deccan - Surya Travels

The Deccan is a plateau of
strong contrasts with the
modern cities of Bangalore and
Hyderabad at one extreme and
the expanse of rural farming
areas at the other. Some of
the country’s most interesting
historic remnants are reÀecting
a turbulent history.
DECCAN
- off the beaten track with highlights
DAY 1
HYDERABAD
Touch down at Hyderabad. Traditional welcome
by our representative and transfer to your hotel.
DAY 2
HYDERABAD
Legendary Wealth
Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh. Its
landmark is the Charminar, a square triumphal
arch with minarets at each corner, built in 1591
to mark the end of an epidemic of the plague.
Nearby stands the Mecca Masjid, one of the
largest mosques in the country. The Chaumahala
palace was once the residence of the Nizam of
Hyderabad. Today it houses a museum with
35000 objects d’art and priceless treasures; the
extravagance of an opulent age of one of the
richest men in the world.
Afternoon visit the Fort of Golconda, synonymous
with diamonds and of extraordinary wealth.
Some of the largest diamonds in history were
mined here, the Koh-I-Noor and the 182 carat
Darya-ye Noor being two of the most famous.
Today the extensive ruins of Golconda bear
witness to the engineering genius of Qutub
Shah’s builders. Within the Fort are the graceful
tombs of past rulers with their gentle domes and
minarets.
Overnight at your hotel in Hyderabad.
Important capitals of ancient
dynasties, Gulburga, Bijapur,
Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal and
Hampi are a delightful surprise
and a true treasure chest for
lovers of history and traditional
heritage - though hardly more
but forgotten villages today.
DAY 3
HYDERABAD - GULBARGA
ISLAMIC HERITAGE
Today drive to Bidar and visit an ancient
mosque and tombs. Proceed to Gulbarga, the
old capital of the Bahmani dynasty with two
Forts and various royal tombs. Marvel at the
citadel which has no less than 15 watchtowers
and a mosque of which Cordoba in Spain is
said to be modelled on.
Overnight at your hotel in Gulbarga.
DAY 4
GULBARGA - BIJAPUR
RENOWNED TOMB AND CANNON
Early morning start to Bijapur, one of the most
important cities for Indo-Islamic architecture
in this region. Bijapur is the Islamic name for
Vijayapuram, the city of victory. The monumental
building is the Gol Gumbaz, a 17th century
mausoleum with a 44 meter dome that has
fantastic acoustics. Spectacular stone carvings
adorn the tomb of Taj Sultana and the beautiful
arched Jama Masjid. One can imagine the
power of Bijapur’s kings while walking along
the city walls and the massive forti¿cations. Be
stunned by the legendary cannon, called “Lord
of the Battle¿eld” which was cast out of 55 tons
of brass in 1551.
Overnight at your hotel in Bijapur.
DAY 5
BIJAPUR - BADAMI
FASCINATING ROCKY LANDSCAPE
Drive from Bijapur to Badami. In this region
you will admire three capitals of the Chalukya
dynasty: Aihole, Pattadakal and Badami.
In the afternoon you visit Badami, the second
Capital of the Chalukyas, which is magni¿cently
nestled in a canyon and its cave temples
display the full range of religious sects which
have grown on Indian soil.
Overnight at your hotel in Badami.
DAY 6
AIHOLE – PATTADAKAL
THE GREAT CHALUKYA KINGDOM
Aihole was the ¿rst capital from the 6th to
8th century and it is historically known as the
cradle of Hindu temple architecture. Today it’s
a picturesque quaint little village with about 70
temples. The group of temples at Pattadakal
are incomparably gracious, a fantasy in stone
and represent the climax of the early western
Chalukyan architecture.
Overnight at your hotel in Badami.
DAY 7
BADAMII – HOSPET
RURAL INDIA
As you travel south from Badami to Hospet, you
will gain insight into the daily lives, customs and
habits of the people living in rural communities.
The landscape will change from seeing farmers
working on fertile land
to rocky terrain,
interspersed with many small villages along the
route.
Overnight at your hotel in Hospet.
DAY 8
HOSPET– HAMPI – HOSPET
THE ANCIENT CAPITAL
Hampi was the capital of the once mighty
Vijayanagar Empire and is the highlight of your
tour. Hampi will take you in it’s magic spell! It
is one of the most interesting but rarely visited
historical sites in India. Discover the numerous
superb ruins set in a strange landscape strewn
with enormous, rounded boulders. The most
important monument is the Shiva temple with a
50 m high gopuram and a statue of Narashima
7 meters in height.
Overnight at your hotel in Hospet
DAY 9
HOSPET –
BANGALORE
CHITRADURGA
-
SPARCE BUT FASCINATING DECCAN PLATEAU
Today your route takes you from Hospet to
Bangalore, where rural life is built on poor
soil. You will see local tribes, their rituals,
their routines, their spiritual fervor, their
dignity and their sense of colour and self
adornment as well as the earthly beauty of
their humble homes and the unconscious
artistry of their agricultural labour.
Enroute visit the Fort of Chitradurga, one
more example of a relatively unknown
historical highlight of India.
After climbing the Fort of Chitradurga, you
will proceed to Bangalore.
Overnight at your hotel in Bangalore.
DAY 10
BANGALORE
“SILICON VALLEY” OF THE EAST
Sightseeing in Bangalore, the modern
capital of Karnataka and fastest growing
city in India. A truly metropolitan city
where the local population is overtaken
by “software immigrants” from every nook
and cranny of India - and a city where it
is dif¿cult or impossible not to ¿nd any
important name of the corporate world.
Transfer to the airport as per your
scheduled departure.
We wish you a safe return and assure you
everlasting memories!
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