Goa-Badami-Hospet-Hampi-Goa
Goa – Badami (By Surface) 260 Km/ 5 ½ Hour
After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Badami, on arrival transfer to the hotel. Take a sightseeing tour of Badami, visiting Gateways, Forts, inscriptions, Sculptures that seem to come alive under your eyes…. Badami has to be seen to be believed. There are four caves here. The first three belong to the Vedic faith and the fourth cave is the only Jain Temple in Badami. The first cave temple – past Shiva’s door Keepers – and there he is the eighteen-armed Nataraj striking 81 dance poses. The largest and most ornamental is the third Cave temple dedicated to Vishnu. Here are some splendid carvings of the Hindu Pantheon, Narasimha – the half man and half lion avatar of Vishnu, Hari Hara, the composite god who is half Shiva a half – Vishnu. Return to the hotel for overnight at Badami.
Badami – Aihole – Pattadakal – Hospet (By Surface) 170 km/ 4½ hrs)
Aihole is the cradle of stone temple architecture of the southern Dravidian School. The oldest temple, Lad Khan goes back to the 5th century A.D. There are 70 temples in this group. The Durga temple is noted for its sculptures. The Meguti temple is built of 630 small stone blocks. The Ravanaphadi Cave has some beautiful carvings. Pattadakal, referred to as Petrigal, reached its pinnacle of glory under the Chalukya kings from 7th to 9th centuries. The oldest in this group is the Sanghameswara Temple. The Mallikarjuna Temple has pillars depicting life of Krishna. Virupaksha temple has sculptures and panel scenes from the epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The Papanatha Temple has impressive carvings on pillars and ceiling. After sightseeing continue to drive to Badami. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Rest of the evening is free for relaxation. Overnight at the hotel in Hospet.
Hospet – Hampi – Hospet (By Surface) 13 km/ ½ hr excursion
Early morning trek up to sunrise point on Matanga Hill, which is to the east of Hampi … It’s beautiful and not to be missed if you ever visit Hampi. Return to the hotel for breakfast later take an excursion to Hampi, Hampi the once beautiful capital city of Vijaynagar Empire was greater than Rome and had palaces; Hampi ruins spread over an area of more than 26 sq. km. protected by the tempestuous river Tungabhadra in the north and by rocky granite ridges on the other three sides, visit at Some of the interesting ruins remaining Hazara Rama Temples, huge Ganesha & Narasimha images, the elephant stables, the queen’s bath, and carvings on the Ramachandra Temple & Lotus Mahal. There are a number of temples in Anegondi, which is a fortified area on the northern side of Hampi Bazaar. A terrain such as this was excellent for a capital city that needed to be vigilant and spend a further day in the heart of the lost empire. Explore Hampi at your own pace. Its monuments- like its centuries- old patience & wisdom- most is savoured bit by bit. Overnight stay at the hotel in Hospet.
Hospet -Goa (By Surface) 350 km/ 7 ½ hours
Morning after breakfast checkout and drive to Goa – Dabolim International Airport to catch your onward journey.
