DRAVIDIAN TRAIL
16 Nights / 17 Days
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HYDERABAD – BIJAPUR – BADAMI – HOSPET – HAMPI – HOSPET –
HASSAN – NAGARHOLE – MYSORE - BANGALORE
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DAY 01 HYDERABAD
Arrival at Hyderabad. You will be greeted and assisted at the Airport by GITC representative and transferred to hotel.

Hyderabad, city of Pearls, was once the seat of the mighty Vijayanagar Empire. Across town from all this sheen is the old Muslim quarter, with centuries old Islamic monuments and even older charms. An important center of Islamic culture, Hyderabad is Southern India’s counterpart to the Mughal splendour of Delhi, Agra & Fatehpur Sikri. A sizable percentage of Hyderabad’s population is Muslim. Overnight at Amrutha Castle.

DAY 02 HYDERABAD
After breakfast, proceed for a sightseeing tour of the city. Visit Birla Mandir. View the magnificent Charminar square edifice of granite, Golconda Fort – a 16th century fortress which dates from the time of the Qutb Shah kings.
 
 

Afternoon, visit Salar Jung Museum, shopping at Laad Bazaar before visiting Lumbini Park for boating on Hussain Sagar Lake to get a closer look at the mighty Buddha statue. Overnight at Amrutha Castle.

DAY 03 HYDERABAD – BIJAPUR [300 KMS. / 9 HRS]
After breakfast, check out and drive to Bijapur. En route visit Gulbarga Fort. Within the ramparts of the fort, there is an imposing mosque, which resembles the great mosque of Cordova in Spain.
Bijapur, the city founded by the Chalukyas has tombs and dargahs. Gol Gumbaz, the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah, has superb acoustics. The town has an architectural character strongly influenced by the Adil Shahi dynasty of Turkish origin that held power until 1686. Check in at hotel. Afternoon, visit Gol Gumbaz & Jumma Masjid - one of the oldest mosques in India.
Overnight at Madhuvan International.

DAY 04 BIJAPUR – BADAMI [130 KMS. / 4 HRS]
After breakfast checkout and drive to Badami. En route visit Pattadakal and Aihole.
Aihole, north of Hampi has over 125 temples. Located on the banks of the Malaprabha River, this place is acclaimed as the cradle of Hindu temple architecture and was the regional capital of the Chalukyas between the 4th and 6th centuries. Pattadakal, a world heritage centre, has 10 major temples that display the successive Dravidian temple architecture and traces of North Indian Nagara style.
Badami near Aihole, has a fort and cave temples. Set in beautiful countryside at the foot of a red sandstone ridge, the charming village of Badami was once the capital of the Chalukya Empire from 4th to 8th century. Check in at hotel. Overnight at Badami Court.

DAY 05 BADAMI – HOSPET [138 KMS. / 4HRS]
After breakfast, checkout and drive to Hospet. En route visit the cave temples of Badami.
Hospet was a satellite town built during the reign of Krishnadevaraya. This is a typical county town of Karnataka situated 13 Kms. from Hampi and is used by many people who come to see the Vijaynagar ruins at Hampi. Check in at hotel. Overnight at Hotel Malligi.

DAY 06 HOSPET – HAMPI – HOSPET
After breakfast, go for a tour of Hampi.
Hampi was once the seat of the great Vijayanagar Empire and centre of Hindu rule for over 200 years from its foundation in 1336. Although in ruins today, this capital city once boasted riches known far beyond the shores of India. The ruins of Hampi of the 14th Century lies scattered in about 26 sq. km area, amidst giant boulders and vegetation.

Full day sightseeing of Hampi covers Virupaksha Temple, one of the city’s oldest structures; Vitthal Temple, Lotus Mahal – an amazing synthesis of Hindu & Islamic styles construction; Sule Bazaar, Achyutaraya Temple, Royal Centre, Elephant Stables & Queen’s Bath. Overnight at Hotel Malligi.

DAY 07 HOSPET – HASSAN [350 Km/8 hrs]
After breakfast, checkout and drive to Hassan.
194 Kms. from Bangalore is the headquarters town of Hassan. This clam and peaceful town is a convenient base to visit Sravanabelagola, Belur & Halebid. Check in at hotel. Overnight at Southern Star.

DAY 08 HASSAN
After breakfast, visit Belur & Halebid.
Belur, 38 km from Hassan is known as the Dakshina Varanasi or Southern Banaras. The serenity of Belur is attributed to the celebrated temple of Chennakeshava belonging to 1117 AD built by Hoysala kings. Halebid is 17 km from Belur and was known as Dwara Samudra, the wealthy capital of the Hoysalas. Halebid has several strikingly beautiful Hoysala temples and Jain shrines. Overnight at Southern Star.

