| Day 1 - Bangalore
(Monday)
12.00 Noon: Check-in at the Leela Palace
followed by lunch at Jamawar or Citrus.
3.00 pm: Depart
for Bangalore Sightseeing Tippu's Palace, Bull Temple &
Lalbagh.
8.00 pm: Arrival at Yeshwantpur Railway
Station, Platform No. 6 Traditional Indian welcome at Railway
Station and escorting to respective cabins. Dinner on board
The Golden Chariot
09:00 pm: Depart to Mysore
11:30 pm: Arrive at Mysore
Bangalore: A World of Opportunity
The capital of Karnataka is known as the Garden City because
of its salubrious climate and greenery. Perched 3,250 feet
above sea level, temperatures seldom exceed 30oC (88oF). Founded
by Kempegowda, a powerful chieftain, the city is unique with
its rich cultural heritage that coexists with its modern day
technological and industrial achievements.
Today Bangalore is popularly known as India's Silicon Valley.
Bandipur:
Tread the path of the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore
with a visit to Bandipur, about 80km south of Mysore on the
Mysore-Ooty Road. The reserve is a playground for wildlife,
with elephants taking the lead role. Be prepared for an unforgettable
experience - you might see a tiger prowling amidst the mix
of deciduous, evergreen forest and scrubland vegetation. Set
against the picturesque backdrop of the enchanting Niligiri
mountains with its mist-covered peaks, Bandipur was once the
Mysore Maharaja's private hunting ground. It was brought under
Project Tiger in 1973. This is one of the best game sanctuaries
in India to observe and photograph wildlife in close proximity.
A temple perched atop Himad Gopalaswamy Hill, the highest
peak in the Bandipur range, is worth a visit.
Day 2: Mysore/ Kabini/ Bandipur - (Tuesday)
10.00 am: Depart for Kabini / Bandipur after breakfast
01.00 pm: Reach Jungle Lodge. Lunch at the Jungle Lodge
Post Lunch:Jungle / Boat Safari. Return in the evening for
wildlife film. Dinner and stay overnight at Jungle Lodge
Kabini:
A World of Wildlife
Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Nagarhole (Kabini), the hunting
retreat of the Mysore Maharajas, is definitely the perfect
destination for wildlife lovers in South India. The excitement
starts with a safari into the heart of the park, where you
are sure to spot wild animals in their natural habitat. Some
of the popular sightings are elephant, gaur, sambar, chital,
wild boar and the more exclusive predators like tiger and
leopard. A bird watcher's paradise, the park is home to over
300 species of birds, many of which are endemic to these jungles.
Day
3 - Mysore (Wednesday)
08.30 am: Breakfast and Depart for Mysore
11:30 am: Back onboard The Golden Chariot.
01:00 pm: Lunch on board The Golden Chariot
03:00 pm: Mysore sightseeing: Mysore Palace, Srirangapatnam
07:00 pm: Reach the Lalitha Mahal Palace for cultural
show followed by dinner
10:00 pm: Back onboard The Golden Chariot
Mysore: A World of Royalty: Mysore
has been always associated with the royal families and their
patronage, be it the Wodeyars or the Sultans. Mysore is a
city known for its resplendent palaces and majestic buildings.
A visit to the city conjures up visions of the glory, still
evident of the illustrious Wodeyar Kings. This former state
capital still retains its tradition in music and dance, art
and literature and its time-honoured crafts.
A 141 kms from Bangalore, the city enchants
you with its quaint charm, verdant gardens, tree-lined boulevards
and its sacred temples.
Mysore, once the state capital, today is
a vibrant city teeming with tourists and visitors. It is known
the world over for its exotic sandalwood and rich silks. Many
culinary delights await those inclined to sample the regional
cuisine.
Mysore Palace: Built in Indo-Saracenic style
with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades, the Palace is
a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from
all over the world. The magnificent jewel -studded golden
throne of the Wodeyars is displayed here during the Dasara
festival.
Srirangapatna: The island fortress of the
legendary warrior king Tipu Sultan is just 14 km from Mysore
city. Inside the fortress is Tipu's mosque with its twin minarets,
the Wellesley Bridge and the dungeons where British officers
were once imprisoned.
Day 4 - Hassan (Thursday)
06:00 am: Depart from Mysore to Hassan
08:15 am: Arrive at Hassan
09:00 am: Depart for sightseeing to Shravanabelagola
(Please note that you would have to climb close to 700 steps
to
experience the architectural marvel. Only those who can undertake
this are advised to do so. Guests unwilling to experience
can stay back onboard The Golden Chariot. Palanquins are available
for those who cannot take the climb by themselves. This is
available to the passengers at no extra cost)
01:00 pm: Lunch on board The Golden Chariot
03:00 pm: Depart for Belur and Halebid for
sightseeing
07:15 pm: Back onboard The Golden Chariot
07:45 pm: Depart to Hospet
Belur
& Halebid : A World of Worship
Belur in Hassan district 220 kms from Bangalore and 38 kms
from Hassan) is famous for its magnificent Hoysala Temple
Complex. The Chennakesava Temple here is the major attraction,
built by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana, to commemorate his victory
over the Cholas. The facade of the temple is filled with intricate
sculptures with no portion left blank. It is the only Hoysala
Temple still in active worship.
