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South India Cultural Tour

16 Nights / 17 Days to South India Cultural Tour
Mumbai / Hyderabad / Chennai / Mysore / Bangalore / Hampi / Bijapur / 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: Chennai : Dravidian 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: Mysore : Silk & 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: Bangalore : Passing 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: Bangalore : India'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: Hampi : Conversation 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.
Bijapur was the capital of the Adil Shah Kings who left a wealth of monuments. The most famous is the Gol Gumbaz whose dome is the second largest in the world.A whisper into the dome on one side gets magnified 12 times and on the other side of the dome is an amazing acoustical phenomenon.Other buildings to see are Ibrahim Rauza, Gagan Mahal, Bara Kaman etc.

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: Goa : Time 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.

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