Day 01
Arrive Mumbai by flight
- Arrival Mumbai by late night flight
- Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel
- Rooms foreseen from 12 Noon on wards
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Overnight at the hotel
Day 02
In Mumbai
- Breakfast at hotel
- Morning excursion to Elephanta by motor launch (Caves closed on Mondays)- The island of Elephanta is just an hour away from Mumbai by motor launch. The cave temples here, excavated between the 5th and 8th centuries AD, are famous for their magnificently sculpted panels. The best known is one that depicts the Maheshmurti – a three-headed image of Lord Shiva. This island was so named by the Portuguese after the large stone elephant near the landing place and which now stands at the Victoria and Albert Museum in the mainland. The caves are reached by a stairway up the hillside from the ferry landing.
- Afternoon sightseeing of Mumbai- visit the Gateway of India, Mumbai’s principal landmark. This arch of yellow basalt was erected on the waterfront in 1924 to commemorate King George V’s visit to this colony in 1911. Afghan Church built in memory of those who fell in the First Afghan War. Drive past the Bombay High Court built in Gothic style and the Old secretariat. The ornamental university building with its 280 ft. high Rajabhai Clock Tower, the ornate Victoria Terminus, the colourful Crawford Market, the Flora Fountain in the large bustling square at the heart of the city, the Prince of Wales Museum (Closed on Mondays) which houses a varied collection of China-ware, miniature paintings and sculpture. Drive along the Marine Drive which is known as the Queen’s Necklace. View the memorial to Haji Ali, a Muslim Saint. This unusual shrine stands on an island 500m out at sea and is linked by a causeway to the mainland. Stop at the Jain Temple and also visit Mani Bhavan where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his visits to Mumbai.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 03
Mumbai/ Aurangabad by flight
- Tea/ Coffee at the hotel
- Early morning in time transfer to the airport to connect flight for Aurangabad
Departure: Mumbai
Arrival: Aurangabad
- Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel
- Rooms foreseen from 12 Noon onwards on this day
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Morning excursion to Ajanta-112 kms from Aurangabad lies Ajanta (closed on Monday)–a series of caves, hewn out of rock by Buddhist monks who found sanctuary and left a legend for posterity. These thirty caves with twenty-six monasteries and four temples have wall paintings and sculpture of an aesthetic appeal that is timeless. The craftsmanship astounds scholars and art lovers even today. Some of the most exquisite paintings depict the life and teachings of Buddha as well as his earlier life as a prince. The Ajanta caves are like chapters of a splendid epic tale in visual form. Natural light brightens the caves at different times of the day leaving visitors awe-struck by the sheer brilliance of those ancient masters to create this marvel of art and architectural splendour.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 04
In Aurangabad
- Breakfast at hotel
- Moring excursion to Ellora- 30 kms from Aurangabad, Ellora (closed on Tuesday) represents to the world the finest and greatest in terms of sheer magnificence of Indian sculpture. The awe-inspiring, mammoth Kailash Temple is carved out of solid rock. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva named as Kailasha after his abode in the Himalayas. This monolithic structure is a very rare phenomenon that demanded the most careful planning, based not on what was added but what was removed! Ellora is a repository of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain religious expression, a sheer volume of information in carved pageantry. Thirty-four shrines synthesise Indian religion and Indian passion for sculpture. The Ramayana and Mahabharata are also depicted here in carvings as also the many-faceted personality of Lord Shiva Ellora is a priceless page out of history
- Afternoon city tour-Aurangabad is named after the Mughal emperor Aurangazeb who made it his capital. Aurangazeb was a megalomaniac who had his father Shah Jehan imprisoned. Visit the Bibi-ka-Maqbara, built in memory of Aurangazeb’s wife Rabia Durrani and meant to surpass the Taj Mahal (built by his father Shah Jehan) in grandeur. Visit the Panchakki or Water Mill, an ingenious creation of Mughal engineers who used it to harness water to run large grinding stones which served as a flour mill. The tomb of a muslim saint lies in the garden beyond the mill. Visit the Aurangabad Caves (7, 10 & 13) carved out during 2nd BC to 2nd The most interesting is Cave 7 with a huge figure of Bohisattva Padmapani who is praying for deliverance from eight fears which are illustrated here dramatically in stone.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 05