Halebid in Hassan district is 27 kms away
from Hassan and was the capital of the Hoysalas. It has one
of the finest Hoysala temples. The Hoysaleswara Temple, perched
on a star-shaped base amidst lawns, is a sculptural extravaganza.
Its walls are richly carved with an endless variety of Hindu
deities, sages, stylized animals, birds and friezes depicting
the life of the Hoysala Kings.
Shravanabelagola, 52km from Hassan, is an
important Jain pilgrim centre. It is home to Asia's largest
monolithic statue Lord Gomateswara here towers 58 ft., looming
atop the picturesque Vindhyagiri Hill. Every 12 years, Jain
pilgrims gather here to participate in a splendid head-anointing
ceremony.
Day 5 - Hospet (Friday)
06:00 am: Arrival at Hospet
08:30 am: After breakfast depart for Hampi
sightseeing: Virupaksha Temple. Queens's Bath, Elephant Stables,
Local crafts bazaar
01:00 pm: Return to The Golden Chariot for
Lunch
03:00 pm: Depart for sightseeing: Royal enclosure,
Hazara Rama Temple. Illuminated Vittala Temple.
08:00 pm: Back onboard The Golden Chariot
Hampi:
A World Heritage Site
If dreams were made out of stone, it would be Hampi. Hampi
has been classified as a World Heritage Center and is one
of the major tourist destinations in India.
Hampi, the seat of the famed Vijayanagara
empire was the capital of the largest empire in post-moghul
India, covering several states. The Vijayanagara empire stretched
over at least three states -Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra
Pradesh. The destruction of Vijayanagar by marauding Moghul
invaders was sudden, shocking and absolute.
Although in ruins today, this capital city
once boasted riches known far beyond the shores of India.
The ruins of Hampi of the 14th Century lies scattered in about
26 sq. km area, amidst giant boulders and vegetation.
Protected by the tempestuous river Tungabhadra
in the north and rocky granite ridges on the other three sides,
the ruins silently narrate the story of grandeur splendor
and fabulous wealth.
The splendid remains of palaces and gateways
of the broken city tells a tale of man's infinite talent and
power of creativity together with his capacity for senseless
destruction. A visit to Hampi is a sojourn into the past.
Most of the important structures and ruins are located in
two areas, which are generally referred to as the Royal Centre
and the Sacred Centre.
A visit to Anegundi village by traversing
the gushing Tunga Badra river on a coracle is an experience
that provides the guests with a glimpse into the traditional
country life in Karnataka.
Day 6 - Badami (Saturday)
05:00 am: Depart from Hospet to Badami
08:30 am: Arrival at Badami
09:00 am: Depart after breakfast for sightseeing:
Badami Caves and Pattadakal
01:30 pm: Return to The Golden Chariot for
Lunch
02:00 pm: Depart for Goa
Relax and enjoy the facilities onboard The Golden Chariot:
Spa, Gym Dinner onboard The Golden Chariot Reach Goa post
midnight
Badami:
A World Heritage Site
Badami is 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.
The first sculptural embellishment to dazzle the eye is the
18 armed Nataraja striking 81 dance poses.
Pattadakal, with its beautifully chiseled
temples is a World Heritage Site located on the banks of the
Malaprabha River. It bears testimony to the richness of the
Chalukyan architecture. Pattadakal reached its pinnacle of
glory under the Chalukyan Kings and was once used as a ceremonial
center where kings were crowned.
Day 7 - Goa (Sunday)
09:30 am: Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot
10:00 am: Depart for sightseeing
11:00 am: Visit the famous churches of old Goa
12:15 pm: Visit an old Portuguese house: Sola Souto Maior
for tea/coffee and cookies; shopping at the emporium
02:00 pm: Reach Majorda Beach Resort for lunch
03:00 pm: An Ayurvedic massage, a visit to the casino, a dip
in the pool / beach, etc. (Ayurvedic massage and casino charges
extra as applicable)
06:00 pm: Depart from the resort
07:15 pm: Return to The Golden Chariot.
Dinner onboard The Golden Chariot
09:00 pm: Depart for Bangalore
Goa: A World of Golden Beaches
Also known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist
Paradise", the state of Goa is located on the western
coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan.
The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural
splendors of its temples, churches and old houses have made
Goa a firm favorite with travelers around the world.
But then, Goa is much more than just beaches
and sea. It has a soul which goes deep into unique history,
rich culture and some of the prettiest natural scenery that
India has to offer.
Besides the natural beauty, the fabulous
beaches and sunshine, travellers to Goa love the laid-back,
peaceful, warm and friendly nature of the Goan people. After
all, more than anywhere else on planet earth, this is a place
where people really know how to relax.
Day 8 - Bangalore (Monday)
08:00 to 09:30 am: Breakfast onboard The Golden Chariot
11:00 am: Reach Yeswanthpur railway station, farewell by the
entire crew. |