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Deccan & Dravin Temples in South India

0/5
Duration

15 Nights / 16 Days

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

10 people

Languages

English

Overview

Discover the royal legacy, architectural wonders, and cultural diversity of South India on this immersive 16-day private journey. Begin in Hyderabad, a melting pot of Islamic, Persian, and local cultures, with its magnificent forts and museums. Travel through the historical Deccan region to explore the lesser-known but equally fascinating Islamic monuments of Bidar, Gulbarga, and Bijapur. Continue to Badami, Aihole, and Pattadakal, famous for their ancient rock-cut and structural temples. Experience the majestic ruins of Hampi before flying to Chennai to explore Tamil Nadu’s living Dravidian temples, grand Chola architecture, vibrant towns, and French colonial heritage in Pondicherry. The tour offers a perfect balance of history, architecture, spirituality, and regional culture.

Highlights

  • Admire Golconda Fort, Charminar & Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad.
  • Visit magnificent Islamic monuments in Bidar, Gulbarga & Bijapur.
  • Explore UNESCO World Heritage sites at Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal & Hampi.
  • Discover stunning Chola & Pallava temples in Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram & Thanjavur.
  • Experience the colonial charm of Pondicherry & the spiritual energy of Madurai’s Meenakshi Temple.

Bulk discount (by Percent)

Bulk discount adult
# Discount group From adult To adult Value
1 Discount on 2-person group 2 2 43.9%
2 Discount on 3-person group 3 3 43.7%
3 Discount on 4-person group 4 4 51.0%
4 Discount on 5-person group 5 5 49.5%
5 Discount on 6-person group 6 6 55.3%
6 Discount on 7-person group 7 7 53.6%
7 Discount on 8-person group 8 8 58.6%

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Hyderabad

• Assistance on arrival at Hyderabad International Airport and transfer to hotel.
• Standard check-in time 1200 hrs (early check-in subject to availability).
• Rest of the day free to relax after long-haul flight.
• Evening at leisure to explore surroundings or optional local walk.
• Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Hyderabad City Tour

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Visit Golconda Fort, known for its perfect acoustics and diamond mines producing Kohinoor.
• Visit Qutub Shahi Tombs, domed mausoleums of the Qutub Shahi rulers set in landscaped gardens.
• Visit Charminar, the 16th-century four-minaret mosque surrounded by vibrant Laad Bazaar.
• Explore Laad Bazaar, famous for lacquer bangles, pearls, and perfumes.
• Visit Salar Jung Museum, home to one of the world's largest private art collections.
• Visit Chowmahalla Palace, with its grand Durbar Hall and vintage car collection.
• Visit Birla Mandir, marble-built hilltop temple dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara.
• Drive past Hussain Sagar Lake and admire the Buddha statue in the lake center.
• Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Hyderabad – Bidar – Gulbarga (260 km)

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Depart for Gulbarga with en-route sightseeing at Bidar.
• Visit Bidar Fort, with Persian-style arches, bastions, secret tunnels, and royal audience halls.
• Visit Bahmani Tombs, ornately decorated domes of Bahmani sultans.
• Visit Rangeen Mahal, built with Persian glazed tiles and exquisite wooden carvings.
• Visit Narasimha Jhira Cave Temple, a sacred underground shrine partially submerged in water.
• Continue drive to Gulbarga; check-in on arrival.
• Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Gulbarga – Bijapur (170 km)

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Visit Gulbarga Fort, blending Hindu and Islamic architectural styles with massive ramparts.
• Visit Jama Masjid, modeled after Spain's Great Mosque of Cordoba, with 68 domes.
• Visit Sharana Basaveshwara Temple, a fine example of Hindu carvings and local legends.
• Visit Tomb of Khwaja Bande Nawaz, an important Sufi pilgrimage site showcasing Indo-Saracenic design.
• Drive to Bijapur, once capital of Adil Shahi dynasty.
• Check-in at hotel upon arrival.
• Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Bijapur – Badami (120 km)

