Flight: WY231 Muscat - Hyderabad 09.15 - 13.50

Meet & greet, transfer to hotel: Welcome to India! You will be met on arrival in Hyderabad by a local representative and introduced to your private driver. Together they will take you to your city hotel to check in. 

Time to recover: Once arrived and checked in, you have the remainder of the day at leisure to relax after your long flight.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Taj Krishna (Deluxe Room)

Guided tour of Hyderabad: Today you will explore the royal city of the Nizams in full, starting with a morning visit to the stunning Golcanda Fort. Originally a mud fort, Golconda was developed into a site of epic proportions under the stewardship of the Qutub Shahi Dynasty. The epic site has grand fortifications, a citadel, and a network of mosques, tombs, halls, and pavilions. Unfortunately, many of these structures have suffered a great deal from past sieges and the ravages of time, but enough remains to give an excellent impression of what the Fort would have looked like in its pomp.

After a comprehensive visit to the Fort and its neighbouring tombs, you will be driven to the weaving workshop of 80 year-old Suraiya Hassan Bose. Suraiya Appa, as she is fondly known, is an octogenarian entrepreneur who has revived local textile techniques. Her and her master weavers use mashru, himru, jamavar, and paithani fabrics and distinctive craftwork to produce clothing and upholstery of the finest quality. The workshop supplies high-end clientele world-wide, and pays for a neighbouring school which educates some 600 local students.

In the afternoon, you will be taken into old Hyderabad. Hyderabad’s one true landmark is the famed Charminar, situated right in the heart of medieval city, surrounded by beeping horns and bustling bazaars. The 56m tall arch was built in the 16th century by the 5th Sultan of Golconda, and distinctive for its four soaring minarets.  From the Charminar you will walk into the legendary Laad bazaar. This narrow bazaar is famous for bangles, bidri ware and pearls, and is a hive of activity at any time of day. Continue to the Mecca Masjid, the largest mosque in South India, and then to the Nizam’s Museum which is located in in the atmospheric Purani Haveli. You will also have time to wander the streets, observing artisans and shopkeepers at work, before returning to the hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Taj Krishna (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Gulbarga, via Bidar: After breakfast, you will set off on the drive from Hyderabad to Gulbarga (now Kalaburagi), a drive of around 230km or 5-6 hours to the west. Around a third of the way along you will stop at the ancient city of Bidar, capital of the Bahmani Sultanate between 1428 and 1487. The old town of Bidar remains ringed by 15th century walls, to the north of which is the sprawling and spectacular Bidar Fort. Walking the walls of the Fort alone would total a distance of over three miles, so this is a large site to explore, demanding at least a couple of hours in the company of your private guide. The walls are lined with 37 bastions, many of which still boasting original cannons, and the interior is made up of wide gardens, magnificent tombs, monuments, and three extravagant (though mostly ruined) palaces. There is also a large mosque – replete with 16-columned prayer hall - the oldest Muslim building in Bidar in this, the largest Fort in south India. After an extensive tour of the Fort you will continue to Gulbarga (Kalaburgi), arriving early evening.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Lumbini Grand (Club Class Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour of Gulbarga: This morning, you will be taken for a guided tour of Gulbarga (Kalaburgi), a city which is an interesting synthesis of Muslim and Hindu cultures. Throughout the middle ages the city passed through various Hindu dynasties before in 1347 falling to the Bhamani conquest. The city was chosen by Bahman Shah as capital of the Sultanate, and throughout the following decades was embellished with palaces, mosques, stately homes, and bazaars. The development of the city was then unfortunately cut short in 1428 when the capital was shifted north to Bidar. Today a number of interesting buildings remain: including a deteriorated but still impressive Fort; a beautiful Jama Masjid, said to be modelled on the great mosque in Cordoba; various imposing Bahmani tombs; and a shrine to Islamic saint Khawaja Syed Mohammed Gesu, which also contains a library housing some 10,000 books in Urdu, Persian, and Arabic.

Road journey to Bijapur: After the sightseeing, you will continue by road to Bijapur (Vijapura), a drive of around 4 hours. Arrive early evening and check into your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Basava Residency (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour of Bijapur: Today, you will set out to discover Bijapur (Vijapura). Bijapur makes a strong claim to be the ‘Agra of South India’, housing an exemplary array of 15th to 17th century Muslim architecture. In the early 1500s the Bahmani Sultanate disintegrated into five smaller Sultanates, one of which became the Adil Shahi dynasty, which ruled from this city until 1686.

The jewel in Bijapur’s crown is the Golgumbaz, a world-famous mausoleum, topped by a vast hemispheric dome which is visible for miles and said to be the second largest in the world. It houses the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah (1627-56), 7th ruler of the Adil Shahi dynasty. Constructed to his orders shortly before death, the acoustics of the dome are such that sounds can reverberate up to 11 times over. The front edifice of the tomb has been converted into a small museum which contains artefacts and information on the tomb and the dynasty.

