Escorted Tours 2020 & 2021 - 2nd Edition - Mercury Holidays

For full tour itineraries, please visit us online at www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/tours INDIAN SUBCONTINENT 21 MEAL PLAN: All meals included ACCOMMODATION Mumbai 2 nights 4 ★ Lemon Tree Aurangabad 2 nights 4 ★ The Fern Residency Bangalore 2 nights 4 ★ Hotel Royal Orchid Bangalore Hampi 3 nights 4 ★ Royal Orchid Central, Kireeti Goa 1 nights 4 ★ The Fern Kadamba Hotel and Spa DAY 1: UK TO MUMBAI Depart London on your scheduled overnight flight to Mumbai via Muscat. DAY 2: MUMBAI D Upon arrival, you’ll meet your local guide and transfer to tonight’s hotel to enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Meet your group later at a welcome dinner. DAY 3: MUMBAI B/L/D Following breakfast, embark upon a sublime city tour, including a visit to the historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. From here, a stroll leads to Crawford Market. Next, visit the colossal Gateway of India and board a boat to Elephanta Island. Later, admire the intricately designed Jain Temple before exploring the Hanging Gardens. Next, journey to the beach of Chowpatty, positioned along the “Queen’s Necklace” promenade before continuing to the Museum of Mani Bhavan. DAY 4: MUMBAI TO AURANGABAD B/L/D Following breakfast take some time in the morning to explore at leisure before heading to the station to board your train to Aurangabad. DAY 5: AURANGABAD B/L/D Today, delve into the history of the Ajanta Caves. Granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1983, the magnificence site dates back to the 2nd century B.C. DAY 6: AURANGABAD TO BANGLAORE B/L/D After breakfast, explore another UNESCO World Heritage Site; the monastery-temple-cave complexes of Ellora, the crowning jewel of Kailasa temple. Later, continue to the airport and board your afternoon flight to Bangalore and upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.  DAY 7: BANGALORE B/L/D Discover the cosmopolitan centre of India’s booming technological industry on a morning tour. Visit the distinctive Bull Temple, before wandering through the ‘Garden City’, Lalbagh Botanical Gardens. Later, marvel at a majestic example of Neo-Dravidian architecture with a visit to the regal Vidhana Soudha. DAY 8: BANGALORE TO HAMPI VIA HUBLI B/L/D Following breakfast, transfer to Bangalore airport and board your flight to Hubli, before journeying to the ancient village of Hampi. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. DAY 9: HAMPI B/L/D Comprising of ruined temple complexes and ancient monuments, Hampi is a site of archaeological excellence. Beginning at the statue of Lord Genesha, head towards Hemakuta Hill, before admiring Virupaksha Temple. From here, continue along the winding paths towards the Achutaraya Temple before taking a break for lunch. This afternoon discovers the intricate Yalis engravings which cover the pillars of the Krishna Temple, before marvelling at the Badavi Linga Temple. DAY 10: HAMPI B/L/D A captivating discovery of ancient ruins continues at the imperial Vittala Temple. Nearby, on the banks of the river, uncover the open pillared pavilion of Purandaradasa Mantap, before marvelling at the Queen’s Bath, built for the use of the Royal Family of Vijayanagara. After lunch, meander through a variety of landmarks, with visits to the Zenana Enclosure, Lotus Maha, Hazara Rama Temple and the King’s Audience Hall. DAY 11: HAMPI TO GOA B/L/D Journey to Hospet this morning and board a train towards the coastal state of Goa. DAY 12: GOA TO THE UK   B Take the morning to relax on Goa’s beaches before transferring to the airport for your return flight to the UK, via Muscat or continue on to your chosen extension. B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner FOR YOU TO KNOW: A visa and travel insurance are required when travelling to India and must be obtained before travel. Tips: We recommend you allow approximately £45pp for the duration of your tour. 12 days from £1,499pp TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ✔ City tours of Mumbai and Bangalore ✔ Boat ride and tour of Elephanta Island ✔ Explore the Ajanta Caves ✔ Witness the Ellora Caves, the crowning jewel of Kailasa Temple ✔ Discover the temple complexes and monuments of sacred Hampi ✔ Unwind on the beaches of Goa Journeying to some of the most sacred and mysterious sites in the world, this experience links the bustling city of Mumbai and the astounding Ajanta Caves, to the technological centre of Bangalore and the ancient complex of Hampi.  ROOMS AVAILABLE WITH NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT PACE: NEW KARNATAKA, HAMPI AND INDIA’S ANCIENT WONDERS Virupaksha temple, Hampi DEPARTURES & FROM PRICES 2022 DEPARTURES AT 2021 PRICES CONTACT US FOR DATES • Prices based on flights from London Heathrow to India with Oman Air (via Muscat) • Regional departures available • Rooms available with no single supplement. Once sold, single supplement starts from £499 09 Nov 20 £2,049 22 Feb 21 £1,899 15 Mar 21 £1,799 12 Apr 21 £1,699 03 May 21 £1,499 27 Sep 21 £1,999 18 Oct 21 £2,049 29 Nov 21 £2,099 GOA BEACH STAY 3 nights 3 ★ All-Inclusive from £169 or 3 nights 4 ★ All-Inclusive from £219 INDIA’S GOLDEN TRIANGLE 6 nights Full Board from £799 Visit our website to learn more about our extensions. EXTEND YOUR TOUR Rail Air 1 Number of nights Aurangabad