Architecture of South India (11 Days)

Architecture of South India (11 Days)

This historic tour begins in I Tech city Bangalore and proceed to the former princely state Mysore rich in Imperial heritage. Visit intrinsically Hindu collection of temples at Belure, Halebidu, Hampi, Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal, and the ancient Vijayanagar Empire to see some of India's most intricate historical stone carvings. At the end of your explorations through history, unwind yourself in Goa, renowned for its endless beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Bangalore

Pass By: Bangalore District, Bangalore District, Karnataka
On arrival at Bangalore airport assistance and transfer to hotel. Rest time to relax.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Bangalore - Mysore (145kms/ 3hrs approx)

Stop At: Bangalore Palace, Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru 560052 India
Bangalore Palace is situated in the Palace Gardens, at the heart of the Bangalore city of India. Built in the year 1887 by Wodeyar dynasty, it is adorned with magnificent woodcarvings and Tudor-style architecture on the inside. Infact, the palace is quite similar to the medieval castles that were built in Normandy and England. The Windsor Castle of London left a great impression on King Chamaraja Wodeyar of Wodeyar dynasty, on one of his trips to England. Inspired by the Tudor style architecture, he got the Bangalore Palace built in the city.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Lalbagh, Bengaluru 560004 India
Lal Bagh or Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens, meaning The Red Garden in English, is a well known botanical garden in southern Bangalore, India. The garden was originally commissioned by Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, and later finished by his son Tipu Sultan. It has a famous glass house which hosts an annual flower show. Lal Bagh houses India's largest collection of tropical plants, has an aquarium and a lake, and is one of the main tourist attractions in Bangalore.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Tipu Sultan Fort and Palace - Bangalore KR Market, Allbert Victor Road Chamrajpet, Bengaluru 560018 India
Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, in Bangalore, India, is an example of Indo-Islamic architecture and was the summer residence of the Mysorean ruler Tipu Sultan. Hyder Ali commenced its construction within the walls of the Bangalore Fort, and it was completed during the reign of Tipu Sultan in 1791. After Tipu Sultan's death in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, the British Administration used the palace for its Secretariat before moving to Attara Kacheri in 1868.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Mysore - Srirangapatna - Shravanabelagola - Hassan (140kms/ 3hrs approx)

Stop At: Srirangapatna, Srirangapatna, Mandya District, Karnataka
Breakfast at hotel visit Mysore Palace & Srirangapatnam Fort & Ranganthaswamy temple.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Shravanabelagola, Shravanabelagola, Hassan District, Karnataka
Later drive to Hassan en route visit Shravanabelagola Jain temple. On arrival check in and overnight at hotel.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Hassan - Hospet/ Hampi (330kms/ 7hrs approx)

Stop At: Halebid, Halebid, Hassan District, Karnataka
Breakfast at hotel check out and proceed to visit Hassan, Halebedu & Belur temple.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebid India
The Hoysaleswara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is the destroyer of the Universe as per Hinduism. This temple was built during the 12th century and the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana built it. During the 14th century the Muslims invaded Halebidu and looted its riches and wealth. The temple was razed and neglected by the rulers.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Kedareshwara Temple, Kuppalli, bisalkoppa,sirsi taluk, karnataka, Bilur, Karnataka 581358, India
Kedareshwara Temple is a Hoysala era construction in the historically important town of Halebidu, in the Hassan district of Karnataka state, India. It is located a short distance away from the famous Hoysaleswara Temple. The temple was constructed by Hoysala King Veera Ballala and his queen Ketaladevi, and the main deity is Ishwara (another name for the Hindu god Shiva). The temple is protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Hospet/ Hampi

Stop At: Group of Monuments at Hampi, Southern Bank of the River Tungabhadra, Hampi 583239 India
Breakfast at hotel. Full day guided city tour of Hospet and Hampi monuments UNESCO world Heritage sites. Visit Hazara Rama Temple, King's Balance, Mahanavami Dibba, Royal enclosures, Statue of Ugra Narasimha Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Vithala And Lotus Mahal, Vithala Temple Complex and ASI Museum.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Hospet/ Hampi - Badami (195kms/ 4hrs approx)

Pass By: Badami, Badami, Bagalkot District, Karnataka
Breakfast at hotel drive to Badami via visiting Lakkundi & Gadag Temple. Arrive & check in.

