Hyderabad, Karnataka and the Beaches of Northern Kerala

Day 1 Depart UK

Today depart the UK and fly with British Airways to Hyderabad. (N)

Day 2 Arrive Hyderabad

Arrive into Hyderabad where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a two night stay. Regal Hyderabad is one of southern India’s grandest cities. Capital of Telangana, for centuries the city and wider region were ruled by a series of Muslim Nizams who were amongst some of the richest men in the world. Hyderabad’s wealth is evident in the city’s numerous majestic monuments which are some of the finest in the country. (B)
Accommodation in Hyderabad: Taj Deccan Hotel
Upgrade option: Taj Krishna Hotel
Alternative upgrade option: Taj Falaknuma Palace

Day 3 Hyderabad

Today plan your sightseeing of Hyderabad with your guide. Highlights include Golconda Fort, the beautiful Qutb Shahi Tombs, Mecca Masjid Mosque, bustling Lad Bazaar, the Chowmahalla Palace and the perfectly proportioned Char Minar which is over 350 years old and one of the most recognisable symbols of the city. For those interested in textiles and traditional weaving, a visit can be arranged to Suraiya Hasan’s Weaving Centre which was established to revive the region’s textile heritage. (B)
Accommodation in Hyderabad: Taj Deccan Hotel
Upgrade option: Taj Krishna Hotel
Alternative upgrade option: Taj Falaknuma Palace

Day 4 Hyderabad to Bellary – by air / Bellary to Hampi – 40kms

After breakfast you will be met and transferred to Hyderabad Airport in good time for your flight to Bellary. On arrival continue by road to Hampi which will be your base for the next three nights. Capital of the powerful Vijayanagara Empire, the ruins at Hampi stand testament to the influence and dominance of one of southern India’s most significant ancient realms. In the evening enter the archaeological site and enjoy sunset from Hemakuta Hill. (B/D)
Accommodation in Hospet: Heritage Resort Hampi
Upgrade option: Hampi's Boulders Resort
Alternative upgrade option: Evolve Back, Kamalapura Palace Hampi

Days 5 & 6 Hampi

Over the next two days join your guide and explore the exceptional ruins of Hampi. This extraordinary site, which was once home to one of the grandest Hindu empires to have existed in Indian history, is UNESCO protected and covers a vast area so there are plenty of palace and temple remains to see today. Established in 1336 AD, highlights include the Vitthala Temple, the famous Stone Chariot, Lotus Mahal and Queen's Bath and Elephant Stables. (B/D)
Accommodation in Hospet: Heritage Resort Hampi
Upgrade option: Hampi's Boulders Resort
Alternative upgrade option: Evolve Back, Kamalapura Palace Hampi

Day 7 Hampi to Bellary – 40kms / Bellary to Bangalore – by air / Bangalore to Mysore – 150kms

This morning return by road to Bellary and fly to Bangalore. On arrival you will be met and driven through the countryside of southern Karnataka to Mysore which will be your base for the next two nights. Charming Mysore was once one of India’s most powerful kingdoms and served as the epicentre of a wealthy region that, until the British Raj, was ruled by Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan. Much of this stately heritage remains and this afternoon enjoy a two-hour heritage walk through the old city incorporating the Town Hall, Devaraja Market and Jagan Mohan Palace. (B/D)
Accommodation in Mysore: Gitanjali Homestay
Upgrade option: Royal Orchid Metropole Hotel

Day 8 Mysore

Explore Mysore with your guide. There is a lot to see and do in Mysore, as well as the surrounding region, so in the morning you can plan your day with the guide. In the city places of interest include Chamundi Hill, site of Chamundeswari Temple and Nandi Bull, and the grand City Palace which was once the seat of the Kingdom of Mysore. Also travel outside of the city to see the fine temples at Somnathpur and Srirangapatnam where Tipu Sultan was defeated in battle by an East India Company army including Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington. (B/D)
Accommodation in Mysore: Gitanjali Homestay
Upgrade option: Royal Orchid Metropole Hotel

