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Essent ia l South India Cul tural Journey

Explore the architecture and history of South India’s temples and palaces and enjoy the peaceful ambiance of its abundant natural beauty.

16 Day Highlights Tour January 31-February 15 , 2022 23 Day In-Depth January 31-February 22, 2022

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Post-tour Extension to Ellora & Ajanta Caves

Jan 31: Arrival in Madras, afternoon or evening / Radisson Blu City Center Met at airport and transfer to hotel.

NOTE: Group participants who select a flight that arrives in the early morning, check-in on arrival is an additional cost. You will then have the full day to rest and recover from your flight.

Feb 1: Madras - Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)/ Hotel Radisson Blu Temple Bay / (B,L) Relaxed morning. At 10:30 am we start for a city tour of Madras, including the Parthasarathy Temple at Triplicane, 12000 years old, dedicated to Vishnu; and a walking tour of the Mylapore temple area visiting the 16th century Kapeeleswrar temple, dedicated to Shiva, which attracts thousands of devotees. These are living temples where you will see local residents as well as pilgrims who come from afar, in acts of devotion. It is quite a striking experience.

We will have lunch in Chennai and then visit the excellent State Museum and National Art Gallery. Afterwards, drive one hour to Mahabalipuram, en-route stop to visit Dakshina Chitra (approx 45 minutes), a wonderfully conceived Folk Museum that showcases the rich architectural and artistic heritage of South India. All of the traditional buildings have been painstakingly reconstructed with original materials and the exhibitions express many craft traditions. There are also some artists demonstrating their traditional crafts and techniques. On arrival, check-in to the hotel. This evening at leisure. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant (pay directly).

Feb 2: Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)/ Hotel Radisson Blu Temple Bay / (B,L) For our morning excursion, we shall begin close by, just 2 km north, to visit the Government College of Sculpture to gain an interesting insight into the process of sculpture training. This afternoon tour of the city including the Five Rathas, the ancient rock temples, carved rock cave shrines and we arrive just before sunset to the famous Shore Temple (Dravidian style of architecture) dedicated to Lord Vishnu-a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see the carved rock wall sculpture called Arjuna’s Penance. The proper name of the site is "Mamallapuram" after Mamalla, an honorific of the Pallava king, Narasimha Varman I (630-668), who created the earliest of its monuments. But it is popularly called "Mahabalipuram," or "The city of Bali", whom Lord Vishnu chastised for his pride and of whom there is a relief in one of the excavated temples here. There are, or rather were, two low hills in Mahabalipuram, about 400m from the sea. In the larger one, on both sides, there are eleven excavated temples, called Mandapas, two "open air bas reliefs" one of which is unfinished, and a third enclosed one. Out of a big rock standing free nearby there is a "cut out" temple, called a "Ratha." This type is unique to Mahabalipuram. Out of the other hill, much smaller and standing about 200m to the south, are fashioned five more rathas, and three big sculptures of a Nandi, a Loin and an Elephant. On the top of the bigger hill there is a structural temple, and a little distance the magnificent beginnings of a Vijayanagar Gopura and also survivals of what is believed to be a palace. The Five Rathas, (named The Dharmaraja, The Bhima, The Arjuna, The Draupadi and The Sahadeva) about 200 m south of the main hill, were fashioned out of a smaller hill sloping down from the south. From the largest part was made the biggest of the five rathas, the Dharmaraja. Then followed onwards north, in the descending order of height, the Bhima, the Arjuna and the Draupadi. A little to the west of Draupadi there was a comparatively large rock that the Sahadeva Ratha was made from. Immediately in front of the Draupadi again two smaller rocks were sculptured into an elephant and a lion. Behind the Draupadi and the Arjuna, which stand on a common base, there is a Nandi. These rathas (an irregular expression, for they are really Vimanas, and not temple chariots, as the word means) perpetuate the forms of the temple in use when they used to be made of perishable materials. A Pallava who must

have been something of an art critic or art historian decided that these styles should be preserved in eternal rock. Outside Mahabalipuram except in Kazhugumalai (in Tirunelveli district), there is nothing like these rathas anywhere in India. There are four rathas elsewhere in Mahabalipuram so that there are nine in all. Among themselves they represent four main styles: the apsidal, the barrel vaulted, the domical and the so-called "hut". The third was to dominate the future, with some modifications. The first two are comparatively rare and the last very much so. Arjuna's Penance - An Open Air Bas Relief If a temple by the sea and, at times, in the sea is a tour de force, the "open air bas relief" is even more so. In Mahabalipuram alone, of all innumerable sites of monuments, an Indian sculptor was impelled to choose a large cliff face on which to make his carvings. What is more, he chose a scene from the Mahabharatha (also spelt as Mahabharata), which a great Sanskrit dramatist, probably then living in Kanchipuram, had popularized. This surface, 29m by 13m, consists of two large boulders with a fissure in between. In the cleavage there are a serpent god and a serpent goddess in the act of worship. Covering the surface on the boulders on either side of them there are nearly one hundred figures of Gods, sages semi-divine beings, huge elephants and a few other animals. The Shore Temple occupies a most extraordinary site, by the very margin of the Bay of Bengal so that at high tide the waves sweep into it and the walls, with their sculptures, have been eroded by the winds and waves of thirteen centuries. This evening’s dinner is no host. There is a restaurant right on the beach serving fresh grilled fish as well as other South Indian specialties. Your guide will reserve a table for the group to sit together and you can each order from the menu what you like. The tab can be applied to your room and paid by credit card when you check out.

