Hampi, Karnataka & the Beaches at Neeleshwar
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Highlights:
Kerala, in Southern India has become popular among visitors because of its beaches and its scenic backwaters. The astonishing ruins at Hampi have been referred to as “India’s Angkor Wat” and with good reason since these ruins of the Vijayanagar Empire are truly impactful. The exquisite rock cut temples of Badami, Patadkal and Halebeedu and the giant monolithic statue of Sharavanabelagola validate the extraordinary craftsmanship of ancient artisans and sculptors.
From Northern Karnataka we head to Southern Karnataka where you will be mesmerized by wildlife and the natural beauty of the area. With the Wildlife Safaris at Kabini, the Coffee plantations of Coorg and the seaside village of Neeleshwar you have a smorgasbord of culture, nature and tradition.
Kerala, in Southern India has become popular among visitors because of its beaches and its scenic backwaters. The astonishing ruins at Hampi have been referred to as “India’s Angkor Wat” and with good reason since these ruins of the Vijayanagar Empire are truly impactful. The exquisite rock cut temples of Badami, Patadkal and Halebeedu and the giant monolithic statue of Sharavanabelagola validate the extraordinary craftsmanship of ancient artisans and sculptors.
From Northern Karnataka we head to Southern Karnataka where you will be mesmerized by wildlife and the natural beauty of the area. With the Wildlife Safaris at Kabini, the Coffee plantations of Coorg and the seaside village of Neeleshwar you have a smorgasbord of culture, nature and tradition.
SKU:
Explore: HAMPI, KARNATAKA AND THE BEACHES AT NEELESHWAR
Customizable Itinerary - 19 Days (from $8,681 / person)
Day 1: Depart USA
Board your aircraft for the overnight flight to India.
Day 2: Arrival in Hyderabad
Upon arrival in Hyderabad you are met and driven to your hotel which was a former palace. At sunset you will meet one of the butlers for a champagne toast and a walking tour highlighting the history of the palace and its inhabitants.
Day 3: Golconda Fort and the Qutb Shahi Tombs
Today you tour this historic city including Golconda Fort, a former diamond-trading center and the capital of one of India’s richest and oldest medieval sultanates, the Qutb Shahi dynasty. Visit the tombs where family members and courtesans are interred.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4: Hampi and the Courtesan Bazaar
A morning transfer to the airport allows you to fly to Hampi and check in to the Kamalapura Palace. In the evening get an introduction to this beautiful and ancient landscape as you walk through giant boulders, temple ruins and the famed ‘Courtesan Bazaar” Finish your tour with a sunset walk along the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5: Vitthalapura Temples and Bazaars
After breakfast, you meet your personal historian. Hampi had many suburbs or puras. They were self-sufficient settlements centered on a temple and an attached market denoting two of its core activities; worship and commerce. You will explore the Vitthalapura Bazaar that leads to the famous Vijaya Vitthala temple considered by many to represent the pinnacle of architecture in India. After further exploration into the lifestyle of the Maharajas you return to the hotel.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Aihole, Pattadkal and Badam
Today you will visit three sites dating back over 2,000 years. These sites are considered to be the cradle of Indian temple architecture. You will witness how Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism created a strong influence on early Indian Dynasties.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: Hampi to Hassan
Your guide and driver will be waiting to take you south by car to Hassan the capital of the Hoysala Empire (1,000-1334 AD). You will check in to your hotel in Chikmagalur before heading out for an evening trek to Mulyangiri, the highest peak in Karnataka.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8: Belur and Halebeedu Temples
In the morning your guide will take you on a morning tour to witness outstanding rock architecture at the Belur and Halebeedu temples considered to be best known temples of the Hoysala Dynasty. Return to the hotel for lunch and an afternoon at leisure.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Mysore and the Palace
Your next stop will be the city of Mysore. Upon arrival you will get a tour of the city including the Palace. Dinner is the hotel this evening.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10: Back to Nature at Kabini
After breakfast you will be driven through the countryside to the Kuruba Safari Lodge. After checking in you have lunch and in the afternoon join a naturalist for an introduction to the natural beauty of the area. This will be followed by a sunset cruise on the Kabini River followed by dinner at your choice of restaurants.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11: Nagarhole National Park
Take an early morning safari into the National Park with your naturalist. You will likely see elephants and other mammals but the Tiger, while present is elusive. Return for lunch and a chance to relax by the pol or try out the spa. In the evening enjoy a coracle ride; take a ride in a bullock cart and an evening nature stroll. Dinner in your choice of venues.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Tribal Village and ‘Tales of Kabini’
After breakfast, join your guide for some birdwatching along the banks of the Kabini River. Then take a walk into the local time to get a firsthand impression of village life. After a leisurely lunch you board a boat for a river safari between Nagarhole and Bandipur National Parks. This is one of the best ways to spot the wildlife as they come to the river to drink. After dinner enjoy an evening dance by the Kadu Kurabas followed by ‘Tales of Kabini.’
