Today we arrive in Bangalore, the capital and the important tourist center of Karnataka. Also known as the Garden City of India, it is a live city and the melting point of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Bangalore is considered to be one of the most developed and progressive cities in India and is blessed with a perfect climate and shopping scenes. It is a great city that helps you mix up with the locals in craft beer joints. Victorian-era architecture, lovely parks, and lively people are the major attractions of Bangalore. We can use the evening in exploring the buzzing nightlife of the city.

Bangalore is aptly called as the “Garden City of India” owing to the presence of many public parks, green and broad steers etc. Bangalore is home to several sightseeing locations like the summer retreat of Tippu’s Palace, the Nandi Temple, the 240-acre park of Lalbagh, and the picturesque location of Ulsoor Lake, 300 acres land in Cubbon Park, the VidhanaSoudha, and the tourist location of M.G. Road, the Vishwehwariya Museum, and Utility Building.

We start the day off by paying a visit to the summer retreat of Tippu’s Palace. TipuSultan;s Summer Palace is a perfect example of Indo-Islamic architecture and was named after being the summer residence of Tipu Sultan, the Mysroean ruler. The structure is built entirely of teak and stands and is full of balconies, pillars, and arches. A vintage gallery comprises of the sketches of James Hunter, and there are Farsi inscriptions in the premises of the palace.

We visit the Nandi Temple next and move on to Lalbagh Botanical Gardens. The expansive Botanical Gardens are spread over 96 hectares of land and is home to centuries-old trees. The garden claims to have the most diverse species of plants in the world. After a guided tour to the Botanical Gardens, we will visit the Ulsoor Lake. Ulsoor is one of the biggest lakes in Bangalore and comprises of several islands.

Our next destination for this day is the Cubbon Park. Situated in the heart of the business district of Bangalore, the gardens have a red-painted Gothic Style library. On a Sunday, the park hosts a range of activities from yoga, farmers market, runs, and concerts. The VidhanaSougha and neoclassical AttaratKacheri are built on the premises of the park.

M.G. Road also called the Mahatma Gandhi road is another added attraction of Bangalore. One of the busiest roads in the city, M.G Road is a go-to destination to shop for food and clothes. It also comprises of buildings, banks, shops, theatres and office buildings.

We bring an end to this wonderful day by paying a visit to the Vishwehwariya Industrial and Technological Museum inside the Cubbon Park. Scientific experiments, engines etc. are hosted in the museum. Those interested can explore the buzzing nightlife of the city.

Move to Mysore and visit the capital, the rocky island of Srirangapatha. The historic settlement of Mysore was originally called Mysuru. One of the most enchanting cities of South India, Mysore has gained its name for a display of glittering monuments and buildings. Spice stores and incense stalls are found in abundance here, and this city attracts tourists from all over the world especially during the 10 day Dasara festival.

 Explore the Tippu’s Fort with its double walls and majestic gates, situated inside the Srirangapatna Fort. The Fort is surrounded by the Kaveri River. There are seven outlets of the fort and is believed to have been created by Ramanuja.

Directly opposite to the fort is the Ranganathswamy Temple which is the shrine of Lord Vishnu. It is one of the most important pilgrimage locations for people following Sri Vaishnavism. It is situated beside river Kaveri and the temple is said to have been made in 984 A.D. by a local chief. The temple is considered to be a monument of national importance and its imposing tower structure tells us why. Multiple columned halls, decorative towers and the image of Vishnu reclining on the coils of a snake make the aura of this temple even more imposing.

We spend the evening by paying homage to the Maharaja’s Palace, known also as the Mysore Palace. It is the official residence and seat of the royal family who ruled Mysore. The palace is a beautiful piece of architecture adorned by two durbar halls, courtyards, buildings, and gardens. The palace is one of the most visited locations in India, after the TajMahal, attracting over 6 million annual visitors owing to its exclusive architecture. We also move on to visit the Mysore Church known as the St. Philomena’s Cathedral.  We end the day by paying a visit to the Chamundi Hills. The Chamundi Hill is a 1062 m hill with the Sri Chamundeswari Temple at the top. Taking a foot trail to the temple requires crossing over 1000 plus steps. Approximately 4 hours of drive.

Drive to Chikmagalur, which means Younger Daughter’s Village and is situated beneath the Mullayanagiri Range. This city is home to the Jain pilgrimage sites worth exploring. The coffee plantation sites and the coll atmosphere of the city make it a tourist attraction for people within and outside India. Explore the scenic area filled with heritage spots and adventure options along with the views of the mountain range of Mullayanagiri. Approximately 4 hours of drive.

Time to explore the capital city of Hoysala dynasty, Belur, home to the Chennakesava Temple.Chennakesava Temple is known to be one of the finest examples of Hoysala workmanship. Belur is a short drive away from Chikmagalur and was the early capital of the Hoysala Empire.

The Chennakeshava Temple refereed also as the Kesava Temple, is a Hindu temple commissioned on 1117 C.E. Situated on the banks of the Yagachi River, the temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu. Medival Hindu texts, inscriptions, iconography, sculptures, the narration of Ramayana, and several themes ranging from Shaivism, Shaktism to Jainism make the temple a piece of marvel. The temple and the nearby Hindu and Jain temples situated around it have been proposed to be listed under UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Also visit the destroyed city of Halebid, home to the Hoysaleshwara Temple. The town was the regal capital of Hoysala Empire and hosts a perfect example of Hoysala architecture. Nature’s beauty and breathtaking views are evident in the city, which is filled with lush green coffee plantation hills all around. The Hoysaleswara Temple is dedicated to Shiva and is built on the banks of a large man made a lake. The twin temple is dedicated to Hoysaleswara and Santaleswara Shiva lingas. The temple was carved from soapstone and is home to intricate reliefs, sculptures, iconography, and inscriptions.

