Tour: Essential Karnataka & Goa
Places Visited
Bangalore, Mysore, Chikkamagaluru, Hampi, Badami, Gokarna, Goa, Mumbai
Highlights –
1. Ancient Temples & Architecture.
2. First Coffee Cultivation Hills.
3. Ayurveda & Spa.
4. Beautiful beaches.
5. Cuisines and Culture.
1. Ancient Temples & Architecture.
2. First Coffee Cultivation Hills.
3. Ayurveda & Spa.
4. Beautiful beaches.
5. Cuisines and Culture.
Price Includes
✔ Accommodation (15 nights) in amazing Hotels and Resorts.
✔ Meal Plan – Bed & Breakfast.
✔ All transportation by air-conditioned chauffeur driven vehicle.
✔ All entrances fee and guide during sightseeing.
✔ Flight Goa to Mumbai.
✔ Walks & trails as mentioned in the itinerary.
✔ All currently applicable taxes. (Subject to govt. norms)
✔ Meal Plan – Bed & Breakfast.
✔ All transportation by air-conditioned chauffeur driven vehicle.
✔ All entrances fee and guide during sightseeing.
✔ Flight Goa to Mumbai.
✔ Walks & trails as mentioned in the itinerary.
✔ All currently applicable taxes. (Subject to govt. norms)
Day 1 – Arrive Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Upon arrival you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka state, originally founded in 1537 by Kempe Gowda, a Magadi chieftain, who built a mud fort with four watch-towers marking the city limits, which he called Bengaluru. When Bangalore became a British garrison town in 1809, they built wide avenues, classic bungalows, Gothic churches and museums.
Half day city tour includes Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore Palace drive past the city.
Overnight at hotel.
Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka state, originally founded in 1537 by Kempe Gowda, a Magadi chieftain, who built a mud fort with four watch-towers marking the city limits, which he called Bengaluru. When Bangalore became a British garrison town in 1809, they built wide avenues, classic bungalows, Gothic churches and museums.
Half day city tour includes Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore Palace drive past the city.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
Day 2 – Bengaluru to Mysuru (Mysore)
Arrive Mysuru and check in at hotel.
Mysore, “Sandalwood City”, was the political capital of the Wadiyar dynasty of Maharajas from the 14th Century until the British took control in 1799. Mysore was and is a major producer of sandalwood and manufacture of aromatic produces. The city of palaces, gardens, shady avenues and sacred temple has retained the charm and character of a long and notable history with, at its centre, the majestic City Palace.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Evening drive past the City Palace to see it illuminated.
Overnight at hotel.
Mysore, “Sandalwood City”, was the political capital of the Wadiyar dynasty of Maharajas from the 14th Century until the British took control in 1799. Mysore was and is a major producer of sandalwood and manufacture of aromatic produces. The city of palaces, gardens, shady avenues and sacred temple has retained the charm and character of a long and notable history with, at its centre, the majestic City Palace.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Evening drive past the City Palace to see it illuminated.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
Day 3 – Mysuru (Mysore)
Day 4 – Mysuru – Halebeedu – Belur – Chikkamagaluru (Chikmagalore)
Morning drive to Chikkamagaluru enroute visiting the famous Halebeedu and Belur Temples.
Stopping at Halebeedu (once the Hoysala Kingdom during 15th Century) to visit striking beautiful Hoysala Temples and Jain Shrines.
Then drive on to Belur to visit the 15th century Channakeshava Temple, known for its exquisite soapstone sculptures and pillars, which took 103 years to complete.
Arrive Chikkamagaluru. and check in at hotel.
Chikkamagaluru-The original coffee hills of India is situated in south-western Karnataka and set in beautiful mountainous terrain filled with natures wonders; lofty peaks, delightful dales, turbulent rivers, sparkling streams, captivating cascades and bracing mountain air.
Over all a doing nothing destination to lose yourself in the lap of nature.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Stopping at Halebeedu (once the Hoysala Kingdom during 15th Century) to visit striking beautiful Hoysala Temples and Jain Shrines.
