Karnataka Heritage Tour

Morning breakfast, proceed for a full day sightseeing visit to King's Palace - this is the largest enclosure, including two major platform structures, an underground chamber which must have served as a treasury or private audience hall, MahanavamiDibba- equally impressive is the massive MahanavamiDibba, where the kings once sat on gem-studded golden thrones and watched processions pass by. Queen's Bath - This structure has a very plain exterior but the interior is stunningly ornate, with graceful arched corridors, projecting balconies and lotus-shaped fountains that used to spout perfumed water for the ladies of the court. Return to hotel and overnight.

Morning breakfast, check out and drive to Bijapur, enroute visit Aihole and Pattadakal. Aihole is famous as the Cradle of Indian Temple Architecture has over 125 temples all intricately carved and rich in detail famous ones are Lad Khan Temple, Durg (fort) Temple, Ravalphadi Cave Temple, Konti Temple Complex, Jain Meguthi Temple are few not to be missed. Pattadakal- The World Heritage centre has 10 major temples representing early Chalukyan architecture.

Check in to your hotel upon arrival in Bijapur. Later visit Gol Gumbaz - the most important attraction of Bijapur, the largest dome in the world, MehtarMahal - is on the way to the old city. Heavily influenced by the Indo-Saracenic style, GaganMahal - built by Adil Shah I (1561), is a palace-cum-audience hall. The central arch of GaganMahal is the tallest and widest in entire Bijapur. Return to hotel. Overnight.

Morning breakfast, check out and proceed to Badami. On arrival check in to hotel. Lunch and proceed half day sightseeing visit to 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, North Fort - this is the largest enclosure, including two major platform structures, an underground chamber which must have served as a treasury or private audience hall, several other platforms, Banashankari - is a quaint hamlet taking its name from the goddess Banashankari. Built in the Dravidian style, the temple is dedicated to Banashankari, a form of Parvati. Return to hotel and overnight.

Morning breakfast, checkout and drive to Hassan, check in upon arrival, lunch and visit to Belur and Halebeed Temples. Belur – Halebid go together like twin cities. Separated only by a short drive, both were home to the Hoysala dynasty for three centuries (mid-11th to mid-14th century). The Belur and Halebid temples are cut from the soft stone called chloritic schist. It allowed for very fine detailing, evident in the intricately carved temple walls. The tradition of ivory and sandalwood handwork is reflected in the sculptures of these temples. Return to hotel and overnight.

Morning breakfast, checkout and drive to Bangalore enroute visit Shravanabelagola. The 58-feet tall monolithic statue of Gommateshwarais located on Vindyagiri Hill. It is considered to be the world's largest monolithic statue. The base of the statue has an inscription in Prakrit, dating from 981 AD. The inscription praises the king who funded the effort and his general, Chavundaraya, who erected the statue for his mother. Every twelve years, thousands of devotees congregate here to perform the Mahamastakabhisheka, a spectacular ceremony in which the statue is anointed with Water, Turmeric, Rice flour, Sugar cane juice, Sandalwood paste, saffron, and gold and silver flowers. On arrival drop to Airport / Railway station to board the Flight / Train for onward destination. Tour Ends.