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Duration :12 Nights / 13 Days
Destination : Chennai - Mahabalipuram / Kanchipuram - Hyderabad - Gulbarga Bijapur - Badami - Hospet - Chikamagallur - Mysore - Chennai

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Day 01 ARRIVE MADRAS (CHENNAI)
Upon arrival at Madras International Airport - Meet & greet by presentable representative of Recreation Travels with special welcome. Transfer to Hotel. Later city Tour of Chennai. Visit the National Art Gallery, Museum, which house some beautiful temple friezes and South Indian bronzes & the Cathedral of San Thome, the Mylapore Temple, Marina Beach & Famous Golden Beach. Overnight stay.

Day 02 CHENNAI - MAHABALIPURAM / KANCHIPURAM (70 kms) - HYDERABAD
Morning day return excursion to - The little Sea Side town of Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), an hour's drive from Chennai situated on the East Coast of Tamil Nadu has pris time beaches, spanning 20 kms., bright Sun & Crisp Sand, Wrapping up untold tales of the 7th Century. Here time stands still; and presents meet the past. A serene town nested amidst the historical stone sculptures and medieval architecture, that stands witness to the rich heritage - Mahabalipuram. Today we enjoy an excursion to the nearby sacres city of Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram, the "City of seven Pagodas" where we see outcroppings of rock that have been delicately carved into temples and life-sized replicas of elephants, lions and bulls. The carved Penance of Bhaghirata here is the largest bas-relief in the world. Late afternoon back drive to Chennai take your luggage and transfer to Railway station to board the Charminar Express at 18:10hrs. Overnight train journey.

Day 03 In HYDERABAD
Arrive the City of Charminar at 08:25hrs. Upon arrival check in hotel. Hyderabad - often called the gateway to the South Indian identities. Yet, from both it has developed a distinct personality of its own. Its language has a melody, its riches were known throughout the world, its style was envied by many. The past still lingers in its present making it a delightful city with a lot to offer : history, culture, entertainment, crafts and above all a great holiday. Later city sigh seeing of Charminar, Mecca Masjid, Jami Masjid, Sri Venkateswara Temple, Birla Observatory an Planetarium, Hussain Sagar, Golconda Fort and Qutab Shah Tombs. Overnight stay.

Day 04 HYDERABAD - GULBARGA (220 KMS)
Early morning drive to Gulbarga - a Hindu city before the Muhammadan conquest, Gulbarga is a unique synthesis of two cultures. When Bahman Shah ascended the throne Daulatabad, it was this city that he chose as his capital. He filed it with beautiful palaces, mosques, stately buildings and bazaars. The late rulers added to Bahman Shah's vision and Gulbarga blossomed. Afternoon start your tour in Gulbarga with the Fort built by Raja Gulchand and later strengthened by Ala - ud - din Bahamni, the fort has 15 towers and 26 guns, one of them measuring 25 feet in length. Inside the fort is the Jumma Masjid fashioned on the lines of the great mosque of royal tombs. The most important monument in Gulbarga is probably the Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah. The tomb of the great Sufi Saint, Khwaja Syed Mohammad Gesuy Daraz. This magnificent building in the Indo-Saracenic style, is the venue of an annual urus, attended by nearly one hundred thousand people, both Muslims and Hindus. Also worth seeing are Sultan Hasan's tomb, the tomb of Ghias-ud-din, the fine mausoleum of Feroze Shah and his family. Overnight stay

Day 05 GULBARGA - BIJAPUR (150 KMS)
After breakfast drive to Bijapur. Upon arrival check in hotel. Later sightseeing of Bijapur - think of Bijapur and the first thing that comes to mind is the Gol Gumbaz the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah. Gol Gumbaz boasts of the second largest dome in the world. 44 meters in diameter, this dome forms a highly sensitive echo chamber. On the western outskirts of the city lies the mausoleum of Ibrahim Adil Shah II - Ibrahim Roza, said to have inspired the Taj Mahal in Agra. Embracing 1,16,300 square feet is the Jumma Masjid - one of the finest mosques in India. Here in a beautiful mihrab - covered by a heavy curtain are verses of the Quran, beautifully inscribed in letters of gold. Malik-e-Maidan the largest medieval cannon in the world - is fourteen feet long, weighing about 55 tons. Afzal Khan's Cenotaph, the Amin Durgah, The Jod Gumbaz. Overnight stay.

