On arrival in Mumbai, on completion with immigration, custom clearance and luggage collection, please proceed to the exit where you will be met by A Classic Tours Collection’s representative and transferred to the hotel. Mumbai is a cluster of seven islands, derives its name from Mumbadevi, the patron goddess of the Koli fisher folk, who are the oldest inhabitants. Mumbai, today, is more than just a metropolis. It is in fact an enigma of mud huts and sky- scrapers, age-old traditions and high fashions, the industrialists' heaven and movie maker's Hollywood.

After breakfast visit the Gateway of India, Bombay's landmark constructed in 1927 to commemorate Emperor George V's visit. Followed by a drive through Hanging Gardens(now known as Sir K.P. Mehta Gardens), where the old English art of topiary is practiced. Continue to Dhobi Ghat, an open-air laundry where washmen physically clean and iron hundreds of clothing and delivering them the next day. Continue to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (known as Victoria Terminus) and the Prince of Wales Museum. Afternoon proceed to visit WIT in Mumbai (Mahim). Women's India Trust (WIT) is a charitable organization established in the year 1968 by Ms. Kamila Tyabji. WIT started by training less privileged and unskilled women in Mumbai to stitch sari petticoats. Since then WIT has helped many women to develop skills and earn a regular income; this has changed their lives and the lives of their families. The WIT Bazaar showcases some of the products made by women who have been trained at WIT. The hand-crafted items are beautiful, unique and make excellent gifts. The women thrive on 'made to order' products from repeat customers. WIT products are available at the WIT Bazaar or the WIT outlet in Mumbai. Your purchase is a token of appreciation of the hard work and boosts the self-confidence and self esteem of each and every woman who has contributed to the making of the product. Studies have shown that women spend their hard earned money on the education of their children. . Evening enjoy your dinner at Trishna Restaurant, situated next to Commerce House at Kala Ghoda( Fort area ) in Mumbai, famous for its crab dishes, where you first need to select from the live crabs and the chefs prepare the same for you, the way you want !!!. Trishna, definitely one of the best Konkani / sea-food restaurant in Bombay that attracts every celebrity in Bombay and figures prominently in the gossip columns. Konkani and tandoori fish, the pomflets, the crabs and the lobsters, are real irresistible, besides the appetizers, ranging from mushroom chili to Kolhapuri prawns with beer to the Hyderabadi dal and so on. Note: The Prince of Wales Museum is closed on Mondays.

After breakfast, travel overland to Nashik, roughly a four and a half hours drive. Nasik is the Grape Wine Capital of Maharashtra. It is also known as a major pilgrim destination of India, as it serves as one of the venue for the Kumbh Mela, held once every twelve years. On arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel. Proceed to the Gargoti Museum of Minerals. The exhibit displays mineral treasures of the earth varying in nature, shape, color and application. It has been rated as one of the best museums in the world for zeolites. There is a separate section for displaying rare foreign minerals. Specimen of diamonds, cut stones, light green cubical apophyllite, crystals of yellow calcite, blue-green aquamarine and cavansite are some of the unique displays. Continue to Ajneri an important pilgrim center, as the birthplace of Lord Hanuman (Monkey God). Numerous Jain temples scattered the landscape evidences that this place was once a Jain settlement. Note: The Museum is closed on Sundays and on Public Holidays.

After a leisurely breakfast, move to the Sula Vineyard, a pioneer of Indian wine revolution, to tour the estate and see how these wines are made with an opportunity to taste. Begin your tour around the Sula estate (vineyards, amphitheater, restaurant, and cellar, around the bottling plant). The wine tasting includes a selection of six premium wines at the Tasting Room & Wine Bar, with a magnificent view of the vineyards and the back waters of Gangapur Lake, a perfect atmosphere to enjoy the incredible wines and cheeses. Afternoon, visit the Coin Museum, founded under the Indian Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies, in the year 1980. The items exhibited are coins, moulds, dyes, replicas, photographs and concise write-ups. Here, you can see the processes of casting and machine striking along with those of coin minting and coin manufacturing. Stay overnight at the hotel. This evening enjoy dinner at open air restaurant Italian restaurant, Little Italy @ Sula, This open air restaurant has a picturesque view of our lush vineyards, the rolling Nashik hills and beautiful Gangapur Lake in the background. The décor of the restaurant truly replicates the feel of dining at a rustic Italian villa. You can select the menu of your preference from a variety of authentic Italian cuisine consisting of wood fired pizzas, hand crafted pastas, and delicious desserts, besides several soups, salads and appetizers for diners on the lighter side. Or you can enjoy your dinner at Kareem's @ Sula, with it’s specialty Indian cuisine. You can select the menu of your preference from a variety of kebabs, curries & biryani's.

