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Exploring India’s Intriguing South

From the tech-centric hangouts of Hyderabad to the UNESCO-listed ruins of Hampi, the mist-drenched mountains of Coorg to the historic markets of Mysore, this heritage-rich tour will take you off the tourist trail and into the heart of India’s intriguing south. Explore ancient crumbling temples, peaceful mountain trails, colonial-era streets, and ancient kingdom capitals as you get to know Telangana and Karnataka through the eyes of a local insider.

Tour type Itinerary

Duration 12 nights

Min price range p/p

£3,375 - £3,925pp including international flights

Recommended itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Hyderabad

On arrival at Hyderabad airport, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy this city of old meets new, where mosques, palaces and historic mansions rub shoulders with a modern tech scene. Explore the old city, where hawkers sell spices and pearls from the Laad Bazaar, or head to the new quarter (nicknamed Cyberabad) where India’s tech giants sit beside glitzy malls. Overnight at Taj Falaknuma Palace.

Day 2

Hyderabad

Continue your explorations in Hyderabad today. Unmissable is the sprawling Makkah Mosque and the Chowmahalla Palace, where fountains dot elegant courtyards and chandeliers deck the halls. If you’d rather see the highlights with a guide, opt for the White Mughals tour. You’ll visit the elaborate former British Residency building, now a women’s college, as well as the colonial-era Secundrabad neighbourhood, where road names are still in British. Alternatively, get the taste buds tingling with an optional biryani food tour learning about the history of this royal dish, ending with a traditional meal served in a local home. Overnight at Taj Falaknuma Palace.

Day 3

Hyderabad & Hampi

Transfer to the airport this morning for a connecting flight to Hubli. From there you’ll be driven to incredible Hampi, a UNESCO-listed city set amid the hills of Karnataka. Here hundreds of ancient monuments dating to the Viyajanagar Empire scatter a dramatic landscape of giant boulders, rust-colour hills, and banana plantations. Settle in at your hotel ready for a full day’s exploration tomorrow. Overnight at Evolve Back Hampi.

Day 4

Hampi

Set off on a full-day tour of Hampi today. Explore the city’s smattering of ruins, which include palaces, treasury buildings, statues and shrines. Highlights include the Vithala Temple – shaped over the centuries by various kings – and the Hampi Bazaar, a historic marketplace that was the city’s beating heart during the Viyajanagar Empire. While here, pay a visit to the Virupaksha Temple – the city’s only remaining working temple, dating to the seventh century. Overnight at Evolve Back Hampi.

Day 5

Hampi & Hassan

Travel to Hassan today – an 11th-century city built under the Hoysala dynasty, who ruled southern India for nearly two centuries. Named after the goddess Hasanamba, the city is filled with gilded Hindu temples and historic architecture and is a gateway to the former Hosyala capitals of Belur and Halebidu. Spend the day exploring at leisure or settle in at your hotel. Don’t miss the Gothic Shettihalli Church, built by French missionaries in the 1860s and nicknamed ‘The Floating Church’ due to the fact it’s partially submerged during monsoon season. Overnight at Hoysala Village.

Day 6

Hassan

Continue your explorations in Hassan today or opt for a full-day tour exploring the temples of Belur and Halebidu. Standouts include the Hoysaleswara Temple, built in the 12th century and dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the Chennakesava Temple, a mammoth stone masterpiece covered with intricate sculptures. Overnight at Hoysala Village.

Day 7

Hassan & Coorg

Venture into the mountains today as you make your way towards Coorg – a hill station coined the ‘Scotland of India’, famous for its coffee plantations, spice farms and orange groves (Karnataka is the country’s biggest coffee producer). Later, head out on a hike or relax in the surroundings, where mists cling to the hills and trails criss-cross the forests. Overnight at Evolve Back Coorg.

Day 8

Coorg & Mysore

After breakfast you’ll be driven to Mysore. Located in the southwest of Karnataka, this heritage-rich city was the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947 and is home to several historic sites. Especially worthy of a visit is the Devaraja Market – a vibrant bazaar where spices, silk and sandalwood have been traded for centuries. Settle in at your hotel for the evening or choose to learn the ins and outs of South Indian cuisine with a local family on an optional cooking workshop. Overnight at Royal Orchid Metropole.

Day 9

Mysore

Today is free to enjoy; spend the day exploring Mysore on your own terms or choose from one of several tours. Options include the Royal Mysore Walk, where you’ll hear all about the lives of the ancient maharajas before visiting the market to sample local delicacies; a private workshop with a classical musician; and a visit to a local silk factory to learn more about Mysore sarees. Overnight at Royal Orchid Metropole.

Day 10

Mysore & Bangalore

Travel to Bangalore this morning. The rest of the day is free to enjoy in this culture-filled, tech-forward city, known as India’s Silicon Valley. Wander its gardens and royal residences independently – don’t miss the 19th-century Bangalore Palace, modelled on Windsor Castle – or opt for an afternoon SoBa Walk to explore the city’s south side, once the city’s intellectual centre. Alternatively, trace the history of the city’s rulers on a heritage-themed walking tour, or venture into the Nandi Hills for lunch at a local vineyard as you toast the end of a memorable trip. Overnight at Taj West End.

Day 11

Bangalore & Departure

Your tour ends today. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Bangalore airport for your flight home or onward travel.

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