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Fort, Palaces, Temples & Beach

  

General information

DurationDestinationDeparture
11 days and 10 nights
India (Hyderabad, Gulbarga, Hampi, Badami, Goa)
India (Hyderabad)

Description

This historic tour will begins in imperial heritage city Hyderabad. Travel from this Islamic pocket in southern India to Bidar & Gulbarga having unique amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Further to Hampi the ancient Vijayanagar Empire to see some of India's most intricate historical stone carvings. Witness the intrinsically Hindu collection of temples at Badami, Aihole & Pattadakal. Unwind awhile in Goa renowned for its endless beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture.

Category

 
3 Star Hotels (Private Tour)
Bed & Breakfast 3 Stars
en
 
4 Star Hotels (Private Tour)
Bed & Breakfast 4 Stars
en
 
5 Star Hotels (Private Tour)
Bed & Breakfast 5 Stars
en
 

Program

Day 1:
Hyderabad

On arrival at Hyderabad airport assistance & transfer to hotel (hotel check in/ out time 12pm). Rest time free for personal activities. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2:
Hyderabad (B)

City tour of Hyderabad, explore 400 year old metropolitan city teeming with bustling bazaars & Muslim monuments. Visit Golconda Fort renowned for its diamond mines that have given the world famous Kohinoor and Darya-i-noor diamonds. The ancient fort complex of Golconda will charm you with its history, tinged with legends and anecdotes. Qutub Shahi Tombs a group of small and big mosques and tombs built by the rulers of the Qutub Shah dynasty on a raised platform and have a dome-shaped structure. Charminar built in 1591 by Quli Qutub Shah is an identifying landmark of Hyderabad. It is also famous for the market that sprawls around it called Laad Bazaar. Salar Jung Museum (Friday closed) a treat for tourists famous for being the third largest museum in the country, having the largest antiques collection dating back to the first century. Chowmahalla Palace (Friday closed) the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty where the Nizams entertained their official guests and royal visitors. Birla Mandir made of pure white Rajasthani marble the temple beauty leaves you awestruck. Also drive pass Hussain Sagar Lake one of the largest man made lake renowned for its monolith of Lord Buddha placed right at the center of the lake. Overnight at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3:
Hyderabad - Gulbarga (280kms) (B)

Drive to Gulbarga enroute visiting Bidar Fort one of the magnificent forts rebuilt by Sultan Ahmed Shah Wali of Bahmani Dynasty, when his capital was moved from Gulbarga to Bidar in 1430 AD along with a number of Islamic monuments. The Bidar fort is a specimen of the Persian architecture, surrounded by three miles long walls and comprising 37 bastions, triple moat & seven gates. Bahmani Tombs the 12 tombs of Bahmani Sultans are huge structures with beautiful arches, niches and lofty domes. The Rangeen Mahal built in the mid-16th century, the tile work and the granite with mother-of-pearl inlay work are the exclusive features of the citadel walls. Narasimha Jhira a wonderful cave temple situated on the outskirts of Bidar town dedicated to the lion god Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Temple is known for its natural beauty and is considered to be very sacred.
On arrival check in at Hotel, rest time free & easy to relax. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4:
Gulbarga - Hampi (280kms) (B)

Visit Gulburga Fort a leftover of the Brahmani era, was originally built by Raja Gulchand. Later 15 towers were added by Allah-ud-din Bahmani in the existing structure of the fort. The fort contained 15 towers and 26 guns of which one was 8 metres long. Jama Masjid a 14th-century mosque in Fort complex which marks the establishment of the Bahmani Kingdom in the Deccan. Jama Masjid interior are similar to the Great Cathedral-Mosque of Cordoba in Spain. Sharana Basaveshwara Temple built in the twelfth century, this temple is a marvel of Hindu stone carvings. The pillars, walls and towers of the site are covered with intricate carvings of Hindu gods, goddesses, demigods, damsels, animals and events from local lore. Tomb of Sufi mystic Khwaja Bande Nawaz a unique confluence of religious diversity. The Persian, Indo-Saracenic and Arabic influences on the building are evident from the dome and towers that surround the tomb.
Afternoon drive to Hampi check in & overnight at hotel.