After breakfast, travel overland to Aurangabad, roughly a four and a half hours drive. On arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel. Aurangabad will be your base to see the world famous rock-cut temples of Ajanta and Ellora. The rock cut caves, once served as Buddhist monasteries during the 5th century A.D. In the afternoon, visit the Ellora Caves, with highly ornate and strikingly detailed sculptures and architecture. Dating from the Vakataka and the succeeding Kalachuri dynasties (2nd and 6th centuries AD), these 10 caves, 5 in each group are also a World Heritage Site. Note: the Ajanta caves are closed on Mondays.

Older than the Ellora Caves (200 BC to 650 AD), the Ajanta Caves are also cut from the volcanic lava of the Deccan Trap in a steep crescent shaped hillside. Lost to the world after the 7th century it was discovered by accident in 1819, by a party of British officers on a hunting expedition. At Ajanta, the Mahayana and Hinayana and the later Mahayana groups, completed the spectrum of Buddhist development in India. 'Bodhisattva Padmapani', 'Boddhisattva Avalokitesvara', '17 Jatakas', 'The Birth of the Buddha' and 'The Thousand Buddhas' is amongst the finest murals and sculptures. The paintings on the ceiling, particularly the elephant scattering the lotus, charging bull, the black princess and the row of dancers with musicians mesmerizes one. Proceed to Aurangabad Caves, located outside the city, are the 6th century caves displaying the influence of Tantric cult in the iconography and architectural designs. A major chunk of the caves are viharas, of which caves 3 and 7 are the most fascinating. Bibi Ka Maqbara is the burial place of Aurangzeb's 1st wife, Rabia-ud-Durrani. It is an imitation of the Taj at Agra, termed as the poor man's Taj Mahal. Stay overnight at the hotel. This evening enjoy a special Aurangabadi Cuisine – called Nand Kaliya at Sagar Restaurant, a dish introduced by the Moghal Emperor for the soldiers, who were engaged in the battle field and said to be originated from Aurangabad. Nand is a type of Tandori Rooti and Kaliya, is purely meat soup with and a reasonable quantity of meat and various spices.

