The Historic Trail of the Southern Region

Day 1 Arrive Bangalore - On arrival at Bangalore airport assistance and transfer to hotel.

1. 1

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   Lal Bagh or Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens, meaning The Red Garden in English, is a well known botanical garden in southern Bangalore, India. The garden was originally commissioned by Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, and later finished by his son Tipu Sultan. It has a famous glass house which hosts an annual flower show. Lal Bagh houses India's largest collection of tropical plants, has an aquarium and a lake, and is one of the main tourist attractions in Bangalore.

2. 2

   Bangalore Palace

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   Bangalore Palace is situated in the Palace Gardens, at the heart of the Bangalore city of India. Built in the year 1887 by Wodeyar dynasty, it is adorned with magnificent woodcarvings and Tudor-style architecture on the inside. Infact, the palace is quite similar to the medieval castles that were built in Normandy and England. The Windsor Castle of London left a great impression on King Chamaraja Wodeyar of Wodeyar dynasty, on one of his trips to England. Inspired by the Tudor style architecture, he got the Bangalore Palace built in the city.

3. 3

   Bull Temple

   30 min Admission ticket included

   Dodda Basavana Gudi (the Bull Temple) is situated in the N.R. Colony, Basavanagudi, area of South Bangalore, part of the largest city of the Indian state of Karnataka. The Hindu temple is inside the a park called Bugle Rock.

4. 4

   Bangalore Palace

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, in Bangalore, India, is an example of Indo-Islamic architecture and was the summer residence of the Mysorean ruler Tipu Sultan. Hyder Ali commenced its construction within the walls of the Bangalore Fort, and it was completed during the reign of Tipu Sultan in 1791. After Tipu Sultan's death in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, the British Administration used the palace for its Secretariat before moving to Attara Kacheri in 1868.

5. 5

   Vidhana Soudha and Attara Kacheri

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   The Vidhana Soudha (Kannada) located in Bengaluru (Bangalore), is the seat of the state legislature of Karnataka. It is an imposing building, constructed in a style sometimes described as Mysore Neo-Dravidian, and incorporates elements of Indo-Saracenic and Dravidian styles. The construction was completed in 1956.

Day 2 Bangalore - Shravanabelagola - Hassan (200kms/ 4hrs approx)

1. 1

   Karkala Gomateshwara Statue

   2 hours

   Breakfast at hotel drive to Hassan en route visit Gomateshwara Jain temple at Shravanabelagola.

2. 2

   2 hours

   Shravanabelagola Jain temple.one of the most important Jain pilgrim enters. It is also one of the oldest where a 17m high naked Lord Bahubali (gomteshwara) - the world's tallest monolithic statue, is placed. It is situated on the picturesque Vindhyagiri Hill overlooking the town.

3. 3

   Hassan

   2 hours

   Continue drive to Hassan check in at hotel.

Day 3 Hassan - Hampi (330kms/ 7hrs approx)

1. 1

   Belur

   2 hours

   Breakfast at hotel. Drive toward Hampi en route visit Belur & Halebedu.

2. 2

   Belur

   2 hours

   Belur (38kms from Hassan). It was once the capital of the Hoysala Empire, today made unforgettable for its exquisite temples. The serenity of Belur is attributed to the celebrated temple of Chennakeshava built by the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 A.D. It is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. The main structure of the temple, which is star-shaped, a homogenous architectural unit on a raised platform. Everything is carved in black stone, looking like metal. Facing the temple, at the entrance, stands the winged figure of Garauda, Lord Vishnu’s carrier. The 650 charging elephants on the frieze around the walls outside are all different from each other. The exotic bracket figures on the walls of this temple are serene, playful and amorous, enhancing the overall effect of this pinnacle of architectural excellence.

3. 3

   2 min

   After visiting this temple move to Halebedu (17kms from Belur). The temples of Halebid bear mute testimony to the rich, cultural heritage of Karnataka. Visit the Hoysaleswara Temple, dating back to the 12th century, standing on platform like a casket, is a sculptural extravaganza, richly endowed with most finely detailed scroll work in stone. The walls of the temple are covered with an endless variety of gods and goddesses and also visit the Jain bastics.

4. 4

   Hampi

   2 min

   After sightseeing drive to Hampi check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4 Hampi

1. 1

   Group of Monuments at Hampi

   8 hours Admission ticket included

   Breakfast at hotel, full day to visit Hampi. Nestled within the ruins of medieval city of Vijayanagar, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, Set in a surreal and beautiful boulder-strewn landscape, Vijayanagara (the City of Victory) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although the city was destroyed by marauding Moghul invader’s in the 16th century, much of it remains today. The vast site of monuments and ruins, a mute witness to an ear of glories, triumphs and tragedies. The ruins of Hampi are so majestic and imposing that they leave the visitor totally dumbfounded, awestruck and humbled.
   Visit Hazara Rama Temple, King's Balance, Mahanavami Dibba, Royal enclosures, Statue of Ugra Narasimha Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Lotus Mahal & Vithala Temple Complex.

Day 5 Hospet/ Hampi - Hyderabad (flight)

1. 1

   Vijaynagar

   8 hours

   Breakfast at hotel transfer to Jindal Vijaynagar Airport to board flight for Hyderabad.

