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Classic Karnataka

Hampi

Hampi

Mysore Palace

Mysore Palace

Badami Caves

Badami Caves

Monkey Temple, Hampi

Monkey Temple, Hampi

Belur Temple

Belur Temple

Arambol Beach, Goa

Arambol Beach, Goa

Se Cathedral, Goa

Se Cathedral, Goa

Lambani woman, Karnataka

Lambani woman, Karnataka

 

Classic Karnataka

This Classic Karnataka tour covers the best of this historic and cultural Indian state, rounded off with a few nights in a boutique beach resort in Goa.

Fly to Bangalore and begin with a short tour of one of India's most exciting emerging cities - quite a contrast to the rest of Karnataka.

From Bangalore head to Mysore with its magnificent palace and gardens.

From Mysore head further on to the Deccan Plateau and discover the rich heritage of Karnataka in the temple ruins of Hassan, Belur and Halebid.

Continue to beautifully situated Hampi and Badami to conclude a fascinating journey through Karnataka before heading to Goa for a few days of relaxation by some of India's best beaches.

As with all of our holidays to Karnataka and India, this one can be ammended to suit you as you wish - so just let us know your preferences.

 

Inclusions

  • International flights from UK
  • Accommodation with breakfast
  • All airport transfers by private car
  • Private car, driver and guide
  • Entrance Fees

Accommodation

  • 1 night Bangalore
  • 2 nights Mysore
  • 1 night Hassan
  • 2 nights Hospet
  • 1 night Badami
  • 4 nights Goa

Excursions

  • Afternoon tour Bangalore
  • Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
  • Half day tour Madurai
  • Jan Shrine - Shravanabelagola
  • Hassan, Belur and Halebid
  • Hospet
  • Full day tour Hampi
  • Badami
  • Aihole and Pattadakkal
  • Half day tour Goa

Day 1: Fly to Bangalore

Overnight flight from UK to Bangalore.

Day 2: Bangalore

On arrival transfer to your hotel for 01 night stay.

In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bangalore including Tipu Sultan's Palace, Bull Temple, Lalbagh Gardens, Cubbon Park & Museum and Vidhana Soudha, which houses both the State Legislature and Secretariat.

Overnight Bangalore. Breakfast included.

Day 3: Mysore

After breakfast, drive to Mysore.

The capital of a former princely state, Mysore is a city of palaces and gardens and is famous for its silk, sandalwood and jasmine. En route, visit Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan, Srirangapatnam and Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary.

The rest of the day is free in Mysore to explore the colourful bazaars.

Overnight Mysore. Breakfast included.

Day 4: Mysore

Enjoy a morning city tour including Mysore Maharaja's Palace, which is one of the biggest in India.

Later, visit the Nandi Bull and Chamundi Hills, with the rest of the day free to relax.

Overnight Mysore. Breakfast included.

Day 5: Hassan

After breakfast, drive to Hassan.

En-route, visit Shravanabelagola, the legendary pilgrimage centre and shrine of the Jains since early times.

Later continue to Hassan, a pleasant, picturesque town in the heart of Malnad.

In the afternoon, visit Belur and Halebid. Belur is known as the southern Varanasi and is a serene spot with the thousand year old temple of Chennakeshava.

Halebid has several strikingly beautiful Hoysala temples and Jain shrines.

Overnight Hassan. Breakfast included.

Day 6: Hospet

After breakfast, drive to Hospet, the satellite town built during the reign of Krishnadevaraya.

Hospet is a typical Karnatakan country town with its fascinating Vijayanagar ruins.

Overnight Hospet. Breakfast included.

Day 7: Hampi

Enjoy a full day excursion to Hampi to explore the evocative ruins and temples.

Once the flourishing capital of the Vijayanagar Empire, Hampi was once abundant in wealth, military powers, and culture.

The Pampati Swami Temple, the Queen's Bath, the Lotus Mahal, the King's Balance and the musical pillars of the Vittala Temple all evoke memories of bygone splendour.

Other main attractions here are the temple complex of Lord Virupaksha, Ugra Narasimha, Matanga Hill and the Vittala Temple Complex.

Overnight Hospet. Breakfast included.

Day 8: Badami

After breakfast, drive to Badami, picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills.

Badami is famous for its cave temples - all hewn out of sandstone on the rock face of a hill.

In the afternoon, visit Aihole and Pattadakkal.

Aihole was the ancient capital of Chalukyas, famous as the cradle of Indian Architecture, with over a hundred temples scattered around the village, built between the 6th and 8th centuries.