Feb 3: Kanchipuram - Pondicherry / Hotel Maison Perumal/ (B, L) We’ll depart at 9 am this morning to Kanchipuram, one of the seven ancient sacred cities of India.

Known as the Golden City of 1000 Temples, Kanchipuram has 125 recognized shrines dating back to the early Chola Dynasty around 200BC. Foreigners are not allowed to enter the inner sanctums. The town is also famed for its hand-woven silk.

We continue to Pondicherry (2 hrs).

On arrival we’ll have lunch at a local restaurant and then visit Sri Aurobindo’s Ashram (a meditation centre), founded by the poet philosopher Sri Aurobindo, and the Mata Mandir, a center of meditation and an architectural marvel in Auroville.

The rest of the afternoon/evening you are free to explore the town or head to the beach independently. The beach in the evening is a wonderful place to see local families strolling; after work with their adorable children often dressed in their finest. Dinner on your own; there are many fine restaurants. Feb 4: Pondicherry-Chidabaram-Gangaikonda Cholapuram-Darasuram-Tanjore Ideal Resort / (B,L,D)

From Pondicherry to Kumarakom there are quite a few temples that allow foreigners to enter the inner sanctum. We depart at 7am, as temples close 12-4 pm.

We start with a 2-hour drive to Chidambaram. Inner sanctum is open 6 am – 12 noon.

Of the numerous temples that line the southern state of Tamil Nadu, the Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram is one of the most significant. In terms of its antiquity, richness of worship & festival traditions, architectural & sculptural splendor, its association with music & dance, Chidambaram is second to none. The present temple was built in the 10th century when Chidambaram was the capital of the Chola dynasty. It is one of the oldest surviving active temple complexes in South India. This is the foremost of the 108 shrines glorified by the Alwars. It is one of the greatest centers of the Sri Vaishnava religion and among the most visited pilgrimage centers in India.

We shall attend the morning Sairacha Puja at the temple with chanting and hymns. From Chidabaram to Kumarakom there are quite a few temples that allow foreigners to enter the inner sanctum where we can witness puja along with the locals and possibly be blessed by the priest. Chidambaram - Gangaikonda Chalapuram: 45 kms /1 hr; open 6 am-12 noon Gangakonda cholapuram has all but disappeared; the surviving temple makes a stop here very rewarding. The highlights here are the sculptures and carvings, especially those of Shiva. Gangaikonda Cholapuram-Darasuram : 40 kms /1 hr drive; open 6 am-12 noon The Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram is the third of the great Chola temples after Thanjavur and Gangaikondacholapuram. We can have lunch at Kumbakonam, which is approximately 2 km from Darasuram (Sterling Swamimalai or Paradise Resorts).

Darasuram -Tanjore 35 Kms / 1 hr drive. The Brihadisvara Temple in Tanjore, built between 985 and 1012 AD, is a UNESCO monument. The temple is capped by a monolithic cupola made of a single, 80-ton granite block and has superb inscriptions and sculptures of Shiva, his consort Durga, and Vishnu. There are also 81 carvings of the classical Bharat Natyam poses, which is the first record of any classical dance form in this manner.

We will also visit the Tanjore Art Gallery within the Tanjore Palace compound. The gallery has a good collection of Chola bronzes.

Transfer to the lovely Ideal River Resort for dinner and overnight. Feb 5: Drive Tanjore - Trichy - Chettinad (140 km/5 hrs)/ Hotel The Bangla (B, L, D) Trichy is surrounded by seven concentric-walled courtyards with magnificent gateways and several shrines. We shall stop to visit the Sri Ranganathasvami Temple, located at Srirangam (banks of River Kaveri). It is one of the largest in India, is famous for its superb sculptures, the 21 impressive gopurams and its rich collection of temple jewelry.

The Rock-Fort is the landmark of Trichy, though not of great significance architecturally. We will have a view of it atop the hill as we drive by.

We shall arrive in Chettinad, homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars, in time for a wonderful home cooked traditional lunch.

Here we experience heritage, art and architecture untouched by time. The Bangla, in Karaikudi village, is reflective of the grandeur of the region, combined with the almost yogic simplicity of the community.

After lunch, we explore Karaikudi with its fabulous mansions, once the homes of the wealthy merchant families known as the Chettiars. One specialty of these houses is the woodcarving. We will meet some of the families who have remained in this area. Karaikudi offers a weekly shandy, or village market, a number of temples, visits to craftsmen working with wood and metal, silversmiths and goldsmiths, attractive textiles and exciting Chettiar cuisine.

Feb 6: Chettinad - Madurai / Hotel Heritage Madurai / (B,D)

After a leisurely breakfast and a bit more poking around the village, we shall depart at 10 am for the drive to Madurai (80 km/2 hrs). Check-in to the hotel. Lunch on your own (pay direct). A little time to rest as this will be a late night.

