Bangalore Through The Ages: Best of the city in a day – Aircrew Group Tour

Trip Highlights

  • Landmarks of Legacy – Discover an ancient temple, a historic garden, a bustling market & a stately building that has shaped Bangalore.

  • Expert Guides – Enjoy an immersive tour with engaging commentary, fascinating anecdotes, and deep historical insights from our knowledgeable guides.

  • The City’s Evolution – Unravel Bangalore’s 1000-year journey from an obscure settlement to a prized possession and its rise as a thriving megacity.

  • Culinary Delights – Skip the lines and indulge in legendary South Indian feasts at local iconic restaurants.

Description

Bangalore gives you the impression of a modern new city, yet if you scratch the surface, you will uncover a storied past dating back over 1000 years.

In this tightly paced tour, we will visit interesting sites of different eras – A famed Botanical Garden, a historical Temple, a vibrant market and the grandest state legislature in all of India. Learn about their significance and contribution to the making of Bangalore. Lunch is at a 100-year-old eatery serving traditional local food.

It’s a tour of the story of Bangalore – from its modest origin in pre-medieval times; to the era when it was just another place compared to its more illustrious peers, now long faded into oblivion, to the fascinating times when the city was traded, and gifted like a commodity; then fought over and retained like a shining possession; right down to the times when it reached an inflexion point and came into its own as a modern mega city.

This is by no means an ordinary sightseeing trip, but a true journey of exploration with engaging commentary sprinkled with interesting facts and anecdotes. A tour sure to stimulate your mind and invigorate your senses.

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 city.
We begin our tour at the historic Lalbagh Botanical Garden, one of South Asia's foremost botanical gardens. Established in 1760 by Hyder Ali as a private garden, it boasts one of India’s largest collections of tropical and rare trees. We'll explore these unique plants in depth. Lalbagh is also home to Bangalore’s only national monument and the iconic Glass House, built in 1889.
As we leisurely walk through the garden, you’ll learn about Bangalore’s origins—from its modest beginnings to its rise through eras of trade, conflict, and growth, leading to its transformation into a modern metropolis and the world’s IT outsourcing capital.

Next, we visit the Big Bull Temple, home to a massive monolithic sculpture—one of the largest in India. This temple stands out for several reasons, from the worship of the bull as a deity to its late medieval origins. It also offers a rare opportunity to step inside the sanctum sanctorum—an experience uncommon in most Hindu temples—and receive a blessing from the priest.

As we explore this remarkable temple, you'll also gain insights into Hinduism—a faith with a billion followers—its unique traditions, and its diverse deities.

Note: This tour includes a visit to one Hindu temple. Depending on the starting location, we will visit either the Big Bull Temple or the Sri Someshwara Swamy Temple.

To experience the essence of old Bangalore, there’s no place quite like KR Market. Nestled in the heart of Kempe Gowda’s original town, founded in 1537, this vibrant marketplace feels frozen in time. Here, traders of flowers, fruits, vegetables, groceries, and household goods continue age-old traditions, selling their wares just as they have for centuries. The lively sights, rhythmic sounds, and rich aromas create an atmosphere that is both captivating and unforgettable.

We believe food is an integral part of the Indian tour experience, and there’s no better place to savor local cuisine than MTR—a century-old iconic eatery celebrated for its exceptional South Indian vegetarian dishes. While others patiently queue for a seat, we will skip the lines and dive straight into an unforgettable culinary journey featuring around 20 distinct items, each offering a unique blend of flavors, textures, and aromas.

The state of Karnataka, with Bangalore as its capital, is home to India’s largest state legislature building—the majestic Vidhana Soudha. Uncover the fascinating story behind this unique distinction.
An architectural marvel, Vidhana Soudha is built primarily from granite, marble, and teak wood, blending several prominent architectural styles from across India. As we explore, you’ll gain insight into India’s democratic structure, its system of governance, and the notable figures honored by the statues surrounding this iconic landmark.
Directly across from Vidhana Soudha stands Bangalore’s largest British-era building, constructed in 1868 to administer the region. Once known as Attara Kacheri, or Public Offices, this stately Pompeian red Greco roman structure now serves as the High Court of Karnataka.

 

Tour info

Duration
5 hours
Group Size
Up to 16
Price starts at
₹5,500

Why take this tour?

In this comprehensive Bangalore tour, you will explore the city’s top landmarks and hidden gems, including India’s renowned Lalbagh Botanical Garden, the bustling KR Market, the Bull Temple, and the iconic Vidhana Soudha and High Court, which serve as seats of government. Enjoy lunch at a century-old iconic restaurant while learning about the historical significance of these sites and their role in shaping modern Bangalore. By the end of the tour, you will gain a deep understanding of Bangalore’s transformation from its humble origins to its status as a global technology hub.

Included

  • South Indian Vegetarian Lunch

  • Transport by private air-conditioned car or minivan

  • Passionate and fluent English Heritage Expert

  • Entrance fees

  • Bottled water

  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off (From central Bangalore area only)

Excluded

  • Personal shopping

  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

  • Gratuities

Things to know

PRICING

Prices shown on Hidden Gems Tours website are per person unless otherwise stated. Prices are subject to change until the booking has been confirmed. Unless otherwise specified, prices do not include any local taxes, charges, or fees.

Prices shown on Hidden Gems Tours website are per person unless otherwise stated. Prices are subject to change until the booking has been confirmed. Unless otherwise specified, prices do not include any local taxes, charges, or fees.

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