Day 01 BANGALORE – road (150 kms / 03 hrs) – MYSORE

Arrive Bangalore airport early morning
Leave by road for Mysore
Enroute visit SOMNATHPUR - with its exquisite Hoysala Temple built in the second half of the 13th century at the confluence of the rivers Kaveri and Kabini. It is triple-shrined, with an enclosed courtyard and is flat-roofed but with the suggestion of a spire. The temple is well carved and sculpted with rows of friezes going right round the walls. The figures carved are beautifully detailed and intricately placed within the friezes. Scenes from the epics, dancers, musicians, warriors, nature, all are represented here with great artistry.
Also visit SRIRANGAPATNA is an island between two branches of the Cauvery River and was the capital of the Mysore Rajas from 1610 to 1799. Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan were its most famous denizens. Visit the ruins of Tipu’s fort, the summer pleasure palace and the Gumbaz, his mausoleum. The inside of the Palace is handsomely carved with ornate arches and ceilings, liberally gilded wall panels and charming frescoes. The cream-coloured Gumbaz standing on its black marble pillars in the centre of a garden is an unforgettable sight. The interior is lacquered with Tipu’s tiger stripe emblem and the doors are of ebony inlaid with ivory.
Later proceed to Mysore
Arrive and transfer to hotel.
Later leave to visit Brindavan Garden Located about 19 km from the Mysore city center, Brindavan Gardens is one of the most visited places in Mysore by locals and tourists. The garden, built by Sir Mirza Ismail, has a botanical park, with boat rides in the lake, as well as fountains. The highlight of the garden is its symmetric design and beautifully laid out terrace gardens, studded with topiaries, pergolas and gazebos. However, the illuminated dancing fountains on the northern side of the garden steal the show. A beautifully orchestrated show involving the harmonious coupling of water with colourful lights and music, the fountain comes to life after sunset.
Overnight in Mysore

Day 02 MYSORE – City tour – HASSAN     enroute Shravanabelagula,
After breakfast, Check-out from hotel
Leave on City tour of Mysore Visit Mysore Zoo Garden and later visit Jaganmohana Palace Art Gallery. After lunch you will visit Mysore Palace and St. Philomena's Church.
Proceed for Hassan
Enroute visit SHARAVANABELAGULA (85 kms – 02 hrs) - wedged between two rocky hills called Indragiri and Chandragiri. It is preside over and dominated by the colossal statue of the Jain saint, Gomateswara. The monolithic image, 57 ft. tall, has been watching over pilgrims for 1,000 years ever since the time of the Ganga kings under whose patronage Jainism flourished. Gomateswara’s nakedness suggests renunciation of all worldly things and the stiff posture indicates self-control. The serenity that Sravanbelgola emantes, derives from the simplicity of its ascetic inspiration and the grandeur of its scale (it is said to be the world’s tallest monolithic statue). Every twelve years, Jains from all over India gather here for the spectacular bathing festival, the Mahabhisheka, when priests clamber up specially-built scaffolding to pour hundreds of pots of 16 substances over Gomateswara’s head - among them milk, curds, honey, fruit and even gold and silver coins and precious jewels.
Proceed to Hassan (55 kms – 01 ½ hrs)
On reaching Hassan, transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Hassan

Day 03 HASSAN - excursion to Helebidu, Belur, Chikmaglur

After breakfast leave to visit HALEBIDU (30 kms – 1 hr )
Hoysalesvara temple, dedicated to Shiva. Here too, the sculptor’s art is remarkable with details endless and exquisite: frieze upon frieze of gods, goddesses, animals and humans. This temple is the best in medieval Indian sculpture. It was constructed a decade after the Belur Temple by the same king but left uncompleted after 80 years of labour.
Proceed to BELUR (18 kms – 30 mins )
Belur, a city which flourished under the Hoysala Kings 800 years ago and the sole reminder of this grandeur is the Chennakesava Temple. It stands in a perfect state of preservation and is an outstanding testament to the skill of Hoysala craftsmen. Its polished black stone exterior is profusely carved with scenes from the epics, each figure sculpted with fine detail.
Time permitting visit CHIKMAGLUR - literally means "The town of the younger daughter" in the Kannada language. The major commercial crop is coffee. The hill stations around Chikmagalur are famous summer retreats since they remain cool even during summers. Mullayanagrir, the highest peak in Karnataka is 12 Kms away from Chikmagalur. Number of rivers originates from the hills of Chikmagalur district and flow in all the seasons.
Return to Hassan
Overnight in Hassan

