Spectrum Tours » Holidays in india » Heritage Holidays India

Heritage Trail of Karnataka
Duration : 8 days and 7 nights
Destinations: Bangalore - Mysore - Srirangapatnam - Sravanbelagola - Hassan - Belur - Halebid - Hampi - Badami - Belgaon


Detailed day by day itinerary



Day 1: Bangalore
Arrive at Bangalore. Pick up from station/airport and check in hotel. Embark on a sightseeing trip of Bangalore. Visit the ruins of the 16th century at the Bellary Road, at Lal Bagh, Ulsoor and later proceed to visit the Gavi Gangadhareswar Temple. Overnight at hotel in Bangalore.

Day 2: Mysore
In the morning proceed for Mysore (139 km). Check in hotel. Later embark on a sightseeing trip of Mysore. Visit Mysore Saint Philomina Church, Chamundhi Hills, Mysore Palace, Art Gallery. Enjoy the Brindaban Gardens in the evening. Overnight at hotel in Mysore.

Day 3: Mysore - Srirangapatnam - Sravanbelagola - Hassan
In the morning drive to Tipu Sultan's capital, Sri Rangapatnam. Visit the Srirangapattana Ranganatha Temple, Tippu’s Fort, Gumbaz, Tippu’s Summer Palace and proceed to Sravanbelagola . Visit the Jain pilgrimage center and also visit the statue of Bahubali. Later proceed for Hassan and check in hotel. Overnight at hotel in Hassan.

Day 4: Hassan - Belur - Halebid - Bangalore
Proceed for sightseeing of Hassan, Belur and Halebid. The quaint hamlet of Belur, 38 km from Hassan, is located on the banks of the river Yagachi. About 17 km east of Belur stands Halebid, the ancient capital of the Hoysalas, formerly known as Dwarasamudram (Gateway to the seas). The temples of Halebid, like those at Belur, represent one of the most artistically exuberant periods of

Hindu cultural development. We call it religion on stone. Visit the ruins and the Chennakeshava Temple, Hoysaleshwara Temple. Here you find religion mixed with heritage. Later for proceed for Bangalore to board train to Hospet. 6592 Bangalore Hubli Express departs from Bangalore at 22:00 hours. Overnight on train.

Day 5: Hospet - Hampi
In the morning at about 7:50 hours reach Hospet. Pick up from station and proceed for Hampi (13 km). Check in hotel. Hampi situated on the bank on River Tungabhadra houses the ruins of the Vijayanagara kingdom. The once glorious heritage of this kingdom belongs to the reign of the period of Hukka and Bukka and Emperor Krishnadevaraya. Later embark on a sightseeing trip of Hampi. Visit the Birupakshya Temple, a shiva temple built by Krishnadevaraya

during 1509. Visit the Royal Centre. This houses the royal Hazararama Temple. The sculpture on the temple speaks volume about the Indian and Islam style of architecture. Also visit the Accyut Raya Temple, Vittal Temple, Kodandarama Temple and the Archaelogical Museum. Overnight at hotel in Hampi.

Day 6: Hampi - Badami
In the morning proceed to Badami (220 km). En route visit the Tunghabhadra Dam. Check in hotel. The capital of the early Chalukyas, Badami is, rather picturesquely located at the mouth of a ravine, between two rocky hills. Badami is famous for its four cave temples - all hewn out of sandstone on the precipice of a hill. In its ancient temples and forts, Badami preserves an important chapter in the history of architecture, in Karnataka. Free day and evening. Overnight at hotel in Badami.

Day 7: Badami
In the morning embark on a sightseeing trip of Badami. The cave temples of Badami which date back to 600 and 700 A.D. are carved out of sandstone hills. Each has a sanctum, a hall, an open verandah and pillars. What makes these cave temples remarkable, are the large number of exquisite carvings and sculptures. One of the many masterpieces to be found in these caves is the famous, 18-armed Nataraja (Shiva) who if observed closely, strikes 81 poses. Cave 4, the last cave, is the only Jain Temple in Badami. The 24th Tirthankara- Mahavira, is seated in a uniquely comfortable pose here, against a cushion in the inner sanctum. Apart from the cave temples you also visit Badami Fort, Malegetti Shiva Temple, Nagamma Temple. After a full day sightseeing trip of Badami, get back to the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Badami.

Day 8: Badami - Belgaon
In the morning you are dropped to Belgaon (190 km) station / airport for your onward journey.