01 Day: Arrival Kolkata
Meeting and assistance on arrival at the airport, our representative welcome and escort you by a private car and transfer to the hotel, whilst the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative would hand over the documents and brief the tour programme to you. Overnight at the hotel.
Kolkata: Grown from mangrove swamps, Kolkata is the largest metropolis in India. Kolkata's role in the national economy is of crucial importance as the Gateway to Eastern India. Ships were the beginning of Calcutta's history & the river Hoogly was the key to the city's fortunes. Vishnupur is famous for the exquisite 17th & 18th century terracotta temples, Seat of classical music. The Stylized, "Bankura horse" symbolic of excellence in rural handicrafts is native to this district. Belur Math is a modern temple within the grounds of the Ramakrishna Mission. Dakshineshwar Temple, dedicated to Kali is built in the architectural style of Bengal
02 Day: Kolkata
After breakfast, take a sightseeing tour of Kolkata visiting the High Court Building, built in 1872 and the oldest Catholic Church in Calcutta, St. Marys. The Howrah Bridge, built in 1943 – the bridge is crossed by approximately two million people everyday; the Botanical Gardens, the oldest and largest of their kinds in India; Victoria Memorial: The symbol of Calcutta built between 1906 and 1921 at a cost of Rs. 7.5 million and is a reminder of the might of British India and has been often compared to Taj Mahal. It was conceived by Lord Curzon as both tribute to Queen Victoria and a triumphant depiction of her reign in India. Overnight at the hotel.
03Day: Kolkata
After breakfast visit at child care house: Child in Need, Mother Teresa House. Later enjoy the cultural sightseeing tour of Kolkata visiting Kali Temple, Jain Temple, Marble Palace, Birla Temple Belur Math. Evening is free for individual activities. Overnight at the hotel.
04 Day: Kolkata
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to the airport to board the flight for Bhubaneshwar. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Later take a sightseeing tour of Bhubaneshwar city visiting Lingaraj temple, the Parsurameswar temple, the Mukteswar temple and the Rajarani temples all bearing testimony to the magnificence of Orissan architecture expressed through the sculptures and exteriors of the temples famous for its hot sulphur springsand the Hatakeswar Templeand visit to state museum house to see some of finest collections of paintings and palm leaf etchings. You will then enjoy some free time in the bustling colourful markets shopping for some exquisite Orissan handicrafts. Overnight at the hotel.
Bhubaneshwar: ('The Lord of the Universe') is the capital of Orissa. In Bhubaneshwar, Shiva is known as Tribuhuvaneswara or “Lord of the Three Worlds", from which the city derives its name. Besides being the capital of ancient Kalinga, Bhubaneshwar is known as Temple Town and Cathedral City on account of its many temples in the extravagant Orissan style. Modern Bhubaneshwar is delightfully rural for a state capital that administers the affairs of 25 million Orissans.
05 Day: Bhubaneshwar- Konark-Puri (65 kms: 2hrs)
After breakfast check out of the hotel and drive to Puri. Enroute visit Konark - Renown for Sun Temple probably remains as the last remnant of the glorious temples of Orissa an extant example of the architectural excellence of the times. Built in the 13th Century, here a colossal image of the chariot of the Sun, drawn by seven horses and 24 wheels symbolizes the divisions of time. It also houses a Natamandiraor dancing hall. Only two subsidiary temples out of the 22 exist today. The Vaishnadevi Mayadevi Templestands to the West. The Sun temple of Narasimhadevais a depiction in stone of the life of those times – royal, social, religious and military. Later proceed to Puri. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. In the evening, prayer at the temples and exploring beaches. Overnight at the hotel.l.
Konark: Renown for Sun Temple probably remains as the last remnant of the glorious temples of Orissa an extant example of the architectural excellence of the times. Built in the 13th Century, here a colossal image of the chariot of the Sun, drawn by seven horses and 24 wheels symbolizes the divisions of time. The Konark Sun Temple also houses a Natamandira or dancing hall. Only two subsidiary temples out of the 22 exist today. The Vaishnadevi Mayadevi Temple stands to the West it. The Sun temple of Narasimhadeva is a depiction in stone of the life of those times – royal, social, religious and military. The intricate carvings on the walls and wheels of the chariot are unprecedented in history.The fine sculptures depicting court life, hunting, scenes and celestial deities are epitomes of precision and grace. Graceful sculptures from the world of the Kamasutra, epic of eroticism also adorn the structures. The Sun Temple standing in solitary splendor is the relic of a great past.
