13 Nights / 14 Days Karnataka Ancient Glories Tour
India's Great Divide is the Vindhya Mountains. They run from east to west, separating the fertile river valley of the Ganges called the Ganga, from the Deccan Plateau which occupies much of the peninsula of India. It also separates the north, where the predominant languages are Sanskrit - based (brought in by the Indo Iranian herds people about 3,500 years ago), from the Dravidian tongues brought in by a long headed race from the Mediterranean about a thousand years earlier. The South India's coastal plains are backed by the mountains rimming the wedge of the Deccan plateau. On these plains lie the best beaches in South India. On the rimming mountains, the western and eastern ghats are the tea, coffee and spice lands. Beyond these mountains, in the wedge shaped plateau, are great old cities supported by rich farm lands and a culture that has its roots in the almost historical Kumari Continent from where, they claim, civilization spread across the world. The south is gracious, graceful, Old India.
The delightful south; almost untouched by invasions throughout its history, the Indian heritage is more intact here than in other regions of the country.
The Sloth Bear Foundation is a non-profit, self-reliant and independent organization registered as a trust. Participation in tours and expeditions contributes the needed money to fund the SBF conservation and rehabilitation projects.
Destinations Covered: Mumbai - Mysore - Chikmangalur - Hospet - Hampi - Badami - Goa.
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ITINERARY :
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| Day 01 Mumbai – Bangalore (Flight) – Mysore | Morning flight to Bangalore and proceed to the palace city of Mysore. Stay three nights at the Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel. |
Day 02 - 03
Mysore | Over the next two days explore Mysore and the surrounding area. Places of interest in Mysore include the Maharaja’s Palace. Outside Mysore visit the ruins of Tipu sultan’s capital at Srirangapatna, and the Kesava temple at Somnathpur. |
Day 04
Mysore – Chikmagalur | Today visit the Jain pilgrimage site at Sravanabelagola, noted for its 17 metre high image of Lord Gomateshvara, which is cut intothe rock of Indragiri hill. Continue to Chikmangalur to stay for two nights at the Taj Garden Retreat. |
Day 05
Chikmagalur | Visit the temples at Belur and Halebid, which are renowned for their fine sculptures. |
Day 06
Chikmagalur - Hospet | Travel north to Hospet your base from which to visit hampi. Stay for three nights at the Malligi Tourist Home. |
Day 07 - 08
Hampi | Explore the exceptional ruins at Hampi. |
Day 09
Hospet – Badami | Drive across the Deccan Plateau to Badami, dramatically sited in a gorge between two sandstone hills. In the afternoon visit South Fort famous for its 6th century cave temples carved in to the sandstone cliffs. Stay two nights at the Badami Court hotel. |
Day 10
Badami | From Badami visit the remarkable temples at Aihole and Pattadakal. Aihole was the first Chalukyan capital and is regarded as the birthplace of Indian temple architecture. |
Day 11
Badami – Goa | Leave early this morning for the beautiful drive over the Western Ghats to Goa to stay for three nights at the Taj Exotica (villa room) overlooking the Arabian Sea. |
Day 12 - 13
Badami – Goa | At leisure. If you tire of lazing on the beach then Old Goa, the spiritual heart of Portuguese Goa is worth Visiting. |
Day 14
Goa – Mumbai | Today transfer to the airport for your return flight to Mumbai. |
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