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Visit Gol Gumbaz, with its enormous dome and whispering gallery acoustics.
• Visit Bara Kaman, unfinished but massive mausoleum arches.
• Visit Asar Mahal, originally royal courtroom and treasury.
• Visit Jama Masjid, elegant mosque with grand prayer hall.
• Visit Malik-e-Maidan, massive medieval cannon cast in bell-metal.
• Visit Ibrahim Rouza, considered the inspiration for Taj Mahal.
• Drive to Badami, check-in at hotel.
• Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Badami – Aihole – Pattadakal Excursion

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Visit Badami Caves, magnificent rock-cut temples carved into sandstone cliffs.
• Visit Badami Fort, perched atop a rugged hill offering panoramic views.
• Visit Agastya Lake, sacred lake surrounded by red-sandstone shrines.
• Drive to Aihole, cradle of early Chalukyan temple architecture.
• Visit Durga Temple, Lad Khan Temple, and other historic shrines.
• Visit Pattadakal, UNESCO World Heritage site blending Dravidian and Nagara styles.
• Return to Badami.
• Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Badami – Gadag – Lakkundi – Hampi (180 km)

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Visit Gadag Trikuteshwara Temple, with intricately carved triple sanctum.
• Visit Lakkundi, known for ornate temples and step wells with exquisite carvings.
• Continue to Hampi; check-in at hotel.
• Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Hampi Full Day Tour

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Visit Virupaksha Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, still functional today.
• Visit Vithala Temple, known for its famous stone chariot and musical pillars.
• Visit Royal Enclosure, once the seat of Vijayanagar rulers.
• Visit Hazara Rama Temple, depicting Ramayana scenes in sculptural panels.
• Visit King’s Balance, ceremonial weighing platform.
• Visit Lotus Mahal, Indo-Islamic style pavilion for royal women.
• Visit Ugra Narasimha Statue, 6.7m monolithic statue of Lord Vishnu.
• Visit Hampi Archaeological Museum.
• Overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Hampi – Hubli (170 km) / Fly to Chennai

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Transfer to Hubli Airport for flight to Chennai.
• Arrival in Chennai and transfer to hotel.
• Later visit Fort St. George & St. Mary’s Church (British era fortifications).
• Visit Kapaleeshwarar Temple, built by Pallavas and rebuilt by Vijayanagar rulers.
• Visit Vadapalani Murugan Temple, a popular Hindu shrine.
• Visit Government Museum & Dakshinachitra Museum, showcasing Tamil Nadu’s cultural heritage.
• Visit Santhome Cathedral and drive past Marina Beach.
• Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram (120 km)

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Kanchipuram, city of 1000 temples.
• Visit Kailasanathar Temple, oldest surviving temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Visit Ekambareswarar Temple, with ancient mango tree yielding 4 types of mangoes.
• Visit Varadharaja Perumal Temple, one of 108 Vishnu Divya Desams.
• Visit Vaikunta Perumal Temple & Kamakshi Amman Temple.
• Drive to Mahabalipuram; check-in at hotel.
• Visit Five Rathas, monolithic rock temples.
• Visit Krishna’s Butterball, giant balancing rock.
• Visit Shore Temple, ancient Pallava coastal temple.
• Visit Arjuna’s Penance, largest bas-relief sculpture in the world.
• Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (120 km)

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Pondicherry, check-in at hotel.
• Visit Auroville & Matrimandir, unique spiritual center and modern architectural marvel.
• Visit Pondicherry Museum, with collection of bronze sculptures, coins & antiques.
• Explore French Quarter with colonial mansions, cafes, churches & bougainvillea-lined streets.
• Evening leisure at Promenade Beach.
• Overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Pondicherry – Chidambaram – Gangaikonda Cholapuram – Darasuram – Thanjavur (180 km)

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Visit Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, representing Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance.
• Visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, built by Rajendra Chola I.
• Visit Darasuram Airavatesvara Temple, famed for horse-drawn chariot design.
• Arrive Thanjavur; check-in at hotel.
• Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Thanjavur – Trichy – Chettinad (140 km)

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Visit Brihadeshwara Temple, Chola architectural masterpiece & UNESCO site.
• Visit Vijayanagar Fort, Thanjavur Palace, Saraswathi Mahal Library & Art Gallery.
• Proceed to Trichy for sightseeing:
• Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, largest functioning Hindu temple.
• Rock Fort Temple, perched atop 83m hillock.
• Jambukeswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva as water element.
• Continue to Chettinad; check-in at hotel.
• Overnight at hotel.