A center of Tamil culture, famous for its writers and poets, its history goes back to the 6th century BC. The Nayakas laid out the old town in the pattern of a lotus with narrow streets surrounding the Minakshi Temple at the center.

Minakshi, known as the Fish-eyed Goddess and the consort of Siva, is the presiding deity and daily ceremonies are performed at her shrine.

We’ll depart at 3 pm to the bustling city center. Browse bazaars and textile shops if you like. We will visit Padumandappam on the street opposite the Meenakshi temple, with 200 tailors. They will stitch a dress or shirt to your design within a few hours. Take in the excitement as people hurry about preparing for the evening ceremony.

Afterwards, we’ll ride around the temple traveling on cycle-rickshaws to the Surya Rooftop Restaurant for dinner.

Then go to the Meenakshi Temple to witness the nightly spiritual ceremony (pooja) in which Lord Shiva is carried in a palanquin and accompanied by musicians, temple singers and priests to the temple of his consort, Parvati, to spend the night. He is brought back to his temple in the morning. The timing for this ceremony procession is different each night as they follow the almanac so it done during an auspicious time.

On certain nights of the month there is also a Golden Chariot (in Tamil known as Thanga Ratham ) which has the miniature idol of Goddess Meenakshi which goes around from the Meenakshi Kalyani Mandapam to the East Gate (called Aadi Veedhi) prior to the nightly ceremony, around 7.30 p.m. Announcements are made on the same day if the Golden Chariot ceremony will be held. Dates cannot be known in advance.

Though it occurs each evening, the importance and reverence it has for the locals, never diminishes. Please note, this night can be a late one! Feb 7: Madurai / Hotel Heritage Madurai (B) This morning, we start with a tour of the Tirumalai Nayak Palace, built in 1636 in the Indo Mughal style. It’s 15 domes and arches are adorned with stucco work. The Celestial Pavilion, an arcaded octagonal structure, is curiously constructed in brick and mortar without supporting rafters. The original complex had an armory, a theatre, royal quarters and a shrine. Only a quarter remains since Thirumalai’s grandson removed sections to build another palace in Tiruchirapalli. Then we will tour Meenakshi Sundereshwara Temple, outstanding structure dedicated to Minakshi, the fish eyed goddess and consort of Shiva who also has a temple dedicated to him. This is a living temple complete with temple elephants and each shrine has priests performing rituals. The temple is entered through massive gopurams or gateways profusely covered in very colorful carvings, which are believed to be an encyclopedia of Indian dance poses. The mandapas surrounding the main shrine have exquisitely carved pillars and panels. Of note is the panel showing the marriage between Shiva and Minakshi and another showing Shiva in his 24 forms. The Aayiram Kaal Mandapam (commonly called Thousand Pillar Hall or Hall of 1000 Pillars) within the temple was built in 1569. It is the largest hall in the temple. The pillars are elaborately carved with statues representing various heroes, many from the Mahabaratpur. The pillars at the beginning and end of the row are called musical pillars as they produce musical notes when tapped. At the roof of the entrance are sculptures representing the 60 years in the Tamil calendar. We also tour the Tirumalai Nayak Palace, built in 1636 in the Indo Mughal style. It’s 15 domes and arches are adorned with stucco work. The Celestial Pavilion, an arcaded octagonal structure, is curiously constructed in brick and mortar without supporting rafters. The original complex had an armory, a theatre, royal quarters and a shrine. Only a quarter remains since Thirumalai’s grandson removed sections to build another palace in Tiruchirapalli. Return to the hotel for lunch on your own and enjoy a bit of relaxed time. In the late afternoon, we visit Vilacheri, a pottery village on the outskirts of city. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/vilachery-artisans-add-colourful-life-to-dolls/article6341393.ece

We venture back to the bustling city center and if you ordered a custom-tailored item, back to the textile shop to be fitted.

Afterward, visit a local family at their home for tea and snacks. The people of Madurai are amicable, hospitable, and deeply respect and value their tradition. They lead a relaxed and casual lifestyle.

Dinner on your own (pay directly) at the hotel restaurant. Feb 8: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (approx. 140 kms, 4 hr drive) / The Elephant Court / (B) Depart at 8:30 am and enjoy a beautiful drive. Varied agro-climatic conditions in Thekkady (Periyar) offer a vast scope for the production of herbs from mint to parsley to oregano. For centuries, the area attracted voyagers and

adventurers, mercenaries and empire builders, kings and merchant princes. Men and women are drawn not only by the lure of spices, but by the romance and wild beauty of the land. The Portuguese and the Jews of Cochin visited as traders, turning the natural bounties of the area - pepper and cardamom, cinnamon and ginger, nutmeg, mace and anise-- into wealth.

The Periyar hills became nature's taste factory in the 14th century, as Cochin became a major harbor, the port for a spice-hungry world. Later, the area came under the Kingdom of Travancore, and many of its plantations, orchards and hunting lodges date from that time. The Raj too left its mark on the Cardamom Hills. Early efforts at conservation came from its dedicated forest rangers who loved the land and its people as their own.

