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Mountains, Monasteries & Monks
Discover the trans-Himalayan landscape and its people
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Karnataka Connect
Of kingdoms, coffee & cultures
Between north India’s desert cultures, Central India’s jungles and south India’s temple and backwaters’ trails – there are a few detours for the discerning traveller; Karnataka is one such detour. From its serene, less-crowded coasts to its forested escarpments, from its bustling urban hubs to its quiet tribal interiors, from its religious monuments to its ancient ruins – Karnataka offers a tapestry of experiences.
Our Karnataka Connect starts off in Hyderabad – a city showcasing South India’s finest Mughal architecture, continues past the bustling urban heart of Bangalore, Chikmagalur’s coffee plantation landscape thriving on seeds stolen by a Sufi saint, Hampi’s 14th Century Vijayanagara Empire ruins, the glorious temples of Badami, Pattadakal and Aihole, and ends on the sunny beaches of Goa.
Highlights
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Walk through Hyderabad’s history of Nizami heritage, Mughlai cuisine, arts, crafts and textiles on our expert led trails
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Explore Hampi’s UNESCO world heritage site with ruins of the once-mighty Vijayanagara capital
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Add a dash of daring with bouldering in Hampi
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Embark on temple trails through Aihole, Badami, Pattadakal, Halebid, Belur & Shravanabelagola
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Discover Goa’ Portuguese heritage through churches & cathedrals
Destinations Covered
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Programme Details
Hyderabad
Day: 1-2
You can connect to Karnataka, through Hyderabad. While it doesn't fall within Karnataka logistically, it is an easy point of access to the state. Hyderabad, literally ‘the lion’s abode’ was south India’s contender to rival the Mughal splendor of Delhi, Agra and Fatehpuri Sikri. Hyderabad was a capital of the Nizam rulers, who mastered the art of creating artificial, cascade lakes from rainwater runoff – some of which still survive to-date, and was a splendid city of lakes and tanks and later a diamond and pearl trading centre. Of the Mughal empires legacies, the most famous one today is the cuisine – Hyderabad offers a mouth-watering array of regal specialties from biryani to kebabs, and a riot of meat preparations tempered with spices.
Discover Hyderabad's heritage of stone and spices through our suggested activities:
Recommended Activities
Recommended Accommodations
Bengaluru
Day: 3
Fly down to Bangalore, Karnataka state’s capital – which could lead you further west or to the south, as per your interests. India’s own ‘Silicon Valley’, Bangalore is the hub of information technology and is spawning numerous start-ups, lending it a young, vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere. The bustling, high-tech city, Bangalore, gives no indication of its rich history under a succession of feudal rulers and as a cantonment for the Britishers. Yet, older streets and buildings juxtaposed against steel-and-concrete structures tell an interesting tale of transition, and the many tranquil lakes and colonial gardens make it the greenest metropolitan of India.
Recommended Activities
Chikmagalur
Day: 4-5
If you have a penchant for coffee, Chikmagalur’s lush plantations, smoky, cottage kilns for roasting beans, and the lore of Saint Babu Budan who brought back a handful of coffee beans from Mocha in Yemen is sure to capture your imagination. Even for those who don’t love coffee, the charm of historical ruins and temples lost amidst plantations, a verdant countryside riddled with waterfalls will make for an enchanting experience. Chikmagalur’s rugged landscape of mountains and valleys offers interesting trails for trekkers and is a rich paradise for wildlifers.
Explore Chikmagalur and the nearby sights with some of our recommended experiences:
Recommended Activities
Hampi
Day: 6-7
A seven hour drive north from Chikmagalur will bring you to Hampi.
A capital of the 14th Century Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi sits upon a ruin-strewn landscape where once one of the richest and largest cities stood. A world heritage site located upon the banks of the Tungabhadra river, wending its way through giant boulders, Hampi is a reminder of the vainglorious efforts of a civilization to achieve immortality, whose legacy lives on in stone. The many Hindu temples inlaid with characters from mythology, depicting the many avatars of Lord Vishnu, with a few Mughal empire structures punctuated with nature’s own rock monuments, make Hampi an unforgettable experience. Trace the history of the Vijayanagara Empire by taking in the sights and sounds:
Recommended Activities
Recommended Accommodations
Badami
Day: 8
Panjim
Day: 9-10
A beautiful drive from Badami, through the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot will bring you to the coastlines of Goa:
Nothing spells tranquility quite like Goa; with sandy beaches, captivating sunsets, green paddy cultivations and an old world charm. The state of sun and surf, that has perfected the art of taking it easy (susegad: in the local dialect), traditional festivities overlaid by a Portuguese colonial influence – of churches, basilicas and old mansions, Goa offers a warm hospitality and the undemanding pleasures of a beach life. Lesser known, are Goa’s many wildlife parks that host a rich biodiversity, some of it not found anywhere else in the world and the numerous waterfalls that offer scenic trek routes for the adventurous. Explore Goa's charms with some of our signature experiences:
Recommended Activities
Recommended Accommodations
Your Journey Awaits...
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