UNITED COLORS OF KARNATAKA
Banglore, Karnataka
Day 1: ARRIVAL
Upon arrival at Bangalore international airport, you will be met by our representative who will assist you with the arrival transfer and check in formalities at the hotel.
Day 2: BANGALORE CITY TOUR
Today after breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Bangalore.
Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens: is considered to be one of the most diverse botanical gardens in South Asia. This garden was laid by Tipu Sultan's father Haider Ali in the year 1740. Many of the tropical plants present in this garden were brought here by Tipu Sultan himself. A wonderful flower show is held in this place every year. The floral clock surrounded by snow white and the seven dwarfs is also a major attraction of this place.
Bull temple: is one of the oldest temples in Bangalore. The temple is dedicated to Nandi, the bull, which is the mount of Lord Shiva. Nandi, the awesome monolithic deity of the Bull Temple, attracts visitors, tourists and devotees from all parts of the country and outside the country as well. With a height of 4.5 m and 6 m long, the statue is carved out of a single granite rock and is older than the temple in which it is housed.
Bengaluru Palace: The Palace was built by a Wodeyar King in 1887 on the 400 acre space. Inspired by the Windsor castle, this palace was built in the Tudor style, complete with Gothic windows, foiled windows, battlements and turrets resembling the Daria Daulat Palace in Srirangapatanam, this summer palace has been constructed largely of wood and is famous for its carving and paintings. The special attraction is a gallery of nearly a thousand historical photos, including those of viceroys, maharajas and other famous personalities inside and exquisite carvings and paintings.
Vidhan Soudha is a noble building built exclusively of dressed Bangalore granite. The building is constructed entirely on the Indian style of architecture. All the four corners have four domes. The main entranceway is eclipsed by the four headed lion. The lion is the symbolic representation of Indian sovereignty. The Vidhan Soudha has twenty two departments and three hundred rooms. The construction of the building was started in the year 1952. It took more than five thousand manual laborers, 1500 scammers, masons and wood carvers and 4 years to complete the building.
High Court located in Bangalore is also known as Attara Kacheri, literal meaning being eighteen offices. The High Court is situated opposite to the Vidhan Soudha in Cubbon Park. The High Court was instituted in the year 1884 under the Mysore High Court Act. Till the year 1973 it was known as the Mysore High Court.
Return back to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 3: BANGALORE- MYSORE (By: Surface)
After breakfast you will be driven to Mysore (approx 140 Kms/ 3- 4 Hrs drive). The picturesque view of the countryside will make your drive to Mysore a remarkable one.
Upon arrival transfer and check in at the hotel and later in the afternoon proceed for the sightseeing of
Srirangapatna Fort: also called as Tipu’s palace is one of the most popular monuments in India. The architecture of the palace is a mix of Indo-Islamic style and the huge Persian inscription on the entrance gate embodies the date on which the fort was constructed, i.e 1537. This fort has ‘Lal Mahal’ which was the then residence of the most audacious king of Mysore, Tipu Sultan. The fort was built in a double wall defense system and has four entrances, namely – Delhi, Bangalore, Mysore & Water and Elephant gates. The two dungeons located at the lower chambers of the fort are a must visit. These dungeons were used to detain the British soldiers who were arrested. Srirangapatna Fort also houses a mosque and the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna that is famous for its gopurams and thick fort-like walls. Various paintings like ‘The storming of Seringapattam’ by Sir Robert Ker can be found on the walls. The paintings depicting the glorious victory of Tipu Sultan over British, also adorn the walls.
Return back to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 4: MYSORE
Today after breakfast proceed for city tour of beautiful city of stately palaces, gardens, parks and museums called Mysore.
