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Travel that tells a story
A cultural trip is about the stories behind a place: the kings who built it, the faith that keeps it alive and the festivals that fill its streets. These tours suit history lovers, students, families with curious children and anyone who likes more than a quick photo stop.
Highlights
Hampi: the capital of the Vijayanagara empire, with temples, bazaars and royal buildings spread over a rocky landscape. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The same tour visits Mantralayam, the seat of Sri Raghavendra Swamy.
Nagarjuna Sagar: an early Buddhist centre on the Krishna river. Buddhavanam is a large Buddhist heritage park, and ancient remains were moved to Nagarjunakonda island when the dam was built.
Mysuru Dasara: during the festival, the palace and main roads are lit up at night. An open-top double-decker ride is a relaxed way to see the lights.
Simhachalam and Sri Ramanarayanam: the hill temple of Lord Narasimha near Vizag, and a newer Ramayana-themed temple complex near Vizianagaram.
MM Hills and BR Hills: forest temples of Male Mahadeshwara and Biligiri Ranganatha in southern Karnataka, with strong local traditions.
Packages on this page
- Mantralayam, Tungabhadra dam and Hampi from Bangalore - 2 days, 1 night by bus
- Nagarjuna Sagar with Buddhavanam from Hyderabad - 2 days, 1 night by bus
- Mysuru Dasara lights by double-decker bus - evening ride
- Vizag, Sri Ramanarayanam and Simhachalam - 2 days, 1 night by car
- MM Hills and BR Hills from Bangalore - 2 days, 1 night by bus
More heritage trips: the Belur and Halebidu day tour for Hoysala carving, the North Karnataka tour to Badami and Pattadakal, and the Falaknuma and Chowmahalla palaces tour in Hyderabad.
Planning tips
October to February is the best time for Hampi and other stone monuments, as summer days on the rocks are very hot. Mysuru Dasara falls in September or October, and hotels fill quickly. A local guide at Hampi helps a lot, since the site is large. Wear modest clothes for temples, and carry a hat and water for open sites.
Frequently asked questions
Are guides included?
Some tours include a guide and some do not. Open the package to see what is covered and the current fare.
When does the Dasara ride run?
Only during the festival lighting period, which changes each year. Ask us for the dates.