Mumbai, Hampi & Goa

Explore Mumbai's extraordinary heritage on foot and by taxi — the magnificent Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest Victorian Gothic buildings in Asia, the Crawford Market, the Dhobi Ghat washing ghats, and Marine Drive, Mumbai's famous seafront promenade.

Fly from Mumbai to Aurangabad, gateway to the remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Ajanta and Ellora. Aurangabad itself has several interesting Mughal monuments including the Bibi Ka Maqbara — sometimes called the 'Mini Taj Mahal'.

Visit the extraordinary Ajanta Caves — 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave temples carved between the 2nd century BCE and 5th century CE, with some of the finest ancient paintings in the world. The caves were abandoned and forgotten for over 1,000 years before being rediscovered by a British officer in 1819.

Visit the remarkable Ellora Caves — 34 monasteries and temples carved directly into the cliff face, representing Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. The Kailasa Temple is the centrepiece — carved top-down from a single rock face and dedicated to Shiva. Take the overnight train to Hyderabad.

Arrive in Hyderabad — the City of Pearls. Explore the old city's remarkable monuments — the Charminar, built in 1591 to commemorate the end of a plague, the Mecca Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India, the magnificent Golconda Fort and the Salar Jung Museum with its eclectic collection.

A second day in Hyderabad exploring the remarkable Qutb Shahi tombs, the pearl markets of Laad Bazaar and the extraordinary Falakuma Palace — the most spectacular palace in Hyderabad, perched on a cliff 2km from the city.

Drive to Bijapur (Vijapura) — the remarkable medieval Sultanate city with its extraordinary collection of domed tombs, mosques and palaces. The Golgumbaz tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah has the second largest dome in the world.

Drive through Karnataka's Deccan landscape to Badami — the 6th-century capital of the Chalukya dynasty. Its four extraordinary rock-cut cave temples are carved into a red sandstone cliff above a sacred tank.

A full day exploring Badami's cave temples, the hilltop fort, and the nearby temple complexes of Aihole and Pattadakal — the latter a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of India's finest early Chalukyan temple architecture.

Drive south to Hampi, the extraordinary ruined capital of the Vijayanagara Empire — once one of the world's largest cities. The ruins, spread across a bizarre landscape of giant granite boulders along the Tungabhadra River, constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A full day exploring the remarkable Hampi ruins — the magnificent Vittala Temple with its famous stone chariot and musical pillars, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephant Stables, the Queen's Bath and the extraordinary bouldered landscape that surrounds them all.

Drive across the Western Ghats escarpment to Goa — the former Portuguese colony with its distinctive whitewashed churches, golden beaches and relaxed pace of life.

A day to explore Goa's remarkable heritage and beaches — Old Goa's UNESCO World Heritage churches, the atmospheric Portuguese colonial quarter of Panjim, and the beautiful beaches of North and South Goa.

After breakfast the tour concludes. Transfers to Goa International Airport can be arranged.

Yes — this route is well-established with excellent hotels and infrastructure, and our experienced guides and drivers handle every practical detail. First-time visitors consistently find it a superb introduction to India.

Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers throughout. For longer distances we use India's excellent express trains or domestic flights where they improve the journey.

Absolutely. Duration, hotels, route and experiences can all be tailored to your preferences and budget — this itinerary is a starting point, not a fixed product. Contact us to plan your ideal trip.