Stop At: Lakkundi, Lakkundi, Gadag District, Karnataka
Lakkundi, is full of ruined temples[3] like Mallikarjuna, Virabhadra, Manikeshwara, Nanneshwara, Lakshminarayana, Someshwara, Nilakanteshwara and many more.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Gadag, Gadag, Gadag District, Karnataka
Trikuteshwara temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. The carved temple is in the town of Gadag, 50 km southeast of Hubli-Dharwad, in Karnataka, India. It is dedicated to Shiva and has three lingas mounted on the same stone. There is a shrine dedicated to Saraswathi in this temple and it has carved columns.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Badami - Aihole - Pattadakal (70kms/ round)

Stop At: Aihole, Bagalkot district India
Breakfast at hotel. Excursion visit to Aihole & Pattadakal both UNESCO World heritage site. Return to Badami and city sightseeing.
Duration: 8 hours

Stop At: Pattadakal, Pattadakal, Bagalkot District, Karnataka
Pattadakal, also called Paṭṭadakallu or Raktapura, is a complex of 7th and 8th century CE Hindu and Jain temples in northern Karnataka (India). Located on the west bank of the Malaprabha River in Bagalakote district, this UNESCO World Heritage site is 14 miles (23 km) from Badami and about 6 miles (9.7 km) from Aihole, both of which are historically significant centres of Chalukya monuments.The monument is a protected site under Indian law and is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Badami - Goa (235kms/ 5hrs approx)

Pass By: Goa, Goa
Breakfast at hotel drive to Goa check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax on the beach.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Goa

Stop At: Goa, Goa
Breakfast at hotel full day city tour of Old Goa, Churches, temples, and famous beaches. Rest time to relax and shopping.
Duration: 8 hours

Stop At: Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa Road, Goa Velha 403402 India
Famous throughout the Roman Catholic world, the imposing Basilica of Bom Jesus contains the tomb and mortal remains of St Francis Xavier, the so-called Apostle of the Indies, a former pupil of St Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). St Francis Xavier’s missionary voyages throughout the East became legendary – and, considering the perilous state of transport at the time, were nothing short of miraculous.
Duration: 1 hour

Pass By: Baga Beach, Baga 403516 India
Arambol beach is furthermost north of all the beaches in Goa, and is nestled right near the Maharastra border. While Arambol beach has become the newest haven for Goa's hippies, plenty of more "normal" visitors also flock there to enjoy the relatively undeveloped surroundings. These photos of Arambol beach reveal its appeal, along with some of the attractions in the area.

Stop At: Mangeshi Temple, Ponda India
Shri Mangeshi temple is located at Mangeshi Village in Priol, Ponda taluk, Goa. It is at a distance of 1 km from Mardol close to Nagueshi, 21 km from Panaji the capital of Goa, and 26 km from Margao. This temple is one of the largest and most frequently visited temples in Goa. In 2011, the temple along with others in the area instituted a dress code on visitors of the temple.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Se Cathedral, Old Goa, Panjim India
At over 76m long and 55m wide, this is the largest church in Asia. Building work commenced in 1562, on the orders of King Dom Sebastiao of Portugal, to replace the older church of St Catherine, which had until then served as Old Goa’s far less grandiose cathedral. Progress was slow, and beset with financial difficulties; work on the building wasn’t completed until 1619 and the altars weren’t finished until 1652, some 90 years after their construction had first been ordered.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Goa

Pass By: Goa, Goa
Breakfast at hotel full day for personal activities relax.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Goa – Departure

Pass By: Goa, Goa
Breakfast at hotel as per your flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for your onward destination.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.