India's Great Divide is the
Vindhya Mountains. They run from east to west, separating the
fertile river valley of the Ganges called the Ganga, from the
Deccan Plateau which occupies much of the peninsula of India. It
also separates the north, where the predominant languages are
Sanskrit - based (brought in by the Indo Iranian herds people
about 3,500 years ago), from the Dravidian tongues brought in by
a long headed race from the Mediterranean about a thousand years
earlier. The South India's coastal plains are backed by the
mountains rimming the wedge of the Deccan plateau. On these
plains lie the best beaches in South India. On the rimming
mountains, the western and eastern ghats are the tea, coffee and
spice lands. Beyond these mountains, in the wedge shaped
plateau, are great old cities supported by rich farm lands and a
culture that has its roots in the almost historical Kumari
Continent from where, they claim, civilization spread across the
world. The south is gracious, graceful, Old India.
The delightful south; almost untouched by invasions throughout
its history, the Indian heritage is more intact here than in
other regions of the country.
Morning flight to
Bangalore and proceed to the palace city of Mysore.
Stay three nights at the Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel.
Day - 02 & 3
Mysore
Over the next two days
explore Mysore and the surrounding area. Places of
interest in Mysore include the Maharaja’s Palace.
Outside Mysore visit the ruins of Tipu sultan’s
capital at Srirangapatna, and the Kesava temple at
Somnathpur.
Day - 04
Mysore – Chikmagalur
Today visit the Jain
pilgrimage site at Sravanabelagola, noted for its 17
metre high image of Lord Gomateshvara, which is cut
intothe rock of Indragiri hill. Continue to
Chikmangalur to stay for two nights at the Taj
Garden Retreat.
Day - 05
Chikmagalur
Visit the temples at
Belur and Halebid, which are renowned for their fine
sculptures.
Day - 06
Chikmagalur – Hospet
Travel north to Hospet
your base from which to visit hampi. Stay for three
nights at the Malligi Tourist Home.
Day - 07 & 8
Hampi
Explore the exceptional
ruins at Hampi.
Day - 09
Hospet – Badami
Drive across the Deccan
Plateau to Badami, dramatically sited in a gorge
between two sandstone hills. In the afternoon visit
South Fort famous for its 6th century cave temples
carved in to the sandstone cliffs. Stay two nights
at the Badami Court hotel.
Day - 10
Badami
From Badami visit the
remarkable temples at Aihole and Pattadakal. Aihole
was the first Chalukyan capital and is regarded as
the birthplace of Indian temple architecture.
Day - 11
Badami – Goa
Leave early this
morning for the beautiful drive over the Western
Ghats to Goa to stay for three nights at the Taj
Exotica (villa room) overlooking the Arabian Sea.
Day - 12 & 13 Badami – Goa
At leisure. If you tire
of lazing on the beach then Old Goa, the spiritual
heart of Portuguese Goa is worth Visiting.
Day - 14
Goa – Mumbai
Today transfer to the
airport for your return flight to Mumbai.
For
other tours in Karnataka, Please send us your
requirements to
tours@akshayaindia.com . we
will contact you with the customized tour itinerary based on
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