Day 1 – To Chennai (Madras): Overnight
flight from London to Chennai with British
Airways. (N)
Day 2 – Chennai: Early morning arrival and
transfer to the Vivanta by Taj – Connemara for
a 3-night stay, including immediate occupancy.
Afternoon visit to the coastal town of
Mahabalipuram to see the ancient rock-cut
shore temples. (B)
Day 3 – Chennai: Morning tour of Chennai,
visiting some of India’s oldest colonial
monuments. Afternoon at leisure. (B)
Day 4 – To Mysore: Rise early and travel
by train to Mysore. Afternoon visit to the
huge Nandi Bull on Chamundi Hill and the
magnificent Maharaja’s Palace. Stay 2 nights at
the Hotel Regaalis, Mysore (or similar). (B)
Day 5 – Mysore: Morning visit to
Srirangapatnam, summer palace of Tipu
Sultan. Afternoon at leisure to visit the
Mysore markets or take an optional excursion
to Somnathpur. (B)
Day 6 – To Chikmagalur: Drive to Chikmagalur,
visiting the intricately carved Hoysala Temples
at Belur and Halebid en route. Stay 2 nights at
the Gateway Hotel – Chikmagalur. (B)
Day 7 – Chikmagalur: At leisure (B)
Day 8 – To Hospet: Drive to Hospet and stay
2 nights at the Royal Orchid Central hotel
or the Hampi Boulders Resort. Hampi, the
medieval capital of the Vijayanagar empire,
was enormously wealthy and was regarded as
greater than Rome in the 15th century. (B)
Day 9 – Hampi: Explore the exceptional ruins
of the Vijayanagar empire at Hampi. (B)
Day 10 – To Badami: Morning drive to Badami,
the capital of the early Chalukyas. This afternoon,
explore Badami’s rock-cut shrines. Stay 2 nights
at the Badami Court Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 11 – Badami: This morning visit the
Pattadakal temple complex. Continue to Aihole, often referred to as the ‘cradle of
Indian architecture’, to visit the ancient
temples. (B, L, D)
Day 12 – To Bijapur: Drive to Bijapur, which has
some of the finest mosques in the Deccan. The
afternoon includes visits to the Jama Masjid, Gol
Gumbaz and Ibrahim Rauza. Stay overnight at
the Madhuvan Hotel (or similar). (B, L, D).
Day 13 – To Gulbarga: Morning drive to
Gulbarga. In the afternoon, explore the capital
of the Bahmani sultans. Stay overnight at the
Hotel Aditya (or similar). (B, L, D)
Day 14 – To Hyderabad: Drive to Hyderabad,
via Bidar, viewing the ruins of the Bahmani
kingdom. Stay 3 nights at the Taj Krishna / Taj
Falaknuma Palace*, which was originally the royal
guesthouse of the Nizam of Hyderabad. (B)
Day 15 – Hyderabad: Morning visit to the
Golconda Fort. Return to Hyderabad via the
Qutb Shahi tombs. Afternoon visit to the
colourful markets of Hyderabad. (B)
Day 16 – Hyderabad: Morning visit to the
magnificent Chowmahalla Palace. Afternoon
at leisure.
Day 17 – To London: Early morning transfer
to the airport. Fly to London with British
Airways. (B)
* Upgrade to the iconic Taj Falaknuma Palace,
which was originally the royal guesthouse of
the Nirgam of Hyderabad for supplement from
£95 pppn (twin) £175 pppn (single).
Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals
