Karnataka: Temples, Kingdoms, and Cultural Heritage of Southern India

Jul 3, 2026

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Karnataka: Temples, Kingdoms, and Cultural Heritage of Southern India

Karnataka is one of India’s most historically and culturally rich regions, home to the legacies of powerful dynasties that shaped the development of South Indian art, architecture, religion, and urban life for more than a millennium. From the Early Chalukyas and Hoysalas to the Vijayanagara Empire and the rulers of Mysore, the state preserves an extraordinary concentration of monuments that illustrate the evolution of Indian civilisation from the early medieval period to the modern era.

This study trip explores some of Karnataka’s most remarkable historical and archaeological sites, including the palaces of Mysore, the sacred Jain centre of Shravanabelagola, the Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebidu, the magnificent ruins of Hampi, and the Early Chalukya monuments of Aihole, Pattadakal, and Badami. Together, these sites trace the development of Indian architecture, religion, and political power over more than a thousand years.

Led by Dr Navamintr Vitayakul, The Siam Society warmly invites members and friends to join this enriching journey through the temples, palaces, sacred sites, and historic cities of Karnataka, discovering the enduring heritage of one of India’s most fascinating states from 1 to 9 December 2026.

When

Tuesday, 1 to Wednesday, 9 December 2026

Leader

with Dr Navamintr Vitayakul

Council Member and Chairperson of the Lecture Committee of The Siam Society

Booking

See information below

Or contact Khun Thun

studytrips@thesiamsociety.org

 

The tentative programme will be as follows:

Day 1: Tuesday, 1 December: Bangkok – Bengaluru
20:00 Meet at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thai Airways check-in counter.
21:35 Depart Bangkok for Bengaluru by Thai Airways flight TG325. (flight duration 3h 50m)
23:55 Arrive at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR). Then transfer to the hotel.
Evening: Overnight at DoubleTree by Hilton, Bengaluru.
   
Day 2: Wednesday, 2 December: Bengaluru – Mysore
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and proceed to Mysore.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon:

 

 Visit the magnificent Mysore Palace, the former residence of the Wadiyar Maharajas, renowned for its Indo-Saracenic architecture and opulent interiors. Explore the palace’s art gallery, which houses an impressive collection of royal portraits, paintings, artefacts, and memorabilia.
– Visit Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, a renowned art museum housed in the historic Jaganmohan Palace. It features rare paintings, royal artefacts, musical instruments, and furniture, including 16 original works by Raja Ravi Varma and the famous painting Glow of Hope.
– Continue to St. Philomena’s Church, one of the largest churches in India, famous for its Neo-Gothic architecture and soaring twin spires. Enjoy a stroll through the surrounding area before transferring to the hotel.
Evening: Dinner and overnight at Hotel Royal Orchid Metropole, Mysore
   
Day 3: Thursday, 3 December: Mysore – Hassan
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and proceed to visit Shravanabelagola, one of India’s most important Jain pilgrimage centres, famous for the colossal 17-metre-high monolithic statue of Bahubali (Gommateshwara), erected in AD 981. The statue is one of the largest free-standing stone sculptures in the world and a masterpiece of Jain art and devotion.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Visit the magnificent Chennakeshava Temple, built in AD 1117 by King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala dynasty. Dedicated to Vishnu, the temple is renowned for its exquisite sculptural decoration, intricate friezes, and finely carved figures, representing the pinnacle of Hoysala architecture.
  After that, continue to Halebidu, the former Hoysala capital, and visit the remarkable Hoysaleswara Temple, constructed in AD 1121. Dedicated to Shiva, the temple is celebrated for its extraordinary stone carvings depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Hindu mythology, and is widely regarded as one of the finest achievements of medieval Indian art.
Evening: Dinner and overnight at Hoysala Village Resort, Hassan.
   