After breakfast, A Classic Tours Collection’s representative will assist with your transfer to the airport to board your flight departing for Bangalore via Mumbai. On arrival, you will be met by A Classic Tours Collection’s representative and transferred to the hotel. Bangalore also known as Benga??ru is the capital of Karnataka, located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Though, historical references to the city predate 900 CE, a modern written history of continuous settlement exists only from 1537, when Kempe Gowda I, who many regard as the architect of modern Bangalore, built a mud-brick fort at the site and established it as a province of the imperial Vijayanagar Empire. During the British Raj, it became a centre of colonial rule in South India. Bangalore is known as the Silicon Valley of India because of its position as the nation's leading IT exporter. This afternoon, your first stop on your sightseeing tour will be at Vidhana Soudha, amongst the most impressive and magnificent buildings in Bangalore, the seat of the legislative assembly in Karnataka. It is known for its grand architecture, a specimen of the Neo-Dravidian style of architecture, with elements of Indo-Saracenic, Rajasthani Jharokha, South Indian and Dravidian styles. The sprawling building and its surroundings occupy 60 acres. Sri Hanumanthaiya wanted Vidhana Soudha to symbolize the legislative sovereignty of the people like the White House in Washington and The House of Commons in London. The late Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharalal Nehru laid the foundation on 13 July 1951 and construction was completed in 1956. The building was commissioned by Kengal Hanumanthaiah, Chief Minister of Mysore. The three hundred rooms of Vidhan Soudha accommodate about twenty-two departments of the state government. The chief engineer, B.R. Manickam, mainly used granite from Bangalore for the construction of the edifice. The granite was excavated from the areas around Mallasandra and Hessaraghatta. For visual effect and relief, Magadi pink and Turuvekere black stones have been used. Embellishing the entrance of the buildings is the Four-headed Lion, India’s national symbol. There are three main floors (each measures over 132,400 square feet) and a top floor (101,165 square feet). The total floor area adds up to 505,505 square feet. Its overall length is 700 feet, width is 350 feet and height (measuring from floor level to top of central dome) is 150 feet. The building's central dome is sixty feet in diameter and is supported by eight pillars. It also has six smaller domes, four in front and two behind. There are twelve forty-foot columns over the entrance steps. About 5,000 laborers and 1,500 chisellers, masons and wood-carvers worked on the project. Almost all the unskilled workers deployed in its construction were convicts, who were freed on its completion. Continue to The Fort, initially built by Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bangalore. The fort was later extended by Tipu Sultan, who was the king of Mysore. Situated near the City Market, the fort dates back to the year 1537. It was here that Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan’s father, imprisoned David Baird, along with a number of other British army officers. The Fort stands as a witness to the struggle of the Mysore Emperor against the British domination. The intricately carved arches of the Tipu Sultan Fort are Islamic in style. Another major attraction of the fort is the well preserved Ganapati Temple (Lord Ganesh). Within the fort lies Tipu Sultan palace, which dates back to year 1790. Built entirely of teakwood, the palace was constructed as the summer residence of Tipu Sultan. The two-storied palace stands adorned with pillars, arches and balconies. On either side of the palace are beautiful gardens, which lead to the main entrance along with beautiful floral motifs embellishing the walls as well as the ceilings. Tipu Sultan used to conduct the affairs of the state from the eastern and western balconies of the upper floor. After his demise, the palace was used by the British as their secretariat, till 1867. Your last stop will be at Tipus Sultan’s Palacelocated within the original citadel, a mud brick fort lies Tipu Sultan's Palace, dating from about 1790. Made mostly out of wood with finely embellished balconies, pillars and arches, this two-storeyed structure, a replica of the Daria Daulat Bagh in Srirangapattana served as a summer retreat for Tipu Sultan. He endearingly called it Rashk-e-Jannat, or the "Envy of Heaven". Although, now dilapidated, it is still a hauntingly atmospheric place. While the palace retains the original elegant teak pillars, most of the painted decorations have been destroyed. The palace housed the public administrative offices from 1831, until it was transferred to the Attara Kacheri in 1868.

After breakfast embark on a tour of Grover Vineyard at Nandi Hills. Nandi Hills is a picturesque region dotted with sloping green hillsides and miles of forestland, inhabited with incredibly beautiful wild life. In this paradisiacal landscape stand our vineyards. Spread over 410 acres and nestled on the foothills of the Nandi Hills are the vineyards, credited with starting the premium Indian wine industry, slowly transforming India’s reputation as award winning wines. A Classic Tours Collection will arrange a two hour tour of the estate. The Grover Vineyards tour includes visiting the vineyard, winery and tasting of four different wines. Learn about the family’s history, growing cycle of the vine, wine making process, different varietals planted and how to taste wine. There are two tours: 10:00 AM and 02:00 PM from Fridays to Saturdays. Stay overnight at the hotel. Later, visit the APD NGO The Association for People with Disability (APD) located on the Hutchins Road in Bangalore, working since 1959 for children, youth and adults with various types of disabilities – primarily those with physical disability, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, development delay, and speech and multiple disability. Their Impounding principles are : to enhance the self-esteem and productivity of people with disabilities, to integrate them at different levels of society and industry, and to create space for them in the socio-economic arena of the country and the world and their Primary goals and objectives are : capacitate and enable people with disabilities to towards self-sustainability and empowerment and to catalyzing mutually beneficial relationships with key stakeholders. Do visit www.apd-India.org for more details. Or Visit AeA : AeA South Asia- Aide et Action is an International Development Organization which was originated in France and now head quartered at Geneva, works in 26 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America & Carribean on issues related to Education. Aide et Action in brief is a Non-governemental organisation created in 1981, Focused on achieving access to quality education for all, has 120 projects in 21 countries, has 000 sponsors and regular donors, A network of around 700 volunteers, aproximately 600 employee and mnitored by Fance's "Comité de la Charte" (a member of the International Committee on Fundraising Organisations, a global association of national monitoring agencies). For more information on this NGO please visit : http://www.aea-southasia.org Evening enjoy your dinner at MTR restaurant (Opp.Lalbagh Gardens) – one of the BEST pure vegetarian, South Indian, neat & clean, which offers authentic Thali meals. And if you are a true connoisseur of food and will endure anything for a good meal, Mavalli Tiffin Rooms is the place to be. One of the oldest and well known places for its mouthwatering South Indian breakfast and the multi course lunch, MTR has been the favourite restaurant for millions of Bangaloreans.

