Karnataka is a land of dramatic contrasts – from 500 years old ruins of Vijaynagar Empire at Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, coffee & spice plantations in Chikmagalur & Coorg, herds of elephants & the safari experience in Nagarhole National Park, intricacy and profusion of sculptural work in the temples of Belur, Halebid, Aihole & Pattadakal and it’s all about grandeur and glory of the past in the historical city ofMysore.
Visit the Western Ghats in Karnataka, the misty hills, lush green valleys, meandering brooks beckon nature lovers for a tranquil sojourn. The region is scattered with hamlets, villages & townships surrounded by coffee plantations, orange groves interspersed with cardamom and pepper plants and dense forests. Extend your journey to Andaman Islands or the pristine beaches of Bekal & Gokarna.
DAY 1: Arrive Hampi- Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Vijayanagara, the “City of Victory”, was one of the largest of all the medieval Hindu capitals of South India. Its impressive ruins in the center of Karnataka are better known as Hampi, after the name of a populated village it is still local. It was the seat of the powerful Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1565) that stretched from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal and from the Deccan Plateau to the tip of the Indian Peninsula. Evening enjoy a coracle ride as the sun sets on Tungabhadra river. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 2: Hampi- Breakfast. Full day explore the ruins of Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The fascinating ruins of the 15th century city of Vijayanagar, near the town of Hampi, is set in an extraordinary landscape of giant granite rocks, lush fields, and banana plantations. The clock seems to have stopped at this World Heritage Site, and you can spend a surprisingly large amount of time looking at the oddly balanced rocks, wondering how many millions of years of erosion those formations could achieve. The extensive site is organised around two main areas, the Sacred Center with its concentration of temples and shrines, and the Royal Center. The Sacred Center is located near the river, and includes the Virupaksha Temple in the center of the village and Hemakuta Hill with its many shrines and dominant views of the area. After a visit to the Vitthala Temple, they focus on the Royal Center visiting the Lotus Mahal in the Zenana compound with its lobed arches and pyramid towers, a magnificent example of Vijayanagara syncretic architecture. Overnight at the Hotel.
DAY 3: Hampi/Chikmagalur- Breakfast. In the morning travel by road to Chikmagalur– coffee land of Karnataka situated in the foothills of the Mullayangiri Range, one of the most beautiful hill stations in Karnataka. Being the largest producer of coffee in the country, Chikmagalur is mainly all about its coffee. So if you’re a coffee enthusiast as well as a nature lover, taking a walk through one (or a few) of the numerous coffee plantations in the city is a must-do activity. At the same time it is base for our tour of Belur and Halebid Temples. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 4: Chikmagalur/Belur/Halebeedu/Coorg- Breakfast. Drive to Coorg visiting en route the ancient temples of Belur and Halebeedu. Nestled on the banks of River Yagachi, the town of Belur along with its twin town of Halebid located 16 km away, houses exquisite temples reflecting the exemplary artistic taste and technique of builders of the yore. This small town was the capital of the mighty Hoysala empire and their engineering genius can still be witnessed in the structures that stand here today. Some of the important shrines that are housed here include Chennakesava Temple and Kappe Chennigaray, both of which are exemplary Dravidian pieces of architecture. Continue drive to Coorg also known as Kodagu, known for its breathtakingly exotic scenery and lush greenery. This popular coffee producing hill station is not only popular for its beautiful green hills and the streams cutting right through them. It also stands as a popular destination because of its culture and people. The Kodavas, a local clan specialising in martial arts, are especially notable for their keen hospitality. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 5: Coorg- Breakfast. A sprawling, coffee-scented paradise reverberating with a symphony of birds – everything about the region is sure to beckon the nature lover in you. Start the day with a trek through the plantations, learn about the floral and faunal ecosystem in the region, appreciate the quietude of the woods or get lured by a solitary insect at work, all to come back refreshed and in tune with nature. We shall then continue to The Golden Temple –Namdroling Monastery that holds some excellent examples of Tibetan architecture and artwork, as seen with the elaborately decorated temple tower and ornate outer walls, intricately adorned with beautiful murals. We shall make our evening lively like always but as we are surrounded by the mother nature this time around the lively evening would be more with a aquating experience at Irpu & Abbey Waterfalls. Gurgling and cascading down rocky hills, the Irpu and Abbey Falls are Coorg’s favourite waterfalls. The gush of water along with the chirping of birds provides a wonderful break from the city sounds, while the picturesque view of the falls is sure to take your breath away. While the Abbey Falls drops down from a height of 70 feet, the Irpu Falls plunges down from a staggering height of 170 feet creating a relentless thunder in the surrounding woods. Great tourist destinations, visitors throng the place to take a dip in the waterfalls and soak in the breathtaking view. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 6: Coorg/Kabini- Breakfast. Morning travel by road to Kabini which was once a private hunting area for the British, this famous wildlife destination has a rich variety of flora and fauna making it a gorgeous tourist spot. Kabini has a lot to offer right from the Jungle Safari, boating to trekking in Nagarhole Forest. On arrival check-in at hotel. Enjoy a sunset Coracle ride on the Kabini river. On any given evening after sunset, you can see local fishermen out on the waters of the Kabini with their nets and lines in their coracles. Riding in a coracle is not like riding in a long boat. The coracle, being small and round, can disorient you while at the same time giving you a 360* view of the waterscape. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 7: Kabini/Mysore- Breakfast. We shall start our morning with a safari in Nagarhole National Park. The Nagarhole ecosystem supports the highest density of herbivores anywhere in Asia with around 108 animals per sq km. In addition to large herbivores such as the Chital, Sambar, Gaur, Asian Elephant and more, Nagarhole also boasts a large number of predators including the Tiger, Leopard and Wild dog. A highlight of the Park is the largest congregation of Asian Elephants in the world, which occur during the summer months. You can also look forward to bird watching, what with over 300 species of birds recorded in the región. In continuation drive to Mysore, the political capital of the Wodeyar dynasty which ruled Karnataka for some 150 years till the independence of the country from the British. The kings, great patrons of art and culture, developed Mysore as an important centre of religion, education and culture. A city of palatial buildings and tree-lined boulevards, laid-back Mysore is possessed of a quaint charm, a dignified hangover from the days when it was the capital of a rich princely state. Today, Mysore is a city of palaces, gardens, shady avenues and sacred temples and retains some of the charm of the old world while stepping into modernity with enthusiasm. Famous for its traditional painting and its silk, sandalwood and incense production, Mysore is now promoting itself as an international centre for Ashtanga yoga. Overnight at the Hotel..