On the road to Thekkady the earth is a fertile outpouring: every conceivable shade of green is visible here, flecked with the crimson and gold of mountain wildflowers. This is a world of forests patterned in dappled sunlight, plantations of rubber, coffee and spice; rolling highlands and crisp, cool air.

After lunch on your own at the Hotel Restaurant (pay direct), we will take a boat ride on Lake Periyar to view wildlife. This area is home to bison, sambars, wild boars, monkeys, nilgiri langurs, a wide variety of birds, and some 750 elephants. We will then have some time to visit spice & tea plantations nearby. Disclaimer note: We have no control over the style or comfort of the boats used for the wildlife viewing here. These are controlled by the Government of India. This is a pretty area; serious wildlife enthusiasts should not expect the wildlife viewing to be a highlight of this day. Feb 9: “The Backwaters of Kerala” / private traditional houseboat (B,L,D) After breakfast, we drive to Kumarakon (160 km/4 hr drive) to board a private, deluxe Kettuvallom (traditional rice boat) for an overnight tour of the backwaters. A series of canals thread their way through the state to the sea, allowing you a glimpse into local life in Kerala that would be impossible to get from road transport.

Along the way you will pass rice fields, tiny villages, boats transporting children to school and farmers transporting their produce to the market, and women completing household tasks such as laundry and washing utensils. You will disembark from the boat to wander in the villages and meet some locals. At night the boat will anchor midstream and the crew from freshly bought produce will specially prepare your meals. The rice boats are made completely of natural material. Each houseboat has furnished bedrooms with attached showers and toilets. There are 2 and 3 bedroom boats. Feb 10: Cochin / Tea Bungalow (B) Depart at 10 am driving 1.5 hours to Cochin. One of the finest natural harbors on the Arabian Sea Coast of India, Cochin, an ancient harbor town now renamed Kochi, has been a port of call for foreign traders from very early times. A city of peninsulas and islands, it is the hub of Kerala. The influence of medieval Portugal, Holland and England can still be seen in this fast growing coastal city. It is also known as the spice city of India. Most of the worldwide spice exports originate here.

Check into our hotel located in the Fort Cochin area, also known as the Heritage Zone. Fort Cochin Area is the old Dutch and Portuguese commercial centre of Kerala and erstwhile burial place of Vasco di Gama before he was reburied in Portugal. Unlike the neighboring Ernakulam, its streets are quiet and spacious and are a combination of India and old Europe. It is also home to some of Kerala's finest small boutique hotels.

Lunch on your own (pay direct); there are many choices within walking distance as well as the hotel’s wonderful restaurant.

We’ll start our afternoon half-day sightseeing at 1:30 pm, with an easy walk around the heritage zone including visits to St. Francis Church, where Vasco da Gama was buried for 14 years before his remains were transferred to Lisbon. His tombstone still stands there. The church was built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars.

Nearby is the Mattancherry Palace or "Dutch Palace” built in 1557 AD. It was commissioned by the Portuguese for the raja of Kochi in exchange for trading rights. The palace is two stories high and is built in the traditional Kerala style known as nalukattu (four buildings). The palace exhibits memorabilia from the raja of Kochi collection, but it is best known for its outstanding murals painted on the wooden walls. The central hall on the 1st floor was the coronation hall of the rajas of Cochin. The royal bedroom has ceilings and walls covered with forty-five 16th century paintings illustrating the Ramayana. Other rooms depict scenes from the Puranic Legends connected with Hindu gods.

Next we’ll see the Chinese Fishing Nets along Vypeen Island (set up between 1350 - 1450 AD). These cantilevered fishing nets were introduced by traders from the courts of Kublai Khan.

We can browse the colorful array of freshly caught fish and observe the lively market just before sunset. Feb 11: Cochin / Tea Bungalow (B,D) We depart the hotel at 9 am for our tour including the Jewish Synagogue, constructed 1568 AD, with hand-painted willow-pattern floor tiles brought from Canton in the mid-18th century by a Rabbi who had trading interests there. Afterwards you’ll have time to browse the bazaar area nearby, including the spice market and well-known antique shops. Return to the hotel for lunch on your own. Do eat a hearty lunch, as dinner will be a bit later tonight. This afternoon at 2 pm, we drive 30 minutes to the Kerala Folklore Museum. The museum is truly a treasure trove that showcases the rich heritage that Kerala exudes through its numerous art and dance forms. Artifacts that bear the scent of bygone era like masks, sculptures, in wood, stone and bronze, costumes of traditional and ritual art forms, musical instruments, traditional jewelry, manuscripts of rare medicinal and astrological secrets, and Stone-Age utensils are all preserved in this museum with utmost care. We’ll return to the hotel at 4 pm to rest and refresh. At 5 pm we will depart to the Cochin Cultural Center to attend the traditional Kathakali Dance Performance 6-7:30. We arrive about 530 to observe the actors applying their elaborate make-up.

After the performance we shall have dinner at a nearby restaurant and return to the hotel for overnight. Feb 12: Fly to Bangalore & drive to Mysore / Hotel Radisson Blu (B,L) Transfer to the airport for the flight to Bangalore, flight 6E537, departs 8:25 am, arrive 9:30 am. On arrival, a brief overview tour of Bangalore. After lunch, we drive to Mysore (140 km, 4 hr drive).

