Splendors of the East

17 Days / 16 Nights

The evolution of British India was inextricably linked with the great Islamic kingdoms of the East. This tour encompasses the best of the Raj and explores the Islamic and Hindu cultures that coexisted with the British. Calcutta (now Kolkata), the capital of British India until 1911, is a city whose character has perhaps more than any other, been shaped by the British Raj. Your journey moves from Calcutta to the State of Odisha, on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. Here you leave behind industrial India for the landscape of one of India's most thoroughly rural states, with its numerous intricately detailed temples, preserved over the centuries.

Description

Day 01: Arrive Mumbai
Arrive Mumbai International Airport, after clearing immigration our representative will meet you. Meet & Greet upon arrival with garlanding, and transfer from airport to hotel. (Rooms would be available from 1200 Noon onwards) Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Mumbai
Breakfast at hotel. Morning excursion by boat to Elephanta Island, where you’ll explore the ancient cave temples noted for their sculpted panels. Afternoon sightseeing of Mumbai, visiting Prince of Wales Museum, iconic Marine Drive, the Dhobi Ghat, the outdoor laundry, the famed Victoria Terminus, Malabar hills. (Elephanta Caves & Prince Wales museum are closed on Mondays) Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Mumbai – Aurangabad (Flight).
Breakfast at hotel. Morning transfer to airport to board the flight for Aurangabad. Meeting & assistance upon arrival and transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing of Ellora Cave (Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesdays) Ellora Caves are a World Heritage site located 29 km North-West of Aurangabad. There are a total of 34 caves extending over more than 2 km – 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain caves built between the 5th century and 10th century. Structures dedicated to Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. Overnight at hotel

Day 04: Aurangabad
Breakfast at hotel. Later excursion tour to Ajanta Caves (Ajanta Caves are closed on Mondays).
Ajanta Caves 110 Kms north – east of Aurangabad. The Ajanta Caves are one of the world’s greatest historical monuments recognised by UNESCO. These caves have extra-ordinary paintings and sculptures which are considered to be epitome of Buddhist religious art. built between the 2nd Century BC to 600 BC.
Late afternoon visit Aurangabad city, Aurangabad has been declared as the Tourism Capital of Maharashtra, Named after the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The most famous monument in Aurangabad is the Bibi-ka-Maqbara, Panchakki (water mill), Aurangabad Caves, Quila-E-Ark, Kali Masjid, Jumma Masjid. Overnight at hotel

Day 05: Aurangabad / Latur – (Approx. 270 Kms / Approx. 6 hours drive)
Breakfast at hotel. Later drive from Aurangabad to Latur. Upon arrival, Check in at hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Latur, visiting the Udgiri witnessed the war between the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad, Hattibet-Devarjan is a beautiful place near Udgir. Kharosa Caves is a situated at about 45 km from Latur City. Overnight at hotel

Day 06: Latur / Bidar – (Approx. 150 Kms / Approx. 3 hours drive)
After breakfast, drive from Lature to Bidar. Upon arrival, Check in at the hotel. In the afternoon sightseeing of Bidar, Bidar Fort with its imposing bastions and the Rangin Mahal a royal residence with elaborately carved wooden pillars. Overnight at hotel

Day 07: Bidar / Hyderabad – (Approx. 150 Kms / Approx. 3 hours drive)
Breakfast at hotel. Later drive from Bidar to Hyderabad. Upon arrival, Check in at the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing of Hyderabad, visiting the imposing Golconda Fortress City, founded originally by the 13th C Kakatiyas and expanded by the Qutub Shahi Kings into a massive structure. Later visit Charminar a masterpiece of the Qutub Shahis, Salar Jung Museum and the Laad Bazaar. Overnight at hotel

Day 08: Hyderabad / Gulbarga – (Approx. 220 Kms / Approx. 5 hours drive)
Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive from Hyderabad to Gulbarga. Upon arrival, Check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon sightseeing of Gulbarga which includes Massive guns one 25 foot long defended Gulbarga Fort. In side see the Jumma Masjid, the tomb of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Syed Mohammed Gaus and the Durgah Library. Overnight at hotel

