Arrival in Bengaluru by International Flight

Your India Goa trip starts the minute you arrive at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport. Our representative greets you warmly in the arrivals hall, bearing a sign in your name after you have finished customs, immigration procedures, and baggage collection, and then drives you pleasantly to your hotel for check-in. 

Karnataka's energetic capital is Bengaluru, which is also the clear focal point of India's technical revolution. Once a serene, verdant haven for retirees with colonial bungalows and tree-lined streets, it has become a vibrant cosmopolitan city where historic palaces, bustling markets, and a flourishing café culture coexist with cutting-edge innovation. You have the rest of the day to unwind, get acclimated, and soak in your initial impressions of South India's most vibrant metropolis.

Stay in Bengaluru overnight. Hotels: Justa MG Road or similar (3★) / Royal Orchid Central or similar (4★) / ITC Windsor or similar (5★). Meals: No meals included

Travel to Mysuru through Shravanabelagola

Start your day with a beautiful drive from Bengaluru to Mysuru (about 3 to 4 hours), passing through the verdant countryside of Karnataka, quaint farming communities, and groves of swaying coconut palms. On the way, stop at the holy Shravanabelagola, one of the most significant Jain pilgrimage sites in all of India. To get the amazing 57-foot monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali, carved from a single rock over a thousand years ago, climb the stone stairs of Vindhyagiri Hill. As breathtaking views of the town and neighboring plains extend in every way, pilgrims sing and say prayers in a profoundly serene spiritual mood. This location is among the most emotionally strong events on the whole tour because of its size, tranquility, and sheer spiritual intensity. 
Once you have enjoyed the serenity and beauty of Shravanabelagola, head to Mysuru, arriving in the afternoon to check into your accommodation and unwind before a busy day of sightseeing tomorrow.
Staying the night in Mysuru. Hotels: Pai Vista or similar (3★); Fortune JP Palace or similar (4★); Radisson Blu or similar (5★). Meals: Breakfast at the hotel's designated or selected restaurant

Explore Mysuru

Get up early to see the vivid hues and local rhythm of the Devaraja Flower Market, where stands overflow with fresh jasmine and marigolds in a fragrant morning display. Before driving up Chamundi Hill, which rises dramatically above Mysore city and offers sweeping panoramic views in every direction, return to your hotel for breakfast. Go to the holy Chamundeshwari Temple, which has a tall gopuram gateway tower and elaborate sculptures. 
Next, visit the majestic Mysore Palace, a magnificent Indo-Saracenic architectural masterpiece constructed by the Wodeyar royal family. Its lavish durbar halls, delicately carved rosewood doors, stained glass ceilings, and remarkable assortment of royal artifacts offer an amazing glimpse of princely India at its most extravagant. Finally, as night falls, pay a visit to the exquisitely lighted Brindavan Gardens, noted for its faultless symmetry and musical fountain displays above the Krishnarajasagara Dam.
Mysuru Overnight Stay. Hotels: Pai Vista or similar (3★) / Fortune JP Palace or similar (4★) / Radisson Blu or similar (5★). Meals: Breakfast at the hotel's designated or selected restaurant.
 

Travel to Chikmagalur via Belur and Halebeedu

Check out after breakfast and start a beautiful journey (around 5 to 6 hours) towards Chikmagalur, a beautiful hill town well-known for its coffee plantations, chilly mountain air, and foggy green vistas. Stop at two of Karnataka's cherished architectural landmarks along the road. 
Start by seeing Belur's stunning Chennakeshava Temple, a remarkable example of 12th-century Hoysala architecture. Hoysala workmanship is renowned for its remarkable complexity, with stone panels depicting celestial dancing figures, epic scenes, and mythical animals in such exquisite detail that they appear impossibly delicate for stone. Next, travel to Halebeedu, once the capital of the Hoysala Empire, to see the Hoysaleswara Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. 
It is exquisitely adorned with complex friezes of gods and dancers spanning the whole perimeter of the outer walls in a continuous ribbon of stunning sculptural narrative. Proceed on your picturesque route to check into your resort after soaking yourself in this amazing legacy.
Staying overnight in Chikmagalur. Hotels: Aadrika or similar (3★), The Blossom Resort or similar (4★), Gateway or similar (5★). Meals: Breakfast at the hotel's designated or selected restaurant.

