Tour Duration : 15 Nights / 16 Days
Places To Visit : Mumbai – Goa - Belgaum - Badami - Aihole - Pattadakal - Hospet - Hassan - Shravanabelagola - Hassan - Madikeri - Mysore - Srirangapatnam - Bangalore - Mumbai
See South Indian legacy with Amazing Goa & Panoramic Mumbai
Day 01: Arrive in MumbaiOn arrival at Mumbai airport transfer to the hotel by Go Heritage India Journeys representative. The rest of the day is at leisure. In the evening proceed to the Chowpatty Beach and soak up in its sizzling spirit. Mumbai tops in India for seafood cuisine. Have dinner and stay overnight.
Day 02: Mumbai
Post breakfast, go on a sightseeing tour. Visit the Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Hanging Garden and other attractions of the city.Post breakfast, you will visit the Elephanta Caves located amidst the Arabian Sea on Elephanta island. The cave temples of Elephanta are dedicated to Lord Shiva and date back to 7th century. The caves are perched on the top of a hill. Then take your ferry ride back to Mumbai.
Visit the markets of Mumbai. You will get everything from the antique things to modern wears. A special dinner will be served to you. After dinner, stay overnight.
Day 03: Mumbai - Goa
Post breakfast tour the Bollywood film city which churns out thousand of movies till now. Then take the flight to Goa.
Goa, the smallest state of India is visited for its scenic beaches. Goa was earlier the colony of the Portuguese and it became a part of modern India in 1961. The Old Goa part mostly houses the churches and other Portuguese heritage.
On arrival take the hotel. In the evening go to a Goa Beach and enjoy the time. Goa beaches are hub of fun and pleasure. You will see here hippies and bohemians lazing at the beaches.
Day 04 : Goa
Post breakfast visit the old Goa. The main attractions are the Portuguese churches. Then come back for lunch.In the afternoon visit the Beaches. Goa houses lots of beaches. Some of the beaches are ideal for water sports. If you are a water sports buff you can try it in Goa beaches. Otherwise soak up in the romantic air of the beaches. The local liquor Goa fenni is quite popular among the tourists. You can sip a glass of goad fenni. Have dinner and stay overnight.
Day 05 : Goa
The whole day is reserved for leisure. Goa is also a wellness destination in India. You can experience a spa massage to rejuvenate your tired soul.
Goa is the fun hub of India. You can visit a pub, discothèque or casino in the evening. Take your own choice. You can visit the markets of Anjuna Beach to purchase handicrafts. After dinner, stay overnight.
Day 06 : Goa - Belgaum - Badami
On the 6th day of South India Heritage tour drive to Badami. Enroute tour Belgaum. This town houses the Belgaum Fort. The Kamala Basti temple and Jama Masjid are located within the walls of the fort. The 15-meter moats of the fort were filled with crocodiles to defend the enemies. The Belgaum fort was built by the Ratta dynasty, and later this fort was equipped by Yakub Ali Khan of the Bijapur Sultanate.
On arrival at Badami take the hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 07 : Badami
Post breakfast, explore the tour attractions of Badami. It is a world heritage site located at the mouth of a rift between two rocky hills. Explore the temples, gates, inscriptions which date back to 6th to 9th century. You have to climb the steps to reach the caves perched on a hill. The main attraction is the Nataraja sculpture shown in several dancing postures. Also explore the Bhutanatha temple located beneath the caves temples. The lake located near the caves is said to have medicinal properties. Take a holy dip here.Return back to the hotel and stay overnight.
Day 08 : Badami - Aihole - Pattadakal - Hospet
After breakfast drive to Hospet. Enroute visit Aihole and Pattadakal. Aihole is called the Cradle of Hindu temple architecture. It houses more than 70 temples. Pattadakal is a World Heritage Site located on the bank of Malaprabha River. The main attractions are the temples built by the Chalukyas. Explore the temples of Aihole and Pattadakal.
Continue drive to Hospet and on arrival take the hotel.