Visit Mysore Palace: (Amba Vilas Palace), known also as the Main Palace, is one among the major attractions of Mysore. The Mysore Palace of today is the fourth palace constructed on the same site. The re-construction of the present day Mysore Palace took place between years 1897 – 1912. It was an English architect, Mr. Henry Irwin, who gave an aesthetic combination of Dravidian, Indo-Saracenic, Oriental and Roman styles of architecture to Mysore Palace. The Mysore Palace is a three storey stone-building built with grey granite that has three pink marble domes. There is a 44.2 meter high five storey tower that dominates the palace. The domes of this tower are gilded in gold.
Chamundi Hills: one of the prime attractions of Mysore, is also an acclaimed landmark of the destination. Chamundi Hills is located at an altitude of 1065 meters above sea level, to the south-east of Mysore city. The Chamundeshwari Temple, atop Chamundi Hills, is the temple of the patron Goddess of Wodeyars, Chamundeshwari, an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi. This temple can be dated back to the 11th century. The temple was renovated in the year 1827 by the Kings of Mysore.
Also enjoy the colorful and aromatic spice markets of Mysore. Afternoon, proceed for your visit to Mysore Zoo: is considered as one of the best zoological gardens in India as it is home to diverse species of mammals, birds and reptiles. Mysore Zoo plays an active role as it is involved in the captive breeding programme for the endangered species and also in other conservation activities. Mysore Zoo acts as an ‘orphanage’ to rear abandoned animals like young apes, calves of elephants and gaur, and cubs of tigers and leopards.
Later enjoy the beautiful and exquisitely illuminated Brindavan Gardens: which is located below the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam, and is popularly known by the name KRS. Krishnaraja Sagar Dam or Kannambadi, which was named after Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, was constructed during 1924 – 1932 by Sir M. Vishveswariah. Brindavan Gardens is spread over sixty acres. The Shalimar Gardens of Kashmir was the model for Brindavan Gardens. Brindavan Gardens has beautiful lawns, flower beds, shrubs, trees and
numerous pools and fountains. Brindavan Gardens looks beautiful during the evenings when the whole garden is lit up with colorful gorgeous cascading fountains.
Return back to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 5: MYSORE- HASSAN (Surface)
After breakfast you will be driven towards Hassan (approx 145 Kms/ 3- 4 hrs drive) Enroute visiting Belur and Halebid temples.
Belur: is famous for its temple complex which is one of its kinds and has the very famous Chennakesava temple and a temple dedicated to Kappe Chennigraya. These temples are pinnacles of architectural splendor, and they are intricately designed structures. The sculptures present in these temples depict scenes from the ancient times and give us glimpses into the culture of the Hoysala Empire. The Vijayanagara kings added a fair amount of their architecture to these temples too, in the forms of huge archways in the entrance.
Also visit temple at Halebid which was once the capital of Hoysala dynasty. Hoysaleswara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was begun in the middle of 12th century. The Hoysaleswara temple is a sculptural marvel, made as standing on a platform enriched with most finely detailed scrollwork in stone. This star-shaped temple is a pair of two similar temples with separate sanctuaries and mandapams next to each other. Outside there is a Nandi (Bull), the chariot of Shiva, and a hilltop, in which the Palace stood, connected to the temple by a passageway.
Later drive towards Hassan (approx 30 Kms/ 1 hr), upon arrival in Hassan, transfer and check in at the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 6: HASSAN- HOSPET (Surface)
After breakfast you will be driven towards Hospet (Approx 280 Kms/ 6-7 hrs drive). Upon arrival in Hospet, transfer and check in at the hotel. After this long road journey, rest of the day is free at leisure, overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 7: HOSPET
After breakfast you will be taken to the place where history unveils her beauty and the place is called Hampi (approx 15 Kms, one way).
Hampi, the city of ruins and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the major historical places of South India. Once upon a time, it was the royal capital of the dominant Vijayanagara Empire. It is presently a ruined town with full of ancient palaces and forts. Hampi was constructed by Harihara and Ukka in 1336 AD and was noted for wonderful palaces, holy temples, gigantic forts, markets, big pavilions, and stables of royal elephants. It is a hub of many monuments, nearly 500 in number and each of which has a story to tell. It's a case of a wonderful past history reaching the pinnacle of splendor and then faltering to a decline of non-maintenance and utter neglect. It is, however, a thriving paradise for tourists. The area of Hampi is surrounded by the passionate river Tungabhadra in north and other three sides by rough rocky granite stones. There is a miraculous worth to the ruins of Hampi even after 650 years after the empire of Krishna - Devaraya has been forgotten into history.