Aurangabad / Mumbai/ Hyderabad
- Packed breakfast at hotel
- Early morning in time transfer to the airport to connect flight for Hyderabad via Mumbai
Departure: Aurangabad
Arrival: Mumbai
Pax in transit
Departure: Mumbai
Arrival: Hyderabad
- Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel
- Afternoon city tour-visit the Public Gardens which enclose the State Legislature and the Archaeological Museum, (Safdarjung Museum closed on Fridays and Zoological Park on Mondays), Gandhi Bhavan, Mecca Masjid- this mosque is said to have bricks from Mecca built into its central arch, hence the name. Charminar (Hyderabad’s famous landmark) a rectangular, four arched monumental gate 180 feet high and crowned at its four corners by graceful minarets. Osmania Hospital, High Court, State Library, Lad Bazar, Salar Jung Museum– one of the best private museums in the world with a remarkable collection of curios, manuscripts, ancient weapons and costumes. Also visit Abid Road, the city’s shopping centre.
Overnight at the hotel
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Day 06
In Hyderabad
- Breakfast at hotel
- Morning visit of Golconda Fort and Qutub Shahi Tomb
- Qutb Shahi Tombs – The road that leaves Golconda Fort through the Banjara gate leads to a low plateau on which lie the tombs of the Qutb Shahi kings. They are surrounded by gardens and follow a certain pattern, embellished by some Hindu style ornamentation, and the more important ones have their own mosque flanked by minarets on both sides. Each tomb of black granite or greenstone with plaster decoration is built on an octagonal or square base with a large onion dome and arches with fine sculptures, inscriptions and remains of glazed decoration. The tombs of the rulers were built under their own supervision. They fell into disrepair and the gardens ran wild until the end of the 19th century when Sir Salar Jung restored them and replanted the gardens. After the visit proceed onward for Golkonda Fort
- Golkonda Fort– This historic fort lies 11 km. west of the city. The name originates from the Telegu words “Golla Konda”, meaning “Shepherd’s Hill”. Later the fort was taken over by the Bahamani kings, subsequently passing to the Qutb Shahis, who held it from 1512 to 1687 AD. The first three Qutb Shahi kings rebuilt Golkonda, over a span of 62 years. Famous features of Golconda include its system of acoustics, palaces, factories, water supply system and the famous Rahban Cannon, one of those used during the last siege of Golconda by Aurangazeb, to whom the fort ultimately fell. The fort is huge- its outer perimeter is over 8 kms.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 07
Hyderabad/ Chennai by flight
- Breakfast at hotel
- Morning in time transfer to the airport to connect flight for Chennai
Departure: Hyderabad
Arrival: Chennai
- Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel
- Afternoon sightseeing tour of Chennai visiting Fort St. George, completed in 1653 and today filled with reminders of the past, including St. Mary’s, the first church consecrated on Indian soil. The National Art Gallery has many excellent bronzes including the famous Chola period bronze Nataraja, the God Shiva, in the cosmic dance pose. The Government Museum (closed on Fridays) which contains sculpture and architecture produced by the Dravidian dynasties. Drive along the Marina, an elegant promenade and proceed to the old Indian section of Mylapore. Visit San Thome Basilica – the culmination of the enduring legend of Thomas Didymus, the apostle who doubted and who is believed to have lived and preached on Mylapore’s shores. Visit Mylapore Temple and drive past the Victoria Technical Institute and visit of Kapaleeshwar Temple
Overnight at the hotel
Day 08
Chennai-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram-Chennai
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Morning excursion to Kanchipuram- which is around 70 kms a drive of around 1-2 hours
