Bangalore 01 night
Mysore 02 nights
Coorg 02 nights
Chikmagalur 02 nights
Hampi 03 nights
Bangalore 01 night
GEMS OF KARNATAKA
ITINERARY
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1
Arrive Bangalore
Meals Included: None
On arrival at Bangalore International airport terminal you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in Bangalore
DAY 2 – BANGALORE – MYSORE
Journey Time: 3.5 hour drive
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast you will visit to Lal Bagh gardens followed by Tipu Sultan’s magnificent palace and Vidhan Sabha.
Tipu Sultan’s Palace made mostly out of wood with finely embellished balconies, Pillars and arches this two-storeyed structure, a replica of the Daria Daulat Bagh in Srirangapattana served as a summer retreat of Tipu sultan.
Lalbagh Botanical – Regarded as one of the most richly diverse Botanical Garden’s in South Asia. Lalbagh in the Southern part of the city, was laid out by Haider Ali in 1740. Spread over 240 acres of parkland, many of its tropical plants were brought here by Haider Ali’s son Tipu Sultan.
Depart from Bangalore by road with a stop at Srirangampatnam. Srirangampatnam was the capital of Tipu Sultan, the famed King of Mysore. The island town encircled by river Cauvery today stands a mute witness to many heroic battles fought between Indian kings. Continue to Mysore and on arrival check into your hotel .Mysore was the political capital of the Wodeyar family that ruled the state of Karnataka for some 150 years until independence from British rule. These kings were great patrons of art and culture and Mysore was the cultural capital of the south under the rule of the Wodeyars.
On arrival check into your hotel.
Overnight in Mysore
DAY 3 – MYSORE
Meals Included: Breakfast
The city of spice, silk and sandalwood has a charm of old-world royalty and religion. A capital of the Mysore Princely kingdom, where a legendary half-human, half-buffalo demon was vanquished by a goddess, the city is best known for the Mysore Palace – in its nightly avatar lit-up by 96000 lights, and the Dasshera festivities – celebrating the victory of good over evil.
Mysore is peppered with palaces – each telling a different story, each with its own unique style. The most regal amongst them is the Maharajah’s Palace, a lavish residence of the Wodeyar dynasty princes who ruled Mysore from the 14th to the 20th Century.
This morning visit the Palace followed by the temple atop Chamundi Hill, with its iconic Nandi bull statue, the sacred vehicle of Lord Shiva, from where you can have sweeping views of the city below.
End the trail at the colourful Devaraja market, an ancient market from the days of the king Tipu Sultan that today sells everything from fruits and vegetables to flowers and spices
Lunch will be at your discretion
This afternoon proceed to the Silk weavers and watch the making of a Mysore Silk Saree starting from the silk yarn to the final product. See how this famous Indian fabric is woven.
Stone Carving – meet the artisans of Mysore who are famous for Inlay art, Stone carving and interact with the artisans who practise this delicate art passed on from generations. Watch these royal patrons as they give us an insight to the intricate art form.
Overnight in Mysore
DAY 4 – MYSORE – COORG
Journey Time: 2.5 hour drive
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast drive to Coorg which is the largest coffee and spice growing area in the country. Your drive will take you through the South Indian countryside, through plantations of Teak, Sal, Cardamom and Rubber.
On arrival you will check into your hotel.
Overnight in Coorg
DAY 5 – COORG
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Coorg’s lush forests and bamboo thickets, interspersed with coffee-and-spice plantations and a few waterfalls, make it a favourite destination among locals and foreigners alike. While every place in India evokes a sense of history, the region of Coorg is unique in many ways; the local Kodavu community has retained its cultural identity through years of other influences, from its style of draping saris to its pork curries, and its traditional harvest festivals are still celebrated on present-day farms. Apart from varieties of coffee that are gaining global repute, Coorg’s honey, cardamom, pepper, oranges find their way into kitchens across India, as also into creative fruit-and-spice wines sold in local markets.
Early morning Yoga session followed by a nature walk through the trails of the rainforest with a naturalist.
You will find yourself in the midst of a living and breathing rainforest at different levels of the valley offering expansive views of the landscape. Folds of green canopy which make sunrise even more uplifting.
On you return enjoy breakfast in the hotel
We will explore Coorg with a visit to Namdroling Monastery (45 minute drive) which is one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist settlements in Bylakkuppe, followed by a private tour of a Coffee plantation.
Today enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot where you can take in the natural beauty of your surroundings.
Return to your hotel later this afternoon.
Dinner tonight at the hotel.
Overnight in Coorg
DAY 6 – COORG – CHIKMAGALUR
Journey Time: 3.5 hour drive
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After an early breakfast drive to Chikmagalur and en route visit Belur and Halebid, towns that bear witness to the intricate craftsmanship of the Hoysala dynasty of Jains that ruled Karnataka state from the 10th to the 14th Century. Belur is most renowned for its Chennakesava Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, whereas Halebid has twin temples to Lord Shiva. As with most Indian temples, a plethora of other deities, characters from the epic poems Ramayana and Mahabharata, sculpted forms of animals, heavenly beings and curvaceous women can also be found on the walls and pillars that add grist to the storyteller’s yarn. Belur and Halebid are undeniably among Karnataka’s most delightful heritage sites.
Some of the sculptures are so exotic, erotic and eloquent – that you expect them to speak or move.
Late afternoon, check in to your hotel.
Overnight in Chikmagalur
DAY 7 – CHIKMAGALUR
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Chikmagalur, nestled in the Baba Budan Hills, is a serene town with hills, valleys, streams and coffee plantations. Relaxing day with surrounding nature discovery and visit of coffee plantations that produces two of the finest varieties of Arabica and Robusta coffee.
Overnight in Chikmagalur
DAY 8 – CHIKMAGALUR – HAMPI
Journey Time: 6 hour drive
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast drive to Hampi and on arrival check into your Hotel.
Rest of the day you will be at leisure.
Overnight in Hampi
DAY 9 – HAMPI
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast set off for sightseeing of World Heritage Site of Hampi on the south bank of Tungabhadra river. The ruins of 14th century Hampi and seat of the fabled city of Vijaynagar kings covers an area of 26 sq Kms. It sprawls across a spectacular barren and boulder-strewn landscape. Protected by a tempestuous river in the north and rocky granite ridges on the other three sides, the ruins silently narrate the story of grandeur and fabulous wealth. The splendid remains of palaces and gateways tell a tale of man’s infinite talent and power of creativity.
After lunch, continue along the ruin trail. Visit the ornately sculpted Royal enclosure, the Lotus Mahal or ‘palace’, and the imposing edifices of the elephant stables – vestiges of the former grand capital. Continue on to the Hazara Rama temple embellished with bas-reliefs depicting the scenes from the epic poem, Ramanayana. The temple walls are richly carved with friezes, depicting processions of horses, elephants, dancing girls and soldiers attired in impressive weaponry. End the sightseeing circuit at the Vittala temple, a 15th Century monument with sculpted pillars that produce musical notes when struck! The life-sized granite chariot in the courtyard with revolving wheels is sure to make you ponder at the architectural prowess of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Overnight in Hampi
DAY 10 – HAMPI
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you will explore Hampi the whole day and leisure at your hotel.
Overnight in Hampi
DAY 11 – HAMPI – BANGALORE
Journey Time: 7 hour drive
Meals Included: Breakfast, Packed Lunch
This morning after a leisurely breakfast drive to Bangalore and on arrival check into your hotel
Overnight in Bangalore
DAY 12 – BANGALORE Departure
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a breakfast, you will be transferred to Bangalore Airport board your onward flight.