DAY 09 HASSAN – MADIKERI [150 KM/5 HRS]
After breakfast, check out and drive to Madikeri.
252 Kms. from Bangalore and 1525 m above sea level lies Madikeri, the district headquarters of Kodagu. Dubbed as the Scotland of India, this town has a lot to offer. Misty hills, lush forests, acres and acres of tea and coffee plantations, undulating streets and breathtaking views are what make Madikeri an unforgettable holiday destination. Check in at hotel for 02 nights. Overnight at Coorg International.

DAY 10 MADIKERI
After breakfast, proceed for a sightseeing of Madikeri.
Visit Madikeri Fort - this 19th century fort was once the scene of many a fierce battle; Abbey Falls and Nisargadhama – known for its calm, serene beauty. This place is an ideal picnic spot visited by hundreds of tourists. Overnight at Coorg International.

DAY 11 MADIKERI
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at leisure /free to explore this hill station. Overnight at Coorg International.

DAY 12 MADIKERI – NAGARHOLE [70 KMS. / 1 ½ HRS]
After breakfast, you will checkout and drive to Nagarhole.
This 643 sq km wildlife sanctuary is in an isolated pocket of the Kodagu region, 93 km southwest of Mysore. The lush forest is more attractive than Bandipur’s scrubby vegetation, and animal sightings are more common. In addition to the elephants, the park also has gaur, four horned antelope, sloth bears, and monkeys. Check in at the resort. Overnight at Kabani River Lodge.

DAY 13 NAGARHOLE
After breakfast, take a coracle ride through the serene backwaters of the Kabini River followed by jeep safari at the park to see animals. Afternoon, elephant ride in the jungle. Evening bird watch at Korapur forest. Overnight at Kabani River Lodge.

DAY 14 NAGARHOLE – MYSORE [80 KMS. / 2 HRS]
After breakfast, check out and drive to Mysore.
Mysore was the capital of Wodeyar kingdom and is still one of the finest cities of Southern India. It is a small, easygoing, sandalwood country, a craft-crazy city, with friendly people going about their business in a city of gardens, tree-lined boulevards, art galleries and a palace. Check in at hotel. Overnight at Regaalis.

DAY 15 MYSORE
After breakfast. Proceed to Somnathpur, one of the most famous Hoysala Temples. The temple is in excellent condition, has frescoed exteriors with episodes from the epics.
Afternoon, sightseeing tour of Mysore covering Chamundi hill – a popular tourist and pilgrimage centre which is topped by the huge Chamundeswari temple; Maharaja's Palace; the magnificent three-storied structure which was once the residence of the erstwhile rulers of Mysore and biggest of its kind in India and Deva raja Market. Overnight at Regaalis.

DAY 16 MYSORE - BANGALORE [140 KMS. / 4 HRS]
After breakfast, check out and drive to Bangalore. En route visit Ranganathittu bird sanctuary and Srirangapatnam; the capital of the warrior King Hyder Ali & his son Tipu Sultan.
Bangalore, often referred, as the ‘Garden City’ is known for its beautifully laid out parks and gardens, wide tree lined avenues and imposing buildings. The main attractions are Vidhana Soudha building – which houses both the State Legislature and the Secretariat; Cubbon Park and Museums, Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, Tipu Sultan’s Palace and Bull temple. Check in at hotel. Overnight at A.J. International.

DAY 17 BANGALORE
On time transfer to Bangalore Airport to connect flight for onward destination.


                                                         Tour Concludes!


HOTELS ( click on the links below for details )

Standard : Amrutha Castle (Hyderabad) | Madhuvan International (Bijapur) | Badami Court (Badami) | Hotel Malligi (Hospet) | Southern Star (Hassan) | Coorg International (Madikeri) | Kabani River Lodge (Nagarhole) | Regaalis (Mysore) | A.J. International (Bangalore)

Deluxe : Kakatiya Sheraton (Hyderabad) | Madhuvan International (Bijapur) | Hotel Malligi (Badami) | Hampi’s Boulder Resort (Hospet) | Hoysala Village (Hassan) | Orange County (Madikeri) | The King’s Sanctuary (Nagarhole) | Lalitha Mahal Palace (Mysore) | St. Mark's (Bangalore)

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INCLUSIONS:
• 16 nights accommodation in double room on twin sharing basis on BB plan.
• All transfers, sightseeing and excursions as per the itinerary in A/c medium car.
• Service of a local English speaking guide wherever applicable.
• Entrance tickets.
• Arrival & departure assistance.
• All currently applicable taxes (any Govt. or State taxes subsequently introduced will be extra.)

EXCLUSIONS:
• Expenses of a personal nature such as hard/soft drinks, still/video camera fees at monuments, laundry, phone/fax, tips & gratuities, travel insurance and any items not specified above.
• Any meals, accommodation or services not mentioned in the itinerary, hotel list or ‘includes’ list.
• Flight tickets.
• Any increase in fuel costs.


     
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