Day 01 : Chennai
You’ll receive warm welcome at Madras(Chennai) airport either by the representative of our local agency or by your French-speaking guide. He ensures with you the transfer to the hotel that we’ve reserved you for the next two nights.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02 : Chennai / Tirupati (133kms – 3h)
After breakfast, you leave for Tirupati. On the way, you make a stop in Sri Kalahasti to visit the center devoted to Kalamkari art. On cotton pieces previously soaked in a mixture of resin and milk, patterns are applied, decorated with plants. These works were formerly intended for temples and the royal family.
You will also discover the temple dedicated to Vayu, the god wind, before arriving at Titrupati, where you settle at the hotel as soon as you arrive.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03 : Vibrant Exploration of the Tirupati
After breakfast, you discover Tirupati, first leg of one of the most sacred pilgrimages in India. You make an excursion to Tirumalai temple, as well as Venkateshvara temple, which receive several thousand pilgrims daily offering their hair to the deities.
The entrance to the sacred sanctuary is reserved for Hindus only, but you visit the museum, which contains a beautiful collection of sculptures and bronzes before discovering Chandragiri fort whose main palace mixes Hindu and Muslim styles.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 : Titrupati / Vijayawada (414kms – 6h)
Today, after breakfast, you take the road to Vijayawada. Located on the delta of the Krishna River, the bustling city, with its canals and hearth of Andhra Pradesh culture, is also a holiday resort. You visit Undavalli temples caves built in the 7th century which houses an astonishing statue of Lord Vishnu.
Return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05 : Vijayawada / Nagarjuna Sagar(203kms – 4h)
After breakfast, you take the road towards Nagarjuna Sagar where are the remains of one of the largest Buddhist centers of India. Promised to be engulfed by dam waters, the monuments were moved on an island of the lake. It is by boat that you proceed to uncover these exceptional historical testimonies.
Formerly, students came from all over Asia to join Nagarjuna University and thus deepen their knowledge of Buddhist teaching. It was also here that Buddha’s most ancient representations were discovered in human form.
You visit Simala Vihara monastery and Chamta Sri Griha temple. On Anupu site, you discover the great theater where sacred dramas unfolded. At about ten kilometers from the city, a stroll through magnificent landscapes to reach Ethipothala waterfalls is imposed
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06 : Nagarjuna Sagar / Hyderabad(275kms – 4h30)
After breakfast, you take the road to Hyderabad and you settle at the hotel directly upon arrival.
In the afternoon, you can visit imposing Islamic monuments dating from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 07 : Hyderabad - The city of Pearls
After breakfast, you discover Nizams legendary city and their fabulous wealth: the bazaar with the Char Minar, majestic triumphal arch; The Mecca Masjid(Mosque), one of the largest in the world and able to accommodate 10,000 faithful as well as the modern Hindu temple of Birla Mandir.
Later, you will visit one of the most amazing fortresses in India: Golconde, built during the Kakatiya dynasty as a defense along the ramparts of Fort Kondapalli. Your day ends with the discovery of Darwaza Fath, the Victory Gate, mausoleums, houses and palaces.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 08 : Hyderabad / Bidar / Gulbarga(Kalaburgi) (213kms – 4h15)
After breakfast, you leave for Gulbarga(Kalaburgi). On the road, you stop at Bidar’s old Fort, a town known for Bridi’s craftsmanship, an alloy inlaid with silver threads.
You continue to Gulbarga where you settle at the hotel when you arrive.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 09 : Gulbarga (Kalaburgi) / Bijapur(Vijaypura)(166kms – 3h)
After breakfast, your day is spent visiting the city of Gulbarga, the ancient capital of Bahmani built in the sixth century.
You then will discover Ami-Masjid (mosque), built on Cordoba’s model, and sovereigns’ tombs. You continue your way to Bijapur, nicknamed « Agra of the South ».
Installation and Overnight in the hotel.
Day 10 : Bijapur(Vijaypura) / Badami (122kms – 2h30)
After breakfast, you will discover the ancient citadel encircled by walls and bastions, and Gol Gumbaz, imposing mausoleum and masterpiece of Deccan architecture which houses a majestic room of 1700 m2 surmounted by an immense dome.
You visit Ibrahim Rozamausoleum, one of the most famous Islamic buildings in India, distinguished by the refinement of its sculptures before ending your day with a visit to the Jama Masjid (mosque).
In the afternoon you head towards Badami, the ancient capital of the Chalukya kingdom. You settle at the hotel upon your arrival.
This town houses a series of magnificently sculpted caves with walls offer splendid reliefs, notably to the glory of Lord Vishnu. One of the caves you visit is a Jain sanctuary, symbol of the Chalukya tolerance. This majestic site houses caves excavated within a hill crown that dominate an artificial lake, the Bhutanath Tank.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 11 : Badami / Pattadakal / Aihole / Hospet (Hampi) (127kms – 2h30)
After breakfast, you leave for Hospet. It is on the road that you visit the sites of Aihole and Pattadakal, which were religious capital of the Chalukya dynasty earlier. These temples, which were built between the 6th and 8th centuries, are renowned for their original beauty and purity, new styles experienced by builders and sculptors.
Upon arrival, you will be settling at your hotel near the splendid site of Hampi, the former capital of the last Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar- a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 : Hospet (Hampi)
After breakfast, your day is entirely devoted to the discovery of Hampi site. You will discover Virupaksha temple dedicated to the god Shiva, and Vitthala’s with its chariot of procession and its Mandapam, a dance hall with superbly carved pillars.
In the royal enclosure you will discover the Lotus Palace, Queen's Baths and other architectural wonders. This city, formerly greater than Rome, fascinated the European and Persian travelers who stayed there.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13 : Hampi / Goa(304kms – 6h)
After breakfast, you take the road to Goa, a Portuguese enclave and former witness of the spice race. As soon as you arrive you have a glimpse of Goa, a state favored by an ideal climate, containing fabulous beaches, a charming people, delicious food, fortresses perched on hills, small whitewashed churches and imposing cathedrals dating of the Portuguese era.
In the afternoon, after you settling in the hotel, you can enjoy the end of the day to relax and appreciate the beach.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 : Goa
After breakfast, your morning is spent visiting the old town and its churches. Then, it is a relaxing day on the beaches of Goa that awaits you for the rest of the day.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 15 : Goa / departure
After breakfast, you are free until your departure to fully enjoy your last moments of relaxation on the beach. You are then being transferred to the airport according to the return flight scheduled.