Ecstatic 16 Days 15 Nights Gulbarga Tour Package

A little daunting at first, the crowds here are not for the faint hearted, but prepare yourself for a visit India's filmy past and promising future

A short motor-launch way from Mumbai's Gateway of India, Elephanta Island dates back to the 5th century.

Leave for your flight to Hyderabad. Once you've checked in, spend your evening with a visit perhaps to the Charminar char - four, minar minarets markets for bangles and Indian footwear or a stroll by and the Hussain Sagar Lake.

The erstwhile home to the Nizams, Hyderabad is renowned as much for its forts and palaces as it is for its biryani.

Leave early for your drive to Gulbarga. Stop for a visit at Bidar Fort in Bidar as well as some quick shopping of exquisite you might want to pick up some exquisite bidri handicraft while you're here.

Move on to Bijapur with its renowned Gol Gumbaz, the world's second largest dome. This ancient city dates back to the 10th and 11th centuries as the 'city of victory'.

Set off, after breakfast, on the 2 hour drive to Badami. This picturesque town is home to numerous caves, forts and history.

Head over to the fascinating sandstone Badami cave temple complex. One of the earliest Hindu temples from the Chalukya Dynasty that date back to the 6th and 12th century CE, this is now a world heritage site.

Drive to Hospet via Aihole with its over a hundred temples, now a mute witness to a bygone era. Dating back to the 5th century, stop for a visit at a couple of temples here before you head on to Hospet.

Spend your day in Hampi, a world heritage site, surrounded by ruins and temples that date back to the Vijayanagar empire in the 7th century.

The land of coffee, Chikmagalur is at least 5 hours away from Hospet. Spend your evening strolling around town with some of that fascinating Karnataka cuisine for dinner.

Leave for Mysore early to give you enough time to visit Belur and Halibed en route. Visit the Chennai Kesava Temple at Belur built 900 years ago and the 12th century Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples at Halebid.

Dating back to as early as the 13th century, Mysore is filled with ancient temples, towering monuments and a renowned well maintained zoo.

Leave for Bangalore after breakfast with a stop at Srirangapatnam, Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali's erstwhile capital.

The perfect retreat in Bengaluru's growing concrete jungle, Cubbon Park is filled with long expanses of rolling lawns and flowers surrounded by tall trees.

Leave exotic India with heavier bags, and heavier hearts perhaps, but promises to return for more soon.