Luxury Train in India

Day 06 BIJAPUR - BADAMI (132 KMS)
After breakfast a scenic journey by road from Bijapur 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. Enroute 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 marvelous to behold included is 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. Upon arrival check in hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 07 In BADAMI
After breakfast sight seeing of Badami - Rock-cut cave temples, Gateways, Forts, inscriptions, Sculptures that 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 Nataraja 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. Overnight stay.

Day 08 BADAMI- HOSPET (240 kms / 4-5 hrs)
After an early breakfast drive to Hospet and check in hotel, stay for two nights. Your base to explore the spectacular Vijaynagar ruins in the afternoon a visit to Hampi itself only 13 km away and one of the most fascinating historical sites in south India. The superb ruins are set in a strong and beautiful boulder-strewn landscape, which has an almost magical quality. One can still glimpse the splendor of Vijaynagar in its ruins where Hospet's Virupaksha temple rises majestically. The most splendid monuments of Hampi is, undoubtedly the Vithala temple complex memories of Hampi will stay with you always. Overnight stay.

Day 09 In HAMPI
Revisit Hampi - the 14th century capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire lies in the Deccan Heartland, in the state of Karnataka. The ruins spread over an area of more than 26 sq. kms protected by the tempestuous rive Tungabhadra in the north and by rocky granite ridges on the other three sides. 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 savored bit by bit. Overnight stay at Hospet.

Day 10 HOSPET - CHIKMAGALLUR
Early morning drive to Chikmagallur - nestled in the Baba Budan Hills, Chikmagalur is a clam, serene town full of scenic surprises … hills, valleys, streams and snow-white coffee blossoms. Chikmagalur district takes its name from the headquarters town of Chikmagalur, which literally means younger daughter's town. It is said to have been given as a dowry to the younger daughter of Rukmangada, the legendary chief of Sakrepatna. Another part of the town bestowed on the elder daughter is known as Hiremagalur. Certain ancient inscriptions reveal that these two places were originally known as Kiriya-magalu and Piriya-magalu. Chikmagalur is a trekker's delight, with its rugged mountain trails. Upon arrival Chikmagallur check in hotel. Rest of the time is free for rest & relax. Overnight stay.

Day 11 CHIKMAGALLUR - MYSORE
Early morning drive to Mysore enroute visit Belur & Halebid. Belur - This quaint hemlet is 30 kms from Hassan-is located on the bank of the river Yagachi. It was once the capital of Hoysala Empire, Today unforgettable for its exquisite temples. Halebid.- is 17 kms east of Belure. The temples of Halebid - like those of Belure - bear mute testimony to the rich, culture heritage of Karnataka. Upon arrival check in hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 12 MYSORE - CHENNAI
Mysore is the Sandalwood and Incense Capital of the World & some of India's finest Crafts, such as Printed Silk, Inlaid, Furniture & Ivory Carvings are also found here. Also known as the city of Palaces, Mysore retains a quaint charm that never fails to enchant. Morning visit to the Mysore Palace & St. Philomina's Church. Evening visit to Chamudishree Temple-which is home to an enormous sculpture of Nandi, the sacred bull. The 16-foot bull was carved from a single boulder & is traditionally laden with flower garlands each day. Later transfer to railway station to board the Shatabdi Express at 14:20 hrs for Chennai. Arrive Chennai at 21:25 hrs. Upon arrival check in hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 13 CHENNAI - ONWARD
Morning Say Goodbye to newly become friends of this fascinating land and transfers to Airport to board the flight for onward destination.