Goa And Amazing Hampi

Goa’s Beaches With India’s Heritage

A lovely combination of a beach holiday in Goa with a 3 night, 4 day excursion to see the magnificent ruins of Hampi – one of the most spectacular sights in the whole of India.

Upon arrival, head to your hotel in South Goa, which is best for a quiet, relaxing holiday, but where local dining options are just a short taxi-ride away.

From Goa, travel by car to Badami which has 4 cave temples in a beautiful location above the village. It is a beautiful place for sunsets. Pattadakal and Aihole contain a whole set of intriguing temples that show the complete evolution of Indian temple architecture.

The natural amphitheatre of boulders and rocks at Hampi creates a staggering setting for the ruins of Vijayanagara. The vast ancient capital was believed to be the second largest city in the world in the late 15th Century!

Return to Goa by Express Train on a highly scenic journey through wooded hills of the Western Ghats. Relax again at your beach hotel in Goa to complete a 2 week holiday in India.

Recommended For:Anyone who wishes to combine a beach holiday in Goa with an insight into India’s unique historic heritage.

Day 01

Depart UK

Depart UK – Overnight flight.

Day 02 – Day 06

Goa

Zuri White Sands

Relax On The Beach At Goa
Upon arrival in India, relax on the sublime beaches of South Goa, which are ideal for a peaceful stay among quiet beaches.

There are long stretches of empty beach in Southern Goa such as the 10 km long Varca Beach and the curved bay at Palolem perhaps the most beautiful beach in the whole of Goa.

Local taxi rides take you to sample the best cuisine Goa has to offer, at very reasonable prices. Legendary restaurants include Martin’s Corner (the best food in Goa) and Fiplees.

Day 07

Badami

Badami Court Hotel

The Badami Cave Temples
Pretty Badami village is located in a ravine at the foot of a rugged, red sandstone outcrop that surrounds Agastya Lake.

A small flight of steps takes you to the rock-cut Badami Cave Temples that were sculpted mostly between the 6th and 8th Centuries. The four cave temples combine Hindu, Buddhist and Jain influences and contain some extremely intricate stone sculptures.

There are beautiful views over the bathing ghats, the village of Badami and surrounding rocky landscape from the caves, especially at sunset, a truly magical experience of India!

Day 08

Hampi

Hampi’s Boulders

Pattadakal
A group of 8th Century temples built next to the Malaprabha River that are fascinating as they clearly show various experiments in the development of Hindu temple architecture by the Chalukya rulers.

Aihole
Often referred to as the cradle of ancient Hindu architecture due to the experimentation with different styles in a series of interesting temples. There are more than 70 of these including the photogenic Durga Temple.

Day 09

Hampi

Hampi’s Boulders

The Magnificent Ruins Of Vijayanagara (Hampi)
Hampi is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. The extensive rock-hewn landscape and enchanting temples sited among gigantic boulders provide a unique and highly memorable visit to one of India’s great treasures.

Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1336 to 1565. For some time it was one of the largest cities of the entire world, but somewhat forgotten by history, and only now being re-discovered.

The Virupaksha Temple Complex has a 160-foot (49 m) high tower at its entrance. There is an awesome rock-cut statue of Narasimha on the side of a tiny brook, and another huge statue of Ganesh in a ruined temple nearby.

The southern remains at Hampi contain the fascinating Elephant Stables and the Queens Palace (Lotus Mahal) as well as the Bathing House.

There are ruins of aqueducts and canals everywhere, very reminiscent of Ancient Rome. The temple complexes contained huge markets and bazaars, again very much in the Roman style.

The Vittala Temple Complex has a rare Stone Chariot and a Temple Hall with ‘musical pillars’ which emit musical tones when tapped.

The ruins cover an area of over 10 square kilometers, and would need many days to explore in detail.

Day 10

Goa

Zuri White Sands

Scenic Journey By Express Train
From Hospet To Goa
Continue your India experience with a train journey through the arid plateau and amazing rock formations of Karnataka.

Travelling through thick forests and jungles the train winds its way down the Western Ghats giving a wonderful view of the Dudhsagar Waterfalls.

Day 11 – Day 13

Goa

Zuri White Sands

Relax At Goa
For the remainder of your stay in Goa, you can either continue to relax at your beach resort or see some of Goa’s interesting sights such as Panaji, the laid-back capital of Goa with its quaint Portuguese architecture and a pretty promenade looking out over the Mandovi River estuary.

Old Goa nearby has a selection of huge cathedrals and churches such as Se Cathedral and Basilica Of Bom Jesus that have been declared as World Heritage Sights by UNESCO.

Alternately head to the cosmopolitan beaches of North Goa and take a walk along narrow streets crammed with handicrafts and jewellery shops that lead to legendary hippy beaches such as Anjuna and Calangute.

Day 14

Depart Goa

Depart Goa – Daytime flights arrive back in UK the
same day.

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