- Visit Kanchipuram -“The Golden City” has about 125 shrines, all of them centuries old, dating back to the early Cholas of 200 B.C. It was successively capital of the Cholas, the Pallavas and the Rayas of Vijayanagara. The height of Kanchi’s glory was when it was capital of the far-flung empire of the Pallavas from the 6th to the 8th centuries when Mahabalipuram and Mylapore were its great ports. All that is left are its magnificent temples. Kanchipuram’s other claim to fame is its silk, renowned for more than four centuries. A unique system of weavers makes and sells Kanchi saris which are the richest saris in India and certainly the most sought after. The visit of Kanchipuram is of around 1½-2 hours and after completion of the visit proceed for Mahabalipuram- a drive of around 2-2½ Hours and around 70 Kms
- Temples in Kanchipuram are closed from 1200-1600 Hours and visit possible only up to 12 Noon
- Later continue drive to Mahabalipuram and visits-it is a beautiful beach resort which consists of a the tiny village by the sea in which all else is dwarfed by a dream world of awesome Tamil art, an open air museum of sculpture in living rock. The piece de resistance is Arjuna’s Penance or the Descent of the Ganga, the world’s largest bas-relief, 764 ft. by 288 ft. (27m by 9m). It is a beautiful composition of hundreds of celestial beings, human and animals all hurrying to a natural rock cleft that divides the giant stone. The best known landmark of Mahabalipuram, is the Shore Temple which has stood by the sea for 12 centuries. Its twin spires are pure poetry in granite. The visit of Mahabalipuram is of around 2-2½ Hours
- After visit return to Chennai- which is around 55 kms and a drive time of approximately 1-1½ hour
Overnight at the hotel
Day 09
Chennai/ Bangalore by train Shatabadi Express
- Packed breakfast at hotel
- Morning in time transfer to the railway station to connect train for Bangalore
Departure: Chennai
Arrival: Bangalore
- Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel
- Afternoon city tour- Bangalore is a flourishing city, capital of Karnataka, industrial centre and garden spot all in one. Besides being the hi-tech headquarters of India, it is the centre for some of the country’s foremost scientific technological and research bodies. Visit the Lal Bagh gardens developed with lavish care since the Muslim era and which now offer a variety of century-old trees, fountains, lotus pools, terraces and an assortment of herbs and plants spread out over several acres. In the centre of the park is the Glass House where thousands of colourful fragrant flowers go on show ever year in January and August. Visit the Bull Temple, the monolithic deity being the Nandi or celestial bull, a marvellous work on granite. The Mysore Arts & Crafts Centre, and drive through Commercial Street past the magnificent Neo-Dravidian structure, Vidhana Soudha, the government secretariat.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 10
Bangalore/ Hassan (187 Kms/ 5 Hours)
- Breakfast at hotel
- Morning proceed by surface for Hassan and on arrival check in at the hotel
- Afternoon visit of Belur- around 22 miles from Hassan- the city of Belur flourished under the Hoysala Kings 800 years ago and the sole reminder of this grandeur is the Chennakesava Temple. It stands in a perfect state of preservation and is an outstanding testament to the skill of Hoysala craftsmen. Its polished black stone exterior is profusely carved with scenes from the epics, each figure sculpted with fine detail. A short distance away at Halebid is a sister temple, the Hoysalesvara, dedicated to Shiva. Here too, the sculptor’s art is remarkable with details endless and exquisite: frieze upon frieze of gods, goddesses, animals and humans. This temple is the best in medieval Indian sculpture. It was constructed a decade after the Belur Temple by the same king but left uncompleted after 80 years of labour.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 11
Hassan/ Mysore (115 Kms/ 2-2½ Hours)
- Breakfast at hotel
- Morning proceed by surface for Mysore and directly proceed for the visit of Somnathpur– It lies 25 miles east of Mysore and has the exquisite Hoysala Temple built in the second half of the 13th century at the confluence of the rivers Kaveri and Kabini. It is triple-shrined, with an enclosed courtyard and is flat-roofed but with the suggestion of a spire. The temple is well carved and sculpted with rows of friezes going right round the walls. The figures carved are beautifully detailed and intricately placed within the friezes. Scenes from the epics, dancers, musicians, warriors, nature, all are represented here with great artistry.
