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Discover India Holidays Cultural Tours Deccan India
Cultural Tours
 
Deccan India  
Duration : 13 Days
Validity : 01 October 2007 - 30 April 2008
Destinations :

Mumbai - Hyderabad - Bijapur - Badami - Hospet - Dandeli - Goa - Mumbai

Holiday Theme : Cultural Tours
   
Itinerary  

DAY 01:

You are met on arrival and transferred to your Hotel.

DAY 02:

During the morning excursion to Elephanta Caves, across the harbour you will see the world famous Elephanta Caves - 1200 years old and dedicated to Lord Shiva. The famous sculpture signifying the Trinity of the Creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer is situated here. The city's long association with the British is reflected in the old world charm of its buildings made in the Indo-Saracen style. Some of the well-known landmarks are the Gateway of India at Apollo Bunder overlooking the harbour.
Half day city tour of Mumbai will include a visit to the Prince of Wales Museum, Marine drive, Mani Bhawan (Gandhi House), Flora Fountain, Kamla Nehru Park and finally to the Hanging gardens.

DAY 03:

Morningto board flight for Hyderabad. Arrive Hyderabad and transfer to hotel. Sightseeing of Hyderabad includes a visit to the Charminar (Four Columned monument). The entire structure looks ethereal when it is
illuminated after dusk. The Mecca Masjid next to the Charminar is one of the largest in the world. The Salar Jung Museum houses an astounding assortment of art objects from all over the world. Collected by three generations of the Nizams, but mostly by Salar Jung III, the museum has oil paintings by obscure western artists, well-known Indian artists, marble sculptures, carpets, clocks, china and porcelain, Chola sculptures, miniature paintings, a massive ivory collection and religious objects. The Husain Sagar tank in the northern part of Hyderabad is impossible to ignore. Its a large manmade lake with dimensions to the tune of 6.5 kilometres by 800 metres, and a depth of 16 metres. The Quli Qutub Shahi Tombs: The Qutub Shahi kings are buried in marvellous tombs, the constructions of which they personally oversaw. All seven sultans are buried in the same compound where garden paths wind past these phenomenal monuments. The Falaknuma Palace is now a museum for the riches collected by the Nizam of Hyderabad.

DAY 04:

In the morning proceed by surface to Bijapur (6 hours drive). En-route visit Bidar, which was the capital of the Bahmani kings from 1428 till it later passed into the hands of the Barid Shahi dynasty. There are some beautiful specimens of typical Muslim art and architecture. Fragments of old colourful mosaics, grand old tombs of the Bahmani and Barid kings and an impressive 15th century fort that still encircles the town give Bidar its days-of-yore charm.  Bidar is famous for being the place where Bidriware, a form of silver filigree art, originated. Bidriware is silver filigree done in Islamic motifs and set against a dark background of blackened zinc, tin, copper and lead to create the most striking ashtrays, boxes, bangles and such objects.
Arrive Bijapur by the evening and check in at hotel. Visit the Gol Gumbaj.

DAY 05:

Morning drive to Badami. Arrive Badami and check in at the hotel. Badami is a sleepy little town on a red sandstone bridge, which was once the capital of the great Chalukyan Empire, that controlled most of peninsular India between the 4th and 8th centuries AD. The Chalukyas are credited with some of the best traditions of Dravidian architecture, including an experimental blend of older South Indian temple architecture and the nagara style of north India

DAY 06:

Full day return excursion to Aihole, which is two hours from Badami used to be the regional capital of the Chalukyan kings between the 4th and 6th centuries AD. Pattadakal is half an hour from Badami and is a little village.  At one time it was the second most important city of the Chalukyas and the site of royal ceremonies like coronations. The ruins at Pattadakal date from the 4th century to the 9th. The majority of the work is from the 7th and 8th centuries AD. Pattadakal is also an important site for the study of the development of temple architecture in South with ornate Virupaksha Temple, the Mallikarjuna Temple and the Papanath Temple.

DAY 07:

Morning visit Fiva Caves, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Shiva, The Jains and Buddhist with frescoes and paintings, and two beautiful lake-side temples (Bhutnath Temples). Explore Badamis 6th and 7th century rock cut shrines. Later drive to Hospet. Arrive Hospet and check in at hotel.

Day 08:

Day return excursion to Hampi.Hampi is a magical place and is one of the most beautiful towns in Karnataka. Huge boulders are scattered across the land where ruins of the old Vijayanagar capital stand as poignant reminders of the passage of history. This windswept little village was once the centre of a vibrant, thriving culture that enriched the entire region with carved temples and rock-cut magnificence.
The Vittalla Temple at the eastern end of the bazaar is the undisputed best-structure in Hampi. This superbly sculptured temple was begun in 1509 during the reign of the greatest Vijaynagar king, Krishnadevaraya. Now a World Heritage Site, the temple, which was never completed or consecrated, encompasses the best of Vijaynagar temple building. And then there are the ruined remains of the grand palace complex from where at one time royal decrees must have issued forth commanding respect and obedience from the subjects. The Royal Centre is one of the most haunting structures in Hampi. The Lotus Mahal and the Elephant Astabal (Stables) lie inside the Zenana Enclosure. The Archaeological Museum (Kamalapuram) has models of the ground plan of the ancient town and some excavated sculptures. The visit gives a complete picture of Hampi, present and past.

Day 09:

Morning drive to Dandeli via the Jain temples at Lakundi and the cotton market at Gadag. Arrive Dandeli and check in at a Wildlife reserve. Afternoon enjoy a Jeep safari in the park.

Day 10:

Morning enjoy Safari and later drive to Goa. Arrive Goa and check in at hotel

Day 11:

In the morning proceed for a sightseeing tour of Goa which is 82 miles of coastline, with silver sands and some of the worlds most beautiful beaches. Palm fringed rivers move lazily down to the Arabian Sea. Lush green with rice paddies, mango groves, jack fruit orchards, whitewashed villas and easy going people, all combine to make Goa the precious Pearl of the Orient. Visit world famous Churches Basilica of Bom Jesus, St. Cajetan Church & Cathedral. Also visit some of the finest beaches of Goa. Afternoon free for leisure.


Day 12:

Day for leisure on the beach.


Day 13:

Morning at leisure, later transfer to airport to board flight for Mumbai.
   
Includes  

Accomodation for 13 nights/14 Days in the above mentioned hotels.
All the transfers and sightseeing by AC vehicle.
Daily breakfast at all the above mentioned hotels.
Elephanta Caves at Mumbai
All meals at Dandeli.
01 Jeep Safari, 01 Coracle ride at Dandeli.
English speaking guide as per the itinerary.
All applicable taxes.

   
Excludes  

Expenses of personal nature such as meals other then specified, soft/hard drinks, mineral water, camera/video fee, film rolls.
Any air/train fare (as per actual).
Entrance fees of monuments.
Any tips, travel insurance fee.
Any other item not specifically mentioned above

   
Validity  

Rates are valid from 01 October 2007 - 30th April 2008
Rates are not valid from 22 DEC 2007- 05 JAN 2008

 
   

 
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