DECCAN PLATEAU TOUR

11 Nights / 12 Days

Take an exciting road trip from Chennai to Goa via bustling Bangalore, cool Mysore, the hills of Hassan, the caves of Badami, and into the smallest but most popular state amongst tourists - Goa - where endless beaches and fantastic food await you.

Itinerary Route: Hyderabad - Gulbarga - Bijapur - Badami – Hospet - Hassan - Mysore - Bangalore

Day 1: Arrival Hyderabad

Upon your arrival in Hyderabad, you will be met by a Tour Packages India Representative who will escort you to your hotel where you'll spend the next two nights.

Day 2: Hyderabad

Spend the day sightseeing. Hyderabad has a rich history and some exquisite architecture. Check out "Local Attractions" for a comprehensive list of Hyderabad tourist highlights.

Day 3: Hyderabad to Gulbarga via Bidar (214 km / 5 hour drive)

Bidar (elev. 2,200 ft) rests on a plateau overlooking the Manjira River Valley. Home to the largest Sikh temple in Karnataka, its main attraction is the Bidar Fort built in the 8th century. Another site of interest is the Madrassa of Mahmud Gawan and the Chowbara, which is a 71 feet-tall tower located in the center of town from where one can see the entire city. After your Bidar visit, continue on to Gulbarga where you'll spend the night.

Day 4: Gulbarga to Bijapur (140 km / 3 hour drive)

Spend the morning touring Gulbarga stopping off at the Indo-Saracenic style tomb of the great Sufi saint, Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah. Also view the famous Gulbarga Fort before continuing on Bijapur.

Day 5: Bijapur to Badami (100 km / 2 hour drive)

Drive to Badami where you'll spend the next two nights.

Day 6: Badami

Spend the entire day sightseeing (Refer to "Local Attractions").

Day 7: Badami to Hampi/Hospet (190 km / 4 hour drive)

After breakfast and check-out you'll be driven to Hampi, the medieval capital of the Hindu empire Vijayanagara (the City of Victory). With more than 500 monuments dotting the surrounding area, Hampi is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among those included are beautiful temples, basement of palaces, remains of aquatic structures, ancient market streets, royal pavilions, bastions, royal platforms, treasury buildings plus many more. Hampi has long been known as a backpackers paradise.

Day 8: Hospet/Hampi

Hampi is the medieval capital of the Hindu empire Vijayanagara (the City of Victory). With more than 500 monuments dotting the surrounding area, Hampi occupies a place among UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Included are beautiful temples, basement of palaces, remains of aquatic structures, ancient market streets, royal pavilions, bastions, royal platforms, treasury buildings plus many more. Hampi has long been known as a backpackers paradise.

Day 9: Hospet to Hassan (262 km / 6 hour drive)

Drive to Hassan after breakfast Take a tour of Belur and Halebid, home to more exquisitely carved temples from the 12th and 13th centuries. Belur is famous for its Hoysala architecture - the Temple of Lord Channakeshava is embellished with carvings that have few equals in the world. The front of the temple is adorned with intricate sculptures, friezes with elephants, sensuous dancers and episodes from the epics..

Day 10: Hassan to Mysore (140 km / 4 hour drive)

After breakfast, check-out and drive down to Mysore - the capital city of Karnataka which has always enchanted with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples. There's an old world charm about the city that brings tourists back year after year. Spend the afternoon sightseeing making Mysore Palace your first stop. Built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades, the palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from different parts of the globe. Try to arrange to be there on Sunday when the Palace lights up at night with 97,000 light bulbs!

Day 11: Mysore

Mysore has always enchanted with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples. There's an old world charm about the city that brings tourists back time after time. Make Mysore Palace your first stop. Built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades, the palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from different parts of the globe. Try to arrange to be there on Sunday when the Palace lights up at night with 97,000 lightbulbs! )

Another "don't miss" is St. Philomena's Church - one of the largest cathedrals in India and constructed in medieval architectural style. Also, Jaganmohan Palace - another favorite - was converted into an art gallery in 1875 and exhibits paintings which date back to that period. The artists of that time used natural vegetable and mineral dyes and the famous traditional Mysore 'gold leaf ' paintings are also exhibited in the gallery. Spend the night.

Take a trip up Chamundi Hill to view the grande monolithic bull statue, Nandi, as well as the 2,000 year old Chamundi Hill Temple. A 7-story, 40 meter high tower dominates the temple and offers panoramic views of the city.

Day 12: Mysore to Bangalore

Finish the tour with a very beautiful scenic drive up to Bangalore to your departure point.

Extend or Customize Your Tour: We would be happy to assist with additional travel and hotel arrangements. Changes to this tour can be added as an inclusive part of the package.

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