- Later check in at the hotel
- Afternoon city tour of Mysore– City of Palaces and Oriental splendour. It is the principal residence of the royal family. Visit the Maharajas’s Palace-a synthesis of Hindu and Muslim styles. Gateways, domes, arches, turrets, colonnades, sculpture-all are here in magnificent profusion. Continue on to Chamundi Hill named after the Royal Family’s patron goddess and the site of summer palaces, an ancient temple and the 16-foot Nandi (Siva’s bull) carved out of a single huge boulder. The view from the hill offers a beautiful panorama of not only all Mysore, but also ranges of hills, lakes and the turrets of temples and churches.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 12
Mysore/ Bangalore (120 Kms/2½-3Hours)+Bangalore/Goa- flight
- Breakfast at hotel
- Morning proceed by surface for Bangalore and directly proceed for the visit of Srirangapatnam-it is an island between two branches of the Cauvery River and was the capital of the Mysore Rajas from 1610 to 1799. Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan were its most famous denizens. Visit the ruins of Tipu’s fort, the summer pleasure palace and the Gumbaz, his mausoleum. The inside of the Palace is handsomely carved with ornate arches and ceilings, liberally gilded wall panels and charming frescoes. The cream-coloured Gumbaz standing on its black marble pillars in the centre of a garden is an unforgettable sight. The interior is lacquered with Tipu’s tiger stripe emblem and the doors are of ebony inlaid with ivory.
- Later proceed for Bangalore and on arrival direct transfer to the airport to connect flight for Goa.
Departure: Bangalore
Arrival: Goa
- Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel
Overnight at the hotel
Day 13
In Goa
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Morning visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus which houses the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier kept in a rich casket, and the Se Cathedral, (1510) a towering white structure with a grand baroque interior. It is the most imposing of all churches at Old Goa. Its vaulted interior with the insignia of the King of Portugal, 14 gold embossed altars and Doric arches overwhelms the visitor by sheer grandeur. The Cathedral has five bells of which one is the famous Golden Bell, the biggest in Goa and one of the best in the world. It is dedicated to St. Catherine who was martyred for preferring the convent to a king.
- Later visit of Dona Paula, a landmark and picnic spot named after a Portuguese lady who lost her heart to a local lad called Gaspar Dias with tragic consequences. From here one can have a wonderful view of Marmagoa Harbour Pass by Miramar Beach and proceed to Panjim Goa’s capital which is situated on the left bank of the Mandovi River (150 kms. long with its source at Bhimgod in the Sahyadri mountains) It is a small town endowed with the quaint charm which characterises Goa Old villas, a profusion of squares, wide treelined avenues, and narrow cobbled alleys weaving through the older parts of the town with their tiled roofs and balconies reminiscent of the Iberian settlers who built them Perched on a hillock is Panjim’s most prominent landmark, the Church of the Immaculate Conception with a zigzag patterned stairway.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 14
In Goa
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Day at leisure
Overnight at the hotel
Day 15
In Goa
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Day at leisure
Overnight at the hotel
Day 16
Goa/ Mumbai by flight
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Morning at leisure
- Rooms foreseen till 12 Noon only on this day
- Afternoon in time transfer to the airport to connect flight for Mumbai
Departure: Goa
Arrival: Delhi
- Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel near the airport for dinner on own (Quoted under half board supplement).
- Later in time transfer to International terminal building to connect flight for onward journey. Flight check in starts three hours before the schedule departure time Assistance for flight check in