Return back to the hotel in Hospet for overnight stay.
Day 8: HOSPET- BADAMI (Surface)
After breakfast you will be driven towards Badami (approx 140 Kms/ 4- 5 Hrs drive).
Upon arrival in Badami, transfer and check in at the hotel, later in the afternoon proceed for the sightseeing of Badami caves. These caves are very old from the days of Chalukyas. There are in all 4 cave temples in Badami. They are carved from a hill which is opposite the fort of Badami. Three caves represent the Brahmanical style. The fourth one follows the Jain style. Nearly 2000 steps should be climbed in order to reach the cave. The first cave has Shiva as Natraja with eighteen arms and he is seen in 81 dancing postures. Lord Vishnu is the holy deity of the second cave and is evidenced as a dwarf or Trivikrama. The third cave has Vishnu evidenced in many forms. The fourth cave is devoted to Jain Thirthankaras.
Return back to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 9: BADAMI
Today after breakfast proceed for the sightseeing of the Pattadakkal and Aihole temples.
Pattadakkal is a World Heritage Center and is 29 km away from Badami. It is located on the left bank of the river Malaprabha. The Chalukya period was the golden era of Pattadakkal which was during the 7th and 8th centuries. The prime attractors of the city are the Virupaksha temple and Banashankari temple. The Virupaksha temple is confined in a large quad which is surrounded by small cells. It has a monolithic gateway and several inscriptions are inscribed on it.
Aihole is a historical place and is known as the birthplace of Hindu stone architecture. It is a town located on the west side of Badami, situated to the east of Pattadakal along the Malaprabha River. It has more than 125 temples in all. Aihole is known the playground of architecture. Distinctive characteristics which are unparalleled to early Western Chalukya architecture include mortarless fabrication with stress on length and not on width or height. Roofs are flat with richly cut up ceilings.
Return back to the hotel in Badami for overnight stay.
DAY 10: BADAMI-DANDELI (Surface)
After leisurely breakfast at the hotel, today you will be driven towards Dandeli (approx 150 Kms/ 4- 5 hrs drive).
Dandeli Forest reserve is regarded as one of the largest forest reserve in the country. Nestling some very rare animal and birds is an unspoilt, untouched and unexplored treasure of wildlife that is sure to leave anyone spellbound. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary abounds with a richness of Flora and Fauna. Its richness and diversity offers ample opportunities to nature lovers to enjoy the captivating landscape. The sanctuary is generally undulating with steep slopes with picturesque deep river valleys and rich hilly forest terrain. The breathtaking valleys, regal looking meandering rivers and the splendid scenic beauty of the syntheri rock make it an awe inspiring experience. The forest in Dandeli is typical moist deciduous and semi evergreen types, with pockets of every green.
Upon arrival in Dandeli, transfer and check in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay in hotel
DAY 11: DANDELI
After breakfast proceed for a jungle safari and the nature walk which will give you the scope to enjoy the nature and its beautiful elements. Lunch at the resort, later in the afternoon proceed for jungle safari.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel
DAY 12: DANDELI- GOA (Surface)
Today after breakfast you will be driven towards Goa (approx 125 Kms/ 3- 4 hrs drive).
Upon arrival in Goa, transfer and check in at the hotel, rest of the day is free to enjoy the sand and sand destination called- Goa.
Overnight at the hotel
DAY 13: GOA
Breakfast at the hotel, Day free to enjoy and explore beaches and wonderful view of Arabian Sea,
Overnight stay at the hotel
DAY 14: GOA- DEPARTURE
Today in time transfer to airport to connect flight for onward destination
**Tour End**