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DETAILED
ITINERARY:
Day
1 -
Bangalore
(Monday)
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12:30
pm:
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Check-in
at the
Leela
Palace
followed by lunch at Jamawar or Citrus.
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03:00
pm:
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Depart
for
Bangalore
Sightseeing Tippu's Palace,
Bull
Temple
& Lalbagh.
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08:00
pm:
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Arrival
at Yeshwantpur Railway Station, Platform No. 6
Traditional Indian welcome at Railway Station and
escorting to respective cabins.
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09:00
pm:
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Depart
to
Mysore
.
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11:30
pm:
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Arrive
at
Mysore
.
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Bangalore
: A World of
Opportunity
The
capital of Karnataka is known as the Garden City because of
its salubrious climate and greenery.
Perched
3,250 feet above sea level, temperatures seldom exceed 30oC
(88oF). Founded by Kempegowda, a powerful
chieftain, the city is unique with its rich cultural
heritage that coexists with its modern day technological and
industrial achievements.
Today Bangalore is popularly known as India's Silicon
Valley.
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Day
2 -
Mysore
/ Kabini/ Bandipur (Tuesday)
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10:00
am:
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Depart
for Kabini / Bandipur after breakfast.
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01:00
pm:
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Reach
Jungle Lodge.
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Lunch
at the Jungle Lodge.
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Post
Lunch:
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Jungle
/ Boat Safari.
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Return
in the evening for wildlife film.
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Dinner
and stay overnight at Jungle Lodge.
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Kabini: A World of Wildlife
Rajiv
Gandhi
National Park
, Nagarhole (Kabini), the hunting retreat of the Mysore
Maharajas, is definitely the perfect destination for
wildlife lovers in
South India
. The excitement starts with a safari into the heart of the
park, where you are sure to spot wild animals in their
natural habitat. Some of the popular sightings are elephant,
gaur, sambar, chital, wild boar and the more exclusive
predators like tiger and leopard. A bird watcher's paradise,
the park is home to over 300 species of birds, many of which
are endemic to these jungles.
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Day
3 -
Mysore
(Wednesday)
|
08:30
am:
|
Breakfast
and Depart for
Mysore
.
|
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11:30
am:
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Back
onboard The Golden Chariot.
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01:00
pm:
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Lunch
on board The Golden Chariot.
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03:00
pm:
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Mysore
sightseeing:
Mysore
Palace
, Srirangapatnam.
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07:00
pm:
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Reach
Brindavan
Gardens
for cultural show
followed by dinner at Hotel KRS.
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10:00
pm:
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Back
onboard The Golden Chariot.
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Mysore
: A World of Royalty
Mysore
has been always associated
with the royal families and their patronage, be it the
Wodeyars or the Sultans.
Mysore
is a city known for its resplendent palaces and majestic
buildings. A visit to the city conjures up visions of the
glory, still evident of the illustrious Wodeyar Kings. This
former state capital still retains its tradition in music
and dance, art and literature and its time-honoured crafts.
A 141 kms from
Bangalore
, the city enchants you with its quaint charm, verdant
gardens, tree-lined boulevards and its sacred temples.
Mysore, once the
state capital, today is a vibrant city teeming with tourists
and visitors. It is known the world over for its exotic
sandalwood and rich silks. Many culinary delights await
those inclined to sample the regional cuisine.
Srirangapatna: The island fortress of the legendary warrior
king Tipu Sultan is just 14 km from Mysore city. Inside the
fortress is Tipu's mosque with its twin minarets, the
Wellesley Bridge and the dungeons where British officers
were once imprisoned.
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Day
4 - Hassan (Thursday)
|
06:00
am:
|
Depart
from
Mysore
to Hassan.
|
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08:15
am:
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Arrive
at Hassan.
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09:00
am:
|
Depart
for sightseeing to Shravanabelagola.
(Please note that you would have to climb close to 700
steps to
experience the architectural marvel. Only those who
can undertake this are advised to do so. Guests
unwilling to experience can stay back onboard The
Golden Chariot. Palanquins are available for those who
cannot take the climb by themselves. This is available
to the passengers at no extra cost)
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01:00
pm:
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Lunch
on board The Golden Chariot.
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03:00
pm:
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Depart
for Belur and Halebid for sightseeing.
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07:15
pm:
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Back
onboard The Golden Chariot.
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07:45
pm:
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Depart
to Hospet
|
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Dinner
onboard The Golden Chariot
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Belur & Halebid: A World of Worship
Belur
in Hassan district 220 kms from
Bangalore
and 38 kms from Hassan) is famous for its magnificent
Hoysala Temple Complex. The
Chennakesava
Temple
here is the major attraction, built by Hoysala
Vishnuvardhana, to commemorate his victory over the Cholas.
The facade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures
with no portion left blank. It is the only
Hoysala
Temple
still in active worship.
Halebid
in Hassan district is 27 kms away from Hassan and was the
capital of the Hoysalas. It has one of the finest Hoysala
temples. The Hoysaleswara Temple, perched on a star-shaped
base amidst lawns, is a sculptural extravaganza. Its walls
are richly carved with an endless variety of Hindu deities,
sages, stylized animals, birds and friezes depicting the
life of the Hoysala Kings.
