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Highlights of Karnataka 5 days from Bangalore Day 1 – Drive to Mysore It’s about a 4 hour drive to Mysore, one of the gems of South India. The City Palace here was built in 1912 and is one of the most beautiful in India. Take some time to go through it before heading out to Chamundi Hill. “Chumundi” is another name for the goddess Durga and a temple to her sits at the top. It’s usually full of pilgrims, most of whom walk up the 1000 steps. You can take your car to the top and walk down – exercise enough. Along the way, you’ll pass a huge Nandi bull statue. Hotel: The Lalitha Palace Hotel is outstanding. Meticulously restored, it is one of the best heritage hotels in India. Day 2 – Drive to Hassan Leave after breakfast for the 150 km drive to Hassan. Along the way, you can stop at Srivanabelagola, to see the statue of the Jain tirthankara, Gomateshvara, the world’s largest monolithic statue. There are 617 steps up to the top of the hill, but there is a hand railing to help you. Really – it’s worth it if you possibly can. There are beautiful views, nice temples at the top and plenty of pilgrims. The stature of Gomateshvara is occasionally covered in scaffolding – check at the ticket booth before climbing up if this is going to upset you. From here, it’s a short drive to beautifully carved temples at Belur and Halebid. These were sculpted in the 12th century during the Hoysala dynasty. Overnight can be at the nearby town of Hassan. Hotel: The Hoysala Village is not a heritage hotel but it is very cute and built in a traditional village style. Day 3 – Drive to the Hampi ruins It will be about a 6 hour drive from Hassan to Hopset (a.k.a. Hosapete), the town that is the jumping off point for Hampi. The evening will be free. Hotel: There are no heritage hotels in Hopset or Hampi, but The Boulders is beautiful Individual cabanas strung out along the Tungahadra river. The only drawback is that it is a 45 minute (beautiful) drive to Hampi. There are boats that shortcut across the river, but when I visited in the slightly off season they were few and far between. The alternative (and my preference) is to stay in one of the very low rent backpacker hotels in the ruins at Hampi Bazaar. Not the most comfortable, but worth it to me to be on-site. Day 4 – Hampi Set amongst massive boulders strung along the Tungabhadra River, the ruins at Hampi are some of the most evocative in India. This was the capital of the once mighty Vijayanagar Empire that ruled most of South India from the 13th to 16th century. The ruins are strung out for miles below the ridges and granite outcroppings that protected it from invaders. It is now a World Heritage Site, with beautiful temples, elephant stables, and even a step-well. You can get around by tuk-tuk but it’s more efficient in a car. Day 5 – Hampi and then an evening train Take the day to continue sightseeing. The train to Bangalore departs from the Hopset station at 9:25PM and arrives back in Bangalore at 6:05 AM. |