NameExploring
Tour PathMUMBAI - HYDERABAD - HOPSET - HAMPI - CHIKMAGALUR - BELUR & HALEBID - MYSORE - BENGALURU
Tour DescriptionTHE VAST DECCAN Plateau straddles a core area of central India. Having been the scene of countless battles, it has seen some of India's most remarkable empires flourish and decline. The rich architectural legacies of these mighty dynasties still remain today and are explored during the course of this journey which travels north-south across the heart of The Deccan. See the exceptional palaces of Hyderbad's Nizams before visiting the remains of the great Vijayanagar capital at Hampi. Continue to the beautiful early Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebid prior to exploring Karnataka's second largest city - Mysore where there is a treasure trove of monuments. All very different, they range from the Hoysala and Vijayanagar periods, through Tipu Sultan's era, and culminate in the resplendent, Indo-Saracenic City Palace
Day 1ARRIVE MUMBAI
Day 1 DescriptionOn arrival stay at The Taj Lands End.
Day 2MUMBAI - HYDERABAD
Day 2 DescriptionMorning flight to Hyderabad and stay 2 nights at the Taj Krishna hotel.
Day 3HYDERABAD
Day 3 DescriptionExplore Hyderabad's stunning sites. Visit the Charminar, the Mecca Masjid and the Salar jung Museum. Also drive out to the mighty Golconda Fort.
Day 4HYDERABAD - HOPSET
Day 4 DescriptionMorning visit the nearby ancient city of Secundarabad. Afternoon board an overnight train to Hospet.
Day 5HAMPI
Day 5 DescriptionEarly morning arrival and transfer to Hampi Boulders. Optional excursion to the exceptional ruins at Hampi, set in a beautiful, rockstrewn landscape, interspersed with meandering rivers
Day 6HAMPI
Day 6 DescriptionReturn to Hampi to continue exploring the ruins of this ancient Vijayanagar capital, once one of the largest Hindu empires in the world.
Day 7HOPSET - CHIKMAGALUR
Day 7 DescriptionLong drive south to Chikmagalur, at the southern tip of the huge Deccan Plateau. Stay 2 nights at the Taj Garden Retreat
Day 8BELUR & HALEBID
Day 8 DescriptionExcursion to the fascinating early Hoysala temples at Belur and nearby Halebid.
Day 9CHIKMAGALUR - MYSORE
Day 9 DescriptionContinue driving south to the 'Sandalwood' city of Mysore. En route visit the impressive hilltop monolithic statue at Sravanbelagola. Stay 2 nights at Metropole Hotel.
Day 10MYSORE
Day 10 DescriptionExplore the city this morning, visiting the ornate city palace and drive to the top of Chamundi Hill, passing the huge monolith Nandi Bull, en route. Afternoon visit to the Keshava Temple at Somnathpur.
Day 11MYSORE - BENGALURU
Day 11 DescriptionMorning drive to nearby Srirangapatnam which boasts the ruins of Tipu Sultan's summer palace. Continue to the bustling city of Bengaluru and stay 1 night at the Taj West End.
Day 12BENGALURU - MUMBAI
Day 12 DescriptionMorning exploration of 'the Garden City' before an afternoon flight to Mumbai. After dinner, depart for the airport.
Day 13DEPART MUMBAI
Day 13 DescriptionEarly morning departure for onward destination