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IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF RAJAS AND SULTANS

5.0•18 reviews
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF RAJAS AND SULTANS - Image 1
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Trip Highlights

Palaces, forts, mosques, markets & temples - all in one epic morning/afternoon
Hear the stories of Sultans, Maharajas & empire that built this city
Step into KR Market's sensory chaos — colour, jasmine & spice await
Sip traditional filter coffee, strong, frothy & served the old way
Intimate small-group walk — 8 guests, 2.5 km, countless discoveries

Description

Most tours show you Bangalore. This one lets you feel it. Step into the old city and you step into centuries. This isn't a walk through monuments — it's a journey through the living, breathing layers of a city shaped by Sultans, Maharajas, colonial rulers, and ancient faiths, each leaving their mark on every lane, archway, and carved pillar. Your expert native guide doesn't recite history — they conjure it. At Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, faded motifs whisper of royal splendour. At Bangalore Fort, iron-spiked teak doors tell of battles and sieges. The Jamia Masjid rises in serene marble above the market's chaos. A Jain temple offers stillness in the heart of the bazaar. And KR Market — 200 years old and utterly unapologetic — hits you with jasmine, marigolds, spice, and sound all at once. Along the way, your guide unravels the stories of the Gowdas, the Sultans, the Maharajas, and the British — the rulers who fought over, built, and transformed this extraordinary city. The walk ends as it should: with a traditional filter coffee, strong and frothy, served the old way. A small ritual that somehow captures everything Bangalore is. With no more than 8 travellers, this 2.5 km stroll stays intimate, personal, and richly rewarding from the first step to the last sip. Old Bangalore is waiting. Come and feel it.

Itinerary

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Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace 42, Tippu Sultan Palace Rd, Kamalanagar, Chamrajpet, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560018, India Our guide will meet and greet you at the main gate of the Tipu Sultan Summer Palace
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Stop: 30 minutes - Admission included “The abode of happiness, the envy of heaven”—so reads the plaque at the entrance of Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace. Built by Hyder Ali and completed by his son, this elegant palace was once part of a far grander complex. Step through its scalloped arches and fluted teak pillars, and you’ll sense a blend of Mughal grace and South Indian Temple artistry. Though the painted Islamic motifs have faded, faint traces still whisper of the palace’s past splendor. From the upper balconies, Tipu Sultan addressed his officers, soldiers, and citizens. Later, under British rule, these same halls became administrative offices for the Kingdom of Mysore. On the ground floor lies a small museum, where treasures await—a specimen of the legendary Mysorean rocket and a miniature of Tipu’s famed Tiger. With your guide, each corridor and carved pillar comes alive with tales of ambition, beauty, and forgotten glory.
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Your next stop is Bangalore Fort—once a mighty teardrop-shaped stronghold spread across nearly a square mile. In its heyday, it was a proud bastion of the Kingdom of Mysore, bristling with ramparts, bastions, and soldiers. Today, only a fraction remains, but they still echo the fort’s former might. We step through the Delhi Gate, not just one, but three gateways in succession, each designed to delay invaders. Imagine the scene: towering teak doors, their iron spikes gleaming, ready to stop charging war elephants in their tracks. Inside, a small Ganesha temple stands quietly, a later addition that hints at the fort’s layered history. The gateways themselves carry a different story—stucco decorations with fine Islamic artistry, filled with floral, geometric, and avian motifs. Scattered across the fort walls are striking Hindu relief carvings. And here, in 1791, the roar of cannons shook the air as Mysore’s forces clashed with the East India Company in the fateful Battle of Bangalore.
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Your next stop is the Jamia Masjid a striking five-storied mosque of white Rajasthan marble. Its delicate jali work, graceful arches, and slender minarets give it a timeless Saracenic elegance, rising serenely above the bustle of the market area. Dedicated to Tipu Sultan, the mosque’s beauty lies not only in its architecture but also in its spirit. Inside pigeons’ flutter through the minarets above the onion-shaped domes, while an ablution pool adds serenity to the courtyard. The mosque also runs an English-medium school in its basement, filling the air with the cheerful chatter of children. A School of Calligraphy here further preserves the beauty of Urdu script. A shining example of Bangalore’s syncretic society, it reflects a city where faiths have long coexisted peacefully.
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Your next stop is the storied KR Market, a 200-year-old bazaar that still beats with the pulse of old Bangalore. Once a quiet waterbody called Siddi Katte, it is now a sea of colors, scents, and sounds. Step into its winding gullies and you’re enveloped in the perfume of jasmine garlands, the earthy spice of chilies, and the sweetness of ripe fruits piled high. Towers of marigolds glow like little suns, while vendors call out in rhythmic tones, their voices blending with the clang of brass utensils and the shuffle of handcarts. It feels as though time has paused here—an ancient way of life flourishing just steps away from the city’s steel and glass skyline. Your expert guide will walk you through this vibrant maze, sharing hidden details and stories along the way, so you experience Bangalore not as a passerby, but with all your senses: raw, unfiltered, and utterly alive.
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Amid the vibrant bazaars of Chickpet lies a marble sanctuary that feels like a world apart. Your guide will lead you from the crowded lanes into this serene haven, where intricate carvings, marble inlay work and gleaming spires reflect purity and simplicity. Inside, the soft glow of lamps, the fragrance of incense, and the gentle rhythm of chants invite you to pause and breathe. India, the birthplace of four great religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism—has long embraced harmony in diversity. Jainism, among the most ancient, teaches ahimsa—nonviolence in thought, word, and deed—and reverence for all life. As your guide shares the meaning behind these traditions, you’ll also discover the dynamic Jain community, renowned for its contributions to trade, education, and philanthropy. Here, spirituality thrives beside enterprise, and tradition walks gracefully with modern life—an encounter serene, enduring, and deeply inspiring.
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Shri Adinath Jain Shwetamber Mandir Chickpet Rd, Ragipet, Mamulpet, Chickpet, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560053, India The Tour ends at this temple which is close to the Chickpet Metro Station.