Day 14: Chettinad – Madurai (90 km)

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Visit famous Chettinad mansions showcasing colonial grandeur and imported artifacts.
• Explore local antique markets and traditional Chettinad tile factories.
• Drive to Madurai; check-in at hotel.
• Overnight at hotel.

Day 15: Madurai – Hyderabad (Flight)

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Visit Meenakshi Temple, sprawling Dravidian complex with vibrant gopurams.
• Visit Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, with Indo-Saracenic architecture and courtyard halls.
• Visit Alagar Koil, Tiruparankundram, and Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temples.
• Transfer to airport for flight to Hyderabad.
• Arrival & transfer to hotel in Hyderabad.
• Overnight at hotel.

Day 16: Hyderabad – Departure

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Transfer to airport as per international flight schedule.

Included/Excluded

  • Assistance on arrival at airport.
  • 15 Night's accommodation in 5-star hotels.
  • Daily breakfast and meal as per day plan.
  • Private air-conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.
  • English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.
  • Monuments entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Bottled drinking water in car.
  • Government taxes.
  • Hubli - Chennai & Madurai - Hyderabad flight fare approx INR 9,500 per person in economy class.
  • Camera charges at monuments.
  • Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.
  • Gratuities & optional activities.
  • Anything not mentioned in inclusions.

Tour's Location

FAQs

What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

Q: What kind of hotel accommodation is included in the package price?
We provide accommodation at carefully selected 5-star hotels as part of the tour package. Hotels are chosen for their comfort, quality service, and prime locations to enhance your overall travel experience. In heritage towns or remote areas where luxury options may be limited, the best available quality properties, boutique retreats, or heritage hotels are provided. If a listed hotel is unavailable, a similar standard property will be offered.

Hotels used or similar for 15 nights accommodation:
5 Star Hotels / Best Available
Hyderabad – 2 Nights: ITC Kakatiya, a Luxury Collection OR Trident Hotel
Gulbarga – 1 Night: Kyriad Hotel Gulbarga by OTHPL OR Mastiff Select (Best Available)
Bijapur – 1 Night: The Fern Residency OR Kyriad Hotel Vijayapura by OTHPL (Best Available)
Badami – 2 Nights: Morpho Banashree Resort OR WADA1 (Best Available)
Hampi – 2 Nights: Evolve Back, Hampi
Chennai – 1 Night: Radisson Blu Hotel GRT Chennai OR Hilton Chennai
Mahabalipuram – 1 Night: Radisson BLU Resort Temple Bay OR WH By ITC Hotels, Kences Palm Beach
Pondicherry – 1 Night: Palais De Mahe OR La Villa (Best Available)
Thanjore – 1 Night: Svatma (Best Available)
Chettinad – 1 Night: Visalam Cgh Earth (Best Available)
Madurai – 1 Night: Courtyard by Marriott OR The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai
Hyderabad – 1 Night: ITC Kakatiya, a Luxury Collection OR Trident Hotel

Q: Can I request a specific hotel or upgrade the hotel category?

Yes, we offer flexibility to upgrade hotels to luxury five-star or boutique properties at an additional cost, subject to availability. You can also request specific hotels during the booking process, and we will do our best to accommodate your preference.

Q: Are breakfast and other meals included at the hotels?

Breakfast is generally included with hotel stays unless stated otherwise. Lunch and dinner are optional and can be added to your package upon request. You can also explore local dining during the tour.

Q: Will I get confirmation for the exact hotels before my trip?

Yes, once your booking is confirmed, we will share the final list of hotel names and contact details along with your tour confirmation documents.

Q: I’m looking for a more budget-friendly tour. Can you provide prices with standard or 4-star hotels?

Absolutely! We understand that every traveler has different preferences and budgets. If you prefer standard accommodation or 4-star hotel options instead of the default 5-star hotels, we can customize the tour and provide a tailored quote based on your requirements.

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