Ancient Caves, Architecture, Hill & Backwater

Mumbai

On arrival at Mumbai airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel (hotels check in time 1200hr afternoon, early check in subject to rooms availability). Rest time free for personal activities relax.

Overnight at hotel.

Mumbai

Excursion to Elephanta Island located 10kms away from the Gateway of India. Motorboats take passengers from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island. These caves house rock cut temples dating back to the 5th century BC.

Visit the Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (museum). Marine Drive which runs along the shoreline, starting at Nariman Point and up to Malabar Hill. Hanging Gardens laid out in 1881 these formally laid out gardens have a notable collection of hedges shaped like animals.

Overnight at hotel.

Mumbai - Aurangabad (flight)

As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for Aurangabad.

On arrival at airport assistance and transfer to hotel. Later city tour of Aurangabad, visit the Aurangabad Caves, which are artificial caves that were dug out of soft rock during the 6th and 7th century. Then, visit the Bibi Ka Maqbara - the burial place of Aurangzeb's first wife. Also visit a small archeological museum nearby.

Overnight at hotel.

Aurangabad - Ajanja - Aurangabad (104kms/ 2hrs approx one way)

Breakfast at hotel.Full day excursion to Ajanta Caves (Monday closed). The Buddhist Caves of Ajanta were discovered by the British officers in 1819 while tiger hunting. Ajanta Caves were first mentioned in the writings of the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang who visited India between A.D 629 and 645. The Caves at Ajanta are older than those at Ellora , which date from about 200 B.C to 650 A.D. Thirty beautiful Buddhist Caves with mesmerizing sculptures and paintings depicting Buddha's life as well the lives of the Buddha in his previous births. Five of these Caves are Chaityas (Place of worship) while the other twenty-five are Viharas (monasteries). Ajanta Caves are divided in two categories based on two schools of Buddhist thought - Hinayana Caves and Mahayana Caves.

Evening back to hotel in Aurangabad for overnight stay.

Aurangabad - Hyderabad (flight)

Breakfast at hotel.Excursion to visit the Ellora Caves (Tuesday closed), a UNESCO World Heritage Site from about 200 B.C. to 650 A.D. There are a total of 34 monasteries and temples at Ellora, belonging to the three different religions, namely - Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.

one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines mentioned in the Shiva Purana. The temple is an important pilgrimage site in Shaivism tradition of Hinduism, which considers it as the last or twelfth Jyotirlinga (linga of light).

On way back visit Daulatabad Fort one of the most powerful forts of the medieval Deccan. The defence system that made Daulatabad virtually impregnable comprises fortifications with double and even triple rows of massive walls.

Later transfer to airport to board flight for Hyderabad.

On arrival at Hyderabad airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Hyderabad

explore this wondrous capital, a 400 year-old metropolitan city teeming with bustling-bazaars and Muslim monuments. Visit to Golconda Fort, Qutub Shahi tombs, Salar Jung Museum, Hussain Sagar, Charminar, Grand Mecca Masjid.

Overnight at hotel.

Hyderabad - Vidyanagar/ Hampi (flight)

As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for Vidyanagar.

On arrival at Vidyanagar airport assistance and transfer to hotel in Hampi (35km).Rest time free and easy to relax.

Overnight at hotel.

Hampi

full day to visit Hampi. Nestled within the ruins of medieval city of Vijayanagar, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, Set in a surreal and beautiful boulder-strewn landscape, Vijayanagara (the City of Victory) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although the city was destroyed by marauding Moghul invader’s in the 16th century, much of it remains today. The vast site of monuments and ruins, a mute witness to an ear of glories, triumphs and tragedies. The ruins of Hampi are so majestic and imposing that they leave the visitor totally dumbfounded, awestruck and humbled.
Visit Hazara Rama Temple, King's Balance, Mahanavami Dibba, Royal enclosures, Statue of Ugra Narasimha Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Lotus Mahal & Vithala Temple Complex.

Overnight at hotel.

Hampi - Hassan (330kms/ 7hrs approx)

Breakfast at hotel drive to Hassan, enroute visit Halebedu & Belur temple an excellent example of Hoysala architecture developed under the rule of the Hoysala Empire between the 11th and 14th centuries.

Belur (38kms from Hassan). It was once the capital of the Hoysala Empire, today made unforgettable for its exquisite temples. The serenity of Belur is attributed to the celebrated temple of Chennakeshava built by the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 A.D. It is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. The main structure of the temple, which is star-shaped, a homogenous architectural unit on a raised platform. Everything is carved in black stone, looking like metal. Facing the temple, at the entrance, stands the winged figure of Garauda, Lord Vishnu’s carrier. The 650 charging elephants on the frieze around the walls outside are all different from each other. The exotic bracket figures on the walls of this temple are serene, playful and amorous, enhancing the overall effect of this pinnacle of architectural excellence.

After visiting this temple move to Halebedu (17kms from Belur). The temples of Halebid bear mute testimony to the rich, cultural heritage of Karnataka. Visit the Hoysaleswara Temple, dating back to the 12th century, standing on platform like a casket, is a sculptural extravaganza, richly endowed with most finely detailed scroll work in stone. The walls of the temple are covered with an endless variety of gods and goddesses and also visit the Jain bastics.

Overnight at hotel.

Hassan - Shravanabelagola - Srirangapatna - Mysore (140kms/ 3hrs approx)

Breakfast at hotel drive to Hassan via visiting Shravanabelagola Jain temple. On arrival check in at hotel. Later city tour visit Mysore Palace & Srirangapatnam Fort & Ranganthaswamy temple.

Overnight at hotel.

Mysore - Ooty (120kms/ 3hrs approx)

Breakfast at hotel drive to Ooty check in at hotel. Ooty is a hill station it has built up a fame as the all-seasons hill resort and the queen of hill stations' at an elevation of 7216 ft above sea-level. Surrounded by trees, central Ooty Lake is a huge artificial expanse of water with beautiful boats. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway toy train is the highlight of visit to this popular hill station. It was established in the early 19th century by the British as the summer headquarters of the Chennai government. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005.

Overnight at hotel.

Ooty – Munnar (240kms/ 6hrs approx)

Afternoon drive to Munnar which offer colorful landscape, breathtaking sights and mesmerizing view. The journey to Munnar is beautiful as the road stretches along the waterfalls. Arrive Munnar check in at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Munnar

Explore Munnar by visiting the Eravikulam National Park, which is a famous habitat of the rare mountain goats called the Nilgiri Tahr. Visit Tea Estate and delight in the sweet aroma of different types of tea grown here walk through the narrow pathways separating these beautiful fields from each other. Also visit Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point from where you can see the lustrous green carpet of the tea garden.

Overnight at hotel.

Munnar - Periyar (Thekkady) (110kms/ 2hrs approx.)

Breakfast at hotel drive to Periyar check in at hotel. Late afternoon spice plantation tour and village visit.

Overnight at hotel.

Periyar (Thekkady)

Breakfast at hotel explore the park by boat. The special animals in this region include wild elephants, nilgiri langur monkeys, sambar deer, wild bison, and colorful birds.

Overnight at hotel.

Thekaddy – Alleppey (135kms/ 3hrs approx)

Breakfast at hotel drive to Alleppey. Board a houseboat from here and glide over the enchanting backwaters of Kerala. Houseboat stay includes lunch & dinner on board.

Houseboat stay