Architecture Of South India 11 days

Day 1 Arrive Bangalore

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

Day 2 Bangalore - Mysore (145km) (B)

Visit Lal Bagh Garden, which houses over 1800 species of flora, including a rare and enchanting collection of tropical plants, trees and herbs. Cubbon Park is a landmark area located within the heart of the city. The Bangalore Fort is a living testimony to the notorious struggle of the Mysore Empire against the mighty Britishers. Tippu`s Summer Palace is the magnificent accommodation of the valiant ruler of Mysore, Tipu Sultan. Bangalore Palace is an epitome of great architecture and beauty, a mixture of Tudor & Scottish Gothic architecture. The Bull Temple is one of the oldest temples in the city. Also drive past the Government buildings, Vidhana Soudha & the Secretariat.

Drive to Mysore, check in & overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 Mysore - Hassan (140km) (B)

City tour visit Mysore Palace, built in 1912 for the 24th Ruler of the Wodeyar Dynasty and is counted amongst one of the biggest palaces in the country. Chamundi Hills, site of the Chamundeswari Temple, one among the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas, located on the eastern edge at a height of 1000ft. The temple also has statues of Nandi Bull and Mahishasura, the demon. City Palace, which was rebuilt by Henry Irwin in 1897 in an Indo-Saracenic style. The palace contains astonishing wall paintings, authentic stained glass work and ornamented doors. St. Philomena`s Church is the second-tallest in Asia, built in the Neo-Gothic style of architecture. Jaganmohan Palace, which housed the royals before the construction of the Mysore Palace, this structure displays various paintings of the past kings of Mysore and is one of the oldest buildings in the city.

Drive to Hassan via visiting Shravanabelagola, one of the most important Jain pilgrimage sites. Visit Vindhyagiri Hill, where a 17m high naked Lord Bahubali (Gommateshwara), the world's tallest monolithic statue, is placed. And Chandragiri Hill, which is also a seat of several ancient Jain centres, is much older than the Gommateshwara statue.

Continue driving to Hassan and check in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 Hassan - Hampi (330km) (B)

Drive to Hampi en route to visit Belur, once the capital of the Hoysala Empire is known for its exquisite temples. The celebrated temple of Chennakeshava, built by the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 AD, is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. Everything is carved in black stone, looking like metal. Kappe Chennigaraya Temple is another majestic 12th-century CE temple built next to a pond. The stone architecture has splendid carvings and bas-relief work. The temple complex includes two ornate pillars, one of the Garuda built during the Vijaynagar period and one with a lamp built during the Hoysala period. Lakshmi temple, Sowmyanayaki temple & Ranganayaki temple are other temples in the same complex.

In Halebedu, visit the Hoysaleswara Temple built in the 12th CE, surrounded by ponds, mantapas and lakes. It is well known for the sculptures and architecture of the Hoysala period, standing on a platform like a casket, richly endowed with the most finely detailed scroll work in stone. The walls of the temple are covered with an endless variety of gods and goddesses. Other temples in Halebedu are Kadareswara Temple, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Ishvara Temple, Koravangala Temple, Lakshmi Devi Temple & Hulikere Pond. Also, visit the Jain basics.

Continue driving to Hampi, and check in at the hotel.

Day 5 Hampi (B)

City tour of Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage site 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 is a mute witness to an era of glories, triumphs and tragedies. The ruins of Hampi are so majestic and imposing that they leave the visitor 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 the hotel.

Day 6 Hampi - Badami (195km) (B)

Drive to Badami. En route, visit Lakkundi, a heaven of ancient temple 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 is a place of historical importance, famous for its ancient Hindu & Jain temples and medieval architecture. Constructed between the 10th to 12th centuries CE by the Kings of the Chalukyan Empire, the Trikuteshwar 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 the hotel.

Day 7 Badami (B)

Excursion to visit Aihole, a historical site & home to over 125 beautiful Chalukyan temples and monuments from the 6th to 12th century. A 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 is a treasure trove of Hindu and Jain temple complexes built in the 7th and 8th centuries CE. The various temples that one must visit are Virupaksha Temple, Jain Temple, Papanatha Temple, Galaganath Temple, and Sangameshwara Temple. Also visit Badami Cave consists of four separate temples, each holding intricate carvings & depictions. Badami Fort is perched on the top of a cliff, accompanied by two Shivalaya complexes dating back to the 5th century & watchtower atop a hill. And Agastya Lake is surrounded by red sandstone temples. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8 Badami - Goa (235km) (B)

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

Day 9 Goa (B)

City tour of Goa. Visit the Old Goa monument, the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a 16th-century church dedicated to the 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 was 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 past the charming beaches such as Calangute, Dona Paula, Miramar and Baga Beach. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 Goa (B)

Day free and easy to relax, enjoy the sunshine on pristine & golden-sand beaches, vibrant nightlife, culture and amazing Goan cuisine. The urban and cosmopolitan regions of North Goa are best known for their vibrant nightlife and party scene and are home to numerous clubs, pubs and casinos. Panaji, the capital of Goa, is best known for its floating casinos that are incredibly popular. South Goa is a lot more peaceful and rustic and has several amazing beaches, such as Palolem Beach, Patnem, and Rajbagh Beach. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 Goa - Departure (B)

As per the flight schedule, transfer to the airport to board the flight for the onward destination.