Continue to Mehtar Mahal, a mosque which is modest in size yet houses one of Bijapur’s great architectural treasures, a stunning Indo-Saracenic entry gate. Nearby is the Ibrahim Roza mausoleum which is another quite beautiful Islamic monuments, extremely elegant in detail and exact in its proportions. Its 24m-high minarets are believed to have inspired those of the Taj Mahal. These are just some of the highlights of Bijapur Fort and its surrounds: spend the day covering the city in depth with your guide, before retiring to the hotel to spend the evening at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Basava Residency (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Badami: This morning, you will drive onto Badami, heading more or less due south for around 120km, a journey of 3 hours. On arrival, you will head straight to your hotel to check in and freshen up.

Guided tour of Badami: After checking in, you will be taken back out to discover the excellent Badami temples. Badami was the capital of the early Chalukyas who ruled much of the central Deccan between the 4th and 8th centuries A.D. It is situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills and has a very peaceful rural setting. Here, and at nearby Pattadakal and Aihole, one finds some of the earliest and finest examples of Dravidian temples and rock-cut caves, which went on to provide inspiration for later Hindu empires.

Badami’s exquisite 6th century Hindu and Jain cave temples overlook placid Bhuthanath Lake. Out of the four temples, two are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one to Lord Shiva and the fourth is a Jain temple. Of particular interest is an 18-armed Shiva statue, embodying 81 dance poses. Perched on the northern hill is Malegitti-Shivalaya temple, dedicated to the benign aspect of Lord Shiva, as the garland-maker. It is built of stone, finely joined without mortar. After ample time to explore you will head back to the hotel and have the evening to relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Badami Court (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Hampi, via Aihole & Pattadakal: After breakfast, you will set out on the drive to Hampi, a straight drive of around 3.5 hours, but padded out to a day’s journey encompassing the stunning historical sites of Pattadakal and Aihole. First up is Pattadakal, 29km out of Badami, which was the Chaulakyas second capital and chief coronation site. There are many fine temples here, the most striking interesting being Lokeshwara and Virupaksha. Continue to Aihole, another 15km down the road, to visit the Ladkhan, Kunligudi, and Durgigudi temples, all fine examples of ancient Hindu architecture. After Aihole you will turn south for the lengthiest section of the journey, a run of 130km down to Hampi, the scenery becoming increasingly striking as you approach.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hampi Heritage Resort (Deluxe Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour of Hampi: For today and tomorrow, you will have the company of your private guide, driver, and vehicle to set about discovering Hampi. Hampi is littered with such an abundance of historical treasures that in truth two full days in just about enough to cover the main highlights only – you could stay for up to a week and still not see everything – but your guide will manage the time effectively to ensure you cover the most important sites.

These include: the Virupaksha temple, where continuous worship has been conducted for over 500 years; the Vittala temple, a World Heritage Monument noted for its sculpted stone chariot and carved pillars which produce musical notes when struck; Achyutaraya temple, a striking 16th-century temple ruins with ornamental details, carvings & sculpted pillars; the Royal Enclosure, encompassing Hazara Rama temple, the Great Platform, and well-preserved stepwell; the Zenana enclosure, bathhouse for the queens of the ruling family, with its nearby Lotus Mahal and Elephant Stables; and Matanga Hill, an epic viewpoint for sunrise and sunset.

In addition there are wealth of further minor temples, monuments, and ancient sites, with more being excavated all the time! Hampi bazaar is also a fun area to stop for lunch and/or shop for souvenirs, plus there is a wealth of excellent hiking routes on offer which can cover some of the main sightseeing as well as local village life, and Hampi’s truly magical scenery.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hampi Heritage Resort (Deluxe Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour of Hampi: Today, you will continue exploring Hampi with your guide. Continue covering some of the main sites missed yesterday, dedicate time to areas of personal specific interest, head off on a hike, or alternatively build in some time to relax and enjoy the facilities at your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hampi Heritage Resort (Deluxe Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

Road & train journey to Goa: Early this morning, you will be transferred the short distance from your Hampi hotel to nearby Hosapete Junction train station. From Hospet you will catch the early morning Amaravathi Express train to Vasco de Gama. This train - originating from Kolkata Howrah - is scheduled to depart Hospet at 6.30am, arriving into Vasco de Gama at 15.05pm. You will be seated in 1st AC Class for this journey. On arrival at Vasco de Gama, you will be met by a private driver, who will escort you to your hotel to check in and relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Casa Vagator (Favourite Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Days at leisure: These days are yours at leisure to relax at the hotel and reflect on your adventures. The hotel has numerous activities which can be arranged locally, and a range of facilities to aid your relaxation. We strongly recommend using your beach hotel as a base to explore the wider surrounds of Goa: rich in exciting markets, adventure activities, and lush tropical scenery of rivers, waterfalls, paddy fields, and beaches both busy and secluded.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Casa Vagator (Favourite Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Day at leisure: You have a final day at leisure prior to your evening departure. Please note a late check-out is not included today. You will need to vacate your room by midday. Late check-outs can be booked in advance (usually charged at 50% of the nightly room rate) or negotiated locally (but are subject to availability).

Private transfer to the airport: In the late afternoon, you will be transferred back to the airport in time to check-in for your onward flight.

Flight: WY208 Goa - Muscat 20.20 - 22.05

Meals: Breakfast