Bangalore

Day Trips

The day begins with early morning pickup at 5am from your hotel in Bangalore and heads to the airport for your flight to New Delhi which takes off at 7am. Enjoy a tasty breakfast on the flight and look out the window to admire views of the world below. Arrive in New Delhi where your driver is waiting to pick you up, then travel along the Speed Expressway directly to Agra. Meet your friendly guide in Agra and stop by a local restaurant for a hearty lunch to set you up for a day of exploring. After lunch, drive to India’s most famous and iconic landmark, the beautiful Taj Mahal. Upon arrival, immediately feel immersed in the peaceful atmosphere that emanates from the building. As you follow your guide around the Taj Mahal and learn about this UNESCO World Heritage Listed site, admire the building’s impeccable architecture, of which every corner, wall, and detail is beyond imagination. After an unforgettable tour of the Taj Mahal, hop in the car for the drive back to Delhi Airport. Board your flight to Bangalore at around 10pm and enjoy dinner on the plane. Upon arrival in Bangalore, your driver will be waiting in the arrivals lounge to drop you back to your hotel after a busy but worthwhile day.

Enjoy a memorable day trip from crowded Bengaluru to the city of royalty. Start early from your hotel and relax on a 3.5-hour drive to Mysore. Your friendly local guide will walk you through the splendid buildings of the Mysore Palace and the Gothic-inspired St. Philomena's Cathedral. You will also have a chance to visit the Chamundeshwari Temple, located atop the Chamundi Hills, for a fascinating history of the people of Mysore. Start your day trip with an early morning pickup from your hotel. Sit back and relax on your drive to Mysore, which will take approximately 3-4 hours (depending on your pick up location and road conditions). Mysuru, formerly known as Mysore, is famous for its World Heritage buildings. Your first stop is the magnificent Mysuru Palace. Home of the Wodeyar dynasty, this grand palace is embellished with stained glass, majestic wooden doors, and intricate mosaic tiles. A fine collection of armors, sculptures, and paintings add to the glamour. Spend up to 1.5 hours exploring the Palace with your guide, building up an appetite for a traditional vegetarian lunch at a local's favorite spot. Next, head to the Chamundeswari Temple, located atop a hill. Dedicated to a form of Shakti, the goddess is revered by Hindus across the region. The location offers stunning views of the Karnataka countryside. Lastly, visit the St. Philomena's Cathedral which was built in 1941. Constructed in a Neo-Gothic style, its architecture is said to be inspired by the Cologne Cathedral in Germany and is one of the tallest churches in Asia. At the end of the tour, drive back towards Bengaluru where you will be dropped off at your hotel around 6:30-7 PM.

The first stop is at the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan, often called the Tiger of Mysore for his valiant fight with the British. Dariya Daulat Bagh, the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan, is built in Indo-Sarcenic style and has a few magnificent murals depicting the war of Tipu with the British. The next destination is the notorious Bailey's Dungeon. Colonel Bailey's Dungeon is the famous dungeon where Tipu imprisoned several British Officers during the war. Tales about this notorious location will also be told throughout the tour. The magnificent Mysore Palace beckons you next. The Palace is a 3-storied stone structure, with marble domes and a 145-foot, five-storied tower. Your guided tour of the palace will take you through the Public Hall, Private Hall, Dolls Pavilion, and the Royal Wedding Hall. India’s first sand sculpture museum is the final destination on your tour. Conceived and built by Gowri, a leading sand sculptor, the sand museum took 4 months and 115 loads of construction sand to build. It is a unique museum where one finds the heritage of Mysore crafted into sand, and it is incredible to note that these marvelous pieces of art were made using just sand and water. After you have finished discovering this unique spectacle, you will be returned safely to your point of origin.

Depart from Bangalore after breakfast and take a 2.5-hour drive to Lepakshi. Let your guide enthrall you, as they share myths surrounding Lepakshi with you.  At your first stop, see India’s largest Nandi Bull statue. Next, head to Veerabhadra Temple to explore this 16th century masterpiece of the Vijaynagara style of architecture. First, visit the section called Mukha Mandapa, which served as the dance venue and other cultural activities. Then, visit the Artha Mandapa, where the king worshipped and where the Garbha Griha houses the deity. Visit a unique wedding hall made of grey sandstone, where Lord Shiva and Lady Parvati were supposed to have been married in antiquity. One of the highlights of Lepakshi is the exquisite collection of paintings on the walls of the temple. Appreciate the rich textile patterns, detailed hairstyles of people, and exquisite jewelry depicted in the paintings. As per legend, giants inhabited these parts and built the old section of the temple. Look for evidence left behind by the giants as you make your way through the temple, before returning to Bangalore.