South India: Palaces, Plantations, Boulders & Beach Bespoke Holiday Itinerary / Experience Tour

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Stray from the typical South India tourist trail and immerse yourself in an array of landscapes and local experiences as you travel west on this two-week journey. You’ll begin in the fascinating city of Hyderabad and end in India’s largest, most cosmopolitan city, Mumbai. With local guides in each place you’ll delve into the different cultures of each area and experience an array of landscapes with time to relax in a variety of luxurious accommodation. After exploring the outskirts of Hyderabad, fly direct to the boulder strewn horizons of Hampi, spend time in lush spice plantations and in the Western Ghats before relaxing on the beaches of quiet Nileshwar.

Highlights include:

· Explore the markets surrounding the charminar in central Hyderabad, taste the local biryani and tour the ancient forts and tombs that surround the city.

· Get to know the splendour of the Vijayanagara Empire and the stunning boulder strewn landscape of Hampi.

· Journey up into the Western Ghats to Coorg, where you can wander through coffee and spice plantations, trek or cycle.

· Relax on the quiet beaches of Nileshwar in Northern Kerala

· Tantalise your taste buds as you eat your way through Mumbai on a private food tour

As with all of our suggested itineraries, we can tailor-make your holiday to suit your budget, style and expectations. Find out about our exclusive ‘Journey Planner’ here.

DAY 1: DEPART UK

Depart the UK on your flight to Hyderabad.

DAYS 2 & 3: HYDERABAD & THE OUTSKIRTS

Your local guide will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel where you will be for a two-night stay. In the morning, you’ll be guided on a heritage walk through the atmospheric archways and historical by-lanes of Hyderabad’s Old City. Later in the afternoon, venture out to visit The Charminar, a magnificent monument known as the symbol of the city. On day three, you’ll venture to the outskirts of Hyderabad, touring the ancient fort of Golconda and the remains of the tombs of the Qutb Shahi dynasty - two of the most well maintained monuments in the area.

DAYS 4, 5 & 6: HAMPI

You will fly to Vidyanagar before transferring to your luxurious hotel for a three-night stay. Spend the next two days exploring the splendour of the Vijayanagara Empire and the surrounding boulder-strewn landscape with your guide. There is also time to simply relax by the swimming pool or in the spa and you’ll find numerous trails and walks around the area, too.

DAYS 7 & 8: CHIKMAGALUR

Day seven will be spent journeying south to Chikmagular where you will be for two nights. During your time here, you can explore some of India's most vast and lesser visited coffee plantations by cycling or walking. There are also local temples nearby at Belur and Halebid and fantastic bird spotting opportunities on country walks.

DAY 9 & 10: COORG

The next two nights will be spent at your accommodation in Coorg high up in the Western Ghats. Particularly known for its coffee, cardamom and ginger crops, the area is also covered by ‘sacred forests’ of Rosewood and Sandalwood, which are excellent for those wanting to trek and the Kaveri River offers the opportunity to travel by coracle - a mode of transport still used in the region. Again, bird watching is great too.

DAYS 11, 12 & 13: NILESHWAR

Spend the next three nights in Nileshwar, a quaint beach region in northern Kerala. You’ll have two days at your leisure, or perhaps you may want to visit the nearby Bekal Fort, wander through the Western Ghats or take a cycling tour, experiencing local life amongst paddy fields, temples and fishing villages.

DAYS 14 & 15: MUMBAI

Today you will fly from Mangalore to Mumbai before transferring to your accommodation for two nights. Spend the afternoon eating your way through India’s largest city, sampling many classic Mumbai flavours with your local guide through the bustling Khao Gaullis (eating lanes). The next morning, your guide will introduce you to the various transport options that make Mumbai tick. Walk to various monuments and travel by bus, taxi and on the infamous commuter railway. You’ll explore the British Heritage District, Marine Drive and Chowpatty beach, sample local tea and snacks, browse in a fruit and vegetable market before finishing at Mumbai’s open-air laundry system.

DAY 16: FLY HOME

You will be transferred from the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel to Mumbai Airport for your flight home.

An indicative price for this holiday is from £5,240 per person inclusive of flights from the UK. Prices may be less in low season and higher in peak season.

Call our India experts on 020 7924 7133 for an inclusive, personalised quotation for your preferred dates.

As every holiday is unique - Call our experts on 1-888-577-8452 for an inclusive, personalised quotation for your preferred dates or use the quote request form below...

Inclusions

Your personalised quotation with Experience Travel Group will include:

International Flights (which can be omitted from your quotation if you prefer)
Accommodation as described
Privately guided tours and transfers
Original Experience Travel Group "signature" experiences
Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding.)
Meals as described
24 hour in-country backup whilst away
Your own dedicated travel expert in the UK

For more on our pricing policy read here.

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the hotels and villas within this holiday as standard...

Evolve Back, Hampi, Hampi

Palace-like luxury and spacious rooms near Hampi’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Evolve Back Resort, Coorg, Coorg

On lovely Lake Kabini, this eco-friendly lodge combines tribal furnishings and sustainability with world-class luxury near Nagarhole National Park.

Neeleshwar Hermitage, Neeleshwar

Neeleshwar is a challenge to reach, but this private fishermans hut experience is worth the trip. Expect comfort, space, and unspoilt beauty.

Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad

Grand and ostentatious, Taj Falaknuma Palace is a part of Hyderabad’s history: come here to be treated like royalty in palatial surroundings.

Taj Mahal Palace , Mumbai

In eclectic Mumbai, the magnificent Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is legendary, well-known for its charm, history, heritage, memorabilia, and terrific facilities.

The Serai Chikmagalur, Chikmagalur

A luxurious getaway in the heart of historical coffee plantations, the ideal place to recharge your batteries.

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the experiences & activities within this holiday as standard...

Heritage Walk around Hyderabad, Hyderabad

With a local guide, you'll walk around the old city and finish with a classic Hyderbadi biryani for lunch

Mumbai Exploration , Mumbai

Explore Mumbai with your local guide and discover what makes Mumbai one of the most exciting cities in the world today.

Temples & Monuments of Hampi, Hampi

Take a guided tour around the key temples and monuments of these UNESCO world heritage protected ancient area.

Why not give us a call
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020 7924 7133

Customer Feedback

The meticulous planning and organisation by ETG allowed me to relax and fully appreciate this country and its people.

- Heather Hodgson, February 2015

About: Essential Rajasthan with the Taj Mahal

Customer Protection

The air holiday packages shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 9324. Please see our booking conditions for more information.