2. 2

   Hyderabad

   8 hours

   On arrival at Hyderabad airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel. Rest time free for personal activities relax.

Day 6 Hyderabad

1. 1

   Hyderabad

   8 hours

   Breakfast at hotel, explore this wondrous capital, a 400 year-old metropolitan city teeming with bustling-bazaars and Muslim monuments.

2. 2

   Golconda Fort

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   Visit Golconda Fort - renowned for its diamond mines that have given the world the famous Kohinoor and Darya-i-noor diamonds. The ancient fort complex of Golconda will charm you with its history, tinged with legends and anecdotes. Qutubshahi Tombs - the tombs differ in size but all are comparable to each other in architectural grandeur and beauty.

3. 3

   Charminar

   2 min Admission ticket included

   Charminar - built in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth sultan of the Qutub Shahi dynasty of India. There are varying legends as to why he built the magnificent structure. One account says that the sultan built it in honor of his wife, Bhagyamathi (or Bhagmathi), together with the construction of Hyderabad itself.

4. 4

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   Salarjung Museum (Friday closed) - a treat for tourists, famous for having the largest antiques collection. Artefacts dating back to the first century can be found here. Established in 1951.

5. 5

   Birla Mandir

   30 min

   Birla Mandir - dedicated to the supreme incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Lord Venkateshwara. This temple’s marvellous beauty leaves you awestruck as does the legend associated with the God. A blend of various types of architectural styles, this temple is made of 200 tonnes of pure white Rajasthani marble.

6. 6

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   Chowmohalla Palace (Friday closed) - once regarded as the center of Hyderabad, the magnificent Chowmahalla Palace was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty where the Nizams entertained their official guests and royal visitors.

Day 7 Hyderabad - Bhubaneshwar (flight)/ Bhubaneshwar - Puri (65kms/ 1.3hrs approx)

1. 1

   Hyderabad

   1 hour

   Breakfast at hotel as per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for Bhubaneshwar.

2. 2

   1 hour

   On arrival at Bhubaneshwar airport assistance and transfer to hotel in Puri, check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8 Puri - Chilika - Konark - Puri (130kms round)

1. 1

   Shree Jagannath Temple

   30 min

   Breakfast at hotel visit Lord Jagannath temple is an important pilgrimage destination for most Hindus and part of the Char Dham pilgrimage that any Hindu is expected to make in a lifetime. The Idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra and the goddess Subhadra are seated on the bejewelled platform. (Non Hindus are not allowed to enter in the sanctum sanctorum)

2. 2

   Konark

   2 hours

   Built in the thirteenth century, it was conceived as a gigantic solar chariot with twelve pairs of exquisitely-ornamented wheels dragged by seven rearing horses. The temple comprised a sanctum with a lofty (presumably over 68 m. high) sikhara, a jagamohana (30. m. square and 30. m. high) and a detached nata-mandira (hall of dance) in the same axis, besides numerous subsidiary shrines.

3. 3

   Chilika Lake

   4 hours Admission ticket included

   Chilika Lake a brackish water lagoon, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal, covering an area of over 1,100km². Boating on the lake will provide the opportunity to see dolphins.

4. 4

   1 hour

   Pipili the applique work village & Raghurajpur artisan village

Day 9 Puri – Bhubaneshwar (65km/ 1.3hrs approx)/ Bhubaneshwar - Bangalore or Delhi (flight)

1. 1

   Bhubaneswar

   4 hours

   Breakfast at hotel drive to Bhubaneshwar via visiting Khandgiri Buddhist site, Udayagiri Jain caves and Dhauli Rock Edicts. Also visit few famous temples Parasurameshwar, Mukteshwar, Rajarani & Lingaraj temple (Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter inside the main temple sanctum).

2. 2

   Udayagiri Caves

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves are rock cut caves excavated in two adjacent hills that rise abruptly from vast expanse of barren land. Both the hills stand separated only by a narrow road. Udayagiri hill which is 135 feet tall was earlier called Kumari Parvata whereas 118 feet high Khandagiri hill was known as Kumara Parvata. The hills are situated at a distance of around 6 km from Bhubaneswar.

3. 3

   Rajarani Temple

   1 hour

   Set amidst the well maintained gardens, the 11th century Rajarani Temple is famous for its sculpted figures and the successive tiers of projections rising to form its 18 m tower. The accentuating miniature replicas of itself decorate the spire, reminiscent of the temples of Khajuraho. It has a square sanctuary and its interior and exterior surfaces are so recessed that it appears circular. The ornamental deul stands diagonal to the severely plain jagamohana.

4. 4

   Mukteswara Temple

   30 min Admission ticket included

   The 'Gem of Orissan Architecture' is the only phrase that goes well with Mukteswara Temple. Located in Bhubaneshwar, Mukteshwara Mandir is the best temple in the capital city of Orissa. The architectural temple can be reached easily from Bhubaneshwar, which is well-connected to other cities by air, rail and road. Built in 950 A.D, Mukteswara temple is literally a dream realized in sandstone.

5. 5

   Bhubaneswar

   30 min

   After sightseeing transfer to Bhubaneshwar airport to board flight for Bangalore.

6. 6

   Bengaluru

   30 min

   On arrival assistance and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10 Bangalore - Departure

1. 1

   Bengaluru

   30 min

   Breakfast at hotel. As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.