Day 19 Nagarhole National Park / Mysore

After another early morning wildlife safari and breakfast drive 55 miles to Mysore, the erstwhile capital of the Wadiyar Kings and a center of sandalwood and incense production. Arrive Mysore and check-in Lalitha Mahal Palace. The palace is a majestic two-storey composition of twin ionic columns, a projecting porch on the ground floor and spherical domes with laterns and the central dome. In the afternoon visit "Indo-Saracenic" style Maharaja's Palace, Jaganmohan Palace and the magnificent five-meter tall Nandi Bull carved from a single piece of black granite at Chamundi Hills. (Lalitha Mahal Palace)

Day 20 Mysore

After breakfast drive 22 miles to Somnathpur to visit the Kesava Temple, one of the best preserved Hoysala temples in Mysore region. Continue drive to Srirangapatnam to visit the fort, palaces and mausoleum date from the era of Tipu Sultan, the "Tiger of Mysore". Return to Mysore in the late afternoon. Rest of the day is available to explore the palace. (Lalitha Mahal Palace)

Day 21 Mysore / Chikmagalur

This morning drive to Chikmagalur en route visiting Shravanabelagola, the sacred Jain site consists of two hills and a large tank. On one of the hills, Indragiri stands an extraordinary 59 feet high monolithic statue of naked male figure of Gomateshvara. Arrive Chikmagalur and check-in to the hotel. (Taj Garden Retreat Chikmagalur)

Day 22 Chikmagalur (Belur & Halebid)

After breakfast drive to Halebid, the 11th century capital of capital of the Hoysala Empire. Hoyasalas who ruled a large kingdom between the rivers Krishna and Cauvery made Halebid and Belur their capital. In the morning visit the Hoysaleswara and Kdeareswar Temples. These temples are the most outstanding example of Hoysala art. After sightseeing proceed to Belur, the flourishing capital of the Hoyasala Empire in the 12th century. Visit the Chennakeshava Temple and Veeranarayana Temple. The visual experience of these temples is often described as the jewel box of Hoyasala architecture. (Taj Garden Retreat Chikmagalur)

Day 23 Chikmagalur / Hospet

Early morning drive 220 miles in 7 hours to Hospet. En route visit the Fort of Seven Rounds at Chitradurga. This fort was built by Nayaka Poligars. Later Haidar Ali captured the fort and replaced the Nayaka’s mud fort with stone. After possible lunch at Chitradurga continue drive to Hospet. (Malligi Tourist Home)

Day 24 Hospet (Hampi)

After breakfast drive 8 miles north of Hospet to Hampi, the capital of the powerful Vijayanagar Empire and a great centre for Hindu rule for 200 years. The city was once enormously wealthy with a market full of jewels and palaces plated with gold. Today full day sightseeing of the ruins includes visit to Virupaksha Temple, Vitthala Temple, Raghunath Temple, Narasimha Temple and King’s Balance, where rulers were weighted in gold, jewels and food, which were then distributed to Brahmins. (Malligi Tourist Home)

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