After breakfast, drive to Mysore, roughly a four and a half hours drive. En route, make a stop at Srirangapatnam, Srirangapatna is an island town encircled by the Cauvery River. This was once the capital of Hyderali and his son Tippu Sultan, "The Tiger of Mysore". In the 18th century, the Marathas attacked Srirangapatna but were defeated by Hyderali. In 1799 Tippu fought a fierce Battle (Battle of Mysore) against the British and was killed. An obelisk is laid in the area where he died. Continue with your drive to Mysore. On arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel. Mysore once the capital of a princely state that still carries on its calm shoulder the aura and charm of palaces, the opulence of festivals of yester years. Until 1947, Mysore was the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore which was ruled by the Wodeyar dynasty, except for a brief period in the late 18th century when Haidar Ali and Tipus Sultan took power. The Wodeyars were patrons of art and culture and have contributed significantly to the cultural growth of the city, which has led to Mysore earning the sobriquet Cultural capital of Karnataka. Late afternoon, visit Brindavan Gardens lies adjoining the Krishnarajasagara dam which is built across the river Kaveri. The work on laying out this garden was started in the year 1927 and completed in 1932. The Krishnarajasagara dam was constructed under the guidance of Sir Mirza Ismail, the Dewan (Chief Financial Officer) of Mysore. As a part of beautification of the dam site, Sir Mirza Ismail conceived a plan of developing a garden in Mughal style with a design similar to that of the Shalimar Gardens in Kashmir. The work on this garden began in 1927. It was constructed in a terraced fashion and named Krishnarajendra Terrace Garden. The main architect was G.H. Krumbigal, then Superintendent of Parks and Gardens of the Mysore Government. This evening we shall arrange for Dinner at The Gitanjali Fams. Your hosts Dalu, Muthu and Yamuna Achaiah are a Kodava family who have settled down in Mysore. At their home you will experience a taste of authentic Kodava cuisine and culture. The Kodavas are a martial race with a tradition of ancestor worship.

