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Journeying to some of the most sacred and mysterious sites in the world, this experience links the bustling city of Mumbai and the astounding Ajanta Caves, to the technological centre of Bangalore and the ancient complex of Hampi.
Depart London on your scheduled overnight flight to Mumbai via Muscat.
Upon arrival into Mumbai, meet your local guide and transfer to tonight's hotel to enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Meet your group later at a welcome dinner.
Following breakfast, embark upon a tour that features some sublime examples of Gothic Revival architecture, including a visit to the historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. From here, a stroll leads to Crawford Market where vendors sell an assortment of cheeses, homemade chocolate and mouth-watering fruit and vegetables. Next, visit the colossal stone arch landmark known as the Gateway of India and board a ferry to the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site of Elephanta Island, where an intriguing labyrinth of ancient caves epitomise some of India's most striking temple carvings, dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. Later, admire the intricately designed Jain Temple before exploring the Hanging Gardens. Next, journey to the beach of Chowpatty delightfully positioned along the famed 'Queen's Necklace' promenade before continuing to the Museum of Mani Bhavan where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his visits to Mumbai between 1917 and 1934.
Following breakfast take some time in the morning to explore at leisure before heading to the station to board your train to Aurangabad.
Today, delve into the history and religious splendour of the Ajanta Caves. Granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1983, the magnificence of this site cannot be understood until seen in person. Dating back to the 2nd century B.C, there are approximately 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments displaying spectacular paintings that are considered the world's preeminent masterpieces in Buddhist religious art. The artwork is a truly incredible sight to behold and the attention to detail is remarkable - so realistic are the faces of the people depicted that you feel these have to be portraits of real individuals, their soundless stares frozen in time. Along with the mesmerising paintings, the selection of temples to explore are a wonderful example of the painstaking work carried out by the Buddhist Monks who carved them by hand.
After breakfast, explore another UNESCO World Heritage Site; the monastery-temple-cave complexes of Ellora, the crowning jewel of which is the wonderful Kailasa temple. Surpassing the size of the Parthenon in Athens, it is the world's largest monolithic structure with its construction generally attributed to the Rashtrakuta King Krishna I in 760 A.D. Representing Mount Kailash, Shiva's Himalayan abode, this extraordinarily intricate temple has been carved 'top-down' from solid rock, demanding perfect precision and allowing no margin for error. How exactly India's master craftsman achieved this incredible feat is still unknown - making Kailasa one of the ancient world's enduring mysteries. Later, continue to the airport and board your afternoon flight to Bangalore and upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Discover the cosmopolitan centre of India's booming technological industry peppered with Victorian-era architecture on a morning city tour. Visit the distinctive Bull Temple, home to an enormous monolith of Nandi, the celestial bull, before wandering through a vibrant showcase of the world's most diverse plant species at the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens where a variety of melodic birds blissfully dive in and out of the treetops overhead. Later, marvel at a majestic example of Neo-Dravidian architecture with a visit to the regal Vidhana Soudha which took a remarkable 5,000 workers and 4 years to complete!
Following breakfast, transfer to Bangalore airport and board your flight to Hubli, before journeying to the ancient village of Hampi. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Comprising of ruined temple complexes and ancient monuments, Hampi is a site of archaeological excellence. Immerse yourself in breath-taking vistas and grandeur on today's exploration of some of the most impressive landmarks this ancient settlement has to offer. Beginning at the statue of Lord Genesha, head towards Hemakuta Hill for majestic panoramas of the complex, before admiring Virupaksha Temple - the oldest and most sacred shrine in Hampi, which remains a revered site of worship. From here, continue along the winding paths towards the Achutaraya Temple before taking a break for lunch. This afternoon discover the intricate Yalis engravings which cover the pillars of the Krishna Temple, before marvelling at the Badavi Linga Temple, which sits adjacent to an imposing statue of Lakshmi Narasimha - a unique mythological incarnation of Lord Vishnu, portrayed as half-human (Nara), half-lion (Simha).
A captivating discovery of ancient ruins continues at the imperial Vittala Temple, originally constructed as a regal abode dedicated to Lord Vitthala (a Hindu deity and considered a manifestation of God), who astonishingly considered the site too grand to reside in. Nearby, on the banks of the river, uncover the open pillared pavilion of Purandaradasa Mantap, where religious rituals are faithfully performed, before marvelling at an excellent example of Indo-Islamic architecture at the Queen's Bath, built for the use of the Royal Family of Vijayanagara. After lunch, meander through a variety of landmarks which exemplify the existence of a bygone era, with visits to the Zenana Enclosure, Lotus Maha, Hazara Rama Temple and the King's Audience Hall. Return to your hotel for lunch before spending the afternoon at leisure.
Journey to Hospet this morning and board a train towards the enchanting coastal state of Goa.
Take the morning to relax on the golden sands of Goa's beaches and enjoy the tropical sunshine. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK or chosen extension.
A visa is required for entry into India. British Citizen Passport Holders will need to obtain an e-Tourist Visa (eTV) for travel to India. We work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250 590 and quote 'Mercury Holidays'. The cost of the visa is approximately £72 per person. The Travel Visa Company can only apply for this 30 days before your proposed travel date and takes around 10 working days to issue. It is only valid for a 30-day single-entry stay from the date of arrival. When calling the Travel Visa Company they will advise you of any changes to the fees or the procedure, they will also advise you of all information they will require in order to apply for the visa.
You must obtain suitable travel insurance prior to departure. Mercury Holidays is partnered with Holiday Extras which offer insurance at the following prices:
| Age in Years | Up to 64 | 65 - 74 | 75 - 85 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 days cover | £37 | £72 | £104 |
If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of €300pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, often on foot, and includes some climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum will be 40. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your national guide who will remain with you for the duration of your trip. You will also be joined by a local guide in each of the cities which you visit, ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.
The currency in India is the Rupee or Rs. The Rupee is a closed currency and officially you are not allowed to take any cash out of India. US Dollars and GBP are also widely accepted in India should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £100 - £200 will be sufficient for the duration of the tour, depending on how much of a bargain-hunter you are!
| Depart UK | Arrive UK | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Dates | |||
| 29 Nov 2021 | 10 Dec 2021 | €2351.00 | |
| 2022 Dates | |||
| 11 Apr 2022 | 22 Apr 2022 | €1948.00 | |
| 26 Sep 2022 | 07 Oct 2022 | €2239.00 | |
| 2023 Dates | |||
| 20 Feb 2023 | 03 Mar 2023 | €2149.00 | |
| 13 Mar 2023 | 24 Mar 2023 | €2048.00 | |
| 10 Apr 2023 | 21 Apr 2023 | €1959.00 | |
| 01 May 2023 | 12 May 2023 | €1847.00 | |
| 25 Sep 2023 | 06 Oct 2023 | €2239.00 | |
| 16 Oct 2023 | 27 Oct 2023 | €2373.00 | |
| 27 Nov 2023 | 08 Dec 2023 | €2418.00 | |
20 °C / 37 °C
Weather can vary quite considerably throughout the year, so please familiarise yourself with the climate charts below.
Extend your trip in with a relaxing stay on the beautiful beaches of Goa, India's most popular and laid back resort destination.
This add-on tour must be taken at the end of the main tour.
View Tour + Extension
Travelling from Delhi to Agra then Jaipur, this 6 night extension tour of the Golden Triangle takes you through India's most famous sights. Ride a rickshaw around Old Delhi, marvel at the Taj Mahal and discover the Pink City of Jaipur.
View Tour + Extension