Then drive on to Belur to visit the 15th century Channakeshava Temple, known for its exquisite soapstone sculptures and pillars, which took 103 years to complete.
Arrive Chikkamagaluru. and check in at hotel.
Chikkamagaluru-The original coffee hills of India is situated in south-western Karnataka and set in beautiful mountainous terrain filled with natures wonders; lofty peaks, delightful dales, turbulent rivers, sparkling streams, captivating cascades and bracing mountain air.
Over all a doing nothing destination to lose yourself in the lap of nature.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
Day 5 – Chikkamagaluru
Day 6 – Chikkamagaluru to Hampi
Morning drive to Hampi.
Set in wild landscape, strewn with huge rounded boulders on both sides of the Tungabhadra River, Hampi was the centre of the Vijayanagar Empire which was one of India’s largest Hindu empires, and dominated the south from 1336 to 1565. Founded by the Teugu princes Harihara and Bukka, its vast wealth was built on the spice and cotton trade. The site has a magic ambience and the ruins are superb.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Set in wild landscape, strewn with huge rounded boulders on both sides of the Tungabhadra River, Hampi was the centre of the Vijayanagar Empire which was one of India’s largest Hindu empires, and dominated the south from 1336 to 1565. Founded by the Teugu princes Harihara and Bukka, its vast wealth was built on the spice and cotton trade. The site has a magic ambience and the ruins are superb.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
Day 7 – Hampi
Day 8 – Hampi to Badami
Morning drive to Badami.
Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from CE 540 to 757. It is famous for its rock cut monuments such as the Badami cave temples, as well as the structural temples Bhutanatha temples etc. It is located in a ravine at the foot of a rugged, red sandstone outcrop that surrounds Agastya Lake. Badami has been selected as one of the heritage cities for Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
Afternoon visit the famous cave temples.
The Badami cave temples represent some of the earliest known examples of Hindu temples in the Deccan region. They along with the temples in Aihole transformed the Mallaprabha River valley into a cradle of temple architecture that influenced the components of later Hindu temples elsewhere in India.
Overnight at hotel.
Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from CE 540 to 757. It is famous for its rock cut monuments such as the Badami cave temples, as well as the structural temples Bhutanatha temples etc. It is located in a ravine at the foot of a rugged, red sandstone outcrop that surrounds Agastya Lake. Badami has been selected as one of the heritage cities for Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India.
Afternoon visit the famous cave temples.
The Badami cave temples represent some of the earliest known examples of Hindu temples in the Deccan region. They along with the temples in Aihole transformed the Mallaprabha River valley into a cradle of temple architecture that influenced the components of later Hindu temples elsewhere in India.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
Day 9 – Badami to Gokarna
Morning drive to Gokarna.
Situated on the coast of Karwar, Gokarna is a small town in Karnataka, primarily known for two reasons – its beaches and temples. Every year hordes of tourists visit Gokarna in search of sanctity and salvation on one hand and respite and relaxation on the other. The out-of-town beaches are a curious contrast to the life inside the town.
Gokarna is very sacred and holy town for the locals as it is one of the seven important Hindu pilgrimage centres.
Keeping the vibes in view this town has also become the great centre for Ayurveda treatments and luxury resorts are catering tourists from all over the world.
There are several beaches in town where Om Beach is bit away so not very frequently visited by locals. Om beach is named so because it is naturally shaped like the auspicious ॐ Om symbol.
Those who are looking for a great beach holiday with some adventure then this is the right place. There are several options for hikes, trekking, Bird watching and walks.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Situated on the coast of Karwar, Gokarna is a small town in Karnataka, primarily known for two reasons – its beaches and temples. Every year hordes of tourists visit Gokarna in search of sanctity and salvation on one hand and respite and relaxation on the other. The out-of-town beaches are a curious contrast to the life inside the town.
Gokarna is very sacred and holy town for the locals as it is one of the seven important Hindu pilgrimage centres.
