa. Assistance on arrival at the airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day -04 GOA
Full day sightseeing tour of North & South Goa - the "Archaeologist's Delight".
Visit Calangute Beach extending along the Arabian Sea in an inward arch of about 7 km. It can be well called the "Queen of Goa Beaches" for its popularity with the visitors. Also visit the Mapuca city. Visit the temple of Shri Mangesh, a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located on a hillock at Proil - in Ponda Taluka. Though small, the temple has an air of distinct elegance and its lofty white tower is a landmark of the countryside, also visit the Shantadurga Temple and Shri Ramnath Temple. Visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus built in the 16th century, wherein is enshrined in an ornate silver casket, the body of St. Francis Xavier, most popular and famous of all churches in Goa - St. Cathedral, the biggest in Goa - Church of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Cajetan Church, built in the style of St. Peters Basilican in Rome, Church of Rosary and Nunnery of St. Monica. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day - 05 GOA
Day free to relax on the golden sandy beaches of Goa. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day -06 GOA-BELGAUM-BADAMI
After breakfast, depart by surface to Badami en-route visiting Belgaum - (275 kms 6 hrs), which is a total contrasts of picture as on one side is the old town area and modern part of the city on the other and Belgaum Fort situated in the heart of the city. Visit famous Kamala Basti, the Jain Temple & the Jama Masjid. Also visit the Kapileshwar Temple, the Ananthashayana. Continue your drive to Badami and upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day - 07 BADAMI
After breakfast, full day sightseeing tour of Badami Rock-cut cave Temples, Gateways, Forts, Inscriptions, Sculptures that seem to come alive before your eyes. Badami has to be seen to be believed. Climb a flight of steps to reach the ancient caves - all hewn out of sand stone on the precipice of a hill. Also a must see are Bhutanatha temples that lend their names to the lake just beneath the cave temples. Take a dip in this green tranquil river. It is said to have the healing properties. Badami also has the eighteen inscriptions ranging from 06th to 09th century. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day -08 BADAMI-AIHOLE-PATTADAKAL-HOSPET
Morning after breakfast, proceed by surface to Hospet en-route visiting Aihole and Pattadakal. Aihole - is famous as the "cradle of the Indian Architecture". Pattadakal - Situated on the left bank of the Malaprabha river, a world heritage centre, has 10 major temples representing early Chalukyan architecture. Later continue your drive to Hospet and upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the Resort.
Day -09 HOSPET
Morning after early breakfast, take a full day excursion to Hampi. Hampi the once beautiful capital city of Vijayanagar Empire and greater than Rome, has Palaces, temples and sculptures, spread all over. The city was razed to the ground by the Sultanates of South in 1565. Some of the interesting ruines remaining are the Virupaksha, Vattala and Hazara Rama temples, huge Ganesh and Narasimha images, the elephant stables, the Queen's Bath, carvings on the Ramachandra Temple, Lotus Mahal. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day -10 HOSPET-HASSAN
Morning after breakfast drive to Hassan and upon arrival check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon excursion to Belur & Halebid: Belur is famous for the Chennakesava Temple built in Hoysala style. From 1116 AD it took 103 years to complete This temple is an incredible example of artistic creativity. It is amazing how compact and proportionate the shrine is. The wealth of sculptured friezes is simply unbelievable, since from the base to the projected eaves, every inch of available wall surface is covered with the most exquisitely sculptured images. The Hoysala sculpture reaches its highest point in sculptures of celestial maidens, carved with a marvelous fluidity of modeling, and imbued with the most accomplished grace and elegance. Overnight at the Hotel.
Evening witness a Kathakali Dance drama performance at one of the auditoriums. This is an age old traditional art form of Kerala, where the artists paint their faces with colours and narrate the story of the Indian epics such as Ramayana or Mahabarat by way of their actions. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day - 11 HASSAN-SHRAVANABELAGOLA-HASSAN
Today you will see the splendour of Shravanabelgola. 51 kms south - east of Hassan, one of most important Jain Pilgrim centers. Here is the 17m high monolith of Lord Bahubali - the world's tallest monolithic statue. Rest of the day you will remain free to explore the surroundings. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day -12 HASSAN-MADIKERI
Morning after breakfast proceed to Madikeri, which is also known as the "Scotland Of India" . On arrival check-in at the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Madikeri Fort , Abbey Falls , Nisargadhama - Known for its calm, serene beauty, this place is an ideal picnic spot visited by hundreds of tourists throughout the year. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day -13 MADIKERI-MYSORE
Depart by surface in the morning after breakfast to Mysore and upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Afternoon visit the Mysore Palace, Chamundi hills - Towering over the city, these hills are 13 kms away from Mysore. Halfway up is the Nandi bull, a 4.8m monolith. Evening visit Brindavan Gardens - A site to be loved. The musical fountains & colourful lights transform this place into a fairyland. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day -14 MYSORE
After breakfast, visit the Sri Jauyachamarajendra Art Gallery - Housed in the Jagmohan Palace, the gallery has a collection of exquisite paintings. Afternoon visit Somnathpur , a little village where you can see the famous 13th century temple well known for its great architectural beauty. The star shaped temple with three shrines is the latest and well-preserved heritage of hoyasala architecture. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day -15 MYSORE-SRIRANGAPATNAM-BANGALORE
Morning after breakfast drive to Bangalore en route visiting Srirangapatnam - the earstwhile capital of the warrior - King Hyder Ali & later his son Tipu Sultan. It has magnificent monuments that are well worth a visit. Continue your drive to Bangalore and upon arrival check in at the hotel. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day -16 BANGALORE-MUMBAI
Morning after breakfast sightseeing tour of Bangalore - the "Gardens city of India" . Visit the Vidhan Saudha - It houses the State's Legislature and Secretariat, Nandi Temple - One of the oldest temple, popularly known as the Bull temple. Evening departure transfer to the airport to board flight to Mumbai. On arrival transfer to hotel for wash and change and followed by dinner. Later departure transfer to International Airport to board your flight back home.
END OF THE TOUR
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