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13: A Scenic Ride to Coorg
Today you will take a scenic drive to Coorg with a rich canopy of foliage. Upon arrival you have lunch and explore this working coffee and spice plantation.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 14: Coffee, Cardamom and a Little Bit of Tibet
Before breakfast, join a skilled naturalist for a birdwatching tour and a visit to the local village. Return to the resort for breakfast. After breakfast you will travel to one of the largest settlements of Tibetan Buddhists outside of Lhasa. After the Chinese occupation of Tibet, the Dalai Lama and many of his followers took refuge in India. The Bylekuppe Tibetan Settlement will expose you to many aspects of Buddhism. You will learn about The Lamas and the Rimboches, the Stupas, Prayer wheels and the concept of Nirvana and reincarnation. Relax after lunch back at the resort. In the early evening take a tour of the coffee and spice plantation.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 15: A visit to the Kodavas
Today you will visit a 1200 year old temple, the ancestral home of the Kodavas who have provided many soldiers to the Indian Army both under British Rule and after Independence. Theirs is an interesting culture which you will learn about as you have lunch with a Kodava Couple. It has long been rumored that the Kodavas are descended from the remnants of the army of Alexander the Great who decided to stay after Alexander’s death. In the evening enjoy local story telling.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 16: Drive to the Malabar Coast
Leave Karnataka and drive to North Kerala and the fragrant Malabar Coast. Upon arrival take some to enjoy the beach or the infinity pool. You have two restaurants to choose from for dinner. At your option you can request a private dinner set up on the beach or poolside along with a bottle of wine (additional charge).
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 17: Cooking and Baking
In the morning you visit a typical coastal village then return to the resort where you will get a cooking lesson from the chef with an emphasis on vegetarian and fish dishes. In the afternoon lie in the sun and work on your tan.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 18: Turtles and Riverboats
After a leisurely breakfast you will be taken to hatchery where sea turtles are raised ready to be introduced to the sea. Then spend some time cruising the backwaters, a perfect ending to a stay in Kerala and the Malar Coast.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 19: Returning home
Today you will be driven to Mangalore airport where you board an aircraft to begin your return to the USA.
Breakfast
Board your aircraft for the overnight flight to India.
Day 2: Arrival in Hyderabad
Upon arrival in Hyderabad you are met and driven to your hotel which was a former palace. At sunset you will meet one of the butlers for a champagne toast and a walking tour highlighting the history of the palace and its inhabitants.