Day 4: Friday, 4 December: Hassan – Hospet
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and proceed to Hospet, the gateway to Hampi, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire and one of India’s most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Enjoy a scenic drive across the Deccan Plateau, passing through the rural landscapes of central Karnataka.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Arrive at Hospet in the late afternoon and check in at the hotel.
Evening: Dinner and overnight at Royal Orchid Central Kireeti, Hospet.
   
Day 5: Saturday, 5 December: Hospet
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Proceed for a full-day exploration of Hampi, the magnificent capital of the Vijayanagara Empire (AD 1336–1565) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its extraordinary temple architecture, royal monuments, and dramatic boulder-strewn landscape. The highlights include:

• Virupaksha Temple – Dating from the 7th century AD, this is Hampi’s oldest continuously functioning temple and one of the most sacred shrines dedicated to Shiva. Its towering gopuram dominates the Hampi skyline.

• Ugra Narasimha – A striking 6.7-metre-high monolithic statue carved in AD 1528, depicting Narasimha, the fierce man-lion incarnation of Vishnu. It is the largest monolithic sculpture in Hampi.

• Vittala Temple – Built during the 15th–16th centuries AD, this masterpiece of Vijayanagara architecture is famous for its iconic Stone Chariot and exquisitely carved musical pillars. It is one of the most celebrated monuments in South India.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Continue to visit:

• Lotus Mahal – A graceful 15th-century AD pavilion located within the royal women’s enclosure (Zenana). Its elegant arches and domes reflect a harmonious blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles.

• Hazara Rama Temple – Constructed in the early 15th century AD as the royal family’s private temple. The temple is renowned for its detailed narrative reliefs depicting scenes from the Ramayana and royal processions.

• Queen’s Bath – Dating from the 15th century AD, this ornate royal bathhouse combines simple exterior architecture with a beautifully decorated interior featuring balconies, arches, and projecting windows.
Evening: Dinner and overnight at Royal Orchid Central Kireeti, Hospet.
   
Day 6: Sunday, 6 December: Hospet – Badami
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and proceed to visit Aihole, often referred to as the “Cradle of Indian Temple Architecture.” Dating primarily from the 6th to 8th centuries AD, Aihole is home to more than 100 temples that represent some of the earliest experiments in Hindu temple design undertaken by the Early Chalukya dynasty. The site offers a remarkable insight into the evolution of Indian temple architecture, illustrating a wide range of architectural forms and innovations that would later influence temple construction across the Indian subcontinent.
– Continue to Pattadakal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the ceremonial capital of the Early Chalukya dynasty. Visit the temple complex, built mainly during the 7th and 8th centuries AD and celebrated for its remarkable fusion of northern (Nagara) and southern (Dravida) architectural traditions, reflecting a pivotal stage in the development of Indian temple architecture. Highlights include the Virupaksha Temple, widely regarded as one of the finest achievements of early medieval Indian architecture and a masterpiece of Chalukyan art and design.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Continue to Badami.
Evening: Dinner and overnight at Mavi Retreat, Badami.
   
Day 7: Monday, 7 December: Badami – Hubballi – Bengaluru
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Visit the spectacular Badami Cave Temples, excavated between the 6th and 7th centuries AD into the red sandstone cliffs overlooking Agastya Lake. These rock-cut sanctuaries, dedicated to Hindu and Jain traditions, contain some of the finest examples of Early Chalukya sculpture and architecture.
– Continue to explore Badami Fort, dramatically situated atop the sandstone hills. The fort offers panoramic views of the town, the lake, and the surrounding landscape, while its gateways, temples, and defensive structures reflect Badami’s importance as the Chalukya capital.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Proceed to Hubli Airport.
– Early dinner before departure to Bengaluru.
20:15 Depart Hubballi for Bengaluru by IndiGo Airlines flight 6E7378. (flight duration 1h 25m)
21:40 Arrive at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru. Then transfer to the hotel.
Evening: Overnight at DoubleTree by Hilton, Bengaluru.
   
