The Karnataka region reveals many hidden gems from the temples of Hampi, Mysore palaces to hill stations, national parks, the Nilgiri train and princely Hyderabad
Flight - 1 night
Bangalore - 1 night
Mysore - 2 nights
Ooty - 2 nights
Bandipur - 1 night
Coorg - 2 nights
Hassan - 2 nights
Hampi - 3 nights
Hyderabad - 2 nights
Countless temples and royal enclosures survive at Hampi, once capital of a great Hindu empire, where in the 15th century more than 100,000 buildings were recorded and flowers and jewels were deemed daily essentials more important than food! It was abandoned after defeat by Muslim sultans, who in turn fought the British four times before Tipu Sultan’s defeat by Wellington.
Throughout, the Wadaya Maharajas survived, building Mysore Palace, complete with Durbar Hall and Jaganmohan Palace for the king’s wedding. The intricate carvings on the temples reveal many lifetimes’ work whilst the scenery is varied and dramatic.
‘Snooty Ooty’, an old British hill station claims the invention of snooker and lies on the UNESCO Heritage Nilgiri railway, featured on the BBC ‘Indian Hill Railways’ and in the film ‘A Passage to India’.
Coorg country in the Western Ghats and Bandipur National Park are natural highlights whilst a taste of modern India is provided by the capital, Bangalore, once a favoured garden city and Hyderabad, capital of India’s richest princes, the Nizams of Hyderabad.
Culture & Countryside
Jules Verne Sightseeing
3 UNESCO Heritage Sites
6 Lunches & 7 Dinners
Local Expert Guide
Take high tea at Falaknuma Palace. Enjoy lunches at Lalitha Mahal Palace, built by the Maharaja and Fernhills Royal Palace. Take high tea at a Coorg family home. Witness the Mysore Palace Illumination.
Day 1 Fly overnight from London Heathrow direct or your chosen airport to Bangalore.
Day 2 On arrival use of wash and change facilities. Visit Tipu Sultan’s Palace, Chitrakala Parishad Art Gallery and Bull Temple. Stay overnight at the 5-star ITC Windsor Hotel. (B)
Day 3 Travel to Mysore (4 hrs) for two nights at the heritage Royal Orchid Metropole. Visit the railway museum and Devyaraja market. View the evening illumination of Mysore Palace. (B, D)
Day 4 Visit Mysore Palace and Jaganmohan Art Palace. Drive up to the temple on Chamundi Hills. Lunch at Lalitha Mahal Palace and visit Srirangapatman, Tipu Sultan’s summer palace. (B, L)
Day 5 Drive up to Ooty (5 hrs) for two nights at the heritage Taj Savoy Hotel. Lunch at Fernhills Royal Palace. Visit the botanical gardens, church and local market. (B, L)
Day 6 Take the Nilgiri Toy Train (diesel locomotive) to Coonoor (1 hr). Visit a tea plantation, Sim’s Park botanical garden and villages. Lunch at the Taj Gateway Coonoor Hotel. (B, L)
Day 7 Travel to Bandipur National Park for overnight at the 3-star Windflower Tusker Trails Resort & Spa. Afternoon jungle safari. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Morning jungle safari. Drive to Coorg region (5 hrs) for two nights at the 3-star Windflower Coorg. (B, D)
Day 9 Coffee plantation and spice walk. Visit the church museum and fort of Madikeri. Visit a Coorgi home for high tea. (B)
Day 10 Drive to Hassan (5 hrs) visiting en route Shravanabelagola Jain Temple and statue. Two nights at the 3-star Hoysala Village. (B, D)
Day 11 Visit the temples of Halebeedu and Belur, capitals of the Hoysala empire. (B)
Day 12 Travel to Hampi area (7 hrs) for three nights at the 4-star Heritage Resort near Hampi. Enjoy sunset overlooking Hampi. (B, D)
Day 13 Travel to the cave temples of Badami (3 hrs). Visit the temple complexes of Aihole and Pattadakal. (B, L)
Day 14 A full-day visit of Hampi including Virupaksha and Vijaya Vittala temples, Sasivekalu Ganesha, the Stone Chariot; the royal enclosure, elephant stables, Queens Bath and Lotus Mahal. Dinner at Hotel Malligi. (B, L, D)
Day 15 Travel into the less-known Telangana region to its capital, Hyderabad (9 hrs) for two nights at the 4-star ITC Kakatiya Hotel. (B, D)
Day 16 Visit Fort of Golconda, the Archaeological and Nizam Museums, passing Hussain Sagar and the High Court buildings. High Tea and heritage tour at Falaknuma Palace. (B)
Day 17 Return direct flight to Heathrow or via Dubai to your chosen airport.
Notes
The Toy Train has no refreshments or toilets on board.
A 5-star hotel with restaurants, bars, pool, gym, spa and WiFi (chargeable). 240 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, satellite TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
A heritage hotel steeped in the history and culture of Mysore and built by the former Maharaja of Mysore in 1920. Restaurant, bar, gym, pool and WiFi (free). 30 rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, satellite TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
A 4-star property set amidst 5 acres of landscapred gardens. Restaurants, bar, gym and WiFi (free). 40 cottage style rooms with private facilities, heating or fire place, safe, mini-bar, satellite TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
A 3-star property, located close to the Bandipur Forest Reserve. Restaurant, outdoor pool and spa. 25 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
A 3-star hotel set amongst 25 acres of lush coffee estate and tranquil settings. Restaurants, spa, pool and WiFi (free). 44 rooms with private facilities.
A modern 3-star resort set in a tranquil landscape. Restaurant, bar, spa, pool, WiFi (free) and 34 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities.
This heritage resort is built on 9 acres of mango and coconut plantation and close to the Hampi ruins. Restaurant, pool, spa and WiFi (free). Air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea-coffee making facilities and TV.
A 4-star hotel situated in the heart of the city. Restaurants, bars, pool, gym, spa and WiFi (chargeable). 188 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, satellite TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
Time to relax or see even more of India!
No one can cover all of India on one tour, so why not make the most of your time in India by choosing further experiences?
We invite you to customise your tour by adding one or more extensions from our great range shown on the following pages. Relax in a resort or discover more of India with our specialist guides.
Also please consider adding extra nights before the tour if you would like to draw breath after the flight to India or stay on to reflect, relax or explore independently. Extra nights can also be added to most extensions. Please talk to one of our knowledgeable Personal Travel Experts to let us know what you are looking for and they will work out the best way. Sometimes extra transfers, internal flights and nights are recommended or needed, and sometimes two extensions can be combined into a more logical sequence.
Friday
per person in a twin/double room
British Airways from Heathrow
Fridays
per person in a twin/double room
British Airways from Heathrow
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
Double for sole use £695
Flight Options
London-Bangalore/Hyderabad-London
British Airways World Traveller Plus from £545
British Airways Club World from £2395
Emirates from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham or Glasgow – nil
Extension Options
We offer a wide variety of pre- and post-tour extensions, click here for more information.
Pre/post tour extra nights and transfers are available.
Privately Guided
2 guests - £895 per person
3-4 guests - £395 per person
5-9 guests - £175 per person
10+ guests - No extra charge
Independent Arrival
Save £600
Arrival or departure transfer add £24
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, transfers, 15 nights' accommodation, breakfast daily, 6 lunches and 7 dinners, itinerary as described, services of guides and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, visa procurement, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
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VAT No. 805146159
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