Day 09: Gulbarga / Bijapur – (Approx. 165 Kms / Approx. 4 hours drive)
Breakfast at hotel. Later drive from Gulbarga to Bijapur. Upon arrival, Check-in at the hotel. Afternoon enjoy the sightseeing of this historic city. Visiting the Gol Gumbaz the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah, its central dome only surpassed in size by St Peters Basilica in Rome. Overnight at hotel

Day 10: Bijapur / Pattadakal / Badami – (Approx. 130 Kms / Approx. 3 hrs drive)
Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive from Bijapur to Badami. Upon arrival, Check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon visit Pattadakal & Aihole Temples. Pattadakal is store house of Chalukyan architecture. This world heritage centre has 10 important temples, Virupaksha, Mallikarjuna and Papanatha. Badami is famous for its cave temples. These temples were built in the great Aihole art form. Overnight at hotel

Day 11: Badami / Hospet – (Approx. 140 Kms / Approx. 3 hours drive)
Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive from Badami to Hospet. Upon arrival, Check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon sightseeing of Hospet is the Gateway of famous city Hampi. Also famous for Chitradurga Fort which was built by great Mysore kings Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Situated at the banks of river Tungabhadra Harihara is a pilgrim’s place in Hospet. Overnight at hotel

Day 12: Hospet / Hampi / Hospet
Breakfast at hotel. Later proceed for a day excursion to visit Hampi, Capital of Vijayanagar kingdomis full of delightful surprises, viz. Other attractions are Queen’s Bath with its arched corridors, projecting balconies, Lotus Mahal, Vittala Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Ugra Narasimha. There is a museum at the bottom of the Matangi hill. Overnight at hotel

Day 13: Hospet / Hassan – (Approx. 330 Kms / Approx. 6 hour drive)
Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive from Hospet to Hassan Upon arrival, Check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon excursion tour to Belur & Halebid a beautiful example of Hoysala architecture. Famous of them is The Chennakesava Temple which took 103 years to complete. The temples of Halebid bear mute testimony to the rich, cultural heritage of Karnataka. Overnight at hotel
Day 14: Hassan / Shravanabelagola / Mysore – (Approx. 130 Kms / 3 hours drive)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive from Hassan to Mysore, en-route visiting Shravanabelagola – one of most important Jain Pilgrim centres. Here is the 17m high monolith of Lord Bahubali – the world’s tallest monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara. Later continue drive to Mysore Upon arrival, Check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon visit Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple & a panoramic view of Mysore. On the way back, visit the Nandi Bull. Overnight at hotel

Day 15: Mysore
Breakfast at hotel. Morning proceed for city tour of Mysore, visiting the palace of the Maharaja built in 1911-12, including Tuktuk ride to visit Devraja market in Mysore. Later proceed to visit the Art Gallery and Somnathpur.
Somnathpur – Dedicated to the Lord Siva the exquisitely carved star-shaped temple with triple towers is a perfect example of Hoysala architecture. Afternoon proceed for sightseeing of Srirangpatnam.
Srirangapatnam – The Little Island Fortress Of Tipu Sultan, Visit the Summer Palace, The Daria Daulat, and the Beautiful Wall Paintings. Return to Mysore. Overnight at hotel

Day 16: Mysore / Bangalore – (Approx. 145 Kms / Approx. 3 hours drive)
Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive from Mysore to Bangalore Later sightseeing of Bangalore which includes the Lal Bagh, Gole Temple, Government Buildings, Technology Museum, the Ulsoor Lake, Tipu’s summer Palace, Bull Temple and shopping at Arts & Crafts Centre Emporium at M.G. Road. Check-in at hotel for Wash and Change. Late in the evening, transfer to international airport to board International flight for next destination.

Day 17: Bangalore / Out
Fly from Bangalore to native place.
END OF THE SERVIES