Day 9 Mysore to Nagarhole – 90kms

After breakfast leave Mysore and drive to Nagarhole National Park where you will stay in a lodge for the next two nights. Nagarhole is arguably southern India's finest reserve and covers a sizable area of protected land. The park is home to tiger, bison, elephant, leopard, a number of different deer species and sloth bear. Over 250 different bird species have also been recorded. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Nagarhole: KAAV Safari Lodge
Upgrade option: The Bison
Alternative upgrade option: Evolve Back, Kuruba Safari Lodge, Kabini

Day 10 Nagarhole National Park

Today visit Nagarhole National Park on sunrise and sunset safaris in the company of an expert naturalist. Established in 1950s, and once owned by the local Maharaja, Nagarhole is a beautiful reserve with a number of different habitats and environments which, in turn, support great diversity of animal life. Predominately deciduous forest, there are also bamboo groves and areas of swamp that adjoin the Kabini River. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Nagarhole: KAAV Safari Lodge
Upgrade option: The Bison
Alternative upgrade option: Evolve Back, Kuruba Safari Lodge, Kabini

Day 11 Nagarhole to Madikeri – 120kms

This morning leave Nagarhole and drive to Madikeri. Located in Karnataka’s lush countryside in the beautiful region of Coorg, this is where the Western Ghats meet the eastern fringes of the Mysore plateau. Coorg has a rich and varied history and the area around Madikeri is home to several smaller ethnic communities and local tribes, including the Kodavas, who have inhabited this predominantly rural region for centuries. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Madikeri: School Estate
Upgrade option: Vivanta by Taj – Madikeri
Alternative upgrade option: Evolve Back, Chikkana Halli Estate, Coorg

Day 12 Madikeri

Today explore Coorg with your driver. Visit a selection of the many charming rural settlements around Madikeri including Najarayapatna and the interesting Tibetan Buddhist settlement of Bylakuppe. In Madikeri itself a visit to the imposing fort and Nalkanad Palace is also well worthwhile. With its rugged mountain scenery, cardamom and coffee plantations, paddy fields and jungle, Coorg is one of south India's most beautiful regions. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Madikeri: School Estate
Upgrade option: Vivanta by Taj – Madikeri
Alternative upgrade option: Evolve Back, Chikkana Halli Estate, Coorg

Day 13 Madikeri to Neeleshwar – 120kms

After breakfast leave Madikeri and drive west towards the Malabar Coast. Here you will stay for three nights at the comfortable Neeleshwar Hermitage – a heavenly hideaway set in a palm grove close to a pristine beach. Neeleshwar Hermitage has been designed to reflect local architectural styles and the thatched buildings house sixteen well-appointed cottages that are large, airy and inviting. Each of the cottages has its own veranda and most have sea views. (B)
Accommodation in Neeleshwar: Neeleshwar Hermitage

Days 14 & 15 Neeleshwar

Over the next two days you are at leisure to enjoy Neeleshwar Hermitage. There is a lovely swimming pool, an excellent spa and well-respected Ayurvedic centre, frequent evening talks are held and cookery classes can be arranged. It is also possible to take a backwater cruise for the day or visit nearby temples and some neighbouring villages. (B)
Accommodation in Neeleshwar: Neeleshwar Hermitage

Day 16 Neeleshwar to Kannur – 80kms / Mangalore to Mumbai – by air

Today transfer by road to Kannur Airport and fly to Mumbai. Here stay overnight at a hotel conveniently located close to the international airport. The remainder of the day will be at leisure. (B)
Accommodation in Mumbai: Hilton Airport Hotel (or similar)

Day 17 Mumbai to UK

Today transfer back to Mumbai Airport in good time to catch your British Airways flight to the UK. (B)

Hyderabad, Karnataka and the Beaches of Northern Kerala

17 days from £4335 per person

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Itinerary: Hyderabad, Karnataka and the Beaches of Northern Kerala

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