South India off the Beaten Path Tour

Welcome to the cosmopolitan metropolis of Mumbai! Your tour guide will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Colaba. Depending on your arrival time and how tired you are, you might want to explore the surrounding area on foot on your own or with your guide, seeing places like the Gateway of India, the Prince of Wales Museum and Marine Drive.
Over a welcome dinner at a traditional Indian rooftop restaurant, your guide will go over the itinerary for the next 9 action-packed days!

Included:
– Orientation walk in Colaba
– Welcome dinner

In the morning we will travel together to Dharavi, one of Asia’s biggest slums and the heart of small-scale industry in Mumbai, and experience our company’s signature tour. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Mumbai’s sights of your choice, such as Haji Ali Mosque, Mani Bhavan, Dhobi Ghat, Malabar Hill and Banganga Drive.

In the evening, you have the option to join our food tour if you have the energy!

Included:
– Dharavi and sightseeing tour

Not Included:
– Food tour

We will take a morning flight to Hubli (there is an overnight train option if you wish), where we will then transfer to Badami (2 hours drive). Badami, in North-central Karnataka, is home to some of India’s most spectacular Hindu Cave temples. After checking into the hotel we’ll take you to explore the wonders of the Badami Cave complex, a UNESCO World Heritage monument with a local guide.

Included:
– Local Tour guide at Badami Caves

Not included:
– Entrance to Badami Caves: INR 600pp

Today we will travel by car to Hampi, departing Badami in the morning after breakfast. On the way we will see Aihole and Pattadakal Temple complexes, two more UNESCO World Heritage sites.
During the journey to Hampi, we’ll make several stops where your guide will show you many aspects of domestic and agricultural village life in Karnataka. Upon arrival in Hampi in the late afternoon, you will have free time to relax.

Included:
– Village Tours
– Local guide for Aihole and Pattadakal Temple complexes

Not included:
– Entry fee to Aihole and Pattadakal Temple complexes: INR 600pp

Today you will have the chance to visit the astounding ancient city and historical marvel of Hampi. You’ll learn about what makes the city of ruins and temples a UNESCO World Heritage site, taking in the fascinating history of an ancient civilisation in Karnataka. Get ready for a full day of walking and exploring! You also have an option to take a traditional boat (coracle) ride on the river.

Included:
– Sightseeing tour and local guide in Hampi
– Hike to Anjanadri hills

Not Included:
– Entry fee to Hampi Monuments: INR 500pp
– Traditional boat (coracle) ride: INR 200pp

We’ll continue south from Hampi to Shivamogga (5 to 6hrs), home to waterfalls, rolling hills and mystical temples. Upon arrival, we will take you on an orientation walk of the city and visit some local markets.

Today we will drive to Heranjalu (4 hrs), the village where Reality Tours’ Founder, Krishna, is from. When we get to Heranjalu we’ll be welcomed into the family home and have a typical South Indian meal. Your guide will orient you with an introductory walk through the village where you will meet the people and learn about their lives and you’ll participate in whatever village activities are happening at the time.

We will once again join the family for a group dinner in the evening. After dinner, we will visit a live Yakshagana performance, one of the most popular folk theatre forms of Karnataka, and learn about the history and beliefs of this cultural and religious art.

Included:
– All meals in the village
– Yakshagana performance

After a morning relaxing in the family home and village, after an early lunch, we’ll say goodbye to the family and head by car to Murudeshwar Shiva Temple, the second tallest Shiva idol in the world.

From there we will continue on to Palolem, known as “Paradise Beach”, in South Goa, arriving in the early evening.

Included:
– Family Lunch
– Visit to Murudeshwar Shiva Temple

This is a day where you decide to either sit on the beach, enjoying the laid back atmosphere of Palolem, or your guide can take you by car to discover the world of Old Goa in Panjim (4 to 5 hours in total). With the assistance of a local guide, you will learn about the history and the Portuguese influence in Goa, wandering through the old Latin quarters and taking in the architecture and churches that characterize the area.

Included:
– Old Goa Tour

This is the end of the tour, but you may decide to spend more time relaxing either in Palolem or on one of the many other beaches that Goa has to offer.

Yes it definitely can! Just get in touch with us at info@realitytoursandtravel.com

Yes, we do offer private tours, but the price will need to be increased accordingly. Please get in touch for a quote!

Mumbai has an international airport (Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport). Domestic flights from Delhi and other major Indian cities are also available.

No, please get in touch for larger groups.

We stay in well-appointed mid range hotels, locally owned where possible. All hotels have hot water and most have Wi-Fi. Single passengers will share a twin room with another group member of the same gender if required. Upgrades to 4* accommodation are available at an additional cost.

The tour package includes various meals including breakfast in the majority of our overnight hotels and dinners.

The package includes several activities and entry fees. We also have additional suggestions for activities that aren’t included in the tour price. Please see the itinerary tab to see the included and optional activities.

A deposit payment of 20% is required. Full payment is then due by at least 60 days before tour departure. Advance payment is necessary in order to confirm the booking and can be made via bank transfer or by using our online card payment system

Yes absolutely! We can look at providing dates that completely suit you. If you are interested in a shared tour we can often also still offer your preferred dates, guarantee the tour and invite other passengers to join.

We can certainly arrange for international flights at an extra cost. Get in touch for more details

All of our nearest arrival airports offer pre-paid, safe and simple taxi options to your start hotel. So we prefer to provide detailed information on this in advance rather than charge you extra unnecessarily like some operators!