About This Tour
Overview
This curated 7-day private tour takes you deep into the heart of Karnataka's architectural and cultural history. Start in Bangalore, the dynamic 'Garden City,' exploring Tudor-style royal palaces and historic gardens. Travel to Mysore, Southern India's cultural capital, renowned for its spectacular Indo-Saracenic royal palace and sacred Chamundi Hills. En route to Hassan, stop at the island fortress of Srirangapatna, the historic capital of Tipu Sultan.
The tour's highlight lies in Hassan, the gateway to Belur and Halebidu. Here, discover the 12th-century Hoysala soapstone temples, whose intricate, lace-like stone carvings depict legends of Hindu mythology in breathtaking detail. Before returning to Bangalore, visit the sacred hill of Shravanabelagola to marvel at the 57-foot monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali, carved from a single block of granite in 981 AD. You'll travel in a private AC vehicle with a dedicated driver, staying in boutique hotels and heritage properties.
Duration
6 Nights / 7 Days
Tour Type
Multi Day · Private · Guided
Destinations
Bangalore · Mysore · Hassan · Belur · Halebidu · Shravanabelagola
Grand Temples
6 · Chennakeshava · Hoysaleswara · Gommateshwara & more
Language
English-speaking driver & local guides
Route
Bangalore in & out · One state, full loop
Top Experiences
Highlights
Chennakeshava Temple, Belur
Soapstone carved like lace - maidens, musicians and dancers celebrating the Hoysala victory over the Cholas (UNESCO)
Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu
The double-temple complex whose high-relief friezes display elephants, chargers, lions and legends of the Mahabharata
Gommateshwara Monolith
The 57-foot statue of Lord Bahubali at Shravanabelagola - a single granite block carved in 981 AD, atop Vindhyagiri Hill
Mysore Palace & Chamundi Hills
The Indo-Saracenic seat of the Wodeyars with its golden domes and jewel-studded throne, plus the monolithic Nandi Bull
Tipu Sultan's Srirangapatna
The Tiger of Mysore's island fortress capital - Daria Daulat Bagh summer palace and the Gumbaz family mausoleum
Bangalore's Garden City
Tudor-style Bangalore Palace, Tipu Sultan's teakwood summer palace, the 240-acre Lalbagh and its Victorian Glass House
Visual Journey
Stone, Thrones & Sacred Hills
What's Covered
Includes / Excludes
✓ Included
- 6 nights accommodation in 4-star / heritage hotels
- Daily breakfast at all hotels
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for transfers & sightseeing
- Airport arrival & departure transfers
- Excursions to Belur, Halebidu, Srirangapatna & Shravanabelagola
- Driver allowance, parking, tolls & transport taxes
✕ Not Included
- Airfare or train fare (international and domestic)
- Lunch, dinner & drinks unless mentioned
- Monument, temple & palace entrance fees
- Camera fees, tips & personal expenses
- Travel or medical insurance
- Anything not specifically mentioned in inclusions
Day01
Arrive Bangalore - Welcome to the Garden City
Airport pickup · Evening at leisure
Kempegowda International Airport
- Arrival at Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore.
- Warm reception by your private driver and transfer to your hotel.
- Settle into your hotel and refresh after your flight.
- Evening at leisure - take a walk in Cubbon Park or browse the lively shops on M.G. Road.
- Overnight in Bangalore.
Day02
Bangalore - Palaces & Garden Exploration
Full-day city sightseeing
Bangalore Palace · Tipu's Palace · Lalbagh
- Breakfast at hotel.
- Bangalore Palace: tour the majestic royal residence featuring Tudor-style architecture, turrets and wood carvings.
- Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace: admire the teakwood columns and balconies of this 18th-century structure.
- Lalbagh Botanical Garden: visit the iconic 240-acre gardens and its Victorian-era Glass House.
- Drive past Bangalore's grand legislative building, the Vidhana Soudha.
- Overnight in Bangalore.
Day03
Bangalore to Mysore - Royal City of the Wodeyars
~145 km / 3.5 hrs
Mysore Palace · Chamundeshwari · Nandi Bull
- Breakfast at hotel and check-out; drive to the royal city of Mysore (~3.5 hrs, private vehicle).
- Check-in at your hotel in Mysore; relax and refresh.
- Mysore Palace: tour this spectacular Indo-Saracenic palace complex, complete with golden domes, chandeliers and royal arches.
- Chamundi Hill: visit the historic Chamundeshwari Temple and view the giant 16-foot monolithic Nandi Bull.
