Diamonds & Dynasties of Southern India (14 Days)

Hyderabad
On arrival at Hyderabad airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel (hotels check in/ out time 1200hr afternoon, early check in subject to rooms availability). Rest time free for personal activities relax.
Overnight at hotel.

Hyderabad
Breakfast at hotel, explore this wondrous capital, a 400 year-old metropolitan city teeming with bustling-bazaars and Muslim monuments.
Visit Golconda Fort - renowned for its diamond mines that have given the world the famous Kohinoor and Darya-i-noor diamonds. The ancient fort complex of Golconda will charm you with its history, tinged with legends and anecdotes. Qutubshahi Tombs - the tombs differ in size but all are comparable to each other in architectural grandeur and beauty.
Charminar - built in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth sultan of the Qutub Shahi dynasty of India. There are varying legends as to why he built the magnificent structure. One account says that the sultan built it in honor of his wife, Bhagyamathi (or Bhagmathi), together with the construction of Hyderabad itself.
Salarjung Museum (Friday closed) - a treat for tourists, famous for having the largest antiques collection. Artefacts dating back to the first century can be found here. Established in 1951. Chowmohalla Palace (Friday closed) - once regarded as the center of Hyderabad, the magnificent Chowmahalla Palace was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty where the Nizams entertained their official guests and royal visitors. Purani Haveli (Friday closed) - located to the the south of Salar Jung Museum, is the sprawling Haveli, built by the second Nizam for his son in 1777. A 240-foot long wooden chamber with some 150 walk-in-cupboards, arguably the world’s largest wardrobe.
Birla Mandir - dedicated to the supreme incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Lord Venkateshwara. This temple’s marvellous beauty leaves you awestruck as does the legend associated with the God. A blend of various types of architectural styles, this temple is made of 200 tonnes of pure white Rajasthani marble.
Overnight at hotel.

Hyderabad - Bidar – Gulbarga (250kms/ 5hrs)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Gulbarga en route visiting Bidar.
Bidar Fort - one of the magnificent forts in Karnataka built during the reign of the Western Chalukya dynasty which was established in 977 AD at Kalyani. The Bidar fort is a specimen of the Persian architectural style having 1.21 km in length and 0.80 km in breadth, with a quadrangular layout. Surrounded by three miles long walls and comprising 37 bastions, it is surrounded by a triple moat. There are seven gates in the fort.
Mahmud Gawan Madarsa - one of the major historical a beautiful structure situated between the Fort and Chaubara Clock Tower, an old Islamic university built by Khwaza Mahmud Gawan in 1472. Mahmud Gawan was a Persian merchant who arrived in the Bahamani Sultanate at around 1453 AD. Due to his honesty, simplicity and knowledge he impressed the Bahamani Kings. He ultimately reached to the post of prime minister and was much respected among the local population.
Bahmani Tombs - located at Ashtur are other important historical monuments in Bidar, after the Fort. The 12 tombs of Bahmani Sultans are located in the same compound. They are huge structures with beautiful arches, niches and lofty domes. Among all the tombs of Ahmad Shah Wali is most popular.
Continue drive to Gulbarga check in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Gulbarga – Bijapur (152kms/ 3hrs)
Breakfast at hotel city tour of Gulbarga a Hindu city before the Muhammadan conquest. Visit Gulburga fort - a leftover of the Brahmani era, which has stood with the time and is famous for its incredible architecture. It was originally built by Raja Gulchand. Later, 15 towers were added by Allah-ud-din Bahmani in the existing structure of the fort. The fort was built with well planning the canal was made around the fort so that it becomes difficult to the enemy. The fort contained 15 towers and 26 guns of which one was 8 metres long.
Jama Masjid - a Mosque located in Gulbarga City, it is regarded as one of the most architectural mosques in its form and structure in South Asia. The arches design of Jama Masjid Gulbarga reflects in the interiors of Spanish Mosque of Hyderabad. These are only two mosques in India which have the similarity in interiors of the Great Cathedral–Mosque of Córdoba in Spain.
Afternoon drive to Bijapur check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Bijapur – Badami (120kms/ 3hrs)
Breakfast at hotel city tour of Bijapur visit Bijapur Fort - which has a plethora of historical monuments of architectural importance built during the rule of Adil Shahi dynasty. The Adil Shahi Sultans who ruled for nearly 200 years in Bijapur had expended their utmost authority, almost exclusively, on architecture and the allied arts, each Sultan endeavored to excel his predecessor in the number, size, or splendor of his building projects. As a result, the buildings seen in and around Bijapur Fort and the town have been rightly called as the Agra of South India.
Gol Gumbaz - the second largest dome in the world. The Gol Gumbad is second in size only to St. Peter's Basilica, Rome. The Gol Gumbad is 124 feet in diameter. The architecture of Gol Gumbad is unique in the sense that the four minarets themselves are the staircases, leading to the top dome. Malik - e- Maidan - regarded as the biggest cannon ever made in the history of world, is located in Gol Gumbaz. Asar Mahal - Asar Mahal, built by Muhammed Adil Shah in late 1640s, used to serve as a Hall of Justice. Bara Kaman - an unfinished mausoleum of Ali Adil Shah II. The Ibrahim's Rouza - The Ibrahim Rauza was built by Ibrahim Adil Shah in the 15th century. It consists of mosque and tomb enclosed together in the square compound.
After sightseeing drive to Badami check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Badami - Aihole - Pattadakal – Badami (39kms/ 1hrs One Way)
Breakfast at hotel. Full day to visit Pattadakkal, Aihole & Badami.
Pattadakal is a historic site of ancient and medieval era, Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments from the sixth century through the twelfth century CE, though the most of the surviving monuments date from the 7th to 10th centuries. Pattadakal reached at the peak of glory under the era of Chalukya kings from 7th to 9th centuries. The Sanghameswara Temple is the oldest in this group. The Mallikarjuna Temple has pillars representing the life of Krishna. Virupaksha temple has panel scenes and sculptures from the epics, the Mahabharata and Ramayana. The Papanatha Temple has stunning carvings on ceiling and pillars.
Aihole is a temple complex, the beautiful architecture of the place makes it a very popular tourist destination. There are 70 temples in this complex. The Lad Khan Temple is one of the major and oldest temples in the region of Aihole. Further, the Durga temple is famous for its incredible sculptures. The Meguti temple is a built of 630 small stone blocks, which makes it a worth exploring temple. The Ravanaphadi Cave has some beautiful carvings that attract tourists from around the world.
Badami Fort the well-known archaeological site soaked in the history of the Chalukyas and the Pallavas known for its beauty and rich history. Nestled atop a cliff, the Badami Fort lies opposite to the famous Badami Caves. The fort’s location commands a magnificent view of the Badami town and its splendid structures. The Badami Fort is one such monument that stands as a mute witness to a culturally rich bygone era.
Back to your hotel in Badami for overnight stay.
Overnight at hotel.