Day 09 : Hospet (Hampi World Heritage Site)
After breakfast, explore the tourist site of Hospet. The main attraction is the World Heritage Site Hampi. The site of medieval Hindu Vijayanagar Empire, Hampi is located on the bank of the Tunga Bhadra River and covers a huge area. The ruins of Hampi village are the most evocative of all ruins of Karnataka state.Vijayanagar Empire was the largest empire in the post-Mughal India, and this empire covered the three states-Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. After the Mughal invasion the ruins of stone architecture of Hampi were left. Still the ruins of Hampi village echo the grandeur, splendor of the Vijayanagar Empire.
Some temples are still in good position. Explore the Hampi village and if possible have a night view of the village as it seems surrealistic at night.
Day 10 :Hospet - Hassan
Post breakfast drive to Hassan which is gateway to three heritage sites—Belur, Halebid and Shravanabelagola. On arrival take the hotel.
Belur: Belur is 38 kms away from the Hassan city centre and it is famous for its Hoysala temple complex. The main attraction of the site is the Chennakesava Temple was built by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana, to mark his victory over the Cholas. The sculptures of the temple are emblem of the fine craftsmanship of the Hoysala architecture.Halebid: Erstwhile the capital of the Hoysala kingdom Halebid houses one of the superb creations of the Hoysala architecture. The motifs of the walls of the temple are spectacular with the image of Hindu deities, sages, animals, etc.
Today you will visit the Belur and Halebid to explore the Hoysala temples. Overnight will be at Hassan.
Day 11 : Hassan - Shravanabelagola - Hassan
After breakfast you will visit Shravanabelagola, a Jain pilgrimage centre located 51 kms east of Hassan. This site houses the Asia’s largest monolithic statue of the Saint Lord Gomateswara. It is perched on the top of the picturesque Vindhyagiri Hill.
It is strenuous to climb the steps to reach the top of the statue. Palanquins are provided.
The rest of the day is at leisure. If you want you can visit the local markets of Hassan in the evening.
Day 12 : Hassan - Madikeri
On the 12 day of temple heritage of south India tour, you will proceed towards Madikeri. On arrival take the hotel. Then explore the Madikeri Fort and Jessi Falls.Madikeri earns the sobriquet Scotland of India. The Major attractions are the Madikeri Fort, Abbey Falls, and Nisargadhama, the source of Cauvery River. The Madikeri Fort, the major attraction of the entire town was rebuilt by Tipu Sulthan. The fort houses a palace and a museum. TalaCauvery is the source of the River Cauvery and it is 44 kms away from the town. The Jessi Falls are about 7 kms from the town and the view of the water falls look beautiful. Overnight at Madikeri.
Day 13 : Madikeri - Mysore
After breakfast, drive to Mysore. On arrival you will be accommodated at a hotel.
Mysore houses the royal palaces and buildings. The palaces were built by the Wodeyar kings. This erstwhile state capital is home to rich music and dance tradition. Mysore’s silk and sandalwood are world famous.
Today you visit the Brindavan Gardens illuminated with fountains and lights. If you can manage you time you will also visit the Chamundi Hills.
Day 14 : Mysore
After breakfast, get ready for your full day sightseeing in Mysore. Explore the Mysore Palace, Sri Jauyachamarajendra Art Gallery housed in the Jagmohan Palace. The Gallery houses paintings.
Afternoon visit the Somnathpur village which houses a 13th century temple. This temple is also a masterpiece of Hoysala architecture. In the evening visit the markets.
Day 15: Mysore - Srirangapatnam - Bangalore
After breakfast, drive to Bangalore enroute visiting Srirangapatna to explore the island fortress of Tipu Sultan. This fort houses the mosque of Tipu with two minarets, the Wellesley Bridge and the dungeons where the British officers were imprisoned by Tipu’s soldiers.Continue drive to Bangalore and on arrival take the hotel.
Day 16 : Bangalore - Mumbai
On the last day of South India Temple heritage tour with Goa Mumbai, you will go for a half-day tour in Bangalore, the garden city of India. Explore the State's Legislature and Secretariat, Nandi Temple also known as Bull temple.
Take the flight to Mumbai and then your onward flight to next destination.