After breakfast, embark on a tour of the Mysore Palace the official residence of the former royal family of Mysore and housed the durbar (royal offices). The palace was commissioned in 1897 and was completed in 1912. Next, visit Chamundi Hills, named after the Goddess Chamundi, an aspect of Shiva’s consort, who defeated the demon Mahishasura and settled here. Next, visit Chamundi Hills, named after the Goddess Chamundi, an aspect of Shiva’s consort, who defeated the demon Mahishasura and settled here. Continue to Sri Chamundeswari Temple built in the 12th century in Dravidian Style. In 1827 Krishnaraja Wodeyar II renovated the Temple considerably and furnished it with a Tower (Vimana Gopura) over the sanctum sanctorum. See the five meter tall Nandi (Shiva’s Bull) was carved out solid rock in 1659. The Nandi bull which Shiva rides and the gate keeper of Shiva and Parvati in Hindu mythology. Temples venerating Shiva and Parvati display stone images of a seated Nandi, generally facing the main shrine. There are also a number of temples dedicated solely to Nandi. Stay overnight at the hotel. Late afternoon visit an NGO : Bapuji Children Home. The main object of the Trust is to take over destitute children and to bring them up in accordance with the philosophy and ideals of Indian BAPU, i.e. Mahatma Gandhi, by providing a homely atmosphere, education and vocational training; to help them earn a living and be good citizens of the society irrespective of caste, creed & community. Dr. (Mrs.) Anandi Bai Prasad (1912 - 1993) was running a maternity home in 1970’s when she found that many times some mothers abandon their babies and leave the nursing home without giving the correct address. Not knowing what else to do with them, she kept such abandoned babies in the hospital itself and pretty soon found that she was running a fairly large nursery and also that she was very much attached to these abandoned children. She decided to formalize this arrangement and started Bapuji Children’s Home in 1975 in the premises of Prasad Medical Center by forming the Bapuji Childrens Home Trust. Do visit website http://www.bapujichildrenshome.org/ for more information.

After breakfast, travel overland to Hassan, roughly a four hours drive. On arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel. The history of Hassan district is essentially the history of two well known dynasties that ruled Karnataka, the Western Ganga Dynasty of Talkad (350-999 CE.) and the Hoysala Empire (1000-1334 CE). In the 15th and 16thcenturies, the Vijayanagar kings patronized Chennakesava of Belur as their family deity. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Hassan became a land of contention between the Keladi Nayakas of Shimoga and the Mysore Kingdom, finally merging as an independent Mysore kingdom. See the incredible Hosalya Temple. The Hoysalas claim to immortality arises from their contribution to Kannada culture, Kannada literature and their own unique style of vesara architecture. Historians such as Henry Cousens and James Furgusson observed that the Hoysala style of architecture is essentially an extension and culmination of the vesara style initiated by the Badami Chalukyas and further enhanced by the Kalyani Chalukyas. In fact, the carved doorways, lathe turned pillars and pierced window screens used frequently by the Hoysalas is also commonly seen in earlier Kalyani Chalukya temples of north and central Karnataka. The Star shaped platform on which many Hoysala temples were constructed, the Jagati, the Zig- Zag character of the walls and the density of sculpture on gray soap stone is however a unique features of Hoysala architecture. Continue to Belur, the early capital of the Hoysala Empire. According to inscriptions discovered here, it was also referred to as Velapuri. The main attraction in Belur is the Chennakesava temple complex where the Chennakesava Temple is located (dedicated to Chennakeshava - meaning handsome Vishnu) as the centre piece, surrounded by Kappe Chennigraya Temple built by Shantaladevi, wife of King Vishnuvardhana. There are two more shrines that are active and there is a Pushkarni or stepped well to the right side of the main entrance. The Dravida style raya gopuram at the entrance, later added by the Vijayanager kings, who considered this deity as one of their Kuladevata or family god. The temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture, built by King Vishnuvardhana in commemoration of his victory over the Cholas at Talakad in 1117 CE. Legend has it that it took 103 years to complete and Vishnuvardhana's grandson Veera Ballala II finished the task. Stay overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, travel overland to Bengaluru, roughly a four and a half hours drive. En route visit Sravanabelagola, an important and one of the oldest Jain pilgrimage sites in India. Nestled between Indragiri and Chandragiri hills, the city dates back to the 3rd century BC when Chandragupta Maurya wandered here in search of serenity and peace after handing over his empire to his son, Bimbisara. The chief attraction of this sacred city is the 17 meter tall monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara also known as Bahubali, one of the tallest and most elegant statues in the world. Constructed by Chamundaraya, King Rachamatta’s of the Ganga dynasty in 983 AD minister, is carved out of a single boulder. The statue symbolizes renunciation and self control. It is believed that the naked form of Bahubali represents his complete victory over worldly desires. Continue with your drive to Bengaluru. On arrival, you will be transferred to the international airport.

very early this morning, you will board your flig