Deccan Odyssey | South India Tourism | South India Hotels | Travel Hampi

Today Arrive Chennai, the Capital of Tamil Nadu. You are greeted by our representative & will be transferred to the hotel.

Chennai is the gateway of South India, will put you in touch with a different phase of India – Classical, Ancient, Gentle. Chennai the 4th largest city in India Spread over 50 miles and features a large and beautiful waterfront on the Bay of Bengal. Today visit the National Art Gallery, Chennai museum, Bronze gallery & Santhome church. Later visit to Kapaleeswarar temple, Marina beach & Golden beach. Overnight stay.

Today we enjoy an excursion to Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram, the “City of seven Pagodas” where we see outcroppings of rock that have been delicately carved into temples and life-sized replicas of elephants, lions and bulls.

The little Seaside town of Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), an hour’s drive from Chennai situated on the east coast of Tamil Nadu has pristine beaches, spanning 20 kms, bright sun & crisp sand, wrapping up untold tales of the 7th Century. Here time stands still; and presents meet the past. A serene town nestled amidst the historical stone sculptures and medieval architecture, that stands witness to the rich heritage – Mahabalipuram. Evening back to Chennai. Overnight stay.

Today board the flight for Hyderabad, upon arrival you will meet & transferred to hotel. Hyderabad – often called the gateway to the south Indian identities. Later leave for the city sightseeing including Charminar, Mecca Masjid, Jama Masjid, Sri Venkateshwara temple, Birla Planetarium, Hussain Sagar lake, Golconda fort and Qutub Shaht Tombs. Overnight stay.

Morning drive to Kalaburagi - a hindu city before the Mohammedan conquest, it is a unique synthesis of two cultures. Afternoon start your tour in Kalaburagi with the Fort built by Raja Gulchand and later strengthened by Ala – ud – din Bahamni, the fort has 15 towers and 26 guns, one of them measuring 25 feet in length. Inside the fort is the Jama Masjid fashioned on the lines of the great mosque of royal tombs. The most important monument in Kalaburagi is probably the Khwaja Banda Nawaz Dargah, tomb of the great Sufi Saint, Khwaja Syed Mohammad Gesu Daraz. This magnificent building in the Indo-Saracenic style is the venue of an annual urus, attended by nearly one hundred thousand people, both Muslims and Hindus. Also worth seeing are Sultan Hassan tomb, tomb of Ghiyas ud-Din, the fine mausoleum of Firoz Shah and his family. Overnight stay.

After breakfast drive to Bijapur, upon arrival check into the hotel. Later proceed for the sightseeing of Bijapur – think of Bijapur and the first thing that comes to mind is the Gol Gumbaz, tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah. Gol Gumbaz boasts of the second largest dome in the world. 44 meters in diameter, this dome forms a highly sensitive echo chamber. On the western outskirts of the city lies the mausoleum of Ibrahim Adil Shah II – Ibrahim Roza, said to have inspired the Taj Mahal in Agra. Embracing 1, 16,300 square feet is the Jumma Masjid – one of the finest mosques in India. Here in a beautiful mihrab – covered by a heavy curtain are verses of the Quran, beautifully inscribed in letters of gold. Malik-E-Maidan, the largest medieval cannon in the world – is fourteen feet long, weighing about 55 tons. Afzal Khan’s Cenotaph, the Ameen Dargah, Jod Gumbaz.

After breakfast, leave for a scenic journey by road from Bijapur to Badami, en route visitAihole, which is 46 kms away from Badami where the Hindu temples architecture can be seen in its embryonic stage -50 temples within the fort wall and 50 outside. Also visit Pattadakal, 29 kms away from Badami. It has 10 major temples representing early chalukya architecture, where coronations took place and where most of the temples were built between the 7th and 9th centuries. The Virupaksha, Mallikarjuna and jain temples are quite marvellous to behold.

Our drive continues to Badami, upon arrival check into the hotel. Overnight stay.

Badami, set in beautiful countryside’s of the four of a red sandstone ridge. The small rural town of Badami was once the capital of the Chalukya Empire which covered much of central Deccan between the 4th and 8th centuries Badami, renowned for its 4 ancient rock-cut caves, replete with carved pillars and bracket figures, all hewn out of red sandstone on the precipice of a hill. The largest of them is the third cave, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The first sculptural embellishment to dazzle the eye is the 18-armed Nataraja, striking 81 dance poses, in the first cave. Overlooking the caves is the Agastya Tirtha lake, its banks dotted with a cluster of Bhoothanatha temples. Overnight stay.

After breakfast drive to Hospet , it is your base to explore the spectacular Vijayanagara ruins. In the afternoon, visit Hampi- it is one of the most fascinating historical sites in south India. The superb ruins are set in a strong and beautiful boulder-strewn landscape, which has an almost magical quality. The most splendid monuments of Hampi are, undoubtedly the Vittala temple complex.

Explore Hampi at your own pace. Its monuments- like its centuries- old patience & wisdom- most be savored bit by bit. Drive back to Hospet. Overnight stay at Hospet.

Early morning drive to Chikmagalur- nestled in the Baba Budan Hills, Chikmagalur is a clam, serene town full of scenic surprises- hills, valleys, streams. Chikmagalur district takes its name from the headquarters town of Chikmagalur, which literally means younger daughter's town. It is said to have been given as a dowry to the younger daughter of Rukmangada, the legendary chief of Sakrepatna. Another part of the town bestowed on the elder daughter is known as Hiremagalur. Chikmagalur is a trekker's delight, with its rugged mountain trails. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Overnight stay.

Early morning drive to Mysore, enroute visit Belur & Halebidu.

Belur - This quaint hamlets is 30 kms from Hassan-is located on the bank of the river Yagachi. Flourishing capital of the Hoysala Empire 800 years ago, Today unforgettable for its exquisite temples.

Halebidu – It is 27 kms north-west of Hassan and 17 kms east of Belur. The temples of Halebidu - like those of Belur - bear mute testimony to the rich, culture heritage of Karnataka, which dates back to 13th century during Hoysala Dynasty, and Hoysaleswara temple at Halebidu. Our drive continues to Mysore. Upon arrival check in at the hotel. Overnight stay.

Morning visit the Mysore palace. In the evening visit Chamundeshwari temple, which is home to an enormous sculpture of Nandi, the sacred bull. The 16-foot bull was carved from a single boulder & is traditionally laden with flower garlands each day.

Later transfer to railway station to board the train for Chennai. Upon arrival check into the hotel. Overnight stay.

Say goodbye to this fascinating land and transfer to the airport to board the flight for onward destination.

The above itinerary can be further customized as per your travel requirements.