En-route we visit Srirangapatnam (16 km/ 10 miles from Mysore), an island fortress in the Cauvery River. It is from here that Tipu charged at the British soldiers with his legendry sword. An obelisk in the Fort marks the place where he fell - betrayed by his own men.

Within the Fort are a Mosque and the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, a popular Hindu pilgrimage site. The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Vishnu Temple) is a blend of Hoysala and Vijayanagar style of architecture. Images of Vishnu can be seen on pillars, ceilings and domes represented by the 7-headed serpent after whom the island and oldest structure are named.

Time permitting, we will also visit Tippu’s summer palace, (Daria Daulat Bagh), built in 1784, which is now a museum.

Transfer to hotel.

Feb 13: Full day sight seeing in and around Mysore / Hotel Radisson Blu. / (B,L)

Mysore is a magnificent Royal city and site of the Goddess Chamundeswari Temple and the Sacred Chamundi Hill with its Palaces built by Tippu Sultan. A tour of Lalitha Palace (our hotel) will be offered at some time during our stay. This is a fabulous location and a wonderful story!

Morning excursion to Chamudi Hill to visit Sri Chamundeswari Temple, a huge in structure with a seven story Gopuram 40 meters (131 feet) high. On the way up to the hill we see the famous Nandi (Shiva`s Bull) carved from solid rock and, at 5 meters (16.5 feet) high, perhaps the largest.

Afterwards, we visit Mysore Palace. This beautiful Indo-Saracenic Palace dominates the city’s skyline. It was built in 1911-12 at a cost of 4.2 million rupees to replace the former Palace that was burned down.

In the afternoon, an excursion the village of Somnathapur (33 km) to visit the intricately carved star shaped Prasanna Channakeshara Temple built in 1268 AD during the Hoysala Dynasty.

Feb 14: Drive Mysore-Hassan (170 kms. 4 hrs drive) /Hoysala Village (B,L,D)

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En-route,wevisitSravanbelagola, one of the oldest and most important Jain Pilgrimage Centers in India, is the site of the huge 17m naked statue of Bahubali (Gomateshvara), said to be the world’s largest monolith statue. One must climb 620 steps up hill to the statue. It overlooks the country town of Sravanbelagola from top of a rocky hill. Its simplicity is in complete contrast to the complexity of the sculptural work at the temples of Belur and Halebid.

Continue to the hotel for check-in and lunch.

This afternoon we tour the Belur and Halebid temple complexes (12th-14th century). Built by the Hoysala kings, the temples at Belur and Halebid are the cream of what remains of one of the most artistically exuberant periods of Hindu Cultural development. The wealth of sculptural details found on the exterior and interior of these temples makes them the most outstanding example of Hoysala sculptural art.

Enjoy dinner at the lovely Hoysala Village Hotel.

If Ending Tour

Feb 15: Drive to Bangalore for departure: (B)

Transfer to hotel near airport. Rooms for wash/change and late night transfer to international airport.

If Joining our North India tour: fly to Delhi. (if you also had interest in visiting Ellora/Ajanta Caves, there is another extension offered following the North India tour).

If Joining Ellora-Ajanta Caves Extension: Fly to Bombay, 6E 6128, dep 1450, arrive 1625. Transfer to hotel by hotel shuttle.

If Continuing: In-Depth Tour

Feb 15: Drive Hassan-Hampi (350 km) / Heritage Resort (B,L)

Depart the hotel at 8 am for the long drive to Hampi. We stop in Chittradurga (after 4 hour drive).

Chitradurga lies at the foot of a group of granite hills. The fort here was built in the 17th century by the Nayakas. This was subsequently destroyed by Haider Ali who replaced the mud fort with one built of stone, and Tipu Sultan built a palace, mosque and granaries.

Lunch in Chitradurga (pay direct). Continue to Hampi, 3 hours drive. Feb 16: Hampi/ Heritage Resort (B,L) Hampi was once the seat of the great Vijayanagara Empire and the center of Hindu rule for 200 years from its foundation in 1336. The Vijayanagar city ruins near the village of Hampi are one of the most fascinating historical sites in south India. The superb ruins are set in a beautiful landscape - a hill country with enormous boulders. Extremely wealthy, greater than Rome, they held a monopoly of trade in spices and cotton. This site was chosen for strategic reasons, but the craftsmen excelled in adopting an ingenious style to blend in architectural masterpieces with the barren and rocky landscapes. Most of the sites are 16th century and built during the 20-year reign of Krishna Deva Raya.

We need a whole day to visit the stunning collection of temples, palaces and market places of Hampi. We will stop for lunch at the Mango Tree Restaurant.

