Empires of South India

Empires of South India is a privately chauffeured tour that combines six celebrated UNESCO World Heritage sites that lie to the south of the Vindhya Mountains. Offering a superb window into South India’s stunning cultural heritage, this unique tour weaves together sites that are on the bucket list of Indophiles but were rarely featured together as it is only now that India’s domestic flight network  offers seamless connections. Begin your journey through history in cosmopolitan Mumbai with a heritage walk through the historic Fort District, which has still preserved a number of impressive Victorian Neo-Gothic style colonial monuments. Then, fly to Aurangabad, where you will have two full days to marvel at the masterpieces of Buddhist art at Ajanta that date back to 2nd century BC and admire the magnificent rock-cut cave temples at Ellora including the 8th century Kailasanatha temple, which was carved out of a single rock. Your next stop will be Hyderabad, one of India’s largest princely states, which still retains a rich artistic heritage. Here, your tour includes a visit to Golconda, the first Islamic settlement in the area; the striking Qutb Shahi tombs as well as a leisurely stroll through to the bustling Lad bazaar and the pearl markets. Then, a short flight will bring you to Hampi, where you will explore the dramatic remains of Vijayanagara, capital of the greatest of all empires in Southern India. Next, discover Badami, Ailhole and Pattadakal, regarded as the cradle of Indian temple architecture and conclude your Empires of South India tour with 3 nights at Goa, where you will have time for R&R as well as discover the legacy of the Portuguese.