Archaeological Tour

Welcome to India.

Our representative will be on hand to help you to make a seamless Check-in at the hotel.

More than a 100 years old Bangalore once, the beloved ‘Garden City’ of retirees in their ‘Golden Years’, is now a bustling, hustling IT Hub. Steeped in 21st century vibes it teems with newbies, young men and women, filling office floors and pubs, café and restaurants after hours. Stubbornly Old Bangalore refuses to drowned by the noise. You can still in through the arches of the heritage buildings at Basavanagudi with its Bull Temple, its iconic gardens, Lal Bagh, Cubbon Park and neighbourhood markets in Malleswaram, a melange of the old and the new.

Unmissable landmarks are the colonial-days State Library, the State Parliament Building and High Court, St Francis Xaviers Cathedral and Wesley English Church. 

Sample some of the old ways eating traditional local dishes, drinking craft beers and mingling with the crowds in the popular markets.

Overnight at hotel.

After an early breakfast you will drive to the beautiful wildlife environs of Kabini on the southwestern end of the Nagarhole National Park in Mysore district.

Enroute you will make a short detour to Srirangapatna to explore the treasures of the legendary Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace or Dariya Daulat Bagh. Also known as the ‘Tiger of Mysore’ he ruled the Kingdom of Mysore in the 18th century. His strategized resistance of the British, is the stuff of legends. Tipu has the distinction of being the first to have invented the rocket, which was to inspired the British Congreve rocket in later times.

Tipu died 1799 while valiantly fighting the British at the Sally Port Gate, Srirangapatna. He is buried in the grounds of the Summer Palace. The museum wing here has on display crowns, costumes, coins, weapons and silver utensils used by Tipu Sultan and his equally famous father, Hyder Ali. A over 200-year-old oil painting features the storming of Srirangapatna.

Along the way you’ll also make a stopover at Somnathpur village to visit the beautiful Hoysala-era, 13th century UNESCO-acclaimed Somnathpura Temple dedicated Lord Keshava (Vishnu).  The sculptures of the deities and intricate carvings will blow you away.

The drive through the gorgeous wilderness of the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve to Kabini will remain a memorable one. The Kabini River Lodge where you’ll spend the night has been rated as one amongst the 5 top wildlife resorts in the world by Tatler.

Nestled by the waters of the Kabini River this eco-friendly resort hums with atmospherics.  Enjoy the tranquil environs, enjoy a leisurely dinner and make it an early night.

Overnight Kabini River Lodge

Your day begins with a lovely cruise on the Kabini River by boat/ local bamboo coracle. Along the way keep your eyes peeled for wild animals, deer, elephants etc by the waterline. The Kabini waterway also attracts a wealth of birdlife.

After breakfast you’ll head to Mysore.

Post lunch you will explore the stunning Mysore Palace. The Palace is also the venue for the launch of the fabulous Dasara Festival in Oct/Nov, led by the erstwhile Mysore royals in their regal gear.

A shopping spree is another highlight in this city famous for its handicrafts and silk. Mysore silk has been given the exclusive GI tag.

Enjoy a culinary experience of the highest order as the city is famous for its cuisine.

Overnight at Hotel.

This morning, a 1hour (approx) drive will bring you to the intriguing riverside town of Talakadu, still veiled in myth and mystery. Famous for its ancient temples lost for centuries in the sands, it is an archaeological dream of a find.

Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide you will explore some of the shrines which were buried under the sands on the bank of the Kaveri River. You will learn about the legend of an enraged Queen Alameamma who cursed the town and the Wadiyar ruler of Mysore who wanted to steal the jewels she used to lend to the goddess in the temple.

The township and about 30 temples were buried under a river of sand, some of which have been now partially rescued. It is famous for the Panchalinga temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, the largest is the Vaidyanatheshwara temple; the Pathaleshwara, Maruleshwara, Arkeshwara and Mallikarjuna are the remaining four.

The Maruleshwara is still partially buried in the sand.

Other temples of note here are Keerthinarayana Temple and Anandesvara and Gaurisankara shrines which date much further back. Also uncovered here have been idols and sculptures, Jain basadis, ring wells and bathing ponds.

Be sure you are wearing clothing and good footwear as you will be walking through a lot of sand

Overnight at hotel.

This morning is at leisure in Mysore.

Visit of Silk Factory before heading towards Hassan.

Drive to Hassan.

Rest of the day at leisure.

This morning, you will drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi.

En route you will stop to explore the ancient temples of Belur and Halebeedu

Renowned for their architectural splendour the twin temples reflect the grand artisanal heritage of Karnataka’s Hoysala period.

Dedicated to lord Vishnu, the splendid Chennakeshava Temple, in Belur, is said to date to the 11th century. It was built to commemorate the victory of the Hoysalas over the Cholas in the Talakadu battle. Dont miss the intricate carvings. There are vignettes carved in stone from the tales from Ramayana and Mahabharata.