Situated on the left bank of the Malaprabha river, Pattadakkal is a world heritage centre, with 10 major temples representing early Chalukyan architecture.

Overnight Badami. Breakfast included.

Day 9: Goa

After an early breakfast, start the drive to Goa and on arrival check into a beach resort for a 4 night stay.

Goa's coastline provides endless sun-drenched crescents of sand and some of the best beaches in India.

Whitewashed chapels and churches dot the landscape, surrounded by sleepy villages and rice fields.

Overnight Goa. Breakfast included.

Days 10 - 12: Goa

On your chosen day, enjoy a half-day tour of Goa including the churches and Panjim city.

Overnight Goa. Breakfast included.

Day 13: Fly back to the UK

Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.

Day 14: Arrive UK

Arrive back in the UK.

Is this a Private Tour or a Group Tour?

All of our tours are private tailor made itineraries, customised for you - we can amend things to entirely suit you.

You will have your own private car, driver and guide on excursions and for transfers around India.

Vehicles are modern and air-conditioned and bottled water is provided.

What are the departure dates?

Let us know your preferred dates of travel and we will find the best and most suitable flights to fit your itinerary.

As this is a private tour, there are no set departure dates.

Which Airlines do you use?

We work with all the major airlines flying to India.

Typically for India, British Airways, Virgin, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air India and Jet Airways are the airlines we most often use.

However, just let us know your preferred airline if you have one. We can organise flights from any regional destination in the UK.

There are currently direct flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa and Ahmedabad.

Which Hotels do you use?

We're careful with our choice of hotels in India, but we're guided by our customers also. If you have some preferred hotels, just let us know.

We specialise in boutique hotels and so we will often suggest some of our favourite smaller hotels where we think these will be suitable.

We keep on top of hotel developments in India through our own inspection trips and also through the expertise of our local partners. We also keep tabs on feedback online and from our customers.

India has a really great choice of heritage hotels in Rajasthan in particular - usually former royal palaces or lodges converted into boutique hotels - often very luxurious, usually very atmospheric.

There are also many great boutique hotel options in destinations such as Kerala which we try to utilise. The bigger cities have some outstanding luxury hotels and an increasing number of smaller, more interesting options too.

Do you cater for Solo Travellers & Families?

Yes, we have many solo travellers. India can present some challenges to travelling alone, which is why being accompanied by a professional driver and guide can take so much of the concern away.

India is suitable for adventurous families of all ages and we can tailor something specifically to fit your family's needs.

Bear in mind that driving distances can be long in India and a family holiday to India requires some careful planning.

How long have you been organising holidays to India?

We've been organising tailor made holidays to India for over 10 years.

Our team has a wealth of combined experience in the industry and our Director has been involved in organising holidays to India since the early 1990's.

Our partners on the ground in India have over 20 years experience in operating there.

They understand the country inside out and have a strong infrastructure of staff, guides and vehicles.

We've had the same partnerships in India for over 10 years.

How do I get the most out of my India trip?

India is such a large country that it's often overwhelming looking at the different destinations and trying to work out what to include.

We often find that our customers come with a 'shopping list' of destinations for a tour of India that has run out of control.

In our experience we usually need to tone down people's expectations of how much of India they can see in one trip and we try to steer the focus on to one or two areas.

Rajasthan for instance is like a country in its own right and its the perfect place to start for first time visitors to India. Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan is the perfect combination for a first time trip.

Varanasi, Shimla and one of the Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh can also be added.

Of course we're guided by you, but we recommend trying to include a variety of sights or activities on a trip and also to allow some days to slow down the pace as India can feel quite intense.

Hotel Suggestions Bangalore:

The Leela Palace

Hotel Suggestions Mysore:

Royal Orchid Metropole Hotel

Hotel Suggestions Hassan:

Hoysala Village Resort

Hotel Suggestions Hospet:

Hotel Maligi

Hotel Suggestions Badami:

Krishna Heritage

Hotel Suggestions Goa:

Coco Shambhala

11 nights Classic Karnataka - Superior:

  • Price from £1,895 pp

This is a guide price only, based on travel in low season.

Prices will vary according to choice of hotel and seasonal airfare and hotel surcharges. Please ask us for any current special offers.

Contact Us:

All of our India Holidays are completely tailor made and we can put together any kind of India itinerary to suit your interests and budget.

Call us now to speak to an India expert about your tailor made Karnataka holiday.

Call us now on 0333 7000 747

Click to enquire by email


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