06 Day:Puri
After breakfast take a sightseeing tour of Puri, this city by the sea is one of the four main Hindu pilgrim centers in India and is famous for its Jagannath temple. Millions of devotees flock to this holy place every year to participate in the Rath Yatra or "Car festival", take a visit to the famous Jagannath Temple, enjoy a stroll through the temple bustling bazaar and visit the main temple complex. The rest of the afternoon is free for shopping or for relaxing on beach. It is a pleasure to swim here, as the sea is shallow for almost a mile. Very near the beach huge waves come rolling in ideal for surf riding. This annual ritual spreads over the entire summer and monsoon seasons making the most fruitful period to visit Puri. Overnight at the hotel.
Puri is a city in the Indian state of Orissa, which is famous for having a Jagannath Temple. Puri is situated on the coast of Bay of Bengal and is a popular beach resort. Religiously, Puri became famous in modern times from the time spent here by Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the 16th century. Puri is the site of one of the four cardinals "Peetham's" established by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, the others being those at Sringeri, Dwaraka and Jyotirmath. Puri is also famous for its annual Ratha Yatra, or "Festival of Chariots", when the deities Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra, are brought out of the temple, and placed in a chariot procession. This festival occurs on various dates of the Gregorian calender, typically in the June or July months.
07 Day:Puri - Bhubaneshwar (65 kms: 2 hrs) – Hyderabad (By Air)
After breakfast check out of the hotel and drive to Bhubaneshwar. On arrival, transfer to the airport to board the flight for Hyderabad. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is free for leisure and individual activities. Overnight at the hotel.
Hyderabad, the Kohinoor diamond of India, is a legendary city rich in ancient arts, handicrafts and dance. It is a city filled with grand monuments, mosques, temples, minarets, and bazaars that is set against stunning countryside. Nestled on the Deccan (Dakkan) Plateau, 1776 feet above sea level, Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh and is the 5th largest city in the Indian Sub-continent. Its royal palaces, fine tenements, gardens and streets have a history and an architectural individuality dating back 400 years, all giving light to Hyderabad as a city of enchantment. Over the years, Hyderabad has invested heavily in digital infrastructure and is well regarded globally for its booming technology sector, which recorded US$1 billion in Information Technology exports during the year 2004.The growing number of IT and IT Enabled Service companies located in Hyderabad - both local as well as multinational companies - have led civic boosters to label the city as ‘Cyberabad’.
08 Day:Hyderabad
After breakfast, take a sightseeing tour of Hyderabad visiting the Charminar, built by Mohammad Quli Qutab Shah in 1591 to commemorate the end of plague in Hyderabad; Mecca Masjid, is one of the largest mosques in the world and is said to accommodate upto 10,000 worshippers; Salar Jung Museum, which contains 35,000 exhibits from all corners of the world and includes sculptures, woodcarvings, religious objects, Persian miniature painting, illuminated manuscripts, armour and weaponry. Also on display are the swords, daggers of Mughal emperors and of Tipu Sultan; Golconda Fort, which dates from the time of Qutub Shahi kings (16th to 17th centuries) and is one of the most magnificent fortress complexes in India. Golconda remained the capital until 1590, when the court was moved to the new city of Hyderabad; tomb of Adil Shahi Kings, which are surrounded by landscaped gardens and number of them have beautifully carved stonework of Nawabs. Overnight at the hotel
09 Day:Hyderabad – Bidar – Gulbarga (225 kms: 5 hrs)
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Gulbarga. Enroute visiting Bidar which was once the capital of Bahmani kingdomfrom 1428. The town has a splendid 15th century fort having Ranjeen Mahal, Chini Mahal & Turkish Mahal palaces. Then proceed to Gulbarga. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Later take a sightseeing tour of Gulbarga, which was the capital of Bahmani Kingdom from 1347 until its transfer in 1428. Gulbarga's old fort has number of interesting buildings. The town also has a number of imposing tombs of Bahmani kings, a shrine to a Muslim saints and the Sharana Basaveshwara temple. Overnight at the hotel.
Gulbarga was the first capital of the Bahmanis from 1347. The Fort here was originally built by one Raja Gulchand, a feudatory of the Orangal Kakatiyas, and was rebuilt by Allah-ud-din Bahmani with 15 majestic towers. Inside the fort is the huge wonderful mosque built by Muhammed Bahmani in 1367 and it covers 38,000 sq. feet area. The place has a huge sprawling complex housing the tomb of Bande `Nawaz, the great Sufi Saint, who came to Gulbarga in 1413. The state Archeology Museum here has Buddhist plaquest brought from Sannati. Durgah Library Houses almost 10000 books on Urdu, Persian and Arabic.