Arriving on the Konkan Coast — Your Goa Holidays Begin Here

Start early today for a lengthy but visually worthwhile journey from Chikmagalur to Gokarna (about 7 to 8 hours). As you descend from the misty coffee hills, the landscape changes dramatically around you—from cool green plantations and winding forest roads to open paddy fields, river crossings, and finally the first beautiful glimpses of the Arabian Sea coastline. One of India's most breathtaking and underappreciated coastal areas, the Konkan coast, which stretches between Mumbai and Goa, and this drive really captures its peaceful, unhurried beauty. 
Check into your accommodation upon arriving in Gokarna, a tiny, quiet seaside town with equal amounts of natural beauty and spiritual importance, and devote the remainder of the day totally to leisure. Unwind at the beach, take in the fresh sea air, or just sit and observe the waves. This is the ideal, leisurely start to the shore chapter of your trip. 
Overnight stay in Gokarna. Hotels: Om International or similar (3★) / Red Earth or similar (4★) / Kahani Paradise or similar (5★). Meals: Breakfast at the hotel's designated or selected restaurant
 

Gokarna — A Day of Leisure

You get today all to yourself. Gokarna is fortunate to have several stunning, deserted beaches, each with its own character, and now is the ideal time to explore them at your leisure. 
Om Beach - With golden sand, calm waves, and a laid-back café culture, Om Beach, which takes shape from the auspicious Hindu emblem Om, is the most well-known beach in Gokarna. Ideal for long morning strolls along the coast, Kudle Beach is broader and quieter. Of the three, Half Moon Beach is the most remote; it can be reached on foot along a beautiful coastal trail and provides total tranquility away from the demands of the world. You can spend the day at one beach or meander among all three. Whatever you choose, today is all about slow travel—warm sea breezes, gentle sand, fresh coconuts, and the kind of total relaxation only a secret treasure of a beach village can provide. Watch a beautiful sunset in the evening.
Overnight stay in Gokarna. Hotels: Om International or similar (3★) / Red Earth or similar (4★) / Kahani Paradise or similar (5★). Meals: Breakfast at the hotel's designated or selected restaurant

Welcome to Goa — India's Most Beloved Beach Destination

Following breakfast, depart and take a beautiful drive to Goa (about 3 to 4 hours)—following the magnificent Konkan coastline past little fishing communities, paddy fields, coconut groves, and shimmering stretches of the Arabian Sea. 
British tourists hardly need any introduction to Goa. Though it is India's smallest state by land area, it is among its most loved, a location where golden beaches, warm turquoise seas, relaxed Portuguese colonial legacy, fresh seafood, and energetic evening markets mix to produce a holiday experience totally different from the rest of India. Goa provides it all without difficulty, whether you're seeking to unwind by the sea, enjoy chilled beverages by the pool, or take a leisurely walk along colonial streets bursting with hues and history. 
Arrive, check into your beachside accommodation, and relax the rest of the day completely at leisure under the gentle sea breeze as the slow-paced charm does its thing.
Staying in Goa overnight. Hotels: Nanu Resort or similar (3★) / Lemon Tree Amarante or similar (4★) / Zuri White Sands or similar (5★). Meals: Breakfast at the hotel's designated or selected restaurant
 

Half-day sightseeing of Old Goa and Panjim

Your local guide leads you on a half-day tour this morning through the historical landmarks that make holidays to Goa, India, so gratifying beyond the seashore. 
Start at Old Goa, the once thriving Portuguese India capital. Visit the breathtaking Basilica of Bom Jesus first, a UNESCO World Heritage site that houses the preserved relics of St. Francis Xavier and is well-known for its opulent Baroque interior and gilded altars. Next, visit the neighbouring Sé Cathedral, one of Asia's largest churches, which has an impressive Portuguese-Gothic front devoted to St. Catherine. 
Travel from Old Goa to Fontainhas, the beautiful Latin Quarter in Panjim. Narrow lanes lined with Portuguese-era houses painted in vibrant hues, charming local bakeries, and small art galleries providing an intimate window into Goa's colonial past may be found here. Last but not least, tour Panjim's energetic local market, where vivid booths overflow with Goan spices, cashews, regional sweets, and handmade mementos. 
Go back to your hotel by the beach in the afternoon to fully unwind by the pool, lounge on the golden sand, or take a leisurely walk along the warm sea breeze as the sun sets.
Staying overnight in Goa. Hotels: Nanu Resort or similar (3★) / Lemon Tree Amarante or similar (4★) / Zuri White Sands or similar (5★) Meals: Breakfast at the hotel's designated or selected restaurant
 