Feb 17: Drive Hospet – Aihole – Pattadakal - Badami / Krishna Heritage (B,L) We will depart at 9 am, driving approx. 2.5 hrs to Aihole., the first Chalukyan capital. Aihole is home to monuments and sites from as early as the 5th century AD. This includes some important late Chalukyan temples dedicated to Jain divinities. It is widely regarded as the birthplace of Indian temple architectural styles and site of the first built temples, distinct from those carved out of solid rock. Most of these temples were originally dedicated to Vishnu, though some were later converted into Shaivite shrines. Aihole, is mentioned in the inscriptions as Ayyavole or Aryapura. It is regarded as the cradle of Hindu temple architecture; most of its 125-odd temples were built between 6th and 8th centuries. In an area called Morera Angadigalu, excavations have unearthed a large number of prehistoric sites: temples, pottery pieces, pre-Chalukyan bricks and the bases of structures. There is an Archaeological Survey of India office here that we can visit if the group has interest.

Continue 19 km to Pattadakal on the banks of the Malaprabha River. Pattadakal is the second capital of the Chalukyan kings between 7th and 8th century and the city where the kings were crowned. Most of the temples

cluster at the foot of the hill and display a succession of styles of the southern Dravida temple architecture as well as North Indian Nagara style. This clearly illustrates the regions position at the crossroad of North and South Indian traditions. With the exception of one, all the temples are dedicated to Shiva. From here, it is approx. 45 min drive to Badami. We arrive in the early evening for dinner and overnight. Feb 18: Badami / Krishna Heritage (B,L) Set in beautiful countryside amongst red sandstone hills, lakes and peaceful farmlands, the small rural village of Badami was once a capital city of the Chalukyan Empire that ruled much of central Deccan between the 4th and 7th centuries A.D. Four of the temples were cut into the hillside in the early 6th century. Cave 1 is reached by climbing 40 steps, has Siva in his manifestation as Nataraja with 18 arms and seen in 81 dance poses. Cave 2, on a higher level, has reliefs of Varaha and Vamana and Cave 3 is dedicated to Vishnu. According to a Kanada inscription unique to Badami, this cave was excavated in 578 AD and has numerous sculptures including a huge reclining Vishnu. Cave 4 is the only Jain cave and possibly excavated 100 years later. Other temples of note which we visit include the Buddhist temple near the ancient artificial Bhuthanatha Lake; the 7th century Mallegitti Sivalaya temple one of the finest examples of the early southern style. Statues of Vishnu and Shiva decorate the outer wall while animal friezes appear along the plinth above the eaves; Jabulinga Temple dating from 699 has three chapels dedicated to the trinity and fine carvings. The North Fort Temples include mainly 7th century work and give an insight into Badami history. Feb 19: Drive to Vijayapura (Bijapur) (196 km) / Hotel Kyriad India by Citrus (B,L) Vijayapura (former name Bijapur) is distinct as it resembles a North Muslim city with its mausolea, mosques and palaces. The main landmarks are: the Jama Masjid, built by Ali Adil Shah I in the 16th century and one of the finest in the Deccan with a large, shallow, onion shaped dome and arcaded court; Ibrahim Rauza, the 17th century palatial tomb beautifully proportioned, its slender minarets, carved decorative panels of lotus, wheels and cross patterns and bold Arabic calligraphy bearing witness to the tolerance of Adil Shah of other religions; and Gol Gumbaz, the vast tomb of Mohammad Sadil Shah which is the worlds second largest dome unsupported by pillars. Despite its sound architectural design, the tomb has been described by some as startlingly ugly. Feb 20: Drive to Gulbarga (approx. 4 hours)/ Lumbini Grand (B,L) This town was the first capital of the Bahmanis and is known in South India as the home of Saiyid Muhammad Gesu Daraz Chisti who was instrumental in spreading the Islamic faith in the Deccan in the 14th century. The most striking remains in the town are the fort, with its citadel and mosque and the tombs in its eastern quarter. The mosque covers an area of 3500 square meters under a dome covering the four corner domes. 75 additional minor domes make this structure unique among Indian mosques. The tombs of the Bahmani sultans lie in two groups and the tomb of Chisti is two stories high with a highly decorated painted dome and a mother of pearl canopy over the grave. Feb 21:Gulbarga – Bidar - Hyderabad / Hotel Fortune Park Vallabha (B,L) Morning drive to Bidar (115 km). This walled fort town in North Karnataka was once the capital of the Hamanis and Barid Shahis. The fort is still intact and the palaces and tombs provide some of the finest examples of Muslim architecture in the Deccan, intermingling Hindu and Islamic styles. After visiting the fort and old town we lunch at a Dhaba, a popular name for an Indian roadside cafe, where the food is hot and freshly cooked. This is a not-to-be-missed culinary experience. The surroundings are rustic, but the cuisine is the equivalent of fine dining in any deluxe city hotel restaurant. We continue to Hyderabad, a distance of 140 km, arriving early evening. Feb 22: Hyderabad / (B) Depart at 8:30 sharp am and head out of the city (30 km) to the impressive fort at Golconda entered through gateways which have relief ornamentation of birds and animals. The Fateh Darwaza, or Victory Gate, is made of teak with an engraved Hindu deity studded with iron spikes. Within the ramparts lie the mosques, temples, the three-storied armory, the harem, the Hall of Public Audience and the Rani Mahal with the royal baths.

Returning to the city, we stop at the Qutb Shahi Tombs (11 km west). Each tomb is made of black granite or green stone with plaster decorations of fine sculpture, inscriptions and remains of glazed decoration. The larger tombs have their own private mosque.

