From its high-spirited art and culture of multilingual ethnicity, amazing dance forms, mesmerising music, sophisticated heritage, enthusiastic festivities, elegant clothing and mouth-watering cuisine Karnataka has a plethora of historical secrets, mingled within a rich and varied culture. It is a major tourist spot with towns such as Bangalore, the scenic Coorg, the lesser known town of Hassan, and heritage sites like Badami which attract countless people every year. Karnataka offers something for everyone, be it a history fanatic place, a nature lover or someone looking to immerse oneself in its cultural heritage. It is abode to various tribes, the unique Siddi community, many Tibetan refugees, the anthropological enigma that is the Kodava community and others, who pay to its own irreplaceable culture. This special modified 14 Nights and 15 Days Karnataka Culture tour is an ideal way for the traveller to explore the major spots of the state in a reasonable span of time. The key highlights of this trip are visiting ISKCON Temple and Lalbagh in Bangalore, visiting Tipu Sultan's palace in Mysore, enjoying jungle safari in Nagarhole, day-trip to Belur and Halebid Temples that are UNESCO world heritage, exploring Hassan Empire that is no more than ruins today, enjoying wildlife safari at Dandeli Wildlife and including the beach activities in Goa. The tour is ideal to relish several remarkable memories of exploring the wilderness and nature's bounty.
Tour Duration : ( 14 Nights / 15 Days )
Destinations Covered : Bangalore - Mysore - Nagarhole - Hassan - Hospet - Badami - Dandeli - Goa
Day 1: Arrival at Bangalore
After your arrival at the Bangalore Airport, get transported to your hotel. After that leave for city tour explore the major attractions of the city such as VidhanaSoudha, LalBagh, ISKON temple and Bangalore Palace,night stay.
Day 2: Bangalore – Mysore (150 km / 3 hrs)
Morning breakfast and leave for Mysore by road. On the way visitSrirangapatnam (around 145 kms). It is a small town near Mysore, which has a lot of religious cultural, historic and religious importance. Later, continue towards Mysore, the second-largest city of Karnataka. Once you reach there, check into the hotel for staying overnight. If you want, you can take a stroll to explore the surroundings.
Day 3: Mysore
After breakfast and leave your hotel room for visiting the popular attractions of Mysore. You will get a chance to explore Tipu Sultan's Palace. This palace was a summer retreat for the ruler. It is also known as the Wooden Palace as along with stones and bricks, it is also made up of wood. Later visit Somnathpura, popular for its temples, the most famous one being the Chennakesava Temple. Night stay at Mysore.
Day 4: Mysore - Nagerhole National Park (100 kms)
Morning breakfast, begin your road journey towards the Nagarhole National Park. Also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, it houses a large variety of flora and fauna. On arrival, check into a jungle resort. Embark on a jungle safari for exploring the wildlife in the park. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Nagarhole National Park
Morning jungle safaris into the park, one will be in the morning and the other one will be in the afternoon. Spot animals like Snakes, Four-Horned Antelope, Sloth Bear, Porcupine, Jackal, Mouse-deer. Later, you can also indulge in nature walks. Night stay.
Day 6: Nagarhole – Hassan (140 km / 3 hrs)
Morning after breakfast leave for Hassan,it is home to a number of temples. On reaching, check into the hotel. Have your lunch and leave for exploring Belur and Halebid Temples. This UNESCO world heritage site is an amazing example of South Indian architecture. There are numerous ancient temples such as Chennakesava Temple, the Vir Narayan and the Chennigaraya temple. Night halt in Hassan.
Day 7: Hassan - Hospet (395 kms / 7 hrs)
Morning breakfast, begin your road journey towards Hospet. Directly move to the hotel for freshening-up. A small town, it is well-connected with several important places. If you want you can take a leisure walk. Overnight stay hotel.
Day 8: Hospet
Morning breakfast, begin your one hour drive towards Hampi, situated within the ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire. This UNESCO world heritage site is the remains of the largest empire in India's history. During the day, explore the remains of the kingdom that include Virupaksha Temple, UddanaVeerabhadra temple etc. Back to Hospet for staying overnight.
Day 9: Hospet - Badami (146 kms / 3 hrs)
Have your breakfast and leave for Badami. Earlier known as Vatapi, it is well-known for rock cut as well as other structural temples. On arriving, check in at your hotel. Explore the surroundings that will include cave temples, gateways, forts, inscriptions and sculptures. Night stay.
Day 10: Badami
Relish your breakfast and later leave for a day trip to Pattadakal and Aihole Temples. Both these complexes house a number of ancient temples and are UNESCO world heritage sites as well. The temples here are a mix of Dravidian, Northern and Indo-Aryan architecture. Night stay in Badami.
Day 11: Badami - Dandeli
Morning breakfast, begin driving towards Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, the second largest wildlife sanctuary of Karnatak. On arrival, move to your jungle Lodge. Post lunch, jungle safari into the park where you will be able to spot animals like tigers, leopards, black panthers, elephants, gaur, deer, antelopes, and bears. Back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 12: Dandeli – Goa
After an early morning safari, get transported by road to Goa which is 108 kms away. One of the most popular tourist destinations of the country, it is visited by a large number of tourists every year. You can do numerous activities here such as sightseeing, water sports, partying, and much more. Get to your hotel after arriving. Spend the day in doing activities of your interest. Enjoy a stroll along the beach. Shop for souvenirs from the popular flea markets, enjoy can buy bamboo products, colorful clothes, fake products etc. Night stay.
Day 13: Goa
Morning after breakfastleave for sightseeing of Goa, such as Aguada Fort, Basilica of Bom Jesus, St. Cajetan Church, The Church of Mae de Deus etc. After a whole day is sightseeing, relax in the shacks built along the beaches. Enjoy the local Goan and seafood here. Overnight stay.
Day 14: Goa
If you are an adventure enthusiast, then you can indulge in various kinds of water sports activities such as parasailing, windsurfing, dinghy sailing, and motor biking and so on. You can also do other activities of your interest such as taking a walk, sunbathing and reading. Night stay at your hotel.
Day 15: Goa Departure
Morning after breakfast, check-out from hotel in time transfer to the Airport for your onward destination.