Hampi vijayanagar world heritage site of UNESCO,hampi vijayanagar vijaynagar tours travel itineraries holidays packages,Bangalore city tours sightseeing,Temples Palaces tours of Royal Mysore,Wildlife jungle safari tours at Nagarhole National Park,Temples of Sravarnabelgola,Belur,Halebid World Heritage Centers,Vijaynagar Vijayanagar ruins at Hampi,16 the century Vittala Temple,5th century temple at Pattadakal,Beach holiday at Gorkhana

Tours

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Ancient civilizations, Temples, palaces, wild life & beaches

• The metropolis of Bangalore
• Temples and Palaces of Royal Mysore
• Wild life at Nagarhole
• Temples of Sravarnabelgola, Belur and Halebid
• World Heritage Centers: Vijaynagar ruins at Hampi, 16 the century Vittala Temple, and 5th century temple at Pattadakal
• Beach holiday at Gorkhana

Day 1 – Bangalore 

Our Karnataka Classic tour begins in the metropolis of Bangalore. A day spent in this city of over six million residents, one is presented with the drama of an Indian city. Crowded market places, posters of raunchy Kannada film songs pasted all over the city, see how the wayside dhaba continues to be popular even with Macdonald’s around and a million other interesting sights await a traveller. As you roam around the city you come across its many lakes and parks, visit the beautiful Lal Bagh glass house, and if you are lucky attend the many outdoor concerts frequently held in Bangalore.

Day 2, 3 - Mysore

A 4 hour drive takes us to Mysore, the erstwhile capitl of the Maharajas. Mysore is a city of palaces, as you visit them you will be enveloped in the splendor of a bygone era. Amba Vilas, the main palace in Mysore is a ‘must see’. The pavilion also houses a fine collection of Indian and European sculpture and ceremonial objects like a wooden elephant howdah (frame to carry passengers) decorated with gold. The nearby Srirangapatnam Fort (a short drive away from Mysore) which stands testimony to the rich historical legacies of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.

Day 4, 5, 6- Nagarhole

Nagarhole without doubt is the best wildlife destination in South India. Perhaps nowhere else in India can one see so much wildlife. Sighting of elephants, sambhar, spotted deer, gaur, wild boar, sloth bear and wild dogs are common, while if one is lucky, a tiger or a panther too, could be sighted.

Day 7, 8 – Hassan

We will drive into the interiors towards the ancient Hoysala cities of Belur and Halebid near Hassan. En route, visit Sravarnabelgola. We will spend the next two days visiting  the classic temples of Belur and Halebid.

Day 9, 10 – Hospet / Hampi

 Today we continue to North Karnataka; which houses two World Heritage Centers- Hampi and Pattadakal.  Hampi is the most beautiful and evocative of all the ruins in Karnataka. The erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagara kingdom, is full of delightful surprises. Like the King's Balance  where Kings were weighed against grain, gold or money which was then distributed to the poor, the Queen's Bath with its arched corridors, projecting balconies and lotus-shaped fountains that once sprouted perfumed water , the two storied Lotus Mahal w ith recessed archways, the huge Elephant Stables, the splendid Vithala Temple with its 'musical pillars' and the stone chariot, the Virupaksha Temple, still used for worship, Ugra Narasimha, the 6.7m tall monolith, the Pushkarini, the Mahanavmi Dibba an d so much more.  We will also visit  Aihole - The 'cradle of Indian temple architecture' with many temples - intricately carved, rich in detail. The oldest temple is perhaps the 5th century Lad Khan Temple. Pattadakal, also a World Heritage Center, has 10 major temples representing early Chalukyan architecture. The biggest temple dedicated to Virupakshesvara, has a huge gateway and several inscriptions.

Day 11, 12, 13 – Gokarna

 Drive to Gokarna, and head for the Om Beach where we will settle into the wonderful Swaswarya resort for rejuvenation, relaxation and a tranquil end to this holiday.

Day  14  –  Depart by Konkan railway for destinations in Kerala , Goa or Mumbai

TOUR ENDS

"Now that we are safely home we have to thank you all for a simply marvelous holiday. It all went so smoothly, the places you chose for us were so beautiful, the people we met were so delightful, it just couldn't have been better. A lot of people we met were very jealous both of our itinerary and the flawless efficiency of your organisation." 

Maureen & Frank Blake 
England