Proceed to Hospet and visit the Hampi ruins. Hospet is located on the Tungabhadra River, 12 Km from Hampi. Hampi is a World Heritage site which comprises of the runs of the medieval Vijayanagara City. Proceed for local sightseeing later in the Tungabhadra Dam which serves irrigation, electricity generation and flood control. Hospet is home to stunning monuments, ancient streets, aquatic treasures, royal platforms and royal pavilions. Approximately 7 hours of drive.

Today, we will embark on a day excursion of Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which attracts thousands of visitors to its ruined yet a charismatic state. The unearthly landscape of Hampi has captivated travelers for many years in the past. The undulating terrain comprised of heaps of giant boulders. The contrast of rusty hues of the ruins, with the jade green palm trees, calls for a landscape whose description cannot be put into words. This World Heritage site comprises of a lot of looks out for, and an entire day does not seem to be enough to grasp it all in. Sightseeing around several other beautiful temples, royal platforms, remains of aquatic structures, royal pavilions, bastions, treasury buildings around Hampi.

Move towards Badami which is the regal capital of BadamiChalukyas. Dotted with cave temples, fortresses, entryways, carvings, Badami has been selected as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY. Sightseeing around the Open Air Museum will showcase the regrouping sculptures of different eras. The Agastya Lake is another added attraction and the Badami Fort is located on top of a hill. The fort stands as a witness to the bygone eras and has been renovated several times.

The Badami cave temples are complex temples and the perfect example of BadamiChalukya architecture. There are eighteen inscriptions in Badami.  There are four main caves, out of which one is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The second one is dedicated to Vishnu and comprised of statutes of Vishnu avatars. The third cave is also dedicated to Lord Vishnu while the fourth one comprises of Jain inscriptions. Approximately 4 hours of drive.

We will embark on a day excursion of Aihole and Pattadakal today. Aihole is a striking temple complex with more than 125 temples intricately and richly carved. The historic site comprises of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments and dates back from the fourth century to the twelfth century. Stone artwork and several construction techniques result in Aihole being home to 16 types of free-standing temples and 4 types of rock-cut shrines. The temples in the area co-exist in close proximity and are dedicated to several Hindu and Jain gods. One monument is dedicated to Buddha and is a monastery.

Pattadakal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 10 temples dedicated to Hinduism and Jainism. The temples date back to the 7th and 8th century and the site was declared as a World Heritage Site on 1987. The Pattadakal site is situated on the bank of the Malaprabha River. The harmony of architectural forms of Northern and Southern India are evident in the temples like Virupaksha, Mallikarjuna, and Pantha.

Move towards Dandeli which is the largest wildlife sanctuary of Karnataka. The small town situated in the western ghats of Karnataka, Dandeli is known best for the river activities that its hosts on River Kali. Options like white water rafting and canoeing are extremely popular in Dandeli. Check into the jungle lodge and proceed for afternoon jungle safari in the park to witness the views of the black panthers, antelopes, gaur deer and leopards.  Bird watching is another interesting activity that one can carry out. Nearby locations include Sykes point, Siroli peak, Kavala caves, Syntheri Rocks and Siroli Peak. The calm and peaceful nature of the sanctuary nestles some rare birds and animals. This unspoiled piece of nature is a haven for nature enthusiasts. Approximately 4 hours of drive.

Time to move to the highlight of the trekking journey, Goa. Goa is the beach destination of India and is known for its western influenced lifestyle and buzzing nightlife. It is the smallest state by area but is visited by a huge number of tourists each year. It has been ranked as having the best quality of life. Goa is much more than trance parties and beaches as it is home to a beautiful blend of different religions. Typical Portuguese styled houses, ancient churches, and festivals. Nowhere in India is quite like Goa, and the person who visits there will know the ambiance and the unparalleled beauty of the place. Afternoon free in the hotel.

The biggest attraction of Goa is undoubtedly its string of golden sand beaches. The shimmering strand of beach stretches in the Arabian Sea and each has its own influence, culture, and individuality. Explore the famous beaches of Dona Paula, Anjuna, Baga, and Calangute where you can involve in exciting water activities like toboggan ski-biscuit, watching, swimming, parasailing, snorkeling, sports fishing and harpoon fishing. Each beach can cater to the whims of different types of people. One can choose to witness the palm friended sands of Palolem to the hippie market at Anjuna. The laid-back beauty of Mandrem and the five-star resorts of Baga are all exciting on its own. Arambol is a go-to destination for backpackers. There is also, time to explore the churches of St. Francis Xavier, Church of St. Francis of Assisi and Bascilla of Bom Jesus.

Explore the perfect locations like Mangeshi Temple, Santa Durga Temple. Majorda Beach, Benaulim Beach, Colva Beach, Varca Beach, Cavelossium Beach and cycle or walk to the beaches for a spiritually enlightening experience. Goa is not only the location to look for a tan, but also to get your zen on. There are several locations offering yoga practices, tai chi lessons, reiki healing courses, meditation and everything from spiritual retreats to training courses.

Food is also thoroughly enjoyed in this bustling state. The cuisine of Goa is as inspiring and as different as the other locations in India. The baroque architecture, crumbling forts, whitewashed Catholic churches and stunning cathedrals make Goa a place of unique beauty. Goa has something for everyone. Depending on your interest, take up an activity and witness from your own eyes why Goa is known as one of the best destinations in India.

The tour comes to an end today. There is free time in the morning, till the time you transfer to the Goa airport. Buy souvenirs for loved ones back home with a promise to come back for more after a perfect adventure in the Northern Indian states of Karnataka and Goa.