Explore Badami Caves
Visit the extraordinary ancient rock-cut cave temples of Badami.
This 11-day holiday idea has been designed to showcase some of the treasures of the Deccan Plateau in Central India, from the finest examples of rock-cut architecture to one of the most enchanting sites in India.
Visit the extraordinary ancient rock-cut cave temples of Badami.
Discover an unusual landscape and extraordinary ancient ruins by bicycle or on foot.
Meet Jonty, our resident expert, for an unforgettable introduction to this city.
The Unesco World Heritage site is a breathtaking horseshoe of 30 rock-hewn caves.
If you are planning a return trip to India and aren’t sure where to go next, this itinerary suggestion is a perfect option for those seeking to explore deeper into the heart of this extraordinary country. With regular domestic flights in and out of the region and a much-improved infrastructure, Karnataka is well and truly on people’s radar.
Set at a pace that allows you time to explore and absorb the sheer enormity of what you are seeing and kept to a length of eleven days, means that this fascinating exploration can be extended to include another part of India.
Included as Standard
Airport VIP meet and greet, a bottle of wine on arrival, a spa treatment, a dedicated member of our team available 24/7, an upgrade at one of your chosen hotels and cars with Wi-Fi connectivity.
Day 1
Mumbai
Day 2
Mumbai - Badami
Day 3
Badami
Day 4
Badami - Hampi
Day 5 - 6
Hampi
Day 7
Hampi - Hyderabad
Day 8 - 9
Hyderabad
Day 10
Ajanta Caves
Day 11
Aurangabad - Mumbai
Day 1
Mumbai
Mumbai, formerly Bombay, is a city teeming with culture, architecture and people.
Day 2
Mumbai - Badami
Day 3
Badami
Visit the extraordinary ancient rock-cut cave temples of Badami.
Day 4
Badami - Hampi
Discover an unusual landscape and extraordinary ancient ruins by bicycle or on foot.
Day 5 - 6
Hampi
Day 7
Hampi - Hyderabad
Day 8 - 9
Hyderabad
Take a city tour with our resident experts who will show you a side of Hyderabad that never fails to capture your imagination.
Day 10
Ajanta Caves
Hidden in a horseshoe-shaped canyon in the Deccan plateau, the caves of Ajanta were lost for hundreds of years.
Day 11
Aurangabad - Mumbai
Be prepared to climb a lot of stairs when you go to visit Badami and watch out for the monkeys who are curious and brave! However, once you’ve reached the top you are truly rewarded. What you discover here is perfectly exquisite. The monolithic rocks and carvings are some of the earliest cave temples in India, created from the soft sandstone in the surrounding hills. Linger in each of the four caves until the tourists disperse and enjoy them to yourselves. The sunset from the top is well worth the wait.
Experience distinct Hindu and Jain architectural styles amongst more than 150 temples both in Pattadakal and Aihole. Regarded as extremely influential on later Indian temple architecture, these sites exhibit a mix of northern and southern styles. Both Aihole and Pattadakal contain large groups of impressively preserved temples, the most spectacular of which were constructed around the seventh century.
Hampi is beyond epic. Spend two full days exploring this mysterious ancient kingdom with our specialist guide, from your comfortable base at Evolve Back Kalampura Palace.
Now a ghost town, this 14th century Vijayanagara Empire was said to rival Rome. Ancient temples and statues carved from boulders are strewn throughout the area – relics of the settlements rich history. Until recently this area was largely inaccessible, keeping away large crowds of tourists. Today, even though it is far easier to reach, you still find much of this expansive site empty and all to yourself. Those that visit Hampi are blown away.
Ajanta was accidentally discovered and brought to Western attention in 1819 by a British colonial officer Captain John Smith. What an accident. Walking down the 700 steps through teak forest is the most evocative way to arrive. The path was overgrown – very few of today’s 300,000 visitors to Ajanta take this route – parakeets squawk overhead and the roar of the waterfall acts as your compass. We highly recommend taking this route when you visit and be one of the first into the cave complex, bang on opening time.
Whilst in Aurangabad, visit Ellora. The caves at Ellora are the largest rock-cut monastery-temple complexes in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
January is a very popular time to travel to India, due to mild temperatures and very little rainfall. The climate varies across India from snow in the Northern States to the Southern regions experiencing daily sunshine – perfect for an escape to Kerala’s beaches.
During peak season, February is an ideal month to travel to India, experiencing all regions of the country from Rajasthan in the North to Karnataka in the South.
Temperatures begin to rise with March typically being the last month of the peak season. A significant month for religious, Hindu festivals, March can become busy in some regions however also a perfect time to travel to experience Indian culture and wildlife.
With temperatures starting to rise, regions in Northern India start to become more accessible with excellent opportunities to discover hiking trails and the wildlife of these regions. Temperatures can sometimes exceed 40°C, with high levels of humidity in Southern India.
From May to September, Monsoon rains affect the North and Central states of India with daily rainfall and thunderstorms. During the Monsoon season, it is best to experience high altitude regions and avoid beach resorts.
Most regions of India will experience the Monsoon season in June alongside high daily temperatures and high levels of humidity. Whilst, not a popular time to travel, experience the mountainous regions as opposed to Central India to experience slightly cooler temperatures at the start of the month.
At the peak of the Monsoon season, most of the country experiences frequent, heavy rainfall. Whilst travel plans may be interrupted due to the climate, it is a great time to visit India to experience the national parks and the great outdoors.
As the Monsoon continues, the climate is very similar to that of June and July. Whilst not a suitable time to travel to India’s Southern beaches, other Northern Regions are popular with locals for hiking and outdoor pursuits.
As the final month of the Monsoon season, rainfall will be less frequent with the occasional sunny spell showcasing the lush, green vegetation that has flourished during the heavy rains.
As the monsoon rains have finished, humidity levels remain high and the peak travel season begins. During the month of October, there are lots of religious festivals, including Diwali, where some regions may become busier with domestic tourists.
As one of the best times to visit the country, November brings comfortable temperatures for sightseeing with the monsoon rains dying out from October. As the temperatures drop, however, Northern India and the Himalayas will become less accessible.
In December, temperatures and climate will be dependant on the region. In the Southern States, India will see a pleasant and mild climate, ideal for sightseeing, whereas, in Northern India and mountainous regions, snow and cold temperatures are likely.
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