Next is a visit to Charminar, built in 1591 by Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah. The original Charminar, a huge construction in wood representing the tomb of the Muslim saint Imam Hussain was built to safeguard the city against the outbreak of cholera in the late 16th century. When the epidemic subsided, the Charminar was rebuilt in stone and mortar at the same place where the original structure was built. It is an elegant rectangular edifice of four grand arches facing towards the four cardinal points. Each side of it is 100 ft and pitch of the arch is 50 ft above the ground. The minor height is 180 ft. The remarkable architecture was built under the supervision of engineers and architects of Arabia, Turkey, Persia and India. The teeming lanes that surround the Charminar encompass one of the colorful bazaars in India. The famous Lad Bazaar is also located here where the colorful stone bangles and other local items are available. Room is available until departure. Transfer to airport for flight home.

Post-tour Extension to Ellora & Ajanta Caves-Following Highlights Tour

Feb 15 Fly to Bombay /Hotel Kohnoor Continental (by the airport) On arrival take the hotel shuttle from the airport to the hotel. approx 15 minute drive. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant. Feb 16 Aurangabad /Rama International Hotel (B) This morning take the hotel shuttle back to the airport for the flight to Aurangabad. 9W313 dep. 0515 / arr. 0620. On arrival, transfer to hotel (check-in subject to room availability). If rooms are not yet ready, we will check luggage into hotel security and have breakfast. Aurangabad is a convenient base for organizing visits to the famous rock-cut temples of Ajanta & Ellora. The town is named after Aurangzeb, the last of the six great Mughal Emperors, who built a mausoleum here for his wife. The most notable feature of these cave temples is that entire hillsides were cut away with the artisan’s chisel to produce these sculptures, which are some of the world’s most exquisite. Ellora’s 34 caves are over 10 centuries old and represent elaborate sculptures from the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths. The caves at Ajanta date back to the 5th century and contain paintings and sculptures of major events in the life of the Buddha. Visit Ajanta Caves We depart at 8:30 am and drive 105 km/2.5 hrs for a full-day excursion to the caves at Ajanta that date from 200 BC to 650 AD. There is an upward walking path to get to the site. Altogether there are 29 caves here. These caves, or vihararas (monasteries), are remarkable for the quality of their murals, which relate the life story of the Buddha and reveal the life and culture of the people, royal court settings, family life, street scenes of the time, as well as superb representations of birds and animals. In some of the caves, the murals relate to the Buddha’s previous births, showing the progress of his soul. We will stop for lunch at a restaurant near the site (pay direct). Return to Aurangabad for overnight. Feb 17 Visit Ellora Caves / Hotel Kohnoor Continental wash/change (by the airport) (B) This morning we drive 30km/45 min to the site of the Ellora caves. The Buddhist, Jain and Hindu caves at Ellora, noted for their sculptures, are considered to be the finest in India and date between 600 and 1100 AD. The landmark of this collection of rock-cut sculptures is the magnificent Kailasanatha Temple, the only building that was begun from the top. This edifice is a tribute to the imagination and craftsmanship of those who conceived and built this masterpiece. It is a most extraordinary freestanding monolithic temple (there are only two of these in India), with unique carvings of the Ramayana and Vishnupurana. You will visit the most outstanding of the 34 cave temples. Transfer to airport for flight to Bombay 9W2512 dep. 1745/arr. 1845. Transfer by hotel shuttle to hotel near airport; rooms for wash/change. Late night transfer by hotel shuttle to airport for flight home.

Post-tour Extension to Ellora & Ajanta Caves-Following In-Depth Tour Feb 22 Fly to Aurangabad /Rama International Hotel (B) Transfer to airport for flight to Aurangabad, Trujet 2T 211 dep 1500, arr 1615. Transfer to hotel.

Feb 23 Aurangabad-Visit Ajanta Caves /Rama International Hotel (B)

Aurangabad is a convenient base for organizing visits to the famous rock-cut temples of Ajanta & Ellora. The town is named after Aurangzeb, the last of the six great Mughal Emperors, who built a mausoleum here for his wife. The most notable feature of these cave temples is that entire hillsides were cut away with the artisan’s chisel to produce these sculptures, which are some of the world’s most exquisite. Ellora’s 34 caves are over 10 centuries old and represent elaborate sculptures from the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths. The caves at Ajanta date back to the 5th century and contain paintings and sculptures of major events in the life of the Buddha. Visit Ajanta Caves We depart at 8:30 am and drive 105 km/2.5 hrs for a full-day excursion to the caves at Ajanta that date from 200 BC to 650 AD. There is an upward walking path to get to the site. Altogether there are 29 caves here. These caves, or vihararas (monasteries), are remarkable for the quality of their murals, which relate the life story of the Buddha and reveal the life and culture of the people, royal court settings, family life, street scenes of the time, as well as superb representations of birds and animals. In some of the caves, the murals relate to the Buddha’s previous births, showing the progress of his soul. We will stop for lunch at a restaurant near the site (pay direct). Return to Aurangabad for overnight. Feb 24: Visit Ellora Caves-Fly to Mumbai & Depart (B) This morning we drive 30km/45 min to the site of the Ellora caves. The Buddhist, Jain and Hindu caves at Ellora, noted for their sculptures, are considered to be the finest in India and date between 600 and 1100 AD. The landmark of this collection of rock-cut sculptures is the magnificent Kailasanatha Temple, the only building that was begun from the top. This edifice is a tribute to the imagination and craftsmanship of those who conceived and built this masterpiece. It is a most extraordinary freestanding monolithic temple (there are only two of these in India), with unique carvings of the Ramayana and Vishnupurana. You will visit the most outstanding of the 34 cave temples. Transfer to airport for flight to Bombay dep. 1745/arr. 1845. Transfer by hotel shuttle to hotel near airport; rooms for wash/change. Late night transfer by hotel shuttle to airport for flight home.

