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South India Holidays
Empires of South India
Empires of South India
15 Days / 14 Nights from
£2875/ $3738 per person
Overview & Map
Detailed itinerary
Prices
Hotels
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.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day
Location/Route
Overnight
Sapphire Hotels
Diamond Hotels
Day
1
Arrive Mumbai Airport. Afternoon walking tour of colonial Mumbai.
2 nights Mumbai
The Abode Mumbai
The Taj Mahal Palace
Day
2
Morning visit to Elephanta Island. The afternoon is at leisure.
Day
3
Fly to Aurangabad. Afternoon visit to Bibi-ka-Maqbara.
3 nights Aurangabad
Vivanta by Taj - Aurangabad
Vivanta by Taj - Aurangabad
Day
4
Full day visit to Ajanta Cave Temples.
Day
5
Morning visit to Ellora Cave Temples. Afternoon visit Daulatabad Fort.
Day
6
Fly to Hyderabad. Afternoon tour of Old Hyderabad.
2 nights Hyderabad
Taj Krishna
Taj Falaknuma Palace
Day
7
Golconda Fortress, Qutb Shahi Tombs. Afternoon at leisure.
Day
8
Fly to Hampi. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
3 nights Hampi
Hampi’s Boulders Resort
Evolve Back Kamalapura Palace Hampi
Day
9
Spend the day exploring Hampi's sacred quarter.
Day
10
Discover Hampi's ruined palaces and the royal living quarters.
Day
11
Drive to Badami. Enroute visit Aihole, Pattadakal, regarded as the cradle of Indian temple architecture.
1 night Badami
Badami Court
Badami Court
Day
12
Morning tour of Badami. Afternoon drive to Goa.
3 nights Goa
The Postcard Velha
The Leela Goa
Day
13
Spend the morning exploring Old Goa and discover the legacy of the Portuguese. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing backwater cruise.
Day
14
Today is at leisure.
Day
15
Transfer to Goa Airport. Farewell to India.
Day
1
Location/Route :
Arrive Mumbai Airport. Afternoon walking tour of colonial Mumbai.
Overnight :
2 nights Mumbai
Sapphire Hotel :
The Abode Mumbai
Diamond Hotel :
The Taj Mahal Palace
Day
2
Location/Route :
Morning visit to Elephanta Island. The afternoon is at leisure.
Day
3
Location/Route :
Fly to Aurangabad. Afternoon visit to Bibi-ka-Maqbara.
Overnight :
3 nights Aurangabad
Sapphire Hotel :
Vivanta by Taj - Aurangabad
Diamond Hotel :
Vivanta by Taj - Aurangabad
Day
4
Location/Route :
Full day visit to Ajanta Cave Temples.
Day
5
Location/Route :
Morning visit to Ellora Cave Temples. Afternoon visit Daulatabad Fort.
Day
6
Location/Route :
Fly to Hyderabad. Afternoon tour of Old Hyderabad.
Overnight :
2 nights Hyderabad
Sapphire Hotel :
Taj Krishna
Diamond Hotel :
Taj Falaknuma Palace
Day
7
Location/Route :
Golconda Fortress, Qutb Shahi Tombs. Afternoon at leisure.
Day
8
Location/Route :
Fly to Hampi. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Overnight :
3 nights Hampi
Sapphire Hotel :
Hampi’s Boulders Resort
Diamond Hotel :
Evolve Back Kamalapura Palace Hampi
Day
9
Location/Route :
Spend the day exploring Hampi's sacred quarter.
Day
10
Location/Route :
Discover Hampi's ruined palaces and the royal living quarters.
Day
11
Location/Route :
Drive to Badami. Enroute visit Aihole, Pattadakal, regarded as the cradle of Indian temple architecture.
Overnight :
1 night Badami
Sapphire Hotel :
Badami Court
Diamond Hotel :
Badami Court
Day
12
Location/Route :
Morning tour of Badami. Afternoon drive to Goa.
Overnight :
3 nights Goa
Sapphire Hotel :
The Postcard Velha
Diamond Hotel :
The Leela Goa
Day
13
Location/Route :
Spend the morning exploring Old Goa and discover the legacy of the Portuguese. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing backwater cruise.
Day
14
Location/Route :
Today is at leisure.
Day
15
Location/Route :
Transfer to Goa Airport. Farewell to India.
Tour Highlights
Discover Mumbai’s stunning colonial architecture on foot
Marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage listed ancient cave temples at Ajanta & Ellora
Visit the impressive Golconda fortress and the Qutb Shahi tombs
Discover the historic ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire at Hampi
Explore the outstanding temples at Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal
Wander around Old Goa, unambiguously Portuguese in its character
Enjoy a relaxing traditionly houseboat cruise through Goa's serene backwaters
Relax and unwind by the Indian Ocean
Extend Your Stay
2 nights: Stay longer in Goa
2 nights: Discover the Deccan Sultanates
4 nights: Explore Ahilya Fort and Maheshwar, affectionately known as the 'Varanasi of Central India'
Route Map: Empires of South India
Return to South India holidays
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