Day 3: Golconda Fort and the Qutb Shahi Tombs
Today you tour this historic city including Golconda Fort, a former diamond-trading center and the capital of one of India’s richest and oldest medieval sultanates, the Qutb Shahi dynasty. Visit the tombs where family members and courtesans are interred.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4: Hampi and the Courtesan Bazaar
A morning transfer to the airport allows you to fly to Hampi and check in to the Kamalapura Palace. In the evening get an introduction to this beautiful and ancient landscape as you walk through giant boulders, temple ruins and the famed ‘Courtesan Bazaar” Finish your tour with a sunset walk along the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5: Vitthalapura Temples and Bazaars
After breakfast, you meet your personal historian. Hampi had many suburbs or puras. They were self-sufficient settlements centered on a temple and an attached market denoting two of its core activities; worship and commerce. You will explore the Vitthalapura Bazaar that leads to the famous Vijaya Vitthala temple considered by many to represent the pinnacle of architecture in India. After further exploration into the lifestyle of the Maharajas you return to the hotel.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Aihole, Pattadkal and Badam
Today you will visit three sites dating back over 2,000 years. These sites are considered to be the cradle of Indian temple architecture. You will witness how Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism created a strong influence on early Indian Dynasties.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: Hampi to Hassan
Your guide and driver will be waiting to take you south by car to Hassan the capital of the Hoysala Empire (1,000-1334 AD). You will check in to your hotel in Chikmagalur before heading out for an evening trek to Mulyangiri, the highest peak in Karnataka.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8: Belur and Halebeedu Temples
In the morning your guide will take you on a morning tour to witness outstanding rock architecture at the Belur and Halebeedu temples considered to be best known temples of the Hoysala Dynasty. Return to the hotel for lunch and an afternoon at leisure.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Mysore and the Palace
Your next stop will be the city of Mysore. Upon arrival you will get a tour of the city including the Palace. Dinner is the hotel this evening.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10: Back to Nature at Kabini
After breakfast you will be driven through the countryside to the Kuruba Safari Lodge. After checking in you have lunch and in the afternoon join a naturalist for an introduction to the natural beauty of the area. This will be followed by a sunset cruise on the Kabini River followed by dinner at your choice of restaurants.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11: Nagarhole National Park
Take an early morning safari into the National Park with your naturalist. You will likely see elephants and other mammals but the Tiger, while present is elusive. Return for lunch and a chance to relax by the pol or try out the spa. In the evening enjoy a coracle ride; take a ride in a bullock cart and an evening nature stroll. Dinner in your choice of venues.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Tribal Village and ‘Tales of Kabini’
After breakfast, join your guide for some birdwatching along the banks of the Kabini River. Then take a walk into the local time to get a firsthand impression of village life. After a leisurely lunch you board a boat for a river safari between Nagarhole and Bandipur National Parks. This is one of the best ways to spot the wildlife as they come to the river to drink. After dinner enjoy an evening dance by the Kadu Kurabas followed by ‘Tales of Kabini.’
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13: A Scenic Ride to Coorg
Today you will take a scenic drive to Coorg with a rich canopy of foliage. Upon arrival you have lunch and explore this working coffee and spice plantation.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 14: Coffee, Cardamom and a Little Bit of Tibet
Before breakfast, join a skilled naturalist for a birdwatching tour and a visit to the local village. Return to the resort for breakfast. After breakfast you will travel to one of the largest settlements of Tibetan Buddhists outside of Lhasa. After the Chinese occupation of Tibet, the Dalai Lama and many of his followers took refuge in India. The Bylekuppe Tibetan Settlement will expose you to many aspects of Buddhism. You will learn about The Lamas and the Rimboches, the Stupas, Prayer wheels and the concept of Nirvana and reincarnation. Relax after lunch back at the resort. In the early evening take a tour of the coffee and spice plantation.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 15: A visit to the Kodavas
Today you will visit a 1200 year old temple, the ancestral home of the Kodavas who have provided many soldiers to the Indian Army both under British Rule and after Independence. Theirs is an interesting culture which you will learn about as you have lunch with a Kodava Couple. It has long been rumored that the Kodavas are descended from the remnants of the army of Alexander the Great who decided to stay after Alexander’s death. In the evening enjoy local story telling.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 16: Drive to the Malabar Coast
Leave Karnataka and drive to North Kerala and the fragrant Malabar Coast. Upon arrival take some to enjoy the beach or the infinity pool. You have two restaurants to choose from for dinner. At your option you can request a private dinner set up on the beach or poolside along with a bottle of wine (additional charge).
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 17: Cooking and Baking
In the morning you visit a typical coastal village then return to the resort where you will get a cooking lesson from the chef with an emphasis on vegetarian and fish dishes. In the afternoon lie in the sun and work on your tan.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 18: Turtles and Riverboats
After a leisurely breakfast you will be taken to hatchery where sea turtles are raised ready to be introduced to the sea. Then spend some time cruising the backwaters, a perfect ending to a stay in Kerala and the Malar Coast.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 19: Returning home
Today you will be driven to Mangalore airport where you board an aircraft to begin your return to the USA.
Breakfast
