Freephone an expert 01306 744 656

Send Enquiry
Opening Times
Monday
10am - 6pm
Tuesday
10am - 6pm
Wednesday
10am - 6pm
Thursday
10am - 6pm
Friday
10am - 6pm
Saturday
10am - 2pm
Sunday
Closed

Call 01306 744 656 or

For other destinations and types of holiday, visit Kuoni
For other destinations and types of holiday, visit Kuoni 
Discover remarkable Indian sights like this stone chariot in Hampi when you take a tailor-made holiday with Alfred&.

Exploring India’s Intriguing South

By Gemma Wilson-Dines
India Travel Expert for Alfred&

From the tech-centric hangouts of Hyderabad to the UNESCO-listed ruins of Hampi, the mist-drenched mountains of Coorg to the historic markets of Mysore, this heritage-rich tour will take you off the tourist trail and into the heart of India’s intriguing south. Explore ancient crumbling temples, peaceful mountain trails, colonial-era streets, and ancient kingdom capitals as you get to know Telangana and Karnataka through the eyes of a local insider.

Places

Length
11 days
Guide price range
£3,175 - £3,675pp
including international flights
Best months to go
September to April

Top Experiences
Itinerary Highlights

Mysore

Cook up the traditional tastes of Mysore in a family kitchen

Discovering the local dishes is one of the most enjoyable ways to get a true flavour of a place...

Hampi

Hampi: Remnants of a lost empire

Hampi, one of our prized UNESCO World Heritage Sites, was once the regal capital of the great Vijayanagara kingdom...

Coorg

Evolve Back, Coorg: coffee and spice and all things nice

When you wake up for your morning coffee you’ll feel the invigorating fresh air and hear the sound of birds chirping over the paddy fields...

Day by day
Itinerary in detail

1

Arrival in Hyderabad

On arrival at Hyderabad airport, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy this city of old meets new, where mosques, palaces and historic mansions rub shoulders with a modern tech scene. Explore the old city, where hawkers sell spices and pearls from the Laad Bazaar, or head to the new quarter (nicknamed Cyberabad) where India’s tech giants sit beside glitzy malls. Overnight at Taj Falaknuma Palace.

Things to do:

2

Hyderabad

Continue your explorations in Hyderabad today. Unmissable is the sprawling Makkah Mosque and the Chowmahalla Palace, where fountains dot elegant courtyards and chandeliers deck the halls. If you’d rather see the highlights with a guide, opt for the White Mughals tour. You’ll visit the elaborate former British Residency building, now a women’s college, as well as the colonial-era Secundrabad neighbourhood, where road names are still in British. Alternatively, get the taste buds tingling with an optional biryani food tour learning about the history of this royal dish, ending with a traditional meal served in a local home. Overnight at Taj Falaknuma Palace.

Things to do:

3

Hyderabad & Hampi

Transfer to the airport this morning for a connecting flight to Hubli. From there you’ll be driven to incredible Hampi, a UNESCO-listed city set amid the hills of Karnataka. Here hundreds of ancient monuments dating to the Viyajanagar Empire scatter a dramatic landscape of giant boulders, rust-colour hills, and banana plantations. Settle in at your hotel ready for a full day’s exploration tomorrow. Overnight at Evolve Back Hampi.

Things to do:

4

Hampi

Set off on a full-day tour of Hampi today. Explore the city’s smattering of ruins, which include palaces, treasury buildings, statues, and shrines. Highlights include the Vithala Temple – shaped over the centuries by various kings – and the Hampi Bazaar, a historic marketplace that was the city’s beating heart during the Viyajanagar Empire. While here, pay a visit to the Virupaksha Temple – the city’s only remaining working temple, dating to the seventh century. Overnight at Evolve Back Hampi.

Things to do:

5

Hampi & Hassan

Travel to Hassan today – an 11th-century city built under the Hoysala dynasty, who ruled southern India for nearly two centuries. Named after the goddess Hasanamba, the city is filled with gilded Hindu temples and historic architecture and is a gateway to the former Hosyala capitals of Belur and Halebidu. Spend the day exploring at leisure or settle in at your hotel. Don’t miss the Gothic Shettihalli Church, built by French missionaries in the 1860s and nicknamed ‘The Floating Church’ due to the fact it’s partially submerged during monsoon season. Overnight at Hoysala Village.

Things to do:

6

Hassan

Continue your explorations in Hassan today or opt for a full-day tour exploring the temples of Belur and Halebidu. Standouts include the Hoysaleswara Temple, built in the 12th century and dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the Chennakesava Temple, a mammoth stone masterpiece covered with intricate sculptures. Overnight at Hoysala Village.

Things to do:

7

Hassan & Coorg

Venture into the mountains today as you make your way towards Coorg – a hill station coined the ‘Scotland of India’, famous for its coffee plantations, spice farms and orange groves (Karnataka is the country’s biggest coffee producer). Later, head out on a hike or relax in the surroundings, where mists cling to the hills and trails criss-cross the forests. Overnight at Evolve Back Coorg.

Things to do:

8

Coorg & Mysore

After breakfast you’ll be driven to Mysore. Located in the southwest of Karnataka, this heritage-rich city was the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947 and is home to several historic sites. Especially worthy of a visit is the Devaraja Market – a vibrant bazaar where spices, silk and sandalwood have been traded for centuries. Settle in at your hotel for the evening or choose to learn the ins and outs of South Indian cuisine with a local family on an optional cooking workshop. Overnight at Royal Orchid Metropole.

Things to do:

9

Mysore

Today is free to enjoy; spend the day exploring Mysore on your own terms or choose from one of several tours. Options include the Royal Mysore Walk, where you’ll hear all about the lives of the ancient maharajas before visiting the market to sample local delicacies; a private workshop with a classical musician; and a visit to a local silk factory to learn more about Mysore sarees. Overnight at Royal Orchid Metropole.

Things to do:

10

Mysore & Bangalore

Travel to Bangalore this morning. The rest of the day is free to enjoy in this culture-filled, tech-forward city, known as India’s Silicon Valley. Wander its gardens and royal residences independently – don’t miss the 19th-century Bangalore Palace, modelled on Windsor Castle – or opt for an afternoon SoBa Walk to explore the city’s south side, once the city’s intellectual centre. Alternatively, trace the history of the city’s rulers on a heritage-themed walking tour, or venture into the Nandi Hills for lunch at a local vineyard as you toast the end of a memorable trip. Overnight at Taj West End.

Things to do:

11

Bangalore & Departure

Your tour ends today. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Bangalore airport for your flight home or onward travel.

Another stop?

Extensions

Extensions

Holiday Budget
Guide price information

Low Season

01 Apr - 30 Sep

£3,175

High Season

01 Jan - 31 Mar, 01 Oct - 31 Dec

£3,675

Alfred & Gemma Wilson-Dines

Fascinated by the people, culture, and religions of India, Gemma feels right at home in this incredible destination. Having a grandmother who was born and raised in Ambala may well play a part in this! Favourite locations include the unique alpine feel of Shimla and the bright colours that typify Rajasthan. But her most vivid memories are from Amritsar’s Golden Temple, where she made chapati’s alongside the ladies in the ‘world’s largest kitchen’

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Malcolm, who's travelled extensively in India. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember.

Freephone an expert 01306 744 656

We’re recommended

You’re in safe hands

Subscribe to Newsletter

Let us inspire you with holiday ideas, exclusive event invites and travel offers from our network of contacts around the world.