Discovering the Deccan Plateau, a tour of India with yoga and meditation Led by Daniele Rabozzi

Saturday 25 January - Sunday 9 February 2025

“Discovering the Deccan Plateau, a tour of India with yoga and meditation” heads off the beaten track to explore the Deccan plateau in Karnataka. While in Hampi we will have the time to explore the archeological area and the possibility to practice yoga and meditation.

Capital of the Vijayanagara Empire between the 14th and 17th centuries, Hampi boasts India’s largest UNESCO site, with some 1600 monuments over a 40 km2 area.

As well as the interest and appeal of its archaeological sites and monuments, the geologically ancient nature around Hampi is truly stunning: time has smoothed and moulded the rocks into a surreal landscape of shapes and colours.

The speed at which we travel is paced to get under the surface of the locations we visit. Apart from the final two days of the tour, we stay at least two nights in each location. Visits to temples, historical sites and places of natural beauty take us to the true heart and soul of India: its people.

The Itinerary

DELHI – HUBALI - BADAMI – (PATTADAKAL) – HAMPI – CHIKMAGALUR (BELUR – HALEBEEDU) – HASSAN (SHRAVANABELA GOLA) – MYSORE – BANGALORE

Meal Code: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner

India Gate, Delhi

DAY 1: SATURDAY, 25TH JANUARY 2025: FLY FROM MILAN MALPENSA TO DELHI, VIA DUBAI

Fly from Milan to Dubai with Emirates Airlines, departure at 21:35.

DAY 2: SUNDAY, 26TH JANUARY: ARRIVE IN DELHI

Arrival at Dubai at 06:35. Connecting flight to Delhi at 09:55 with Emirates Airlines EK516, arrive in Delhi at 14:30 local time (12 hours and 35 minutes flight).

After clearing immigration and customs, we collect our luggage and walk to the Holiday Inn Express Hotel inside the airport.

DAY 3: MONDAY, 27TH JANUARY: FLY TO HUBLI AND COACH TRANSFER TO BADAMI

After breakfast, proceed to the domestic departure area and check in for flight to Hubli (check-in 2 hours before flight departure).

Depart from Delhii at 10:00 for Hubli (Hubali) on Indigo flight 6E-5624; arrival at 12:25. Upon arrival in Hubli, meet a Soul of India rep and transfer by coach to Badami (roughly a 3-hour journey).

Bhootnath Temple, Badami

DAY 4: TUESDAY 28TH: BADAMI SIGHTSEEING

Day dedicated to visiting Badami’s four amazing caves, featuring paintings that date back to 578 AD, including the famous 18-armed dancing Nataraja executing eighty-one dance poses.

DAY 5: WEDNESDAY 29TH: DRIVE TO HAMPI, EN ROUTE, PATTADAKAL VISIT

Drive to Hampi by bus (roughly three and a half hours). Along the way, visit Pattadakal Virupaksha, the main temple at Pattadakal with statues representing characters from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Afternoon arrival at the Hampi Heritage Resort in Hampi, where we will be staying for six nights.

DAYS 6/7/8/9/10: FROM THURSDAY, 30TH JANUARY TO MONDAY, 3RD FEBRUARY: HAMPI SIGHTSEEING AND YOGA AND MEDITATION SESSIONS

During our time in Hampi, we will have access to the hotel’s conference room for yoga and meditation practices at specific times of day.

Free time visits are possible to a number of archaeological sites and organized tours via local transport (rickshaws and taxis); for some sites, we will arrange guided tours. Transportation services, entrance tickets to archaeological sites and guides are extra.

Chitradurg Fort, Karnataka

DAY 11: TUESDAY, 4TH FEBRUARY: DRIVE TO CHIKMAGALUR. EN ROUTE, CHITRADURGA FORT VISIT

Drive from Hampi to Chitradurga (about two and a half hours).

Upon arrival in Chitradurga, lunch at a local restaurant (included in tour price), followed by a guided walking tour of Chitradurga Fort.

After the visit, proceed to Chikmagalur (about three hours).

DAY 12: WEDNESDAY, 5TH FEBRUARY: CHIKMAGALUR SIGHTSEEING

Drive by 4x4 jeeps to Mullyanagiri and Baba Budangiri. Mullyanagiri is the highest peak in Karnataka, there is a 500 steps walk to reach the peak. If there will be any time left the group will be able to choose from the following locations: Dattapeeta Cave, a famous pilgrimage site, Honnaamanahalla Falls, Z view point or visit a coffee plantation.