Day 8: Tuesday, 8 December: Bengaluru
– Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Sightseeing in Bengaluru, beginning with a visit to Bangalore Palace, built in 1878. Inspired by England’s Windsor Castle, the palace is renowned for its Tudor-style architecture, elegant interiors, royal portraits, and collections associated with the Wadiyar dynasty.
– Continue to Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, constructed in 1791 during the reign of Tipu Sultan. This graceful teakwood palace is an excellent example of Indo-Islamic architecture and contains exhibits illustrating the life and legacy of the “Tiger of Mysore.”
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Walk through Cubbon Park and view some of Bengaluru’s most notable historic landmarks, including the Attara Kacheri (High Court), St. Mark’s Cathedral, and the Government Museum complex. These elegant colonial-era buildings provide insight into the city’s development as an important administrative and cultural centre during the British period.
Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant.
– Transfer to Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru.
Day 9: Wednesday, 9 December: Bengaluru – Bangkok
01:00 Depart Bengaluru for Bangkok by Thai Airways flight TG326. (flight duration 3h 45m)
06:16 Arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).
   

The Siam Society reserves the right to change the programme as necessary.

Important notes:

– The Siam Society may utilise photos taken from study trips, lectures, performances, and other activities as part of its public relations and marketing campaign. These photos, which may sometimes contain image(s) of activity participants, can also be featured on The Society’s website and other online social media channels.

– As part of our effort to address the issue of global warming, The Siam Society strongly supports the reduction of plastic waste. We kindly recommend bringing your own water flask during the trip, if possible.

Booking:

Contribution of THB 114,000 (THB 119,000 for non-members). Single room surcharge of THB 21,000. A deposit of THB 40,000 and a photocopy of the identification page on your passport must accompany the booking. Your reservation will be confirmed as soon as the deposit has been made. Payment in full will be required 60 days before the start of the trip (i.e. by Friday, 2 October 2026). There is a 4% surcharge for credit/debit card payment to cover bank charges. Please pay by cash or cheque payable to “The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage”. Transfer can also be made to The Siam Society travel account at TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), saving account no. 053-2-18000-7, swift code: TMBKTHBK or by scanning the QR code on your right. Once the payment has been made, please e-mail the deposit or transfer docket to us.

Inclusions:

  • The contribution includes accommodation (sharing basis), meals as mentioned in the programme, transfer and sightseeing cars, entrance fees, gratuities and other costs incurred to make this trip possible.
  • Basic travel insurance, which will only cover participants travelling from and back to Thailand as per the itinerary.
  • Domestic air ticket (Hubballi – Bengaluru).

Exclusions:                                                                                                                                          

  • International air tickets are not included in the price (Bangkok – Bengaluru – Bangkok). The approximate airfare for Thai Airways is THB 18,000 for economy class and THB 54,000 for business class.
  • Visa fees (if any), personal expenses, personal food and beverage consumption, etc.

Tourist Visa Policy

Thai passport holders and foreign nationals are required to obtain a visa to enter India. However, visitors can apply for an eVisa via an online application, which is the most convenient option and can be completed from home.

For more information, please follow the link below: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

 

 

 

Cancellation charges:

76 days before the start of the trip (before Wed, 16 September 2026): Deposit forfeited
61 – 75 days before the start of the trip (Thu, 1 October to Thu, 17 September 2026): 50% of the tour cost
Less than 60 days or cancellation without notice (Fri, 2 October 2026 onwards): No refund

*The cancellation charges will also depend on the date we pay the deposit to our travel agent. If we have to pay the deposit to the travel agent before the 60-day period prior to the start of the trip, our officer will send an email to inform every participant before we make the payment, as only a partial amount of the deposit can be refunded after that point.

For further information and bookings, please contact Khun Thun at 02-661-6470-3 ext 205, or studytrips@thesiamsociety.org.The Society’s office is open from 09:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday.

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