Highlights of Karnataka and Goa

Day 1 - Welcome to Kochi! An Active India Holiday representative will greet you at the arrivals hall of the Kochi Airport. As you drive to the hotel in comfort, enjoy the sights along the way while our representative briefs you about the experience that awaits you. Check in at the hotel and freshen up. In the evening you can choose to venture out for a Kathakali dance performance, a classical dance form unique to Kerala. (At your own expense).

Overnight - Hotel

Day 2 - Today we leave for a guided tour of the Fort Kochi area, founded by the Portuguese in 1503 and believed to be the earliest European settlement in India. The true character of the town is found in the old Fort Cochin area of the town. We begin our sightseeing tour with the Mattancherry and Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese as a gift for the Raja of Kochi. Next, we visit the Jewish synagogue dating back to 1568. We then head to the St. Francis CSI Church, the oldest European church in India, built in 1503 and stop at the Dhobi Khana (laundry station), established by the Dutch in 1720 for washing army uniforms. We also visit the Chinese fishing nets that line the entrance to the harbour, introduced by the Chinese in the late 14th Century. We end the day with a visit to the town of Kochi, its bazaars, spice market, and the old harbour area.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 3 - Today is a full day of travel. We start with a drive through forested hillsides to Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu and then head to Coonoor high in the Nilgiri Hills. From here, board the Mountain Railways (Toy Train) to Ooty, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ooty is the most famous and picturesque hill station of South India. This 75 minute journey on the toy train will take us through the tunnels and steep slopes offering views of beautiful landscapes. Late evening we arrive at the Ooty train station. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Ooty.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 4 - After breakfast we leave for a sightseeing tour of Ooty. We visit the Ootacamund Botanical Gardens, established in 1847, it stands at an elevation of 2,400 metres and is spread over 22 hectares with 650 species of plants and trees. An explicit collection of flowering trees, beautiful shrubs, and rare coloured lilies can be seen in this exquisitely crafted garden. Next we visit the Rose Garden which is laid out over 10 acres of land with 300 varieties of roses, the largest collection of roses in the country. The garden was splendidly arranged on terraces with rose tunnels, pergolas and bowers with pink creepers. Later, we visit the Ooty lake, an artificial lake formed by John Sullivan, the founder of Ooty in 1823-25. It is one of the most refreshing and breathtaking places to visit in town. After that we head to the Doddabetta Peak, a popular trekking destination that stands at an altitude of 2,623 metres. Merely 10 km from Ooty, Doddabetta Peak is the highest point in the district making it possibly the best vantage point around Ooty. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 5 - Today we drive to Mysore. The road winds down to the plains on the eastern side, a very picturesque journey. We cross the border from Tamil Nadu to Karnataka, passing through areas where we may spot deer, monkeys and elephants. Upon arrival in Mysore we drive up to the Chamundi Hill, which is topped with a 12th Century temple of Durga (Chamundeshwari temple) and has a magnificent 5 metre tall statue of Nandi (the bull), carved from a single piece of granite. This marvel is one of the largest in India.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 6 - In the morning we head out for a sightseeing tour of Mysore and its surroundings. We begin by driving to Srirangapatna, the historic capital of Tipu Sultan - known for his struggle against British rule. His summer palace is set in beautiful surroundings on an island formed by two branches of the Cauvery river, with various monuments pertaining to the Sultan's authority dispersed around it. We then return to Mysore to see the Maharaja's (Emperor's) Palace also known Amba Vilas Palace, which was designed by British architect Henry Irwin and was completed in 1912. The Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features a harmonious blend of Hindu and Saracenic architectural styles, as well as a plethora of ornamental archways, domes, turrets, colonnades, and sculptures. Known for its sandalwood, Mysore is also famous for some of India’s finest crafts such as printed silk, inlaid furniture and ivory carvings.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 7 - Post breakfast we start our journey to Hassan, stopping en-route at Shravanabelagola, a city sacred to the Jains and famous for its 18-metre Jain colossus. The statue of Gomateshwara, which stands atop Vindhyagiri Hill, is considered to be the tallest and most elegant monolithic statue in the world. Hundreds of pilgrims visit this sacred site every day. After the visit to Shravanbelagola, we proceed to Hassan, popular for its ancient structures, history and monuments. Upon arrival we check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 8 - Today we explore the temples of Belur and Halebid. We visit these fascinating temples carved with scripts from Hindu mythology, depicting mythical characters from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the two great Epics. Belur, the capital of the Hoysala Empire, is one of the greatest examples of Hoysala architecture. We visit the Chennakesava Temple, which stands out among the 92 Hoysala temples in Karnataka and is famous for its architecture and sculptures. Following that, we visit the Hoysalesvara Shrine in Halebid, where we see half-life size statues of Hindu deities with minute detailing. We also take a stroll through the Jain temples. Return to Hassan for an overnight stay.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 9 - After breakfast, we will begin our journey to Hospet, which is known for its historical monuments and is thus known as the Fort Town of Karnataka. Hospet, with its old ruins and majestic architecture strewn throughout its landscape, brings to life the historic age of the once-mighty Vijayanagar Empire. The city enchants you with its nostalgic appeal as you walk along its dusty streets, passing through its tranquil ancient neighbourhoods and busy local markets. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free. Overnight stay in Hospet.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 10 - In the morning, we eat breakfast at the hotel and then leave for a tour of Hampi. The village is home to numerous key UNESCO World Heritage Site monuments. The ancient capital of the powerful Vijayanagara empire, Hampi has ruins of a once sacred and regal city. We navigate through massive rock formations to see outstanding examples of Dravidian architecture. Some of these architectural masterpieces, built by the last great Hindu dynasty, date back to the 14th Century and are dispersed among the rugged hills and plains. There are lots of other places to discover, from the historic King's Balance to the gorgeous Queen's Bath, the stately Lotus Mahal (palace) to the huge elephant stables.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 11 - In the morning we drive to Badami, a remote town rich in Hindu and Jain cave temples, carved out of sandstone hills. On the way we stop at Aihole, known as the Cradle of Indian Temple Architecture. Aihole has over 125 temples divided into 22 groups scattered throughout the villages and nearby fields, and Pattadakal, a UNESCO World Heritage centre has 10 major temples representing early Chalukyan architecture. Upon arrival in Badami we check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay in Badami.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 12 - We start the day with a trip to the Badami Caves. Picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills, the exquisite sculptures and the rust red sandstone cliffs of Badami tell many a tale of yore. Later we drive to Goa. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay in Goa.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 13 - The day is at leisure to unwind at the beach or explore Goa.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 14 - Our tour of Karnataka and Goa comes to an end and it’s time to pack your bags and head back with memories of a lifetime. After breakfast, we check out from the hotel and get a transferred transfer to the Goa Airport for onward travel.

Tour Ends