DAY 13: THURSDAY, 6TH FEBRUARY: DRIVE TO HASSAN, EN ROUTE VISIT BELUR AND HALEBEEDU

Drive to Hassan. En route, visit Belur and Halebeedu, jewels of 12th-century Hoysala art. It’s about a 1-hour journey from Chikmagalur to the Chennakeshava temple in Belur. After this visit, it’s another thirty minutes to reach Halebeedu, where we will be visiting the Hoysaleshvara Shiva temple.

After the temple visit, drive to Hassan, about an hour away.

Mysore Palace, Mysore

DAY 14: FRIDAY, 7TH FEBRUARY: DRIVE TO MYSORE. EN ROUTE, SHRAVANABELA GOLA VISIT

Drive to Mysore. Along the way, we visit the most important Jain site in southern India: the small city and pilgrimage destination of Shravanbela Gola (an hour’s journey). It is a 650-step climb to reach the top of Vindhyagiri Hill, where the bare rock is crowned by the world’s tallest monolithic statue: Bahubali, one of the most important Jain deities. After the visit, we continue on to Mysore (two-hour journey). If desired, in the afternoon, guests can visit Mysore Palace.

DAY 15: SATURDAY, 8TH FEBRUARY: MORNING VISIT TO RANGANATHITTU BIRD SANCTUARY LATE MORNING, DRIVE TO BANGALORE, DINNER AND SHORT REST IN HOTEL AND DRIVE TO AIRPORT, FLY TO MILAN VIA ABU DHABI

Early breakfast and visit to Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, located 20 kilometers from Mysore. Return to the hotel for a refreshment and depart for Bangalore airport. Lunch en route at a local restaurant in Channapatna (included in tour price).

Drive to Clarks Inn Hotel in Bangalore (roughly 2 and a half hours drive), dinner at hotel and rest for a few hours, late in the evening drive to airportto board an early flight the next day.

DAY 16: SUNDAY, 9TH FEBRUARY – DEPARTURE FROM BANGALORE AND ARRIVAL IN MILAN

Early morning board your Emirates flight EK0569 which leaves from Bangalore at 04:30. Arrive in Dubai at 07:48 and connect to EK0205 which leaves from Dubai at 09:05. Arrive in Milan at 13:10.

TOUR COST

Tour Cost

The cost per person sharing a twin or double room $2,995

Single room supplement $1150.00

Email :- enquiries@soulofindia.com | Call Us: 020 8901 7630

How to book this tour

Read our Booking Terms and Conditions

Email : enquiries@soulofindia.com | Call Us: 020 8901 7630

Travel Insurance

It is essential to have adequate travel insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting.

*Figures based on a minimum of between sixteen and twenty paying guests.

Cost Includes

  • Domestic flight in economy class as per itinerary (checked baggage allowance on domestic flight: one item of luggage weighing no more than 23 kg. Additional luggage may be pre-booked online up to a maximum of two pieces at a cost of $12 each.
  • Hotel accommodation as per itinerary, in a double or twin room with en suite bathroom.
  • Fee for yoga teaching in Hampi.
  • All breakfasts and dinners as per itinerary. Additionally, lunches on days 11 and 15
  • Services of an English-speaking Soul of India rep upon arrival at Hubli airport and departure from Bangalore Airport.
  • All coach transfers and sightseeing tours (in private air-conditioned vehicles with driver).
  • English-speaking guides during sightseeing tours.
  • Entrance tickets to all monuments during sightseeing tours, as specified in the itinerary (except in Hampi)
  • Complementary mineral water during travel and sightseeing tours (except in Hampi)

Cost Does Not Include

  • International flights on Emirates Airlines. Clients may purchase the flights independently and directly from the airline, or ask Soul of India for a flight quote when booking the trip.
  • India visa fee. E-tourist visas are now available for Italian citizens. After booking is confirmed, Soul of India will send you a step-by-step guide on applying for the India visa. This process must be done independently and individually.
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, drinks, etc.
  • Tips & Gratitude
  • Fees for using cameras or camcorders at monument sites or other places of interest.
  • Travel insurance. It is essential to take out travel insurance before departure appropriate for your age, health and the destination you are visiting.
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