Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
while the rock-cut caves of Ellora - which contain a mix of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist
shrines - are situated on a 2km-long escarpment near Aurangabad. After soaking up cave
culture, journey southwest to
Pune
, Maharashtra's IT hub, and its excellent museums,
bars and the infamous Osho International Meditation Resort. Next stop is the tropical
beach haven of
Goa
for some soul-reviving sandcastle therapy. Wander through a lush
spice plantation, visit Portuguese-era cathedrals at Old Goa, shop at Anjuna's colourful
flea market and take your pick from dozens of fabulous beach resorts before travelling
east to the traveller hotspot of
Hampi
in neighbouring Karnataka. Ramble around
Hampi's enigmatic boulder-strewn landscape and imagine what life here was like when it
was a centre of the mighty Vijayanagar empire. Make the long trip down to
Mysore
to ex-
plore the Maharaja's Palace, one of India's grandest royal buildings, and shop for silk and
sandalwood in its colourful markets. From Mysore it's an exciting bus ride into the
Western Ghats and across the Keralan border to
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary,
a pristine
forest and jungle reserve and one of the best places in the south to spot wild elephants.
Finally, take the hair-raising road down to the coast and make your way to
Kochi
, Ker-
ala's intriguing colonial city where a blend of Portuguese, Dutch and English history com-
bines with wonderful homestays and a buzzing traveller scene.
