SOUTH INDIA WITH GOA TOURS
Duration
: 17 Days
Places Covered : Mumbai - Hyderabad - Chennai -
Mysore - Bangalore - Hampi - Bijapur - Bangalore - Goa - Mumbai
Day
1: Mumbai A fitting place to start.
On arrival - met,
assisted and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day at your discretion.
Day 2: Mumbai The city of dreams.
For the day
visit Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Hanging Gardens on the
slopes of Malabar Hills offering nice view of Marine Lines & Chowpatty
Beach, Kamla Nehru Park, Mani Bhawan (where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay) and
then to Dhobi Ghat. Also visit Afgan Church, Flora Fountain (Bombay nerve
centre), Colourful Crawford Market and Marine Drive.
Day 3:
Hyderabad Nijams rich legacy.
You will be transferred to
Hyderabad by flight. After lunch, we visit the Charminar- rectangular four
arched monumental gate often described as "The Arch of Triumph of the
East", the Mecca Mosque and Salar Jung Museum - one man's collection of
manuscripts, ancient weapons, costumes and curios. Later drive past the High
Court buildings.
Day 4: Hyderabad Uncovering the
Mysteries of Golconda.
Full day excursion to Golconda Fort. Golconda,
once famed for its diamond mines (from which the famous Kohinoor diamond of
the British crown was mined), is the site of a strategic fort dating back to
the 13th century. This invincible fort has an extraordinary acoustical
system and massive battlements. Later visit the Usmansagar Lake- one of the
most beautiful man-made lakes.
Day 5: ChennaiDravidian
Citadel.
From Hyderabad board the flight for Chennai. Arrive and check
in hotel. For the day visit Museum to see the Art & Bronze Gallery.
Drive through the Flower and Fruit Markets, High Court, Fort Museum, Marina
Beach, San Thome Cathedral, The Theosophical Society and Snake Park.
Day
6: Chennai Sacred journey to Tirupati.
After breakfast, we
take full day excursion of Tirupati- one of the most important & the
richest temple of the world. It is famous for the shrine of "Seven
hills" of Tirumala which attract millions of pilgrims from all over
India. Picturesquely situated amidst sacred waterfalls and tanks, the shrine
presents a fine example of early Dravidian art. In front of it is the "Hall
of Pillars" from where an attractive stepped way leads to the temple.
Evening return back to hotel.
Day 7: MysoreSilk &
sandalwood.
Early morning board the train for Mysore. From Railway
station, you will be transferred to hotel. After lunch we take half-day
sight seeing tour of Mysore visiting the palace of the Maharaja built in
1911-12. The palace is a harmonious synthesis of the Hindu and saracenic
styles of architecture with magnificient Archways, Domes, Turrets,
Colonnades and Sculptures.Also visit the Art Gallery, drive upto Chamundi
hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple & panoramic view of Mysore. On your
way back see the Nandi Bull -a monolith structure.
Day
8: Mysore Sublime expressions of stone.
Full day excursion to
Sravanbelagola, Belur and Halebid. At Sravanbelagola, hewn out of a single
rock and visible from a distance of 25 kms is the statue of Lord
Gomteshwara, which is bathed with milk , sandalwood,saffron once every 12
years. The Chennakesava temple of Belur built 900 years ago is an exquisite
example of Hoysala art. Halebid 's 12th century Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara
temples are masterpieces of Hindu art.
Day 9: BangalorePassing
through history.
After breakfast, we drive towards Bangalore. On the
way we visit Srirangapatnam ,16 kms from Mysore. This fort was the
stronghold of Tippu Sultan, son of Hyder Ali. Tippu fought a valiant battle
against the British in 1799 before laying down his life. Among the many fort
buildings till intact are Tippu 's airy summer palace and his tomb at the
Darya Daulat Bagh (Garden). Also visit Sri Ranganatha Temple.
Day
10: BangaloreIndia's silicon valley.
For the first half we
take day sightseeing tour of the "Garden City" which covers the
Lal Bagh having variety of old Trees, Fountains, Lotus, Pools, Terraces and
an assortment of Tropical Herbs and Sub - Tropical Herbs. Also see the
Government Buildings and the Maharaja's Palace. Utilise rest of the day in
shopping or personal activities.
Day
11: Hampi A city that was.
Proceed to Hampi- the erstwhile
capital city of Vijayanagar Empire which had Palaces, Temples and sculptures
spread all over. The city was razed to the ground by the Sultanates of South
in 1565. We Check in hotel at Hospet (12 km from Hampi). Rest of the day at
your discretion or you can explore group of monuments at Hampi.
Day
12: HampiConversation with the monuments.
Whole day we
explore the wealthy monuments of Hampi. Evening return back to hotel for
overnight stay.
Day 13: Bijapur Gol Gumbaz - where
the silence screams.
Buildings to see are Ibrahim Rauza, Gagan Mahal,
Bara Kaman etc. Transfer to Airport for onward flight to Bangalore for
onward journey.
Day
14: Goa Baywatch.
After break fast we proceed to Goa. Arrive
and check in hotel. For the day you are free to relax.
Day 15:
Goa Rome in India.
We start our half-day sightseeing tour
from the slopes of Altinho Hill for a breathtaking view of Panjim and river
Mandovi. Then to Dona-Paula for a view of India's largest natural
harbour-Mormugao. Afterwards we visit old Goa and see the Basillica of Bom
Jesus which contains the tomb & mortal remains of St. Francis Xavierh
housed in a silver ornate casket , Se. Cathedral- the biggest Church in the
East, St. Cajetan- built like St. Peter (Rome), Church of Our Lady Rosary
and St. Monica. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 16: GoaTime
out for leisure.
Whole day free to explore its beaches or to relax.
Day 17: Mumbai A fitting finale.
From Goa board
the flight for Mumbai. Day will be kept free at your discretion till the
time of your departing flight. You'll be transferred to the Airport for
onward flight.
