Karnataka Heritage with Goa Tour

Welcome to Karnataka, South India! Our representative will meet you upon arrival at the airport and take you to your hotel in Bangalore. Karnataka is a state, rich in contrasts. Its capital, Bangalore or Bangaluru, is at the forefront of technology. Its coastal area is sparsely developed and its tea and spice plantations spread to the horizon in the cool hills. Mysore is the jewel in the crown of Karnataka with its impressive palaces and green spaces. Certainly enjoy your city walk at dusk along with your guide. You will be amazed to discover all that this city has to offer! After traditional reception at the airport, you will be transferred to Bangaluru hotel for overnight stay.

Today we travel to Mysore. It takes about 3 hours to reach Mysore. On the way to Mysore, visit a historical destination- Srirangapatna. It’s a river-island town, surrounded by River Kaveri. Ranganathaswamy Temple, overlooking the island town, is the prime tourist attraction. After visiting Srirangapatna, drive further to Mysore. You will be immediately charmed by the great past of the former capital of the dynasty of Wodeyars, popular family who ruled from the sixteenth century. A city with a rich cultural heritage whose palaces, sacred temples, period buildings, parks and gardens can not be missed during Mysore city tour. In the evening, discover the colourful Devaraj market while enjoying a carriage ride. Overnight stay is scheduled in Mysore hotel.

This morning, we will go to Chamundi Hill. Enjoy spectacular views of the city before visiting the temple dedicated to Goddess Chamundi, dominated by a tower 40 meters high. On the way back, we stop near the huge statue of Nandi, the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva.Next proceed to visit the palace. This huge palace is sure to impress you with its towers, domes, arches and its opulent interior with beautifully carved doors and ceilings. Walk through the different rooms, hang out with the luxury that was once part of everyday life of the royal family and admire art objects from around the world. Overnight stay is scheduled in Mysore hotel.

We will take the road to Coorg. It's is a charming town surrounded by coffee plantations and spices, and dense forests. Coorg is ideally located away from the pollution of the city while not being too far away. It is a true paradise for lovers of nature with its landscapes, green valleys, forests and rivers, without forgetting the breathtaking waterfalls. In the evening, you will walk in the middle of coffee plantations and attempt to spot some rare bird species. Overnight stay is scheduled in Coorg hotel.

After breakfast, we leave for Hassan. It takes about three hours to reach Hassan from Coorg. Hassan is famous for its wonderful temples of Belur and Halebid which are built according to a specific architecture model in this part of South India. The two temples are the work of renowned architect Jakkanna Acharya. Their sculptured displays include Indian mythology. In Belur Temple, you can admire many sculptures of dancers, best known as the Madanikas. In both temples, we find sculptures of the Puranas, the Upanishads and mythological characters from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Certainly, you will not fail to be moved by so much beauty. Overnight stay is scheduled in Coorg hotel.

After breakfast in Coorg hotel, move for Hampi. Nature offers the city a wonderfully strange side and monuments are not far behind. The particular landscape of Hampi has inspired the architects who enjoyed creating so varied works. Among these projects is, however, found a common denominator: the Vijayanagara school of architecture. While the Vijayanagara style was once flashy, unrefined and little developed, the latest styles have demonstrated more ornamentation, sophistication and ambition.On reaching Hampi, take time to explore Hampi ruins, a Hindu city vanadalized in the sixteenth century by the ever intolerant Mulim invaders. As we walked along the southern bank of the Tungabhadra river, we will discover abandoned houses, temples in ruins, banana plantations and rice fields. You will stay in a hotel built in the countryside. On arrival at Hampi, check in at hotel in countryside for overnight stay.

Today you will visit the most sacred part of Hampi Virupaksha temple, the bazaar, Courtiers's street, the temples along the river and the ghats. Observe the columns of what was then the bazaar before entering the temple of Lord Virupaksha which overlooks the market, crowded with large number of devotees.dominates the toursdominent the bazaar. Join the pilgrims and sing, pray or sleep in the shade of the columns in the courtyard. Overnight stay is scheduled in Hampi hotel.

Today we will visit the Royal part of Hampi and Viththala temple. We will see there an extraordinary amount of palaces, pavilions and temples. Imagine ceremonies, parades and lavish concerts that took place at the King's time in the Mahanavami Dibba, a pyramid-shaped monument. In the surroundings you will find the Lotus Palace (Kamal Mahal), the monument of two floors that housed the female quarters, the zenana, where the queen was accustomed to relax while watching the elephants’ parade from the upper floor windows. Then we drive along the shore to the Viththala Temple, certainly one of the most beautiful monuments of Hampi. Its huge granite pillars were constructed in such a way to reproduce the sounds of of all sorts like a musical instrument. You will also see frescoes of lions, elephants and horses, the ruins of ancient ghats, obligatory passage through the Sule bazaar and Achyutaraya Temple. Overnight stay is scheduled in Hampi hotel.

After breakfast, move for Badami. En route Badami is located, in a unique place, a ravine dominated by a large outcropping of red sandstone. You'll find hidden in the hills of sandstone on the side of the cliff, temples located in caves and a stone staircase leading to the top of the throat, in the end, a fantastic panorama. Enjoy the unique view of the old Agastyatirtha Tank in which the water flows from the ravine. Witnesses of the spirituality of India, the temples located in the caves are dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva, Buddha and Jainism. You will remain speechless at the sight of the work of artisans of the time, who designed the pillars located at the entrance of the caves and intricate sculptures that are found in the inner sanctuary. On arrival at Badami, check in at the hotel for overnight stay.

En route to Hubli where we then take a train to Goa for a unique experience, this trip will give you an overview of Indian society, a mixture of sounds, smells and colors: the soft purr of the train, the lively conversations of local and shouting vendors are sure to delight you. If you are looking for authenticity, you will be delighted! You will see breathtaking landscapes and have the opportunity to chat with other passengers. It takes about 7 hours to reach Goa from Badami. On arrival at Goa, you will be received by our representative and transferred to the pre-booked hotel for overnight stay.

Goa is famous for its sights of sandy beaches, lined with palm trees. This is the place ideal for a relaxing stay. Goa is the smallest state of India and world renowned for its beaches, harmonious social life, night life, beach parties, delicious cuisines and modern infrastructure. Overnight stay is scheduled in Goa hotel.

Have breakfast in Goa hotel and you will be transferred to the airport in time to board flight for your onward destination.