Karnataka is a tapestry of colors, cultures, flavors, landscapes, timelessness and heart stopping beauty. It’s a place where vibrant worlds seamlessly meld into one another every few hundred kilometers. Sedate plains suddenly rise to dizzying mist covered hilly heights, and then plunge with careless abandon in a white-watered freefall to become languid rivers that flow past cities where time has stopped altogether. And cities where time rushes a relentless rush to keep up with the world; cities that sometimes escape into the deep quietude of thick forests and sometimes, stretches their arms wide open to embrace the sea. Host to some of India’s largest and most powerful dynasties, the state has across the centuries, carried a legacy of art and culture. Its geography – makes it, by all means a 191,791 square kilometre trail of whimsy.

Join Hector Dsouza for a splendid experience in Karnataka, South India with a number of highlights. Be captivated at the gigantic world heritage site of Hampi, enjoy coracle rides while spotting bird life at Ranganthitu, experience a joyful train ride & the majestical beauty of Mysore’s City Palace. As you pass through tusker countryside, don’t be surprised if you encounter an elephant or a family of pachyderms on your path!

We had a marvelous adventure. Thank you for showing us the many faces and facets of India. We are amazed to see that India is a diverse country. Your attention to details and your warmth as our guide made us feel at home. We wish you great success and hope to meet you again. Thank You.

Peggy Allen, Murray John, Murray J Allen. Canada

Highlights of your tour

Arrive Bengaluru. The best part about Bengaluru (town of boiled beans) is most of the sightseeing is in the vicinity of the Main Railway Station. The two storey pillared Tipu Sultan’s Palace can be seen alongwith with 16^th century Gangadeshwara Temple & the well manicured Lalbagh Gardens built by Hyder Ali.

Highlights of your tour

Depart for Hassan, en-route visit Sravanbelgola, a Jain Pilgrimage centre housing the 18 meter naked granite statue of Bahubali erected in the 10^th century & reached by a steep climb over rock cut steps. Once every twelve years the Jain community holds a grand celebration witnessed by millions in which thousands of liters of milk with turmeric are poured over the statue on an auspicious day

Highlights of your tour

Visit to two impressive monuments at Belur & Halebid. Consisting of numerous carvings, Chennakesava Temple has a well defined temple rectangular ground. Comprising a complex of temples, the Hoysaleshwara Temple outshines others & is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Highlights of your tour

Today we visit the Palace Grounds to witness a spectacular festival – Dassera. It celebrates the victory of good over evil as well as harvest of the new crop. Renowned for the Mysore Palace built in early 20^th century, is by far the grandest palace in Southern India.  We watch the procession of caparisoned elephants & decorated floats & a display of the Golden Throne being carried on elephant back from the illuminated City Palace to city center. Enjoy the grandeur, glamour & gaiety of this annual event.

Highlights of your tour

Travel to Chamundeshwari hIlls. Brilliantly carved from a single rock, the Nandi Bull & neo-Gothic Philomena Cathedral with towering spires & the Sand Castle Museum are worth viewing. An off-the-beaten track visit to the Rail Museum with vintage steam engines & elegant coupes built for Royalty rounds off a memorable day

Highlights of your tour

Day trip to the river island of Srirangapatna, named after the Ranganath Temple inside the main town. More famously known for The Battle of Srirangapatnam which resulted in the death of Tipu Sultan, the fascinating town offers a number of attractions ranging from the Gumbaz  to Summer Palace.The Abbe Dubois Church, as well as the Ranganath temple containing the idol of Vishnu resting on a serpent makes this visit  well worth the while, a coracle ride on the Cauvery River is a delightful way to end your program & return back to Mysore for the overnight.

Highlights of your tour

The Dubare Elephant Camp is a must-see experience for the elephant lover in you. Karnataka’s history with elephants, goes a long way back and currently the state’s Forest Department has about 150 elephants in various camps. But in the recent past, after logging operations were ceased, there was a situation of freshly unemployed elephants. The Dubare Camp, the camp where elephants were trained for the famous Mysore Dasara, found a brand new calling. Today, it’s a place where tourists get one-on-one with their biggest (quite literally!) dream

Highlights of your tour

Morning take a coracle (circular boat) ride on the Cauvery River. Lap this up by spending time with the elephants. At the Dubare Elephant Camp, a visitor not only spends time by simply watching elephants but of course, learning more about them. A trained naturalist is at hand to explain the various aspects of the elephant history, ecology and biology. The visitor can also participate in various activities like washing and scrubbing. with the elephants.

Yet another landmark is the Tibetan Golden Temple at Bylakuppe. Housing beautifully carved statues of Buddha, Padmasambhava & Amitayus, the sparsely lit assembly hall has numerous paintings & scrolls. The small town houses the second largest settlement of Tibetan refugees in India & numbering well over 7000 monks, students & small families.

Highlights of your tour

Enjoy the day walking through coffee plantation, taking in the fresh air & absorbing nature’s beauty.

Highlights of your tour

Drive to Bengaluru, on arrival short stop in local hotel for rest, bathe & light refreshment followed by drive to railway station for the overnight on train to Hampi

Highlights of your tour

Transfer by car from Hospet Railway Station to hotel in Hampi – A Unesco World Heritage Site renowned for breathtaking scenic beauty, amazing views of the countryside from Manjanatha Hill, possibilities of doing river crossing in boats & a variety of monuments built during the Vijaynagar Era (14^th-16^th century). Your tour is covered over two days – the first part is a visit to the colourful Hampi Bazaar, followed by Virupaksha Temple with colourful paintings, giant statue of Lakshmi Narasimha built from a single stone, well embellished (15^th ) Hazara Rama Temple & the Queen’s Bath

Highlights of your tour

Sunrise at the Vithala Temple is a spectacular affair, hear musical notes on stone pillars when tapped. Visit King’s Balance so named as the King used to weigh himself with gold, silver precious stones & distribute it to the temple priests. A coracle ride across the Tungabhudra River brings you to Anegundi, where some locals claim to be descendants from Vijaynagar Royalty. Depart by train back to Bengaluru, overnight in train

Highlights of your tour

Pick up from railway station & transfer to airport for flight to onward destination