Heritage karnataka

Your heritage journey begins as you arrive at Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore. After a warm welcome, you'll be transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city. After checking in and refreshing yourself, embark on an afternoon tour of Bangalore's key heritage attractions. Visit the magnificent Bangalore Palace, built in 1887 in Tudor-Gothic style by the Wodeyar dynasty. Continue to Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, an elegant teak wood structure built in Indo-Islamic style showcasing beautiful frescoes. If time permits, visit the Bull Temple (Nandi Temple) in Basavanagudi, built in the 16th century, housing one of the largest monolithic Nandi statues in the world. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Bangalore.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and drive approximately 150 kilometers (3-4 hours) to Mysore, the cultural capital of Karnataka. En route, stop at Srirangapatna, an island fortress town that served as Tipu Sultan's capital. Visit Dariya Daulat Bagh (Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace), the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, and Tipu Sultan's Death Place. Upon arrival in Mysore, check into your hotel and refresh yourself. In the evening, visit the magnificent Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas Palace), especially to see it illuminated with nearly 100,000 lights on Sunday evenings and public holidays. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Mysore.

After breakfast, continue your exploration of Mysore's royal heritage. Begin with a morning visit to Chamundi Hills, located 13 kilometers from the city center, featuring the 12th-century Sri Chamundeshwari Temple and a massive 5-meter-high monolithic Nandi statue. Return to Mysore Palace for a detailed interior tour, featuring opulent durbar halls and the spectacular Golden Throne. After lunch, visit Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion housing a folklore museum and the Jaganmohan Palace Art Gallery, showcasing an impressive collection of paintings including works by Raja Ravi Varma. Later, explore Karanji Lake and the adjoining Butterfly Park. End your day with a visit to the beautifully landscaped Brindavan Gardens. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Mysore.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and drive approximately 120 kilometers (3 hours) to Hassan. En route, visit Shravanabelagola, featuring a 57-foot-tall monolithic statue of Gommateshwara (Bahubali). Upon arrival in Hassan, check into your hotel and refresh yourself. After lunch, embark on an excursion to Belur and Halebid, located about 30-40 kilometers from Hassan. At Belur, explore the Chennakesava Temple, a masterpiece of Hoysala architecture built in 1117 CE. Continue to Halebid to visit the Hoysaleshwara Temple, a 12th-century marvel famous for its detailed relief sculptures with no two sculptures being alike among thousands. Return to Hassan for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and embark on a long but rewarding journey to Hampi, approximately 320 kilometers (7-8 hours). The drive takes you through changing landscapes of the Karnataka plateau. Upon arrival in Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the erstwhile capital of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire, check into your hotel. Spend the evening relaxing or take a short stroll around the nearby ruins to get a first impression of this vast archaeological site. Dinner and overnight stay in Hampi.

After breakfast, embark on a full-day exploration of Hampi's magnificent ruins spread over 26 square kilometers. Begin with the iconic Virupaksha Temple, an active worship site dating back to the 7th century with its 50-meter-high gopuram (gateway tower). Visit the Hemakuta Hill temples, offering panoramic views of Hampi's boulder-strewn landscape. Continue to the massive Lakshmi Narasimha statue and the Krishna Temple complex. After lunch, explore the Royal Enclosure containing the Mahanavami Dibba (a massive platform), the stepped tank, and the underground Shiva temple. Visit the stunning Vittala Temple, home to the famous Stone Chariot and musical pillars, and the nearby Purandara Mantapa overlooking the Tungabhadra River. End your day with a visit to the Lotus Mahal, Queen's Bath, and Elephant Stables, showcasing the Indo-Islamic architectural influence of the Vijayanagara period. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Hampi.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and drive approximately 140 kilometers (4 hours) to Badami, the capital of the early Chalukya dynasty. En route, visit Aihole, known as the "Cradle of Indian Architecture" with over 70 temples dating from the 4th to 12th centuries. Explore the Durga Temple complex with its unique semi-circular apsidal architecture and the Ravana Phadi cave temple with exquisite carvings. Continue to Pattadakal, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring a harmonious blend of North and South Indian architectural styles across its ten major temples. Upon arrival in Badami, check into your hotel and refresh yourself. In the evening, visit the serene Agastya Lake with the Bhutanatha Temples on its eastern shore. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Badami.

After breakfast, explore the famous Badami Cave Temples, a complex of four rock-cut shrines carved out of the soft Badami sandstone on a cliff face in the 6th and 7th centuries. Cave 1 is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Cave 2 and 3 to Lord Vishnu, and Cave 4 contains Jain figures. Marvel at the detailed sculptures and intricate carvings showcasing mythological scenes and celestial beings. If time permits, visit the Archaeological Museum housing sculptures and artifacts from the Chalukyan era. After lunch, depending on your departure plans, you will be transferred to Hubballi Airport (approximately 120 kilometers/3 hours) for your flight to Bangalore or directly to Bangalore by road (approximately 450 kilometers/9 hours, may require an overnight stay) for your onward journey, concluding your memorable exploration of Karnataka's rich heritage.