- Overnight in Mysore.
Day04
Mysore to Srirangapatna to Hassan - Tipu Sultan Heritage
~120 km / 3 hrs · Island fortress en route
Daria Daulat Bagh · Gumbaz · Kaveri Island
- Breakfast at hotel and check-out.
- Drive to Srirangapatna - Tipu Sultan's island fortress capital surrounded by the Kaveri River.
- Explore Tipu Sultan's summer retreat Daria Daulat Bagh and the Gumbaz (his family mausoleum).
- Continue the drive to Hassan (~3 hrs) and check-in at your hotel.
- Overnight in Hassan.
Day05
Hassan - Belur & Halebidu Hoysala Temples
Day excursion · 12th-century wonders
Chennakeshava · Hoysaleswara · Soapstone Carvings
- Breakfast at hotel.
- Belur: visit the Chennakeshava Temple, built in soapstone to celebrate the victory of the Hoysalas over the Cholas.
- Admire Belur's ornate, lace-like stone carvings representing maidens, musicians and dancers.
- Halebidu: visit the double-temple complex of Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara.
- Examine Halebidu's high-relief friezes displaying elephants, chargers, lions and legends from the Mahabharata.
- Return to Hassan for overnight.
Day06
Hassan to Shravanabelagola to Bangalore - The Jain Monolith
~220 km / 4 hrs · Hill climb en route
Vindhyagiri Hill · Gommateshwara · Return Drive
- Breakfast at hotel and check-out; drive towards Bangalore, stopping at the Jain pilgrimage site of Shravanabelagola.
- Climb the granite steps up Vindhyagiri Hill to view the colossal 57-foot monolithic statue of Gommateshwara (Lord Bahubali), carved in 981 AD.
- Enjoy the panoramic views of lake and fields from the hill summit.
- Continue the drive to Bangalore and check-in at your hotel.
- Overnight in Bangalore.
Day07
Depart Bangalore - Departure Transfer
Airport drop · Tour concludes
Kempegowda International Airport
- Breakfast at hotel and check-out.
- Transfer to Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore for your departure flight.
- Tour concludes with rich memories of Karnataka's grand palaces, sacred monoliths, and ancient Hoysala architecture. Safe travels & namasté!
Where You'll Stay
Hotels
Bangalore
4-Star City Hotel - 2 Nights (D1, D6)
Central location near the palace, Lalbagh and MG Road
Central location near the palace, Lalbagh and MG Road
Mysore
Heritage Hotel - 1 Night
Classic charm minutes from Mysore Palace and Devaraja Market
Classic charm minutes from Mysore Palace and Devaraja Market
Hassan
Boutique Hotel - 2 Nights
Perfect base for the Belur & Halebidu temple excursions
Perfect base for the Belur & Halebidu temple excursions
We will arrange and confirm your hotels as per the trip and budget - stay options are not fixed and can be customised to your preference. Contact us for details
Good to Know
FAQs
When is the best time for this heritage circuit?
- October to March is ideal - pleasant temperatures for temple-hopping at Belur and Halebidu and for climbing the granite steps of Vindhyagiri Hill at Shravanabelagola. Mornings are coolest for sightseeing.
How demanding is the Shravanabelagola climb?
- Vindhyagiri Hill is climbed on foot via around 600+ granite steps - shoes are removed at the base. The climb takes 30–45 minutes at a relaxed pace; helpers and palanquins can be arranged for those who need assistance.
What makes the Hoysala temples special?
- The 12th-century Chennakeshava Temple at Belur and Hoysaleswara complex at Halebidu are carved from soapstone so finely worked it resembles lace - friezes of elephants, horsemen, dancers and Mahabharata legends wrap every wall. Belur is part of the UNESCO-listed Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas.
How long are the drives?
- All drives are short by Indian standards: Bangalore–Mysore ~3.5 hrs, Mysore–Hassan ~3 hrs via Srirangapatna, and the return Hassan–Bangalore ~4 hrs via Shravanabelagola - all in a private AC vehicle with stops built in.
Will we see Mysore Palace illuminated?
- The palace is illuminated every Sunday evening and on festival days - if your Sunday falls on Day 03 in Mysore, we'll time your evening to catch the golden bulbs. Regular daytime tours run on all other days.
Can I extend this tour?
- Yes - popular add-ons include Coorg's coffee estates, Hampi's UNESCO ruins, Wayanad's spice hills, or the Golden Chariot luxury train. Just share your dates.
Full Route
Tour Map
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