Our first stop is about an hour after the start of the tour for a sumptuous breakfast freshly prepared and served in a rustic setting. Our accompanying guide will introduce you to a variety of local dishes.

After breakfast, we travel to Shravanabelagola, an ancient 2300-year-old town. It is a seat of learning and spiritualism and a significant pilgrimage centre of one of India's ancient religions - Jainism. Our goal here is to climb barefoot about 650 steps on sacred Vindyagiri hill. The reward is the bewildering sight of an over 1000-year-old monolithic Gomateshwara sculpture, among the world's tallest monolithic sculptures. The beautiful statue and the idyllic countryside visible from the top are a treat to the eyes.

Our next two stops are UNESCO World Heritage Sites with some of the best stone carvings found nowhere else in the world. With our accompanying guide, we first explore the stunning 900+ years old Chennakeshava temple commissioned and consecrated by Hoysala King, Vishnuvardhana, in 1116 AD. The exquisite carvings in stone, be it the dancing maidens on the exterior overhang of the temple, the gleaming schist pillars or the intricate domed ceiling, are spellbinding. We break for an authentic lunch at a local eatery.