At Halibeedu explore the architectural and artisanal wonderments of Halebeedu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.  The museum in the temple complex features a wealth of Hoysala-era sculptures and artifacts

Head to Hampi to relax and enjoy a leisurely dinner.

Overnight at hotel

You have a full day to explore the ruins of the open-air museum which is Hampi, the last bastion of the legendary, southern Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagara.

Dating to the 15th century the Vijaya Vittala Temple, oldest and best preserved this is the star attraction for the stunning Stone Chariot and the Musical Pillars of the Ranga Mantapa. Lord Vitthala is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Sri Virupaksha Temple to Lord Shiva is a living temple.

Other highlights: Royal Enclosure) for the Lotus Mahal and Elephant Stables; Queens bath, Hazara Rama Temple, Ganagitti Jain Temple; Pattabhirama Temple; Narasimha Monolith. Malyavanta Hill is home to the beautiful Raghunatha Temple.

Hemakuta Hill offers superb panoramas of the entire archaeological site

Head back to your hotel to relax and enjoy a leisurely dinner.

Overnight at hotel.

An early morning coracle ride along the Tungabhadra River is truly refreshing.

Set off for a drive to the archaeological hub of Lakkundi.

En route stop at Gadag which lends its name to the Gadag Temple Circuit which includes temple sites at Itagi, Lakkundi, Dambal, Annigeri and Lakshmeshwar.

At Gadag explore the Trikuteshwara and Veeranarayana Temples, which reflect features from the Western Chalukya-era architectural school. They define what is known as the Gadag-style of architecture. The Trikuteswara temple has a rare religious significance, too, as it has shrines dedicated to Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu.

Of note too are the two Jain temples dedicated to Mahavira and Parshvanath.

Lakkundi with its profusion of temples and stepwells offers a window to history, religion and craftsmanship par excellence from deep antiquity. The important surviving temples include the Kasi Vishawanatha, Mallikarjun, Halagunda Basavanna, Virupaksha, Lakshminarayana, Manikeshwara, Nanneshwara, Someshwara, Neelakanteshwara, Kumbar Siddeshwara, Vishwantha and Brahma Jinalaya Temple.

Kasi Vishwanatha Temple has exceptional ornamentation work, a carved shikara and embellished doorways. The Brahma Jinalaya is a Jain Basadi (temple) built in the 11th century. The Manikeshwara Temple lies in proximity to a beautiful kalyani. Stepwells of note include the Chateer Bavi, Kanne Bavi and Musukina Bavi.

Check out the collection at the Sculpture Gallery at the ASI museum

Return to Hampi to relax at your hotel and enjoy a leisurely dinner.

Overnight at hotel .

Koppal Before heading to Badami, time permitting, you can make a short stop at Koppal- home to the Hire Benakal Megalithic Site, now on UNESCO’s wait-list of acclaim. Hire Benakal is megalithic site dating back to a period between 800 and 200 BCE.

Moving on you head towards Badami, famous for its ancient shrines and your base for exploring nearby Aihole and Pattadkal the next day.

Relax at your hotel and enjoy a leisurely dinner at Badami.

Overnight at Hotel.

This morning you will head out from Badami for the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Aihole and Pattadakal, which lie in proximity to each other.

Dating as far back as the 4th century CE is a cluster of 120 temples scattered across the Malaprabha river valley around Aihole, the first bastion of the Chalukya dynasty. Of note here is the Durga Temple, and the 6th-century rock-cut Ravana Phadi Cave that houses images of Shiva and Parvathi. Time permitting your guide will help you explore some other options such as the Garudagudi, Chakragudi, Ambigaragudi, Rachigudi, Kuntigudi, Hallibasappagudi, Badigargudi, Trimbakeshwar and Mallikarjuna Temples.

Pattadakal lies about 20 minutes away. A part of the Badami Aihole-Pattadakal UNESCO heritage site circuit it is home to Hindu and Jain temples, dating to the 7th and 8th centuries. They are noted for their fusion of North and South Indian styles of architecture and astonishing artisanal beauty. The star attraction here is the Virupaksha Temple from the 8th century. Check out the sculptures of Ugra Narshimha and Nataraja. The complex is also home to the Papanatha Galaganatha, Sangameshwara, Chandrashekara, Kashi Vishwanath, Mallikarjuna, Jambu Lingeshwara, and Kadasiddeshwar Temples.

Return to Badami to relax at your hotel and enjoy a leisurely dinner.

Overnight at Hotel.

This morning you will be escorted to Hubli Airport to connect with your flight to Bangalore.

TIme for a pottery session.

Unleash your creativity with a hands-on artistic experience, perfect for both beginners and seasoned artists. This engaging session includes live pottery workshops, ceramic painting, and canvas art activities. Whether you're shaping clay on the potter’s wheel or bringing a ceramic piece to life with color, each moment is an opportunity to express your individuality and imagination. A fun, relaxing, and inspiring addition to your journey!

Overnight at hotel.

Look back with wonder on the amazing experiences you take home with you as your travels in Karnataka in South India come to an end.

Transfer to Bangalore Airport.