2021 PRICES / 2022 TBA

Highlights Tour (16 days): $4188 based on min 4 people, Single Room: $1130* Plus Airfares (estimate): Cochin-Bangalore $110, (if needed: Bangalore-Mumbai $110) In-depth Tour (23 days): $5335 per person based on min 4 people; Single Room $1436* Plus Airfares (estimate): Cochin-Bangalore $110 NEW: two single room supplements offered at 50% discount on first come basis if the group size is min 6 people. Cost of Extra night at Chennai: $84 per person twin share; $156 single room Cost of private arrival transfer if arriving prior to Day 1: $52 per car

Includes: Accommodations, daily breakfast & other meals as listed Part One: One night Radisson Blu City Center https://www.radissonblu.com/en/hotel-chennaicitycentre Two nights Mahabalipuram at Radisson Blu Resort, Temple Bay https://www.radissonblu.com/en/hotel-mamallapuram One night Pondicherry at Maison Perumal https://www.cghearth.com/maison-perumal One night Tanjore at Ideal River View Resort http://www.idealresort.com/tanjore One night Chettinad at Hotel The Bangla http://www.thebangala.com/ Two nights Madurai Courtyard by Marriott https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ixmcy-courtyard-madurai/ One night Periyar at The Elephant Court http://theelephantcourt.com/ One night on Marvel Dlx Rice Boat http://www.marvelcruise.com/

Two nights Cochin at Tea Bungalow http://www.teabungalow.in/ Two nights Mysore at Radisson Blu Plaza https://www.radissonblu.com/en/hotel-mysore One night at Hassan Hoysala Village https://hoysalavillageresorts.com/ Last day rooms for wash/change at Bangalore, Goldfinch Retreat Part Two: Two nights at Hampi, Heritage Resort http://www.indoasia-hotels.com/heritage-resort-hampi/ Two nights at Badami Krishna Heritage https://krishnaheritagebadami.com/ One night at Bijapur Hotel Kyriad by Citrus http://www.kyriadindia.com/kyriad-vijyapura.html One night at Gulbarga Lumbini Grand** https://lumbinisgrandhotel.com/ One night at Hyderabad Fortune Park Vallabha https://www.fortunehotels.in/hyderabad-fortune-park-vallabha.dh.30 Room for wash and change Mumbai at Kohinoor Continental http://www.hotelkohinoorcontinental.com/ Meals: Highlights: 10 lunches, 6 dinners/In-depth: 17 lunches, 6 dinners Transfers and sightseeing by air-conditioned Toyota Temp Traveller or mini bus depending on group size Entrance fees and camera fees Bottled mineral water and soft drinks during long drives and sightseeing excursions Accompanying guide throughout the tour min 4 people, for less than 4 people local guides Porters at hotels and domestic airports min 4 people; porter tips not included for less than 4 people. India Govt. Service Tax 5%. Does Not Include: International flight, travel insurance, visa, tips to driver or guide, expenditure of personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, drinks *The Golden category houseboats have spacious rooms, tiled toilets, hand - shower, kitchen, sit out and nice service. The Houseboats use eco-friendly products such as solar powered fans and lights, bio-septic plumbing. **Part Two: Hotels in Bijapur and Gulbarga are best available. The rooms will be clean and have attached western bathrooms and in good locations. Meals: In order to give you greater variety and choices, we have left some days open for you to select meals from a menu rather than have buffet, which is what you are given normally when meals are included in the price. You will still be eating together as a group when we are dining at the hotel restaurant. We will have a placard on the table for our group at every hotel dining room and the guide will let you know the time of our reservation.

Extension Ellora/Ajanta Caves Rama International Hotel:http://welcomhotelrama.com/ Price: $590 per person, based on min 2 people: Single Room supplement: $160 Plus Air (estimate): After highlights tour: Bangalore-Bombay $110 & Bombay- Aurangabad-Bombay $110 OR Hyderabad-Aurangabad $110), Aurangabad - Bombay $110 Includes: Accommodation with breakfast; wash/change at Kohinoor Continental on last day, arrival/departure transfers and sightseeing by A/C Car or SUV, Professional guide during sightseeing, Monument entrances, India Gov Service Tax 5% Does Not Include: tips to driver, guide, hotel and airport porters, camera fees, meals, other than breakfast, expenditure of personal nature such as laundry, telephone call, drinks