Home »
Kerala Tours »
Kerala & Karnataka Tour
Kerala & Karnataka Tour
Duration: 16 Nights / 17 Days
Places Covered: Cochin - Alleppey - Bangalore - Mysore
- Nagarhole - Hassan - Hospet - Badami - Dandeli - Goa - Mumbai
Day 01: Arrive Cochin
Begin your tour
Arrive into Cochin
Welcome to your "Kerala & Karnataka Tour"
On arrival in Cochin, you will be met and transferred by Vardhman's representative
to your hotel. Cochin - the palmgreen commercial town of Kerala has one
of the finest natural harbours in the world. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 02: Cochin
Morning proceed for the half day city sightseeing tour of cochin
visiting the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Chinese Fishing Nets, St
Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Church.
Evening entertainment with Kathakali dance performance.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 03: Cochin - Alleppey - Houseboat
To experience the best of Kerala, go aboard an exciting houseboat
cruise along the Kerala backwaters. Morning drive to Alleppey and check
in to the houseboat on arrival. The overnight cruise takes you from
Alleppey backwaters allowing you to enjoy serene surroundings en route.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner served on board.
Overnight: Houseboat
Day 04: Alleppey -Bangalore
The houseboat comes to a halt at Alleppey today morning. Disembark
the houseboat after breakfast and then transfer to Cochin airport to
board flight for Bangalore-India's silicon valley.. Arrive Bangalore
airport and you will be transferred to your hotel by our representative.
Day free to relax.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 05: Bangalore
For the first half of the day proceed for the sightseeing tour of
the "Garden City" which covers the Lal Bagh having variety
of old Trees, Fountains, Lotus, Pools, Terraces and an assortment of
Tropical Herbs and Sub - Tropical Herbs. Also see the Government Buildings
and the Maharaja's Palace. Utilize rest of the day in shopping or personal
activities.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 06: Bangalore-Mysore
On the day 6 of your tour drive to Mysore. En-route visit Srirangapatna.
Srirangapatnam: This fort was the stronghold of Tipu Sultan, son of
Hyder Ali. Tipu fought a valiant battle against the British in 1799
before laying down his life. Among the many fort buildings till intact
are Tipu 's airy summer palace and his tomb at the Darya Daulat Bagh
(Garden). Also visit Sri Ranganath Temple.
Upon arrival, check into your hotel. Relax for the remaining part of
the day.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 07: Mysore
Morning proceed for the sightseeing tour.
Visit the palace of the Maharaja built in 1911-12. The palace is a harmonious
synthesis of the Hindu and saracenic styles of architecture with magnificent
Archways, Domes, Turrets, Colonnades and Sculptures.
Also visit the Art Gallery, drive upto Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari
Temple & panoramic view of Mysore. On your way back see the Nandi
Bull -a monolith structure.
Afternoon visit Somnathpur Temple.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 08: Mysore-Nagarhole
Full day free to explore Nagarhole National Park.
Nagarhole National Park: It is a part of the sprawling Nilgiri Biosphere
Reserve in South India. Established in 1955 as a sanctuary and designated
as a National park in 1975, the park was later renamed as Rajiv Gandhi
National Park after the late Prime Minister of India.
Afternoon enjoy jungle safari.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 09: Nagarhole
Full day free to explore Nagarhole National Park.
Jungle activities to include safari, nature walk, boating Camp fire
dinner, film show.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 10: Nagarhole-Hassan
This morning after breakfast drive to Hassan. Upon arrival , check
into your hotel. Relax for a while and then visit Belur and Halebid
Temples.
The erstwhile capital of the Hoysalas, Belur's claim to fame is its
magnificent temple complex. The Hoysalas were prolific temple builders
and their reign led to a profusion of beautiful temples in and around
Belur. Along with Halebid, the temples of Belur represent the architectural
dexterity of the Hoysala craftsmen.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 11: Hassan-Hospet
Drive to Hospet. On arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 12: Hospet
Full day visit of Hampi, the ruins of Vijayanagar Empire. Tourist
attractions in Hampi including sacred temples, magnificent palaces and
other royal structures.
