TREASURES OF KARNATAKA

Day 1: Bangalore
Arrive Bangalore, upon arrival you will be met at Bangalore airport by our representative who will have a placard with your name on it and escorted to your Hotel.

Day 2: Bangalore
Morning after breakfast, you will begin your cultural tour of Bangalore. Now officially known as Bengaluru, it is the capital of the State of Karnataka and, with an estimated population of 5.4 million, it is the third most populous city in India. Among the attractions on your guided tour of the city are: Lal Bagh, the botanical garden, Bangalore Palace and Tipu Sultan’s summer palace.

Day 3: Bangalore-Hospet-Hampi
Today after breakfast you will be driven by A/C car to Hampi. This is a 6 hour drive on reasonable roads. Lunch will be taken en-route and stops for tea taken when you wish. Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an important religious centre housing the Virupaksha Temple. There are no hotels in Hampi and accommodation is located 8km away in Hospet. Arrive at Hospet in the mid afternoon and the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 4: Hampi
Today you will visit Hampi and your guide will explain the rich history and archaeology of the site and the many artefacts that remain, including the many larger than life size stone carvings of gods. You will also visit Hampi Bazaar. Lunch will be taken and in the afternoon then you will visit the Vijayavithala temple and see the famous stone chariot. Later return to your hotel in Hospet.

Day 5: Hospet-Hassan (Belur & Halebid)
Today after breakfast you will be driven by A/C car to Hassan. The drive is approximately 5 hours and the roads are of variable quality. Afternoon visit to the architectural marvels of the Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebid. First the Chennakesava Temple which remains in active worship and later the Hoysaleswara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Completed in the 10th century it is one of the largest in south India and it is justly famous for its sculptures and carved stone friezes. Your guide will explain the history of the temples and the Hoysala dynasty. Later return to you hotel.

Day 6: Hassan-Sravanbelgola-Coorg
Today afternoon an early breakfast you will be driven for 1 hour by A/C car to Sravanbelgola. This small temple town is famous for the massive statue of the Jain Saint Gommateshwara. The reason for the early start that to see the stature, which stands over 50ft tall, you must ascend 60 steps and it is better to do this in the cool of the morning rather than the heat of the day. It is quite a stiff climb, to be taken slowly, but well worth it.

After Sravanbelgola you will drive on to Coorg. This area in the Western Ghats is known as “ the Scotland of India” and the lakes and misty mountains make this quite apt. Coorg is the spice growing region and here you will pass through plantations of coffee, pepper, vanilla and cardamom and through many small villages where traditional agricultural methods prevail.

Day 7, 8: Coorg
At leisure. Here there is as much or as little to do as you please. Activities from the hotel include plantation walks, nature walks, bird watching and river rafting.

Day 09: Coorg-Mysore
Today after breakfast you will be driven for 3 hrs by A/c car to Mysore.

Mysore was, until 1947, the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore and the seat of the Wodeyar dynasty. The Wodeyars were patrons of the arts and your two days in the city will be filled with evidence of their rich patronage. Afternoon visit to Mysore Palace, the Brindavan Gardens, the Museum of Natural History and Srirangapatnam where Tipu Sultan had his palaces.

Day 10: Mysore-Bangalore
Today you will return (3 hrs) to Bangalore. Transfer to airport to connect flight for onward journey.

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