Shravanabelagola, 52km from Hassan, is an important
Jain pilgrim centre. It is home to Asia's largest monolithic
statue Lord Gomateswara here towers 58 ft., looming atop the
picturesque Vindhyagiri Hill. Every 12 years, Jain pilgrims
gather here to participate in a splendid head-anointing
ceremony.
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Day
5 - Hospet (Friday)
|
06:00
am:
|
Arrival
at Hospet.
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08:30
am:
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After
breakfast depart for Hampi sightseeing:
Virupaksha
Temple
. Queens's
Bath
,
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Elephant
Stables, Local crafts bazaar.
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01:00
pm:
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Return
to The Golden Chariot for Lunch.
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03:00
pm:
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Depart
for sightseeing: Royal enclosure,
Hazara
Rama
Temple
. Illuminated
Vittala
Temple
.
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08:00
pm:
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Back
onboard The Golden Chariot.
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Dinner
onboard The Golden Chariot.
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Hampi: A World Heritage Site
If
dreams were made out of stone, it would be Hampi. Hampi has
been classified as a
World
Heritage
Center
and is one of the major tourist destinations in
India
.
Hampi,
the seat of the famed Vijayanagara empire was the capital of
the largest empire in post-moghul India, covering several
states. The Vijayanagara empire stretched over at least
three states -Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.
The destruction of Vijayanagar by marauding Moghul invaders
was sudden, shocking and absolute.
Although in ruins today, this capital city once boasted
riches known far beyond the shores of India. The ruins of
Hampi of the 14th Century lies scattered in about 26 sq. km
area, amidst giant boulders and vegetation.
Protected by the tempestuous river Tungabhadra in the north
and rocky granite ridges on the other three sides, the ruins
silently narrate the story of grandeur splendor and fabulous
wealth.
The splendid remains of palaces and gateways of the broken
city tells a tale of man's infinite talent and power of
creativity together with his capacity for senseless
destruction. A visit to Hampi is a sojourn into the past.
Most of the important structures and ruins are located in
two areas, which are generally referred to as the Royal
Centre and the Sacred Centre.
A visit to Anegundi village by traversing the gushing Tunga
Badra river on a coracle is an experience that provides the
guests with a glimpse into the traditional country life in
Karnataka.
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Day
6 - Badami (Saturday)
|
05:00
am:
|
Depart
from Hospet to Badami.
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08:30
am:
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Arrival
at Badami.
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09:00
am:
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Depart
after breakfast for sightseeing:
Badami
Caves
and Pattadakal.
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01:30
pm:
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Return
to The Golden Chariot for Lunch.
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02:00
pm:
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Depart
for
Goa
.
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Relax
and enjoy the facilities onboard.
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The
Golden Chariot: Spa, Gym Dinner onboard.
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The
Golden Chariot Reach Goa post midnight.
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Badami: A World Heritage Site
Badami
is picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between
two rocky hills. The exquisite sculptures and the rust red
sandstone cliffs of Badami tell many a tale of yore. The
first sculptural embellishment to dazzle the eye is the 18
armed Nataraja striking 81 dance poses.
Pattadakal,
with its beautifully chiseled temples is a World Heritage
Site located on the banks of the Malaprabha River. It bears
testimony to the richness of the Chalukyan architecture.
Pattadakal reached its pinnacle of glory under the Chalukyan
Kings and was once used as a ceremonial center where kings
were crowned.
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Day
7 -
Goa
(Sunday)
|
08:00
to 09:30 am:
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Breakfast
onboard The Golden Chariot.
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10:00
am:
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Depart
for sightseeing.
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11:00
am:
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Visit
the famous churches of old
Goa
.
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12:15
pm:
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Visit
an old Portuguese house: Sola Souto Maior for
Tea/Coffee and cookies and shopping at the emporium.
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02:00
pm:
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Reach
Sahakari Spice Plantation, Ponda for Lunch and tour of
spice farm.
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03:00
pm:
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Depart
for
Utorda
Beach
.
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04:30
pm:
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Reach
Utorda beach to watch the sunset.
(Guests can make use of the facilities: towels,
shower, toilet)
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07:15
pm:
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Return
to The Golden Chariot.
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Dinner
onboard The Golden Chariot.
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09:00
pm:
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Depart
for
Bangalore
.
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Goa
: A World of Golden Beaches
Also
known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist
Paradise", the state of Goa is located on the western
coast of
India
in the coastal belt known as Konkan.
The
magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendors of
its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm
favorite with travelers around the world.
But then, Goa is much more than just beaches and sea. It has
a soul which goes deep into unique history, rich culture and
some of the prettiest natural scenery that India has to
offer.
Besides the natural beauty, the fabulous beaches and
sunshine, travellers to Goa love the laid-back, peaceful,
warm and friendly nature of the Goan people. After all, more
than anywhere else on planet earth, this is a place where
people really know how to relax.
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Day
8 -
Bangalore
(Monday)
|
08:00
to 09:30 am:
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Breakfast
onboard The Golden Chariot.
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11:00
am:
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Reach
Yeswanthpur railway station, farewell by the entire
crew.
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