15 Days Karnataka Heritage Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Hyderabad (Arrival)
Upon arrival at the Hyderabad International Airport, meet the representative of Indian Holiday Private Limited, who will assist you in a smooth transfer to the hotel. Stay overnight in the hotel.
Day 2: Hyderabad
After a lavish breakfast, go on a sightseeing tour of Hyderabad. You will visit the Mecca Masjid, Salar Jung Museum, Falaknuma Palace, and the spectacular Charminar. The afternoon is booked with a visit to the famous Golconda Fort. Following a Nawabi dinner, go to sleep.
Day 3: Hyderabad – Bidar – Gulbarga (136 kms / 2.5 hrs and 110 kms / 2 hrs)
After breakfast, leave for Gulbarga by road. On the way, halt at Bidar, which is famous for its 15th-century Fort and the Bahmani tombs. By afternoon, arrive in Gulbarga and check in at the hotel to freshen up. Later, explore the spectacular Jama Masjid, built in the 15th century. Stay overnight in the hotel.
Day 4: Gulbarga – Bijapur (160 kms / 3 hrs)
Following an early morning breakfast, leave by road for Bijapur. Upon arrival, check into the hotel to rest and relax. After that, go out for a full-day guided trip to the Gol Gumbaz (a remarkable example of Deccan architecture built by Mohammad Adil Shah of Bijapur). After that, visit Ibrahim Roza, a beautiful mausoleum Adil Shah II commissioned for his wife. Stay overnight in the hotel.
Day 5: Bijapur – Badami (130 kms / 2.5 hrs)
After breakfast in the hotel, take a road trip to the 6th-century temples of Badami and Pattadakal. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Later, enjoy a guided tour of Badami rock-cut caves, the Northern Fort, and the Mahakaleshwar Temple. In the evening, leave by road for Pattadakal (the 8th-century temples displaying Northern and Dravidian temple architecture). Later, return to Badami. Stay overnight in Badami.
Day 6: Badami – Hampi (140 kms / 3 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Hampi. On the way, stop at Aihole, a tiny hamlet on the banks of the Malaprabha River. Other tourist sites include the Durga Temple, Ravalphadi Cave, the Lad Khan Temple, and the Buddhist Temple. In Hampi, check into the hotel. In the evening, visit the 14th-century quaint town built on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Stay overnight in the hotel.
Day 7: Hampi
Following breakfast, you will go on a full-day guided excursion to explore three major temple complexes: The Vittala Temple, the Virupaksha Temple, and the King’s Palace. The evening you are free to walk amidst the ruins of Hampi. Stay overnight in the hotel.
Day 8: Hampi – Chitradurga (155 kms / 3 hrs)
Following a leisurely breakfast, spend the rest of the day at rest. In the afternoon, leave by road for Chitradurga. Upon arrival, check into the hotel to rest and relax. Later, go out for a sightseeing tour of Kallina Kote Fort (an impregnable fort built by the Nayak Palegars. The Fort features 19 gateways and 38 posterior entrances and is enclosed by seven massive walls). Stay overnight in the hotel.
Day 9: Chitradurga – Chikmagalur (200 kms / 4 hrs)
After breakfast, depart by road for Chikmagalur. It is a small and serene town boasting hills, valleys, and the aroma of coffee floating in the misty air. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. In the evening, take a road trip to Belur to visit the famous Chennakeshava Temple. Later, return to Chikmagalur. Following a Nawabi-style dinner, go to sleep.
Day 10: Chikmagalur – Malpe (250 kms / 5 hrs)
After breakfast, depart for Malpe, a famous beach resort. On the way, halt at Halebid (the ancient capital of the Hoysalas). Explore the length and breadth of the Hoysaleswara Temple. The outer walls of this temple are richly carved with sculptures of Hindu deities, sages, birds, and paintings depicting the lifestyle of Hoysala rulers. Continue to Malpe. Upon arrival, check-in at the beach resort. Stay overnight at the resort.
Day 11: Malpe – Coorg (250 kms / 5 hrs)
After breakfast, you have free time until noon to do as you please. In the afternoon, you will leave by road for Coorg. This natural tourist spot is nestled amidst the hills and valleys of the scenic Western Ghats. The evening is free for leisurely walks along the beach promenade. Stay overnight in the hotel.
Day 12: Coorg – Nagarhole (100 kms / 2 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Nagarhole National Park. Also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, it is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere and has a large population of tigers, elephants, and Indian bison. Upon arrival, check-in at the jungle resort. Later, go on a jeep safari in the jungle province. Stay overnight at the resort.
Day 13: Nagarhole – Mysore (95 kms / 2 hrs)
After breakfast, you will leave by road for Mysore (the former capital of the Wodeyar kings). Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Later, go out for a guided sightseeing tour of Mysore city. You will visit Mysore Palace, the Rail Museum, the Folklore Museum, and St. Philomena’s Church. The evening is booked to visit the famous Brindavan Gardens, known for its dancing fountains. Stay overnight in the hotel.
Day 14: Mysore – Sharavanbelagola – Bangalore (85 kms-1.5 hrs / 145 kms-3 hrs)
After breakfast in the hotel, you will leave for Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka. On the way, you will stop at Shravanabelagola, a Jain pilgrimage center. It is home to the world’s largest monolith statue of Lord Bahubali. On the opposite side is a small hill called Chandragiri, famous for its Jain temples and the tomb of Chandragupta Maurya. Later, you will continue driving towards Bangalore. Upon arrival, you will check into the hotel. The evening is free to relax and rest. Stay overnight in the hotel.
Day 15: Bangalore – onward destination
After a leisurely breakfast, drive to the international airport to board a flight from Karnataka to Hyderabad.