Tour info

Duration
3 hours
Group Size
Up to 8 people
Price starts at
₹3,000
Meeting Point
Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace 42, Tippu Sultan Palace Rd, Kamalanagar, Chamrajpet, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560018, India. (Our guide will meet and greet you at the main gate of the Tipu Sultan Summer Palace)
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Why take this tour?

Walk old Bangalore's storied streets with an expert guide. Uncover centuries of empire, faith, & culture through palaces, forts, markets, & temples - ending with a perfect filter coffee.

Included

  • Entry/Admission - Tipu Sultan Fort and Palace - Bangalore KR Market
  • English Speaking Native Bangalore Expert
  • Traditonal Filter Coffee or Local Tea
  • Entry fee at all monuments
  • Local Taxes
  • Entry/Admission - Bangalore Fort

Excluded

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off. However we may offer hotel pick up & drop off for a small additional fee
  • Tips/gratuities to the Guide not included

Things to know

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you cancel at least 7 days (s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee. If you cancel between 3 and 6 days (s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee. If you cancel within 2 days (s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee. Rescheduling: Will be strictly subject to availability

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.

Additional information

- Confirmation will be received at time of booking. - Not recommended for travellers with back problems. - No heart problems or other serious medical conditions. - Not recommended for pregnant travellers. - Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level. - Since we'll be removing our footwear at a few places, an extra pair of socks may come in handy. - A scarf is required for ladies while visiting the places of worship. - Dress Code: Men, please cover your legs and shoulders. Women are advised to dress modestly (avoid spaghetti tops, halter-necks, miniskirts, and hot pants). - A maximum of 8 people per booking. - This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. - This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travellers

Recent Reviews

18 Verified reviews
Tripadvisor

CarolNobre

June 6, 2026

I had an unforgettable day with Mr. Praveen. He presents the sights, culture, and history with great passion and enthusiasm. He speaks excellent English. Thank you very much for the tour!

Martin K
Tripadvisor

Martin K

April 15, 2026

Praveen was great, I really enjoyed seeing the market and the hustle of the main city. The Jainism temple was stunning and definitely worth the visit!

Tripadvisor

Katja S

March 18, 2026

It was a wonderfull experience. I loved it all the way!

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5.0
18 Verified reviews
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