Luxury
Holidays » Classical South India with Goa
Classical South India with Goa
| Duration:
16 Nights / 17 Days
Destinations: Mumbai - Hyderabad - Chennai - Mahabalipuram
- Mysore - Bangalore - Hampi - Bijapur - Goa - Mumbai |
Day 1 Mumbai: Its young, its lively and a confluence of varied
cultural currents and cross currents have given Mumbai a unique position of the
most multi-ethnic city of India. The capital city of Maharashtra State formerly
known as Bombay lies in the southwestern part of India and occupies a peninsular
site originally composed of seven islets lying off the KONKAN COAST of western
India. Oozing withthe cocksure self-confidence of a maverick moneymaker
and
"Bindass" (carefree) attitude, Mumbai is also country's financial and
commercial hub and has a principal port on the Arabian Sea.
Yet, there's
another face of Mumbai too that is of the most densely populated cities in the
world. Mumbai is located on a site of ancient settlement and took its name from
the local Goddess "Mumba" - a form of Parvati, the consort of Shiva,
one of the principal Gods of Hinduism - whose temple once stood in what is now
the southeastern section of the Mumbai city.
Company representative
will meet you at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Relax for the
day and overnight will be at Mumbai.
Day 2 Mumbai:
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.
Spend the night at Mumbai.
Day 3 Hyderabad: Breakfast will be at the hotel.
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.
Overnight will be in Hyderabad.
Day 4 Hyderabad: Proceed for a full day excursion to
Golconda Fort after breakfast.
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.
Overnight
will be at Hyderabad.
Day 5 Chennai: Breakfast will
be at the hotel.
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: (Mahabalipuram
excursion) After breakfast, we take full day excursion of Mahabalipuram.
A few miles south of Chennai, at Mahabalipuram, on the sandy shores
of the Bay of Bengal, a beautiful group of rock-cut monuments evokes the past.
Seventh-century carvings of the Pallava dynasty include a series of freestanding
boulders carved to resemble small temples and animals. Rock - cut caves and a
masterful stone bas-relief are nearby. The 'Penance of Arjuna' relief, cut on
two huge rocks, shows scores of figures of deities, people and animals including,
according to one interpretation, the emaciated figure of Arjuna, the great warrior
of the Mahabharata, standing on one leg and doing penance, praying to Lord Shiva
for the strength to destroy his enemies. Sadhus of today perform this exact act
of sacrificial devotion. On the adjacent beach stands one of South India's oldest
temples, the Shore Temple, its foundations washed for twelve centuries by the
frothy sea.
In the evening return back to hotel. Overnight will be at
the hotel in Chennai.
Day 7 Mysore: Early morning board
the train for Mysore. Breakfast will be served on the train.
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.
Overnight will be in Mysore.
Day 8 Mysore: Proceed
after breakfast for a 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.
Overnight will be at Mysore.
Day 9 Bangalore: After breakfast, we drive towards
Bangalore.
On the way we visit Srirangapatnam, 16 km 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 Tipu's airy summer palace and his tomb at the Darya Daulat Bagh
(Garden).
Also visit Sri Ranganatha Temple.
Overnight will
be at Bangalore.
Day 10 Bangalore: Breakfast will be at the hotel.
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. Utilize rest of the day in
shopping or personal activities.
Overnight will be at Bangalore.
Day 11 Hampi: Breakfast will be at the hotel.
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.
Check in at the hotel in Hospet
(12 km from Hampi). Rest of the day at your discretion or you can explore group
of monuments at Hampi.
Day 12 Hampi: Breakfast will
be at the hotel.
Explore the wealthy monuments of Hampi. In the evening
return back to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 13: Bijapur:
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
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.
Overnight will be at the Bijapur.
Day 14 Goa:
After break fast we proceed to Goa. Arrive and check in hotel. For the day
you are free to relax.
Overnight will be in Goa.
Day 15
Goa: 
Breakfast
will be at the hotel.
We start our half-day sightseeing tour from the
slopes of Altinho Hill for a breathtaking view of Panjim and river Mandovi. Then
drive 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 will be at leisure.
Overnight will be at Goa.
Day 16 Goa: Explore the
beaches during the day. Overnight will be in Goa.
Day 17 Mumbai:
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.
Tour Ends
Classical South India with Goa
Reservation Form 
