Tuesday 1 December - Half-Day
Tour to Golconda Fort & Qutub Shahi Tombs

An inseparable part of Hyderabad history since the 13th century, Golconda Fort was considered to be the best example of military architecture among Indian forts and has been the abode of many mighty rulers. Golconda Fort is your window to the glories of the past.

About a kilometre from the Golconda fort are the tombs of the Qutab Shahi rulers. The tombs are domed structures built on a square base surrounded by pointed arches. The galleries of the smaller tombs are of a single storey while the larger ones are usually two-storied. In the centre of each tomb is a sarcophagus that overlies the actual burial vault in a crypt below. The domes were originally overlaid with blue and green tiles of which now only a few pieces remain.


Wednesday 2 December - Full-day
Old City & Shilparamam Tour

The Charminar (meaning four towers) is located in the heart of the old city of Hyderabad. This magnificent edifice built by Sultan Mohammad Quli Qutab Shah is the unique symbol of Hyderabad. All around the Charminar is a bustling bazaar of pearl and jewellery shops, perfume and attar dealers. Close by is the Laad Bazaar and the bangle alley with rows of shops selling lacquer and glass bangles.

A stone's throw away from Charminar is the Mecca Masjid, originally started by Sultan Mohammad Quli Qutab Shah and completed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb in the 17th century.

The Salar Jung Museum - reputed to be the world's largest one-man collection, houses around 35,000 antiques and art objects collected by Salar Jung III, the former Prime Minister of the Nizam of Hyderabad. The most important historical exhibits are the turban and ivory chairs of Tipu Sultan of Mysore.
Lunch break at hotel Taj Krishna - one of the finest hotels in the city.

The tour continues with a visit to Shilparamam - an arts and crafts village exhibiting various art forms and handicrafts of diverse artists from all over the state as well as from other Indian states. Interested buyers can come and pick up objects of art directly from the artisans without having to deal with the middlemen.


Thursday 3 December - Full-day
Pochampalli Tour

In Pochampalli, a unique method of tie and dye is used known as 'ikat'. Weavers in Andhra Pradesh have mastered the art of using cotton and silk alternately for warp (length) and weft (across). In the scenic weavers' village of Pochampalli, the act of weaving seems to be ritual for a weaver's family. Pochampalli began production of the the legendary 'telia rumals' as late as the beginning of the last century and began to export them to Iran and the Gulf. The weavers wove the first cotton saree of 60 counts, which proved to be very popular. Today the finest fabrics are woven in millions of patterns, every saree is unique and exclusive, there are no replicas. Not surprising that Pochampalli is a prosperous village with master weavers creating wonders in ikat and patola techniques which have made these fabrics world famous. The weaving of ikat furnishing is now done in the entire Nalgonda district and involves nearly 18,000 looms. Gorgeous Pochmapalli silks woven in the ikat patterns are in great demand worldwide, as incomparable fabrics, the prized handlooms of India.

The tour takes you to the village which still keeps this tradition alive. You interaction with the weavers of the village is going to keep a lasting impression on your mind. Also enjoy a traditional meal served on banana leaves.