Keeping the vibes in view this town has also become the great centre for Ayurveda treatments and luxury resorts are catering tourists from all over the world.
There are several beaches in town where Om Beach is bit away so not very frequently visited by locals. Om beach is named so because it is naturally shaped like the auspicious ॐ Om symbol.
Those who are looking for a great beach holiday with some adventure then this is the right place. There are several options for hikes, trekking, Bird watching and walks.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
Day 10 & 11 – Gokarna
Day 12 – Gokarna to Goa
Morning drive to Goa.
Goa’s history stretches back to the 3rd century BC, when it was part of the Mauryan Empire. During more than 2,000 years it has been ruled by successive dynasties. More recently it was a Portuguese territory for more than 450 years until India took it over in 1961.
The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendours of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favourite with travellers. Famous for its magnificent beaches it has become a “Tourist Paradise”, and is one of the world’s best holiday destinations.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Goa’s history stretches back to the 3rd century BC, when it was part of the Mauryan Empire. During more than 2,000 years it has been ruled by successive dynasties. More recently it was a Portuguese territory for more than 450 years until India took it over in 1961.
The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendours of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favourite with travellers. Famous for its magnificent beaches it has become a “Tourist Paradise”, and is one of the world’s best holiday destinations.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
Day 13 – Goa
The half day tour includes
Basilica of Bom Jesus, The Basilica of Bom Jesus church is dedicated to Infant Jesus.
Se Cathedral One of the largest churches in Asia, The church contains the Golden Bell used during the infamous Goa Inquisition.
Archaeological MuseumThe Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) set up the Archaeological Museum in the abandoned Convent of St. Francis of Assisi.
Viceroy’s Arch : The Viceroy’s Arch was built by Viceroy Francisco da Gama, the grandson of Vasco da Gama. Tradition has it that on taking office, all viceroys made the procession under the arch where they would be given the ceremonial key to the city and Goa.
Rest of the day at leisure for own activities.
Overnight at hotel.
Basilica of Bom Jesus, The Basilica of Bom Jesus church is dedicated to Infant Jesus.
Se Cathedral One of the largest churches in Asia, The church contains the Golden Bell used during the infamous Goa Inquisition.
Archaeological MuseumThe Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) set up the Archaeological Museum in the abandoned Convent of St. Francis of Assisi.
Viceroy’s Arch : The Viceroy’s Arch was built by Viceroy Francisco da Gama, the grandson of Vasco da Gama. Tradition has it that on taking office, all viceroys made the procession under the arch where they would be given the ceremonial key to the city and Goa.
Rest of the day at leisure for own activities.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation Options
Day 14 – Goa to Mumbai (Flight)
Transfer to airport for your flight to Mumbai.
On arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to hotel.
Mumbai (formerly Bombay), the gateway to India in the days of the British Raj, is today India’s commercial capital. The city dates back to around the first century AD, when the area consisted of seven islands separated by the sea. In 1661 the Portuguese presented the port and islands of Bombay to the British, and in 1668 the East India Company leased all of the islands from the British Government for £10.00 in gold per year.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel
On arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to hotel.
Mumbai (formerly Bombay), the gateway to India in the days of the British Raj, is today India’s commercial capital. The city dates back to around the first century AD, when the area consisted of seven islands separated by the sea. In 1661 the Portuguese presented the port and islands of Bombay to the British, and in 1668 the East India Company leased all of the islands from the British Government for £10.00 in gold per year.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel
Accommodation Options
Day 15 – Mumbai
Morning visit to Gateway of India and Elephanta Island.
Afternoon City tour including Princes of Wales Museum, Mani Bhawan, Dhobi Ghat and Marine Drive.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at Taj Mahal Palace & Towers. (Heritage Wing)
Afternoon City tour including Princes of Wales Museum, Mani Bhawan, Dhobi Ghat and Marine Drive.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at Taj Mahal Palace & Towers. (Heritage Wing)
Accommodation Options
Day 16 – Mumbai to Home
Transfer to airport in in time to board your flight back home.