Badami – Gadag – Lakkundi – Hospet (130kms/ 3hrs Approx)
Breakfast at hotel drive to Hampi en route visit Gadag & Lakkundi.
Gadag Trikuteshwara temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. The carved temple is in the town of Gadag It is dedicated to Shiva and has three lingas mounted on the same stone. There is a shrine dedicated to Saraswathi in this temple and it has carved columns. Lakkundi Full of ruined temples like Mallikarjuna, Virabhadra, Manikeshwara, Nanneshwara, Lakshminarayana, Someshwara, Nilakanteshwara and many more.
Continue drive to Hampi, check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax. Overnight at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Hospet & Hampi
Breakfast at hotel, full day to visit Hampi, nestled within the ruins of medieval city of Vijayanagar in the state of Karnataka, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Set in a surreal and beautiful boulder-strewn landscape, Vijayanagara (the City of Victory) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and although the city was destroyed by marauding Moghul invader’s in the 16th century, much of it remains today. The vast site of monuments and ruins, a mute witness to an ear of glories, triumphs and tragedies. The ruins of Hampi are so majestic and imposing that they leave the visitor totally dumbfounded, awestruck and humbled.
Overnight at hotel.

Hospet – Goa (300kms/ 6hrs)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Goa the final destination, with its endless beaches and swaying palms. On arrival at check in at hotel. Rest day free for personal activities relax.
Overnight at hotel.

Goa
Breakfast at hotel. Full day city tour of Goa visiting North Goa Churches & South Goa Temples. Basilica Of Bom Jesus - A World Heritage Site which preserved the body of St. Francis Xavier was constructed around 1695. Se Cathedral Largest church in Asia, giant bells and exquisite architecture. Se Cathedral of Goa is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. Church of St. Francis built between 1517-1521 AD a stunning and charming building, architecture has a combination of Hindu and Christian elements. Church of St Augustine Ruins 46 meter high tower, the church was built in 1602 with the combined efforts of 12 Augustinians. They also built a convent besides the church. Church of Marry Immaculate Conception one of the most famous landmarks of Goa. This church is supposed to be one of the earliest churches to be constructed in Goa.
Visit South Goa Shree Manguesh Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on a hillock surrounded by lush green hills. Though small, it has an air of distinctive elegance. Its lofty white tower at the entrance is a countryside landmark. Shree Mahalsa a short distance away from the Shri Mangueshi temple, the deity worshiped here is an attribute to Vishnu. Rest time free and easy to relax.
Overnight at hotel.

Goa
Breakfast at hotel, day at leisure for spending time on the beach, touring Goa on your own or relaxing at your resort / hotel.
Optionally visit South Goa Temples, Old Portuguese Manor (without guide).
Overnight at hotel.

Goa – Mumbai (Flight)
Breakfast at hotel transfer to airport to board flight for Mumbai.
On arrival assistance and transfer to hotel. Rest time to explore the city with your driver. Mumbai is a bustling city that blends the old with the new. See the stark contrast of this wealthy city, with its palm-lined streets, art deco homes and fashionable shopping areas amid the chaos of daily life, where cows roam the streets and wallas (local tradesmen) ply their trade.
Overnight at hotel.

Mumbai
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to Gateway of India and board a ferry from here to The Elephanta Caves, an island 11kms from Mumbai, proud to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Gateway of India and begin the city tour of Mumbai. Visit fascinating 'Getaway of India' that gives you a ringside view of the 'madness and magic' of MUMBAI - the living city that 'never sleeps'. Visit Includes Dhobi Ghat, Mani Bhavan, Marine drive, Drive passes High Court, Prince of wales Museum, University, Flora fountain, Visit to Crawford Market & Victoria terminus now CST, Babulnath Temple, Banganga tank.
Overnight at hotel.

Depart Mumbai
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to board flight for your onward destination.