Diamonds & Dynasties of Southern India
per person
THIS HISTORIC TOUR begins in the former princely city of Hyderabad, a cornucopia of contrasts, rich in Imperial heritage and new age industry. A legacy of the decadent Nizams is the trade of pearls, gold, fabric and of course diamonds. Travel from this Islamic pocket in southern India to the intrinsically Hindu collection of temples at Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal and on to Hampi and the ancient Vijayanagar Empire to see some of India’s most intricate historical stone carvings. At the end of your explorations through history, unwind awhile at Gokarna, at the tranquil beach resort, SwaSwara and rejuvenate your body and soul.
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Destination
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Departure
Hyderabad - Bidar - Gulbarga - Bijapur - Badami - Aihole - Pattadakal - Hospet - Hampi - Gokarna - Goa - Mumbai. -
Dress Code
Casual. Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, hat
Tour Plan
per person
1
DAY 1 - HYDERABAD
On arrival stay at Taj Krishna hotel and spend a relaxing day at leisure.
2
DAY 2 - HYDERABAD
Explore this wondrous capital, a 400 year-old metropolitan city teeming with bustling-bazaars and Muslim monuments.
3
DAY 3 - HYDERABAD
Morning excursion to Golconda Fort, once famed for its diamond mines it is the site of a strategic fort standing atop an isolated hill which dates back to the 13th century.
4
DAY 4 - HYDERABAD - BIDAR - GULBARGA
Morning transfer by road to Gulbarga enroute visiting Bidar a tiny district steeped in history. On arrival into Gulbarga check-in at Sun International Hotel.
5
DAY 5 - GULBARGA - BIJAPUR
Morning tour of Gulbarga. A Hindu city before the Muhammadan conquest, Gulbarga is a unique synthesis of two cultures. Afternoon drive to Bijapur and check-in at Hotel Shashinag Residency.
6
DAY 6 - BIJAPUR
Explore Bijapur which has the second largest tomb in the world.
7
DAY 7 - BIJAPUR - BADAMI
Morning drive to Badami and check-in at Hotel Badami Court. Badami also known as Vatapi, is rich with Hindu and Jain temples carved out of sandstone hills.
8
DAY 8 - BADAMI - AIHOLE - PATTADAKAL - BADAMI
Full day excursion to the elaborate temples at Aihole & Pattadakal.
9
DAY 9 - BADAMI - HOSPET
Morning drive to Hospet and check-in at the Malligi Hotel.
10
DAY 10 - HOSPET - HAMPI - HOSPET
A day discovering the ruins at Hampi, once the capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire, an Imperial city to rival Rome with its palaces, temples and sculptures.
11
DAY 11 - HOSPET - GOKARNA
Morning drive to final destination of Gokarna, with its endless beaches and swaying palms. On arrival at Gokarna check-in at SwaSwara.
12
DAY 12 - GOKARNA
Day at leisure for yoga & Ayurveda treatments.
13
DAY 13 - GOKARNA - GOA - MUMBAI
Late morning transfer by road to Goa airport for afternoon flight to Mumbai. On arrival transfer to Taj Lands End hotel.
14
DAY 14 - DEPART MUMBAI
Transfer to the airport to connect to onward destination.
From Our Gallery
1
DAY 1 - HYDERABAD
On arrival stay at Taj Krishna hotel and spend a relaxing day at leisure.
2
DAY 2 - HYDERABAD
Explore this wondrous capital, a 400 year-old metropolitan city teeming with bustling-bazaars and Muslim monuments.
3
DAY 3 - HYDERABAD
Morning excursion to Golconda Fort, once famed for its diamond mines it is the site of a strategic fort standing atop an isolated hill which dates back to the 13th century.
4
DAY 4 - HYDERABAD - BIDAR - GULBARGA
Morning transfer by road to Gulbarga enroute visiting Bidar a tiny district steeped in history. On arrival into Gulbarga check-in at Sun International Hotel.
5
DAY 5 - GULBARGA - BIJAPUR
Morning tour of Gulbarga. A Hindu city before the Muhammadan conquest, Gulbarga is a unique synthesis of two cultures. Afternoon drive to Bijapur and check-in at Hotel Shashinag Residency.
6
DAY 6 - BIJAPUR
Explore Bijapur which has the second largest tomb in the world.
7
DAY 7 - BIJAPUR - BADAMI
Morning drive to Badami and check-in at Hotel Badami Court. Badami also known as Vatapi, is rich with Hindu and Jain temples carved out of sandstone hills.
8
DAY 8 - BADAMI - AIHOLE - PATTADAKAL - BADAMI
Full day excursion to the elaborate temples at Aihole & Pattadakal.
9
DAY 9 - BADAMI - HOSPET
Morning drive to Hospet and check-in at the Malligi Hotel.
10
DAY 10 - HOSPET - HAMPI - HOSPET
A day discovering the ruins at Hampi, once the capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire, an Imperial city to rival Rome with its palaces, temples and sculptures.
11
DAY 11 - HOSPET - GOKARNA
Morning drive to final destination of Gokarna, with its endless beaches and swaying palms. On arrival at Gokarna check-in at SwaSwara.
12
DAY 12 - GOKARNA
Day at leisure for yoga & Ayurveda treatments.
13
DAY 13 - GOKARNA - GOA - MUMBAI
Late morning transfer by road to Goa airport for afternoon flight to Mumbai. On arrival transfer to Taj Lands End hotel.
14
DAY 14 - DEPART MUMBAI
Transfer to the airport to connect to onward destination.
