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DISCOVER DECCAN
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16 DAYS
Hyderabad · Bidar · Gulbarga · Bijapur · Hospet · Hampi · Badami · Goa · Mumbai (Bombay)
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Slightly off the beaten track, this tour takes in some of the most
interesting sites of the Deccan. An area full of intriguing history:
massive for tresses, wonderful sensitive Islamic architecture and some
of the finest cave paintings, sculpture and art in the whole of India.
Round off this fascinating tour with a relaxing stay by the white sands
of Goa.
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DAY 1 . To Hyderabad via Dubai
Fly on Emirate Airlines from Heathrow to Hyderabad.
DAY 2 . To Hyderabad
Arrive Hyderabad and transfer to the Taj Krishna
Hotel staying for two nights. Remainder of the day
at leisure.
DAY 3 . Hyderabad – Golconda
In the morning visit the imposing Golconda Fortress City, founded
originally by the 13th C Kakatiyas, and expanded by the Qutub Shahi
Kings into a massive structure. The fort has incredible acoustics – a
handclap at a certain point beneath the dome can be heard almost a km
away! Afternoon sightseeing of Hyderabad, including the Charminar, a
masterpiece of the Qutub Shahi’s, Salar Jung Museum and the Laad Bazaar
where just about anything can be purchased!
DAY 4 . To Bidar
Morning drive to Bidar. Stay in simple accommodation at the Hotel
Krishna Regency or similar. Sightseeing in the afternoon includes Bidar
Fort with its imposing bastions and the Rangin Mahal – a royal
residence with elaborately carved wooden pillars.
DAY 5 . To Gulbarga
Drive after breakfast to Gulbarga sightseeing there in the afternoon.
Massive guns – one 25 foot long – defended Gulbarga Fort. Inside see
the Jumma Masjid , the tomb of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Syed Mohammed Gaus
and the Durgah Library. Stay in simple accommodation at the Hotel Sun
International or similar.
DAY 6 . To Bijapur
Drive to Bijapur with afternoon sightseeing in this historic city.
Visits include the Gol Gumbaz (meaning ‘round dome’) the tomb of
Mohammed Adil Shah, its central dome only surpassed in size by St
Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The acoustics are phenomenal. Overnight in
the simple accommodation of the Madhuvan Hotel or similar.
DAY 7 . To Hospet
Drive to Hospet to stay at the Malligi Tourist Home for three nights. Remainder of day at leisure.
DAY 8 . Hospet – Hampi
The Deccan, a wonderful mysterious almost magical
land, strewn with monolithic granite boulders, is a worthy backdrop to the great ruined city, now
fittingly a World Heritage site. Two full days
sightseeing brings to life the golden age at its height in the reign of Krishnadevaraya – 1509-1529.
DAY 9 . Hospet – Hampi
Visits include the Vittala Temple, its sculpture probably the defining
moment of Vijayanagar art. Stop at Hampi Bazaar, now thriving and
compare it with the Suke Bazaar, deserted, silent. Also visit the Royal
centre with the Lotus Mahal and Elephant Stables.
DAY 10 . To Badami via Pattadakal
Morning visit to Pattadakal, a World Heritage site, where temple
development started in the early 3rd C. The main temple, the Virupaksha
has wonderful, breathtakingly lifelike sculpture taken from the
Ramayana and Mahabharata. At Aihole some of the earliest Hindu temple
architecture is found and seen developing in intricacy. Stay at the
simple Badami Court for two nights.
DAY 11 . Badami
Famed for its cave complex, Badami was once the
capital of the Chalukyan empire. In cave one, dating back to 578AD
there is a superb representation of the 18-armed Nataraja striking 81
dancing poses. Cave two, dedicated to Lord Vishnu sees him depicted in
dwarf form, as a boar and as Lord Krishna. Cave three is the highlight
– a tour into the art and culture of the 6th C. Finally cave four
started in the 6th C, is the only Jain cave, where carvings of
Tirthankara Parshavanath (with a serpent) and Mahavira can be seen.
DAY 12 . To Goa
Drive to Goa to round off the tour and spend a few
days relaxing at the Taj Holiday Village in Goa.
DAY 13 . Goa
Beach stay.
DAY 14 . Goa
Beach stay.
DAY 15 . To Mumbai (Bombay)
Late afternoon fly to Mumbai with use of room at
the Kohinoor Intercontinental, until early morning
transfer to International Airport.
DAY 16 . To London
Early morning departure on Emirate Airlines from
Mumbai via Dubai, to London.
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- Suggested extensions: Mysore, Nagarhole National Park.
- Enquiries and assistance 020 8901 7320
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