10 Day: Gulbarga – Bijapur (180 kms: 4 hrs)
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Bijapur. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Later explore the Bijapur, known as the Agra of the South visiting the Gol Gumbaz, it is the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah and was built in 1659; Ibrahim Roza, which was construted at the height of Bijapur's properity by Ibrahim Adih Shah; Jama Masjid, also constructed by Adil Shah and the Citadel. Overnight at the hotel.
Bijapur, the foundation of this historic city were laid during the reign of the Chalukayan Dynasty of Kalyani between 10th and 11th Centuries. They called it 'Vijayapura' or the city of Victory from hence comes its present name Bijapur. Bijapur experienced a great burst of architectural activity under the Adi Shahi Dynasty. The Adil Shahi encouraged building activity to such an extent that Bijapur itself has over 50 Masks, more than 20 tombs and a number of palaces. An interesting feature of employment of large numbers of Indian artisans. Earlier Muslim rulers of the Deccan deployed Persian Craftsmen and Architects.
11 Day: Bijapur – Pattadakal – Aihole – Badami (135 kms: 3 hrs)
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Badami. Set in beautiful countryside's of the four of a red sanstone ridge the small rural town of Badami was once the capital of the Chalakyan empire which covered much of central Deccan between the 4th and 8th centuries. En route visit to nearly Pattadakal - a world heritage center, it has 10 major temples representing early chaluyan architecture, where coronations took place and where most of the temples were built between the 7th and 9th centuries. The Virupaksha, Malikarjuna and join Temples are quite marvellous to behold included are a visit to Aihole where the Hindu temples architecture can be seen in its embryonic stage -50 temples within the fort wall and 50 outside. After visit continue to drive to Badami. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Aihole, A tranquil village on the banks of the Malaprabha river, Aihole is acclaimed as the cradle of Hindu temple architecture. There are hundreds of temples in the villages and fields nearby. The most impressive one is the Durga Temple with its semicircular apse, elevated plinth, and the gallery encircling the sanctum. The Lad Khan Temple, which is one of the earliest temples, was originally a royal assemblyhall and marriage mantapa chosen as the abode of a Muslim prince, Lad Khan.The Huchimalli Temple with a sculpture of Vishnu sitting atop a large cobra, the Ravalphadi Cave Temple celebrating the many forms of Shiva, the Konti Temple Complex, the Umamaheswari Temple, the Jain Meguti Temple, and the twostoried Buddhist Temple are other sights worth seeing.
Pattadakal, with its beautifully chiselled temples, this World Heritage Site on the banks of the Malaprabha River bears testimony to the richness of Chalukyan architecture. Pattadakal reached its pinnacle of glory under the Chalukya kings and was once used as a ceremonial centre where kings were crowned and commemorated. It has a cluster of 10 major temples, each displaying interesting architectural features. At the entrance of the site, you can see the 8th century temples of Jambulinga, Kadasiddeshvara, and Galaganatha with their curvilinear shikaras or spires. The biggest temple, dedicated to Virupaksha, has a huge gateway, several inscriptions, and a profusion of friezes from the epics. Facing the temple is a pavilion containing a massive nandi. The Mallikarjuna Temple is similar in design to Virupaksha Temple, but smaller in size. The ornate Papanatha Temple is yet another impressive piece of architecture, with delicately chiselled ceilings and a 16-pillared main hall. The Sangameshwara Temple dating from the reign of King Vijayaditya (696–733 AD) is the earliest temple in this complex
12 Day: Badami
After breakfast take a sightseeing tour of Badami visiting - Rock-cut cave temples, Gateways,Forts, inscriptions, Sculpturesthat seem to come alive under your eyes. Badami has to be seen to be believed. Climb a flight of steps to reach the ancient caves - all hewn out o sand stone on the precipice of a hill. Three are four caves here. The first three belong to the Vedic faith and the fourth cave is the only Jain Temple in Badami. The first cave temple - past Shiva's door Keepers - and there he is the eighteen-armed Natraj striking 81 dance poses. The largest and most ornamental is the third Cave temple dedicated to Vishnu. Here are some splendid carvings of the Hindu Pantheon, Narasimha- the half man and half lion avatar of Vishnu, Hari Hara, the composite god who is half Shiva a half - Vishnu. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
Badami: The capital of the early Chalukyas, Badami is picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills. It has four rock-cut cave temples, the largest being the third cave dedicated to Vishnu. Overlooking the temples is a reservoir, its banks dotted with temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva. The Bhutanatha Temples and the Museum set up by the Archeological Survey of India, are the other attractions.