Travel to Hampi

Check out after an early breakfast and start your trip inland with a lengthy, but aesthetically gratifying drive from Goa to Hampi (approx. 6 to 7 hours). The scenery changes drastically before your eyes as you leave the lovely Konkan shoreline behind, moving from rich coastal plains and emerald paddy fields through rural Karnataka villages and finally into the dramatic, boulder-strewn Deccan terrain that signals your arrival in one of India's most exceptional historic regions. 
Hampi - Once the thriving capital of the powerful Vijayanagara Empire, one of the wealthiest and most powerful kingdoms in Indian history, Hampi is an amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site of stunning scope. Spreading royal complexes, ancient temples, dilapidated watchtowers, and historic market streets span miles of rocky territory, all exquisitely bordered by massive granite boulders that lend the whole scene an almost surreal vibe. This extensive trip provides an amazing glimpse into South India's shifting landscape and rural rhythms. Arrive at your destination late in the afternoon, check into your accommodation, unwind, and rest well, ready to thoroughly explore this ageless open-air museum tomorrow.
Staying overnight in Hampi. Hotels: Clarks Inn or similar (3★) / Heritage Inn or similar (4★) / Shivavilas Palace or similar (5★). Meals: Breakfast at the hotel's designated or selected restaurant
 

Visit Hampi's Ancient Sites

With your knowledgeable guide, discover the beautiful remains of Hampi today. Start at the holy Virupaksha Temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, which boasts a tall gopuram and an active sanctuary where priests still conduct daily ceremonies inside this old, wrecked city. Then go to the famous Vittala Temple Complex, where you will find the well-known stone chariot carved from a single granite boulder and the amazing musical pillars that make melodic sounds when they are touched. 
Pass through the Hazara Rama Temple, which is covered in beautiful bas-relief panels that show the whole Ramayana narrative around its outside walls, and check out the magnificent Royal Enclosure. The ruins of audience halls, stepped water tanks, and the Mahanavami Dibba platform provide extensive panoramic views across the historic complex here. See the lovely Lotus Mahal, a fragile pavilion with exquisite lotus-shaped arches that blends Hindu and Islamic design influences, and marvel at the enormous vaulted elephant stables that formerly housed the king's ceremonial horses. 
At last, wander through the historic, stone-paved Hampi Bazaar, picturing the bustling commercial activity that once permeated these imperial alleys before returning to your hotel brimming with real wonder.
Staying the night in Hampi Hotels: Clarks Inn or similar (3★) / Heritage Inn or similar (4★) / Shivavilas Palace or similar (5★). Meals: Breakfast at the hotel's designated or selected restaurant

Travel to Badami and Sightseeing

Renowned for its remarkable rock-cut cave temples sculpted right into red sandstone mountains, Badami (about 3 to 4 hours) was the historic capital of the Chalukya dynasty. 
Check into your hotel upon arrival and go forth to discover. Start with the renowned Badami Cave Temples, four amazing caverns carved into the cliff face above the peaceful Agastya Lake. Every cave is devoted to several gods, including Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, and all are lavishly adorned with exquisitely produced sculptures, elaborately carved columns, and mythological panel carvings of remarkable caliber. Badami is among the most rewarding archaeological monuments in South India because of the combination of a breathtaking natural environment and remarkable human skill. 
Next, go to the serene Bhuthanatha Temples, a collection of sandstone temples located right on the banks of Agastya Lake, their reflections dancing softly in the calm water with the majestic old cliffs in the backdrop. Last but not least, tour the adjacent Mallikarjuna Temples, noted for their exquisite Chalukyan structural features and peaceful atmosphere encircled by rough rocky outcrops and historic remains, therefore perfectly reflecting the mood of a bygone period.
Staying overnight in Badami. Hotels: Badami Court or similar (Best available in the area with 3★ amenities) Meals: Breakfast at the hotel's designated or selected restaurant.
 

Travel to Vijayapura via Pattadakal & Aihole

Start your day early with a drive from Badami to Vijayapura (also known as Bijapur) – a trip across Karnataka's remarkable historical heartland. Stop at two UNESCO World Heritage Sites en route that constitute the cradle of South Indian temple construction.
Start with Pattadakal, a stunning collection of Chalukyan temples showcasing one of the earliest and most successful examples of fusing two unique Indian architectural styles: the Dravidian style (characterized by curved spires and intricate ornamentation from the south) and the Nagara style (identified by shikhara towers from the north). The stunningly carved Virupaksha Temple and its nearby shrines convey tales from Hindu mythology via their exquisitely crafted stone sculptures. Then travel to Aihole, regarded as the birthplace of Hindu temple construction, where more than a hundred temples erected between the 4th and 12th centuries bear witness to decades of architectural development and invention. The most well-known feature of the location is the distinctive Durga Temple with its odd curved apsidal construction.
Absorbing the artistic splendor of these ancient sites, continue to Vijayapura (about 4.5 hours total). Start with the elegant Ibrahim Rauza, sometimes known as the Taj Mahal of the Deccan, for its exquisitely proportioned domed tomb, mosque, and well-kept gardens, then explore the magnificent Islamic monuments of the city in the late afternoon. Next, head to the magnificent Gol Gumbaz, home to one of the biggest domes ever constructed anywhere in the world, and its renowned whispering gallery, where even the faintest sound travels audibly throughout its enormous interior.
Staying in Vijayapura (Bijapur) overnight. Hotels: The Fern Residency  (Best available in the area with 3★ amenities) Meals: Breakfast at the hotel's designated or selected restaurant
 