Lotus Mahal
A synthesis of the Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture. High on
aesthetics, this elegant structure has two levels, with open pavilions
at the bottom and balconies above. Lotus Mahal derives its name from
its beautiful, geometrically arranged cusped arches that resemble the
petals of a flower opening to the sun.
Vithala Temple
Located on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River, the Vithala
temple is another imposing structure amidst the ruins. The large Ranga
Mantapa of the temple has 56 musical pillars that resound with musical
notes when struck. In the temple courtyard stands a magnificent stone
chariot, so perfectly proportioned that the stone wheels actually rotate.
Virupaksha Temple
The majestic Virupaksha temple stands proudly amidst the ruins of Hampi.
While the city of Hampi was pillaged by marauding invaders, the Virupaksha
temple stood erect and worship continued throughout the ages. The deity
of Virupaksheshwara or Pampapathi, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, is
worshipped here.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 13: Hospet-Badami
This morning after breakfast drive to Badami. Reach and check into
your hotel. In the afternoon visit ancient Badami Caves temples and
the Badami Fort.
Badami Caves temples: Perched a top a flight of 200 steps, the temple
complex consists of four ancient rock-cut caves replete with carved
pillars and bracket figures. Of the four temples, three are Brahmanical
temples while the fourth one is a Jain cave. The third cave temple,
dedicated to Lord Vishnu, stands out among the lot for its sheer size
and sculptural elegance.
Badami Fort: An uneven, steep and winding flight of steps between caves
2 and 3 lead to the imposing Badami fort. Within the ramparts of the
fort, nestle a large granary, an underground chamber which must have
served as a treasury or private audience hall and many other architectural
marvels. The fort, whose chief attraction is the Tipu's cannon, also
houses a carved temple raised on top of the northern end of the hill.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 14: Badami
Day trip to visit Patadkal & Aiohle Temples.
Patadkal TemplesU, NESCO World Heritage Site:The second capital of the
Chalukya dynasty after Aihole, Pattadakal's magnificent 8th-century
temples epitomize the zenith of Chalukyan architecture. The sacred temple
complex of Pattadakal consists of 10 major temples, each resplendent
with beautifully textured carvings and pillars. The impressive temple
structures of Pattadakal are a confluence of the North Indian and South
Indian temple architecture styles.
Aiohle Temples:
In the evening return back to the hotel for an overnight rest.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 15: Badami-Dandeli
On the day 15 of your tour drive to Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary,
which is claimed to be the largest wildlife sanctuary of Karnataka.
It is home to the exotic as well as the rarely found species of plants
and animals. The serpentine tributaries of River Kali fork through the
lush forests and breathtaking valleys of the sanctuary. Syntheri rocks,
an awesome monolithic granite structure, is located 35 kms. from the
Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary. Dandeli is a heaven for nature enthusiasts
with an abundance of trekking trails and fishing spots.
Check into your pre-booked hotel. Relax for the remaining part of the
day.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 12: Dandeli
Full day free to explore Dandeli wildlife sanctuary.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 13: Dandeli-Goa
This morning after a lesiurely breakfast drive to Goa, a marvelous
place and its beaches provide such a mesmerizing view that it is surely
going to leave the tourists awestruck. On arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Relax for the remaining part of the day.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 16: Goa
Start your half-day sightseeing tour from the slopes of Altinho
Hill for a breathtaking view of Panjim and river Mandovi. Then to Dona-Paula
for a view of India's largest natural harbour-Mormugao. Afterwards we
visit old Goa and see the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which contains the
tomb, & mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier housed in a silver
ornate casket, Se. Cathedral- the biggest Church in the East, St. Cajetan-
built like St. Peter (Rome), Church of Our Lady Rosary and St. Monica.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 17: Goa-Mumbai-Dep
Morning after breakfast transfer to Goa airport to board flight
for Mumbai. On arrival at Mumbai Airport transfer to Mumbai international
airport to board flight for onward journeys with sweet and pleasant
memories of your "Kerala & Karnataka Tour" escorted by
Vardhman Vacations.
END OF OUR SERVICES