13 Day: Badami – Hospet (240 kms: 5 hrs)
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Hospet. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Your base to explore the spectacular Vijaynagar ruins. One can still glimpse the splendor of Vijaynagar in its ruins where Hospet's Virupaksha temple rises majestically. The most splendid monuments Vithala templecomplex. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
14 Day: Hospet – Hampi – Hospet (13 kms: ½ hrs excursion)
Early morning trek up to sunrise point on Matanga Hill, which is to the east of Hampi. It’s beautiful and not to be missed if you ever visit Hampi. Return to the hotel for breakfast later take an excursion to Hampi, Hampithe once beautiful capital city of Vijaynagar Empire was greater than Rome and had palaces; Hampi ruins spread over an area of more than 26 sq. kms. protected by the tempestuous river Tungabhadra in the north and by rocky granite ridges on the other three sides, visit at Some of the interesting ruins remaining Hazara Rama Temples, huge Ganesha & Narasimha images, the elephant stables, the queen's bath, and carvings on the Ramachandra Temple & Lotus Mahal. There are a number of temples in Anegondi, which is a fortified area on the northern side of Hampi Bazaar. A terrain such as this was excellent for a capital city that needed to be vigilant and spend a further day in the heart of the lost empire. Explore Hampi at your own pace. Its monuments- like its centuries- old patience & wisdom- most is savoured bit by bit. Overnight at the hotel.
15 Day: Hospet – Goa (300 kms: 7 hrs)
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Goa. On arrival, transfer to the resort. Rest of the day is free for leisure. Overnight at the resort.
Goa: A Portuguese explorer, Afonso de Albuquerque sailed up the river Mandovi, defeated the Bijapuri army and rode into the capital triumphantly bearing a Portuguese Standard in one hand, and a Gold Crucifix in the other. A curious blending of cultures took place, affecting every sphere of Goa life, from religion to architecture, cuisine to art. The chapter of Goa's history ended 451 years later when Goa ceased to be a Portuguese colony, and became a part of the Indian Union. Parasailing, yachting, windsurfing, and deep sea diving are some of the more popular water sports, facilities for which are available. 451 years of Portuguese rule has imbued Goa’s towns and villages with a unique culture. Whitewashed chapels and churches that dot the landscape are surrounded by sleepy villages and rice fields.
16 Day: Goa
After breakfast, the day is free to enjoy the beaches and amenities available at the resort. You can take a sightseeing tour of Old Goa -10 km from Panjim, the basilica of Bom Jesus, the 16th century church dedicated to infant Jesus and enshrining the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, is one of the most important sight of Goa. The other Churches in the same area are St. Cathedral, with its vaulted interior, Church of our Lady of Rosaryand Nunnery of St. Monica. The Aguada Fortbuilt by the Portuguese commands the mouth of the Mondovi River and houses a lighthouse. And in the evening enjoy Cruise over Mondovi River. Overnight at the resort.
17 Day: Goa – Mumbai (By Air)
After breakfast, check out of the resort and drive to the airport to board the flight for Mumbai. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Later take a sightseeing tour of Mumbai drive to Gateway of India and from here cruise by motorboats to Elephanta Caves. A flight of 100 steps takes you to the top of the hill where it is set. The caves houses large pillars that seem to hold the ceiling, which is made, have crossbeams. The picturesque presentations of the 9 marvelous sculptured panels, set on the walls are awe-inspiring. The most famous of the panels is the Trimurthi, or triple-headed Shiva, where the God is depicted as the destroyer, the preserver and the creator. Later in the afternoon cruise back to Gateway of India, one can have lunch at the hotel or other several good Restaurants like Leopold & Mondegar serving continental cuisines. Later visit Prince of Wales Museum, Taraporewala Aquarium, Parliament House, Marine Drive, Jain Temple, and Hanging Garden. Return back to the hotel for overnight stay.
Note: Elephanta Caves and Prince of Wales museum are closed on every Monday.
Mumbai is a cluster of Seven Islands and derives its name from Mumbadevi, the patron goddess of the koli fisher folk, its oldest inhabitants. Mumbai pulsates with activity. It is a city that is disciplined by no time frame neither day nor night. It is also the country's financial powerhouse, the nation's industrial heartland, and its economic nerve center. Dazzling shopping arcades, exciting sport activity, nightclubs & discotheques, theatre & music, gourmet restaurants and interesting sightseeing. It offers visitors a heady mix of all this and more.
18 Day: Mumbai – Hometown (By Air)
After breakfast, morning is free for leisure or shopping in the local markets. Later check out of the hotel and drive to the airport to board the flight for hometown. Tour concludes here with happy memories.
