
Hyderabad, Badami & Hampi Explorer
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Begin and end in Hyderabad on an 8–day sweep across the Deccan, blending grand sultanate cities with UNESCO–listed temple art. In the city you’ll explore Golconda Fort, Charminar and the lakeside bustle, with time for palaces and the famed Salar Jung collections. Roll through Gulbarga and Vijayapura for monumental mosques, forts and the echoing Gol Gumbaz. Expect to see Badami’s red–rock cave temples, the sculpted ensembles of Aihole and Pattadakal, and finally Hampi’s evocative ruins – Virupaksha, Vittala’s stone chariot and the Royal Enclosure. Scenic drives, rich history and balanced pacing make this a rewarding cultural adventure.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Overview
Duration
8 daysHotel Rating
3, 4 or 5 star hotelsStarts
HyderabadEnds
HyderabadMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in India that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
YesTour Guide
Yes - for included sightseeing.Country
IndiaPassengers
$2,420.00
$1,314.00
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 1 / Max Private Tour
Trip Type
Private Tours
Range
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Yes - for included sightseeing.Group Size
Min 1 / Max Private TourRange
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Private ToursPlaces You'll See

Hyderabad

Gulbarga

Bijapur

Kalaburagi Division

Badami

Vijayapura

Belgaum Division

Pattadakal

Gadag

Lakkundi

Hampi
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Included
Not Included
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Itinerary
Day 1 - Hyderabad
On arrival at Hyderabad airport, we meet you for assistance and transfer you to your hotel. Standard check-in time is 12:00 – early check-in is subject to room availability. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or enjoy personal activities. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 - Exploring Hyderabad
After breakfast, we set out to explore this 400‑year‑old capital, known for its bustling bazaars and striking Islamic architecture. We visit Golconda Fort – once at the heart of the region’s famed diamond trade – and the Qutb Shahi Tombs, a serene complex of domed mausoleums noted for their harmonious design. We continue to Charminar, built in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, and the nearby Mecca Masjid, one of Hyderabad’s largest mosques, modelled on the Grand Mosque in Mecca.
We also tour Chowmahalla Palace – the restored seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty – along with Purani Haveli and the Salar Jung Museum, home to one of India’s largest collections of art and artefacts. Please note Chowmahalla Palace, Purani Haveli and the Salar Jung Museum are closed on Fridays. Later, we visit Birla Mandir, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara and built in white Rajasthani marble, before stopping by Hussain Sagar Lake – the historic link between Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The rest of the day is yours to relax. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3 - Gulbarga Fort & Bijapur
After breakfast, we drive from Hyderabad to Bijapur – around 385 km, taking approximately 7 hours – with a stop in Gulbarga. Here we visit Gulbarga Fort, a Bahmani‑era stronghold known for its planned defences, including a surrounding canal, 15 towers and 26 guns, one 8 metres long. We also visit the Jama Masjid, noted for its striking arches and a design that recalls the Great Mosque of Córdoba – a style also seen in Hyderabad’s Spanish Mosque. We then continue to Bijapur and check in to the hotel for the night.
Day 4 - Bijapur to Badami
After breakfast, we explore Bijapur, visiting Bijapur Fort with its concentration of monuments from the Adil Shahi era, Asar Mahal, the unfinished Bara Kaman and the imposing Gol Gumbaz, as well as the Jama Masjid. Later we drive to Badami (120 km – approximately 2 hours) and check in. You can spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Badami.
Day 5 - Exploring Badami, Pattadakal & Aihole
After breakfast at the hotel, we set out on a full-day exploration of Badami, Pattadakal and Aihole. We begin at the Badami Cave Temples – exemplary rock-cut sanctuaries of the Badami Chalukya period – then visit Badami Fort, the area’s best-known archaeological site. We also stop at the Open-Air Museum, where trial carvings, rock-cut steps and incomplete idols offer insight into early workmanship.
We continue to the Pattadakal Temple Complex – a UNESCO World Heritage site with 7th–8th century Hindu and Jain temples noted for a blend of northern and southern architectural styles. The Papanatha and Virupaksha temples feature intricate friezes from the epics and Puranas, and the Virupaksha temple remains active for worship.
We then head to Aihole to see the apsidal Durga Temple – a Dravidian layout with a later northern superstructure – and Huchimalli Gudi, with shrines to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, a circumambulatory passage and a rekhanagara tower; a smaller 11th-century shrine stands just to the north. We finish at the Meguti Jain Temple, clearly dated to 634 CE, an incomplete but significant mortarless structure set on a raised platform with a pillared hall. Return to Badami for the night.
Day 6 - Gadag, Lakkundi & Hampi
Badami – Gadag – Lakkundi – Hampi (180 km – approx. 4 hours). After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Hampi, stopping in Gadag to visit the intricately carved Trikuteshwara Temple – a Shiva shrine with three lingas set on a single stone and a Saraswati sanctuary with carved columns. We continue to Lakkundi, noted for its ruined temples including Mallikarjuna, Virabhadra, Manikeshwara, Nanneshwara, Lakshminarayana, Someshwara and Nilakanteshwara. We then travel on to Hampi and check in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free – you can relax at the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7 - Exploring Hampi
Breakfast at the hotel, then we explore Hampi’s royal and sacred quarters. In the Royal Enclosure we visit the Hazara Rama Temple – noted for its bas‑relief panels from the Ramayana – the Mahanavami Dibba and other remains that reflect the scale of courtly life. We continue to the King’s Balance, then view the Lakshmi Narasimha statue carved from a single block of stone. We also take in Virupaksha Temple before visiting the Vittala Temple Complex to appreciate its intricate carvings and impressive architecture, and the elegant Lotus Mahal within the Zenana Enclosure. The rest of the day is free for you to relax at the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 8 - Return to Hyderabad
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart Hampi for Hyderabad – a 380 km drive taking around 7 hours. On arrival, we drop you at your hotel or at the airport for your onward journey.
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Tour Reviews
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Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
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Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.

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Prices & Dates
The prices you see below are a guide, with final prices per person being determined by the number of travellers in your booking party, desired hotel standard and the rooming arrangements required. To see an accurate price, please click "Book Dates" and enter the details for your booking party.
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