Day 04 HASSAN – road (09 hrs) – HOSPET  enroute Chitradurga

After breakfast at hotel,  leave for Hospet
Enroute visit Chitradurga (180 km from Hassan)
Visit the Chitradurga Fort The old walled Town houses the impressive fort, built on the north eastern base of a cluster of rocky hills, qualifying it to be a Giridurga, or hill fortress. Known as Yelu Suthina Kote, the fort is fortified by seven circular walls, three of which are on the ground and four on the hill. Chitradurga fort is said to have had 19 majestic doors, 38 smaller doors, 35 special entry points and four secret entrances. The fort is entered through four gateways of the outermost wall. The foothills of the fort constitute the main residential area of the town. The Mel Durgas, forts on the hill are embellished with extensive fortifications, ramparts, bastions, batteries, watchtowers and entrances located at strategic points and house fourteen temples. Some of the fort’s important landmarks are Thuppada Kola Betta, Hidimbagiri, Zadaa Battery (Flag battery), Kahale Battery (Trumpet battery), Lal Battery (Red battery) and Nellikai Battery (Gooseberry battery). The main entrance to the fort, Kamanbhavi, has carvings of the seven – hooded cobra the legendary twin headed bird, Gandaberunda, the royal swan,Rajhamsa and lotus flowers.
Proceed to Hospet
Arrive Hospet and transfer to hotel.
Hospet - a small dusty town in Northern Karnataka, was once the seat of the powerful Vijayanagar Empire.
Though the town does not have much to offer the visitors, its importance lies in its nearness to Hampi, the erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagar rulers. There was a time when Hampi was the epitome of architectural wonders. Most of the great buildings of this place are now in ruins, though UNESCO and the Archaeological Survey of India have tried their best to recreate the original charm of the place. Hospet is the ideal base for tourists visiting Hampi and other nearby places.
Overnight in Hospet

Day 05 HOSPET – HAMPI – HOSPET

After breakfast leave on excursion to Hampi
HAMPI The ruins of Hampi spread over 26 sq. km. include temples, palaces, baths and pavilions; the sculptured Hazara Rama, once the king’s private place of worship, the great hall, the Elephant Stables, Queen’s Bath, Lotus Pavilion, a huge and mutilated Narasimha image and the sculptured stone chariot are some of the sights in this ghostly capital of departed glory. The slender columns of the Vithala Temple echo with music when struck and a crumbling watch tower lies near the women’s enclosure of the Lotus Mahal, once guarded by eunuchs from where royal maidens watched the festivity of the land. Hampi, even in ruins stands proud.
Visit the Virupasha Temple, Vijay Vitthal Temple & Lotus Temple.
Return to Hospet
Rest of the day at leisure
Overnight in Hospet

Day 06 HOSPET – AIHOLE – PATTADAKAL – BADAMI

Breakfast at hotel
Later leave by road for Badami (250 kms – 07 hrs including excursions)
Enroute visit Aihole & Pattadakal.
AIHOLE (130 kms – 03 hrs ) - The oldest temple here is, perhaps, the Lad Khan temple dating back to the 5th Century. The Durga (Fort) Temple is notable for its semi-circular apse, elevated plinth and the gallery that encircles the sanctum. The Hutchimalli Temple out in the village - has a sculpture of Vishnu sitting atop a large cobra. The Revalphadi Cave - dedicated to Shiva - is remarkable for its delicate details. Not to be missed is the Konthi Temple Complex (Kwanthi Gudi), the Uma Maheswari Temple with a beautifully carved Brahma seated on a lotus, the austere Jain Meguti Temple and the two storeyed Buddhist Temple.
 PATTADAKAL (15 kms – 30 mins) - Here the best temples of the style, the Virupaksha and the Mallikarjuna are seen. These were built by the queens of Vikramaditya II (734-44) in memory of his victorious march against Kanchi, the Pallava capital, and the temples were named by them after themselves as the Lokeshwara (by Lokadevi) and Trailokeshwara (by Trailokadevi), which came to be known as the Virupaksha and the Mallikarjuna respectively. The two magnificent temples with their nicely engraved lively figures on walls and the massive square pillars are in sand stone. Pattadakal itself was known as Kisuvolal (`Red Town') as the sand stone here is reddish in colour.
Arrive Badami and transfer to hotel
Rest of the day at leisure
Overnight: in Badami

Day 07 BADAMI – TOUR – ROAD 06 HRS – GOA

Breakfast at hotel.
Leave on tour of Badami - known as Vatapi, lies between 2hills & is dominated by a fort, the walls of which rise up from the cliffs. The natural gorge embellished with temples and gateways, leading to this hill city, is one of the attractions of Badami. The cave temples of Badami were hewn out of solid rock some as early as 550 AD. One of the masterpieces in these temples is the well-known 18-armed Nataraja (Shiva). One of caves holds the only Jain Temple in Badami.
Noon leave for Goa.
Arrive Goa and transfer to hotel
Overnight: in Goa

Day 08 GOA – FLY 

Breakfast at hotel
Transer to airport for your flighht to onward destination