DAY 8: Mysore/Bangalore & Depart- Breakfast. Morning tour of the Mysore Palace, built in the Indo-Saracenic style, the palace is an imposing structure standing in the heart of the city. An earlier palace burnt down in 1897 and the present one, designed by English architect Henry Irwin, was completed in 1912 at a cost of Rs 4.5 million. 15 years of nonstop construction produced a fabulous domed, arched, colonnaded, and turreted structure with lavish interiors — teak ceilings, carved marble handrails, gilded pillared halls, ivory deities, rococo lamp stands, Italian crystal chandeliers, stained-glass windows, miles of white marble floors, and ceilings made from stained glass brought all the way from Glasgow. It will be hard to find an undecorated section of wall or ceiling; frescoes, paintings, statues, and delicate relief carvings recall religious as well as secular scenes, including glorious state processions. Within the inner courtyards, growling stone felines guard stairways, while elsewhere, elaborately carved rosewood doors mark the entrances of yet more splendid halls and chambers. Paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, golden chariots, gilt-framed mirrors, stately family portraits (including a wax sculpture of the maharajah), and all manner of ornate fantasy objects add to the spectacle of abundant wealth. Visit Saint Philomena’s Church, built in the Gothic style, it has some beautiful stain glass windows. Also, visit Chamundi Hill, famous for the Mahishasura statue and Chamundeswari Temple. This afternoon excursion to Srirangapatnam and the summer palace of Tipu Sultan. Tipu’s summer palace, the Daria Daulat Bagh is set in ornamental gardens and is notable for its beautiful interior decoration. Not one inch has been left unadorned, with fascinating floor-to-ceiling murals depicting courtly life and Tipu’s campaigns against the British. The man himself can be glimpsed in a portrait by John Zoffony, which was painted in 1780 when Tipu was 30. Late afternoon transfer to Bangalore airport for your homebound flight.
HOTELS
The recommended hotels in each category have been personally inspected by us or, occasionally, by our trusted representative, and their selection do not depend on photoshopped images available online. They are international standard hotels, well maintained properties, with high quality professional and personalised services. The program can be customised with your particular choice of hotels or a “Mix and Match” of hotels mentioned in different categories, as per your interest & budgets.
TOUR PRICES PER PERSON
Approximate prices based minimum 2 persons travelling together sharing a double/twin-bedded room
(Speak to us to customise the program as per your travel dates & budgets)
CATEGORY OF HOTELS | OCTOBER – MARCH |
Superior, 4*+ | ₹ 80000/USD 1095 |
Deluxe, 5* | ₹ 113490/USD 1550 |
Approximate airfares in economy class per person**
Delhi/ Hubli,Bangalore/Delhi | ₹13650/USD 190 |
** Airfares are subject to change based on dates of travel and until the tickets are issued
Tour Prices Include
• Accommodation for 07 nights in your selection of hotels
• Daily Breakfast included
• Meals (Lunch and Dinner) are included as mentioned in itinerary
• Transfers from airport to hotel and vice-versa with assistance, tours & excursions as per itinerary by private air-conditioned car with driver with Free Wi-Fi & mineral water/soft beverages
• Tours & Excursions transfers as per itinerary by private air-conditioned car with driver
• Local English speaking guide for the tours in each city
• Entrances to monuments & included features as per itinerary
• 24/7 Concierge Service (+91 9818448420) for any emergencies
• All service fees & current taxes
Does not include
• International & Internal airfares
• Any Tours & Excursions not mentioned in the itinerary
• Any meals except those mentioned in the itinerary
• Passport & Visa Fee
• Personal expenses such as beverages, laundry, telephone calls, Wi-Fi, Spa services, minibar at hotels, etc.
• Any Tips/Gratuities for airport representatives, guides, drivers, baggage porters, restaurant staff, etc.
• Trip Cancellation Insurance
Important Notes
• This program can further customised as per your travel dates, interests & budgets
• Prices are based on the present tax structure, guide fees, fuel charges and entrances to monuments. If there is any change, the prices also will change accordingly
• In case of fluctuations in the exchange rate, the USD prices are subject to change
• Prices are not valid for the peak season- Christmas/New Year, December 20- January 06.
Call us or WhatsApp +91 99650148702 or email info@aatmantours.com for a personalised quotation for this trip customised as per your travel dates & budgets. Your personalised quotation will be accompanied by our exclusive menu of optional experiential activities in each city to enhance your overall experience of the trip.