Day 5:
Hampi (B)

City tour of Hampi an UNESCO world Heritage sites dotted with numerous ruined temple complexes from the Vijayanagara Empire on the bank of the River Tungabhadra. Although the city was destroyed by marauding Moghul invaders in the 16th century, much of it remains today. The vast site of monuments and ruins are a mute witness to an ear of glories, triumphs and tragedies. The ruins of Hampi are so majestic and imposing that they leave the visitor totally dumbfounded, awestruck and humbled. Visit Hazara Rama Temple, Kings Balance, Mahanavami Dibba, Royal enclosures, Statue of Ugra Narasimha Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Vithala Temple Complex, Lotus Mahal & ASI Museum. Overnight at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6:
Hampi - Badami (180kms) (B)

Drive to Badami via visiting few active & ruined temples in Lakkundi a heaven of ancient temples ruins and step wells. It is a place of antiquarian interest with more than 50 ancient temples scattered all over the village & 101 stepped wells built during the rule of the Chalukyas, Seuna, Kalachuris and Hoysalas. These temples are most famous for their ornate and elaborate furnishing. And Gadag a place of historical importance, famous for its ancient Hindu & Jain temples and medieval architecture. Constructed between the 10th to 12th CE by the Kings of Chalukyan Empire, the Trikuteshewara Temple is famous for its style of architecture and the temple has three Shivalingas carved out of a single rock. Arrive Badami check in & overnight at hotel.

Day 7:
Badami (B)

Excursion to visit Aihole a historical site & home to over 125 beautiful Chalukyan temples and monuments from 6th to 12th century. Few important monuments in Aihole include the Durga Temple, Lad Khan Temple, Ravanaphadi Cave Temples, Huchimalli Temple, Meganagudi Group Temple, Gowda Temple and the Huchappayyagudi Temple amongst numerous others. And Pattadakal a treasure trove of Hindu and Jain temples complex built in 7th and 8th century CE. The various temples that one must visit are Virupaksha Temple, Jain temple, Papanatha temple, Galaganath temple, and Sangameshwara temple. Also visit Badami Cave consist of four separate temples, each holding intricate carvings & depictions. Badami Fort perched on the top of a cliff accompanied by two Shivalaya complexes dating back to the 5th century & watchtower atop hill. And Agastya Lake surrounded by red sandstone temples. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8:
Badami - Goa (250kms) (B)

Drive to Goa check in at hotel. Rest time free to relax on the beach. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9:
Goa (B)

City tour of Goa. Visit Old Goa monument the Basilica of Bom Jesus a 16th century church dedicated to infant Jesus housing the tomb of St. Francis Xavier. The other Churches in the same area are St. Cathedral, Church of Our Lady of Miracles, Church of our Lady of Rosary and Nunnery of St. Monica. The Aguada Fort built by the Portuguese on the mouth of the Mondovi River and a 4-storey Portuguese lighthouse oldest of its kind in Asia. In South Goa visit Mangueshi Temple, Shanta Durga Temple & Margao the headquarters of South Goa. Drive Pass the charming beaches such as Calangute, Dona Paula, Miramar and Baga Beach. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10:
Goa (B)

Day free and easy to relax and the beach and explore the sites of your interest with your

driver. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11:
Goa - Departure (B)
As per flight schedule Departure transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.

Price includes

• Assistance on arrival at airport.
• 10 Nights accommodation in selected price category hotels.
• Meal as per day plan (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)
• Private air conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.
• English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.
• Monuments entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.
• Bottled drinking water in car.
• Government taxes.

Price does not include

• Any flight tickets.
• Camera charges at monuments.
• Meals other than mentioned in day plan.
• Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.
• Gratuities & optional activities.
• Anything not mentioned in inclusions.

Itinerary

Day Overnight Itinerary highlights
1 Hyderabad   Hyderabad - Hyderabad Airport
2 Hyderabad
3 Gulbarga
4 Hampi
5 Hampi
6 Badami
7 Badami
8 Goa
9 Goa
10 Goa
11   Goa - Goa Airport

Accommodations provided in each place

Place3 Star Hotels4 Star Hotels5 Star Hotels
HyderabadAditya Park/ Lemon Tree Hotel or similarLemon Tree Hotel/ Fortune Park Vallabha or similarITC Kakatiya, a Luxury Collection/ Trident Hotel or similar
GulbargaAtharva Hotel/ Hotel Heritage Inn or similarCitrus Gulbarga or similar
HampiKrishna Palace/ Kishkinda Heritage Resort or similarHeritage Resort/ Malligi Hotel or similarHyatt Place/ Hampi Boulders or similar
BadamiBadami Court or similarKrishna Heritage or similar
GoaVarca Le Palm/ Lambana Resort or similarLemon Tree Hotel Candolim/ The Chances Resort & Casino or similarZuri Varca Goa White Sand Resort & Casino/ Alila Diwa Goa or similar