 Drive to Gulbarga & Sightseeing

After breakfast, check out and drive for around 3.5 hours to Gulbarga (Kalaburagi), a historic city that was once the capital of the Bahmani Sultanate, one of the most powerful medieval Islamic kingdoms in the Deccan region. 
Check into your hotel when you get there and tour Gulbarga's stunning architectural legacy. Start at the enormous Gulbarga Fort, first built by the Kakatiyas, then greatly fortified by the Bahmani monarchs. Once guarding a whole royal city inside its walls, this vast complex of ramparts, bastions, and antiquated cannons. Go to the magnificent Jama Masjid inside the fort, which was constructed in 1367 and is remarkably modelled after Spain's renowned Great Mosque of Cordoba. Its massive, exquisite prayer hall, which is supported by lovely arches and more than 250 carved pillars, creates a calm and architecturally amazing ambience unmatched anywhere else in India. Most visitors to India never find this really uncommon and undervisited treasure. Return to your hotel to unwind and have a completely free evening in this historic Deccan outpost after delving into this amazing medieval past.
Overnight stay in Gulbarga. Hotels: Kyriad Hotel or similar (Best available in the area with 3★ amenities) Meals: Breakfast at the hotel's designated or selected restaurant
 

Gulbarga to Hyderabad over Bidar

This morning, we start early for the four-and-a-half to five-hour journey from Gulbarga to Hyderabad, passing through the vast Deccan plains, small towns, farms, and coconut groves. Stop at Bidar, a historic walled city renowned for its stunning medieval fortress and unique Persian-influenced Bahmani buildings. 
Explore the vast Bidar Fort, among South India's most imposing and magnificent strongholds, featuring massive bastions, strengthened gates, and magnificent royal edifices inside its walls. Stroll through the stunningly decorated Rangeen Mahal, the Painted Palace, embellished with vibrant blue and green tilework and Persian-style stucco ornamentation, and take in the graceful Solah Khamba Mosque, which exquisitely captures the grandeur of the Bahmani court at its peak. Spectacular are the fort's expansive ramparts over the surrounding rural area. 
After looking around Bidar, carry on your trip to Hyderabad, the stunning City of Pearls, arriving in the evening. Verify your lodging and spend the balance of the day totally at leisure, taking in your first impressions of this amazing, energetic metropolis.
Overnight stay in Hyderabad. Hotels: Aditya Sarovar or similar (3★), Mercure Hyderabad or similar (4★), ITC Kakatiya or similar (5★) Meals: Breakfast at the hotel's designated or selected restaurant

Hyderabad Sightseeing

Go with your local English-speaking guide to discover the energetic city of Hyderabad today. Start at the legendary Charminar, the most cherished monument in the city, erected in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, with four graceful minarets soaring 56 metres above the small streets that teem with spice shops, bangle stores, and traditional Irani cafés. 
Visit the magnificent Mecca Masjid nearby, one of India's biggest mosques, constructed with bricks allegedly produced from soil carried from Mecca itself. Its enormous open courtyard and exquisitely carved arches provide an ambience of remarkable peace and grandeur. Visit the internationally renowned Salar Jung Museum next, home to an invaluable single-person art collection including Persian carpets, Mughal miniature paintings, and the intriguing, translucent marble statue Veiled Rebecca. 
Travel in the afternoon to the magnificent Golconda Fort, once the powerful stronghold of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, noted for its amazing acoustic system where claps at the main entrance can be heard at the top, its strategic entrances, opulent royal chambers, and expansive views from its highest ramparts.
Overnight stay in Hyderabad. Hotels: Aditya Sarovar or similar (3★), Mercure Hyderabad or similar (4★), ITC Kakatiya or similar (5★) Meals: Breakfast at the hotel's designated or selected restaurant

Hyderabad, Departure (by international flight)

After a leisurely breakfast, leave your hotel by 11:00. Say goodbye to Hyderabad and your amazing 16-day trip throughout South India. Your personal car drives you comfortably to Hyderabad International Airport for your connecting trip home. You depart bearing lovely memories spanning golden Konkan sunsets, ancient ruins, colonial streets, and the spiritual majesty of a historic civilization that presented you with India and Goa at their finest.
No accommodation on this day. Meals: Breakfast at the hotel's designated or selected restaurant