Best of Mysore, UNESCO Somnathpur Temple & Srirangapatna Day Tour
Description
Explore the Top Three Must-Visit monuments and hidden gems in the Mysore Region in One Day Enjoy the full-day tour led by a dedicated expert guide, rather than brief interactions with local guides at each monument. A traditional breakfast, lunch and all entrance tickets are included in the price. Hassle-free round-trip A/C transport from your central Bangalore hotel
Tour Options
Itinerary
Please Note: Our expert guide will take you to all the sites listed in the itinerary, not just a select few. To ensure an authentic experience, we intentionally avoid overly touristy spots, allowing us to offer you a unique and unparalleled perspective of the region. Our first stop is a silk cocoon market, where sericulturists bring in millions of silk cocoons for sale. It's an astonishing sight to behold. With insights from our expert guide, you'll learn about the various stages of the famed Mysore silk production — from the cocoon to the yarn, which is then woven into cloth before becoming a wearable garment.
We believe food is an integral part of an Indian cultural experience; hence we start our tour early and detour from the highway to visit a traditional eatery serving authentic local breakfast. Here our accompanying guide will take you through a sumptuous culinary experience.
We get off the highway for an extended detour through lush countryside to reach this stunning UNESCO World heritage temple from 1268 AD. Some of humankind's most exquisite stone carvings and sculptures are here. Our accompanying expert guide will introduce its history, Hinduism, its pantheon of gods, and the context of each beautiful carving.
We explore this bejewelled palace, among the most visited sites in India and the home of one of the wealthiest individuals in the world in its heyday – the Maharaja of Mysore. From our accompanying expert guide, learn about the Wodeyar rulers and their incredible contributions to putting this region on the global map as we leisurely survey and explore the interiors & exteriors of this dazzling palace.
Our accompanying expert guide will take you through a stroll inside an 1880s market stuck in a time warp. As you take a walk back in time, marvel at the sights, smells and sounds of the shops & people in the bazaar selling the choicest fruits, flowers, vegetables, bangles and local produce such as Jaggery, Attar, Masalas etc.
From Mysore, we drive to the historic river island of Srirangapatana. Here we break for a relaxed and sumptuous lunch at this picturesque setting by the gurgling waters of the River Cauvery.
Srirangapatna is a river island that has been coveted for millennia due to its strategic location, with the river acting as a natural barrier. The Srirangapatna Fort was established in the 1400s and served as the residence for the ruling class within its fortified precincts. This location gained global attention when the East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore clashed four times over the span of four decades. Driving through the fort and taking in the sights offers a fascinating glimpse into what it feels like to be inside one of the few 'living' forts in India.
Our final stop is the exquisite 1780s wooden palace of Tipu Sultan, where every inch of its interiors has delicate frescoes and murals of evocative battle scenes, floral and geometric patterns and portraits. Our accompanying expert guide will provide context to each handpainted artwork and regale you with stories of the valiant efforts of this ruler, the Tiger of Mysore, against the colonial powers of the time.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Hotel pick-up and drop-off or M G Road Metrorail Station
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Dress code is smart casual
Reviews(405)
FANTASTIC trip!! I cannot say enough about the itinerary in this trip. The stops alone, immersing into the culture was amazing. The local breakfast and lunch was a great experience and were food l wouldn’t have selected myself. Overall the best part of the trip was our guide Praveen. He was extremely knowledgeable of the temples and ruins. He was vibrant, charismatic and passionate about what he does which made the trip that much greater. I recommend this tour to anyone looking to get a glimpse into Indian culture, don’t miss out!
It was an unforgettable day. The van was spacious, and the driving was very safe. The organization was perfect! Our guide and founder (Praveen) first took us to enjoy a delicious breakfast at a local spot on the way to Mysore; it was fantastic. Then, he showed us a silk cocoon market and a beautiful temple, and treated us to a refreshing coconut. When we arrived at the Mysore Palace, it was crowded, but we didn't have to wait in line. After visiting the palace. We visited a great local market, and while heading back to Bangalore, we stopped for a wonderful lunch by a lovely river, followed by a visit to the summer palace. What a day! It’s a shame I didn’t have an extra day to do another activity with you. And what a wonderful, knowledgeable person Praveen is. Thank you for everything you did for the group.
Excellent day out with plently of culture and history to enjoy, as well as the added joy of Praveen and his guidance on all things from food, history, religion (and everything inbetween). A wonderful experiance of what this areas has to offer and expertly guided.
Fantastic trip with Praveens knowledge and enthusiasim bringing these places and its culture to life. Chennakeshava Temple and Dariya Daulat are amazing sites and was the perfect day out from Bangalore.
One of the best day trips I've ever done. We were picked up from our Bangalore hotel early and from the first stop — a silk cocoon market I never would have found on my own — it was clear this wasn't going to be a typical tourist run-around. The stops were perfectly spaced throughout the day. Somnathpur blew me away — the Chennakeshava Temple is steeped in centuries of history and the stone carvings are unlike anything I've seen. My guide, Kiran, was super nice and knew the history inside out, from the Hoysala dynasty to Tipu Sultan's campaigns at Srirangapatna, and had a real gift for making it all come alive rather than just reciting facts. Mysore Palace lived up to every expectation, and the lunch break by the Cauvery river at Srirangapatna gave us a chance to breathe before the afternoon. The pacing across the whole day was spot on — never rushed, never dragging. If you have one day to get out of Bangalore, this is how to spend it. Exceptional tour, exceptional guide.
It was an outstanding tour from Bengaluru to Mysuru. After joining the excursion, I completely understood why so many participants had given it a perfect five-star rating. The tour offered a remarkably rich experience of India's traditions, culture, and history—all within a single day. Visiting the bustling silk cocoon market and the flower, vegetable, and banana markets, which still preserve their old-world atmosphere, allowed us to immerse ourselves in the authentic spirit of traditional Indian marketplaces. The visits to magnificent temples, including a UNESCO World Heritage site, provided an excellent opportunity to learn about the history and cultural heritage of South India in a surprisingly short period of time. What impressed me most was the guide's warm personality and the strong relationships he had built with people at the various sites we visited. Thanks to these connections, everything flowed smoothly, enabling us to make the most of every destination and truly enjoy the experience. I was also fascinated to learn that, much like Japan, India had its own class of warriors who formed governments around the 13th century—warriors who, in Japan, would have been called samurai. Discovering these unexpected historical parallels between our two countries was one of the highlights of the trip. To top it all off, the guide even accommodated my rather selfish request: "I want to drink beer in India!" That small gesture made the experience even more memorable and satisfying. Overall, this was a highly recommended tour for anyone wishing to gain a concentrated yet profound understanding of what India is all about. It successfully captured the essence of India—its vibrant markets, deep-rooted traditions, magnificent history, warm hospitality, and joyful spirit—all in a single unforgettable day.
It was an amazing experience, the sites we visit full of culture and amazing historical details provided by Praveen, The Somnathpur is wonderful, truly magical to see!
This tour was amazing! Great guide and perfect arrangement.
Thank you for best service and keeping my room hygiene Santu and Afraquit
Dear Guest, we loved the kind words — but we run tours, not hotels! 😄 This review seems to have checked into the wrong address. Kindly post it at the rightful property! 🙏 Best Hidden Gems Tours
A great and long, packed day with a great driver and Deepak - the best guide i have had in a long time. He is so knowledgeable about the temple and the palace, it was an enlightening and rewarding experience. Both these are must sees in the history, architecture and development of Mysore. Deepak has enormous energy and a great sense of humour as well. Highly recommend this trip.
