Duration: 08 Nights 09 Days
Destinations Covered: Chennai – Mysore - Hassan - Hospet - Badami - Goa

Tour Itinerary:

Day 01 Chennai
On arrival, transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon proceed for a half day sightseeing of Chennai.
Visit Government Museum, Fort St.George, Fort Museum, St Mary’s Church, San Thome Cathedral, Kapaleswara temple, drive past the Marina beach and a bit of shopping, if you are interested.

Day 02 Mysore
Early in the morning transfer to the Station to board the Shatabdi Express to Mysore. On arrival in Mysore check-in at hotel. Mysore is a pleasant town with tree-lined streets and well-maintained historic buildings. Dubbed as the 'city of palaces', few Indian cities can rival the stately charm and easygoing atmosphere of Mysore. Afternoon sightseeing of Mysore visiting Mysore Palace - The Maharaja's Palace stands within walled gardens and was designed in typical Indo-Saracenic style, sprouting turrets, arches and columns. The inside of the palace is remarkable for its decoration and craftsmanship. Chamundi Hill is crowned by a 12th century temple and is dedicated to Mysore's ruling goddess, Chamundi. Also here is a superb 5 metre tall black Nandi bull. St Philomena's Church is one of the largest in India. Built in a Gothic style, it has beautiful stained windows.

Day 03 Mysore
Day excursion to Somnathpur and Srirangapatna. SOMNATHPUR - Dedicated to the Lord Siva, the exquisitely carved, star-shaped temple with triple towers is a perfect example of Hoysala architecture. Beautifully sculptured images of gods, goddesses, and scenes from the epics, as well as the remarkably ornate ceilings in the pillared hall will take your breath away. SRIRANGAPATNA - The Little Island Fortress Of Tipu Sultan, Who Was Once Known As The "Tiger Of Mysore". Visit the Summer Palace, The Daria Daulat, and the Beautiful Wall Paintings.

Day 04 Hassan
Drive to Hassan and visit Belur and Halebid temples.

BELUR 40 km from Hassan, a temple town famous for its exquisite temples. It is also known as Dakshina Varanasi. King Vishnuvardhana built the Channakeshwara temple in 1117 AD to commemorate his conversion from Jainism to Vaishnavism. The star shaped homogenous architectural beauty raised on a platform carved in black stone with 650 charging elephants that are different from each other and in the temple dome inside four famous figures of Shantala Devi’s voluptuous beauty, queen of King Vishnuvardhana are marvelous.

HALEBID 30 km from Hassan. It is also known as Dwara Samudra, the wealthy capital of Hoysalas. The Hoysaleshwara temple stands on a platform like a casket in shining black stone carved with variety of gods and goddesses, animals, birds and dancing girls. There is a museum on the lawns with 12th century sculptures and gold coins in use at that time. One km from Halebid is Jain Basti hill built in the 8th century surrounded by gleaming carved black stone pillars.

Day 05 Hospet
Chitradurga means umbrella shaped lofty hill. Visit the Fort which has 4 secret entrances, 19 gateways and ingenious water tanks. Many ancient temples are also located within its precincts, the Hidimbeshwara temple is the oldest among them. Hospet is the perfect base for visiting Hampi ruins.

Day 06 Hospet (Hampi)
The best way to experience this World Heritage Site is to take a leisurely stroll through the eloquent ruins. Most of the important structure and ruins are located in tow areas, which are generally referred to as the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre. The Royal Centre contains structures that seem to have been palaces, baths, pavilions, royal stables, and temples for ceremonial use. The sacred centre is situated on the banks of the holy Tungabhadra river. Visit Vittthala temple and Virupaksha temple.

Day 07 Badami
After breakfast drive to Badami. It has exquisite cave temples belonging to the golden period of Chalukyan rule. There are 4 cave temples – all hewn out of sand stone on the precipice of a hill. The first cave temple has an exquisite carving of Nataraja embodying 81 poses. The third cave is dedicated to Vishnu and is the largest and most ornamental. The fresco paintings in the cave resemble those of Ajanta. Overlooking the cave temples is a large tank around which are temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva.

Day 08 Badami
Full day excursion to Bijapur, known as the City of Victory. It has about 50 mosques, more than 20 tombs and numerous palaces. Visit Gol Gumbaz: The tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah is an astounding engineering feat, being the second largest dome in the world, which is mysteriously unsupported by any pillar. The monument has become memorable for the whispering gallery under the dome, whose acoustics are superb. It carries the faintest whisper around the dome and returns it to the listener nine times. Ibrahim Rouza, Jumma Masjid, Archaeological Museum are the other interests of this town.

Day 09 Goa Drop
Drive to Goa, known for the sandy beaches. Rest of the day free for Leisure Activities.