Itinerary
- Day 1
Mumbai
You'll arrive at Mumbai International Airport where a representative meets you for the day's sightseeing. From there, you'll head to Victoria Terminus to see the architectural details, then move on to the Gateway of India. The afternoon includes Marine Drive where you can walk along the coastal stretch, followed by Nariman Point. Before checking into your hotel, you'll also stop by Mani Bhawan and Dhobi Ghat to see the traditional laundry operations.
Included Activities
- Visit Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (Victoria Terminus)
- Visit Gateway of India
- Visit Marine Drive
- Visit Nariman Point
- Visit Mani Bhawan
- Visit Dhobi Ghat
Landmarks/POIs Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (Victoria Terminus) Gateway of India Marine Drive Nariman Point Mani Bhawan Dhobi Ghat - Day 2
Goa to Badami
Early morning flight gets you to Goa, then you'll drive through the countryside heading toward Badami, which was once the capital under the Chalukyas. The drive takes several hours through rural landscape, and once you reach the hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to settle in and rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic countryside drive to Badami
- Day 3
Badami
This day focuses on the Badami Cave Temples dating back to the 6th century. You'll walk through the carved chambers and examine the fine stone work throughout. Cave 3 is particularly worth noting because it shows Lord Vishnu in his Varaha form, and the detail work on these rock-cut sanctuaries shows real craftsmanship from that era.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Badami Cave Temples
- View intricate carvings and rock-cut sanctuaries
- Explore Cave 3 depicting Lord Vishnu in Varaha avatar
Landmarks/POIs Badami Cave Temples - Day 4
Badami - Aihole - Pattadakal - Hampi
You'll drive to Aihole and Pattadakal, both UNESCO sites with early Chalukyan temples featuring carved stonework. After spending time examining these structures, you'll continue on to Hampi, the former Vijayanagara capital. By evening you'll check in at your hotel there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore temples of Aihole
- Explore temples of Pattadakal
- View early Chalukyan stone architecture
Landmarks/POIs Aihole Temples Pattadakal Temples - Day 5
Hampi
The full day is spent exploring Hampi's ruins from the Vijayanagara Empire period. You'll see the Vittala Temple with its distinctive stone chariot, walk through Hampi Bazaar where remnants of the old marketplace still stand, and get a sense of how vast this ancient capital really was.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Vittala Temple
- View iconic stone chariot
- Explore Hampi Bazaar
- View remnants of Vijayanagara Empire
Landmarks/POIs Vittala Temple Hampi Bazaar - Day 6
Hampi to Chikmagalur
You'll drive from Hampi to Chikmagalur, a hill station surrounded by coffee plantations and often covered in mist, especially in certain seasons. The drive winds through hilly terrain, and once you arrive at your hotel, you'll have the evening and night to unwind in the cooler mountain air.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through the Western Ghats
- Day 7
Chikmagalur
This day takes you to Belur and Halebid to see Hoysala temples. At Belur, you'll visit the Chennakeshava Temple, and at Halebid, the Hoysaleshwara Temple. Both have stone carvings that show remarkable detail and skill from the medieval period.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Chennakeshava Temple in Belur
- Visit Hoysaleshwara Temple in Halebid
- View intricate stone carvings of Hoysala architecture
Landmarks/POIs Chennakeshava Temple Hoysaleshwara Temple - Day 8
Chikmagalur - Sravanabelagola - Mysore
You'll drive toward Mysore with a stop at Sravanabelagola to see the large monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara (also called Bahubali), which is an important site for Jain visitors. After viewing this statue, you'll continue driving and arrive in Mysore to check into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Sravanabelagola Jain Statue
Landmarks/POIs Sravanabelagola Jain Statue - Day 9
Mysore
Starting with a visit to Somnathpur's Keshava Temple, another Hoysala structure with intricate carvings, you'll then head to Mysore Palace for a tour. The palace blends Indo-Saracenic design with European architecture, giving it a distinctive look from the colonial period.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Keshava Temple at Somnathpur
- Tour Mysore Palace
Landmarks/POIs Keshava Temple Mysore Palace - Day 10
Mysore to Coimbatore
You'll drive to Ooty, known as the Queen of Hill Stations, with stops at tea gardens along the way to see how tea is grown and processed. The views from the hills are quite nice, especially if the weather cooperates. Later in the day you'll continue on to Coimbatore for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit tea gardens in Ooty
- Enjoy scenic vistas at Ooty
Landmarks/POIs Ooty Hill Station - Day 11
Coimbatore to Cochin
The drive to Cochin (also called Kochi) takes you through countryside with green vegetation. Once you arrive, you'll have time to rest before heading out in the evening for a Kathakali Dance performance, which features actors in colorful costumes and expressive hand gestures telling stories.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Kathakali Dance performance
- Day 12
Cochin
You'll explore Cochin's colonial history by visiting the Chinese Fishing Nets, walking through Fort Kochi's old streets, checking out St. Francis Church, and seeing the Jewish Synagogue. After this exploration, you'll transfer to Cochin Airport for your flight onward.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Chinese Fishing Nets
- Explore Fort Kochi
- Visit St. Francis Church
- Visit Jewish Synagogue
Landmarks/POIs Chinese Fishing Nets Fort Kochi St. Francis Church Jewish Synagogue
