Fort, Palaces, Temples & Beach 11 days

Day 1 Hyderabad

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

Day 2 Hyderabad (B)

City tour of Hyderabad, explore a 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 is 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 the Laad Bazaar. Salar Jung Museum (Friday closed) is 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) is 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, is the temple of beauty that leaves you awestruck. Also drive past Hussain Sagar Lake, one of the largest man-made lakes, renowned for its monolith of Lord Buddha placed right at the centre of the lake. Overnight at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

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

Drive to Gulbarga en route visiting Bidar Fort, one of the magnificent forts rebuilt by Sultan Ahmed Shah Wali of the Bahmani Dynasty, when his capital was moved from Gulbarga to Bidar in 1430 AD, along with several Islamic monuments. The Bidar fort is a specimen of the Persian architecture, surrounded by three miles long walls and comprising 37 bastions, a triple moat & seven gates. The 12 tombs of the 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 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 the hotel, rest time free & easy to relax. Overnight at the hotel.

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

Visit Gulburga Fort, a leftover of the Brahmani era, which was originally built by Raja Gulchand. Later, 15 towers were added by Allah-ud-din Bahmani to the existing structure of the fort. The fort contained 15 towers and 26 guns, of which one was 8 metres long. Jama Masjid is a 14th-century mosque in the Fort complex, which marks the establishment of the Bahmani Kingdom in the Deccan. Jama Masjid's interior is similar to the Great Cathedral-Mosque of Cordoba in Spain. The 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. The tomb of Sufi mystic Khwaja Bande Nawaz is 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 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. Overnight at the hotel.

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

Drive to Badami via visiting a few active & ruined temples in 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 (250kms) (B)

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

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 and the beach and explore the sites of your interest with your

driver. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 Goa - Departure (B)

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