This delightful tour traverses India from Hyderabad in the central south of the country to Goa on the south western coast. It has been designed by Chris Caldicott, combining stays at handpicked hotels with an exploration of the outstanding historic cultural sites, spectacular scenery and countless culinary delights of this area.
Our journey begins in the vibrant old city of Hyderabad, city of the Nizams and famous for the quality of its pearls, before we explore Hampi, set amidst the vastness of the Deccan Plateau in Eastern Karnataka, and one of India’s most spectacular archaeological treasures. Magnificent palaces, temples, watchtowers, and urban ruins, built in distinctive Dravidian style, line the banks of the Tungabhadra River and are a glorious legacy of the mighty 14th century Vijayanagar Empire. We travel on to the rural market town of Badami in Northern Karnataka which was the capital of the Badami Chalukya Dynasty which ruled from 543 to 753 AD and whose kings adorned the city with a number of beautiful rock cut cave temples. We shall also see the temples at Aihole and Pattadakal which, along with Badami, formed the heart of the Chalukyan Empire.
We end in Goa, an unusual blend of Eastern and Western culture, resulting from more than 1000 years of Hindu and Muslim rule followed by five centuries of Portuguese rule. Enclosed by the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, Goa is known for its miles and miles of golden sand, palm fringed beaches, tropical vegetation, and also for its delicious cuisine., We will base ourselves at two remarkable but contrasting hotels in the south and north of the state from where we will explore the historic centres of the old and more recent capital cities of Portuguese Goa as well as relaxing by the beach.
17th November 2021
- Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary
- All entrance fees, visits, excursions and transportation as per the itinerary
- Breakfast daily; 9 lunches; 13 dinners
- Gratuities and porterage
- Local English-speaking guide/s and the services of your tour leader throughout
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Items of personal expenditure
- Visa fees, government levies or taxes introduced after costing and publication of this programme on 15/12/2020