Bangalore Through the Ages - Full-Day Tour with Lunch
Overview
Get to know the evolution of Bangalore from its humble beginnings to its transformation into a modern megapolis in this 8 to 9-hour guided tour. Explore the fascinating sites of different eras and visit a historical temple, archaeological museum, heritage buildings, a bustling bazaar and market, statues and a church, remains of a fortification, and a lush park, and learn about their significance and contribution in the making of Bangalore.
Inclusions
- Transport by air-conditioned car or minivan
- Authentic local Lunch
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from Central Bengaluru area
- Professional English Speaking Heritage Expert
- Bottled water
- Entry Fees
- Entry/Admission - Bangalore Fort
- Entry/Admission - Venkatappa Art Gallery and Government Museum
- Entry/Admission - Lalbagh Botanical Garden
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Lalbagh, Bengaluru 560004 India
Our story and exploration begins at this marvellous garden dating form 1760, making it the oldest in the city. It is also the largest in the city with over two thousand species of rare and tropical plant life.
Along with exploring the unique sights the garden has to offer you will also get to know how Bangalore evolved from its modest origin in pre-medieval times to the times when it was a fairly nondescript place compared to its more illustrious peers, now long faded into oblivion; to the fascinating period when the city was traded and gifted about; then fought over and retained as a prized possession; right down to the time it reached an inflexion point culminating in its transformation into a modern metropolis and IT outsourcing capital of the world.
Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes
Stop At: Bangalore District, Bangalore District, Karnataka
Next we make our way to a centuries old historical temple whose tall gopura or tower has stood like a sentinel watching the colossal events of the city and the evolution of the landscape around it. Get to know about the Hindu religion which has a billion adherents and its unique attributes and gods as we seek the blessings of the deity inside the temple.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Bangalore Fort, Krishna Rajendra Rd, Bengaluru 560002 India
More stories of the city are contained within the modest precinct of this once might fort than in any other part of the city. Get to marvel at the expertly constructed granite walls( the stone placements have been compared to the ones in Machu Picchu), stone carvings/stucco artwork and massive wooden doorways that have gracefully withstood the passage of time.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: KR Market, Near Avenue Road-Mysore Road junction, Bengaluru 560002 India
We then stroll over to this remarkable wholesale market which emerges in the late 1790s on a dried lakebed. Get to witness the hustle and bustle of the daily life of the buyers and sellers. Some of the unique sights(especially of the flower market), sounds and smells are sure to stay with you for a long time to come.
We break off for a traditional south Indian lunch after this stop
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Venkatappa Art Gallery and Government Museum, Kasturba Road Cubbon Park, Gandhi Nagar, Bengaluru India
Post lunch we will explore the sights and landmarks of what was called the Cantonment and later, the Civil and Military station during the British rule of this part of the city. We begin at the Government Archeological museum, a picturesque Greco-Roman building from 1877, a modest home to some unique artefacts and stone sculptors that showcase the glory of Bangalore and its surroundings and India in general.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Sir Mark Cubbon Statue, Ambedkar Veedhi, Bengaluru 560001 India
We stroll over to a fine cast-iron statue of a unique and likeable Briton from the Isle of Man and get to know why we have many landmarks and locations named after him in Bangalore even to this day
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Vidhana Soudha and Attara Kacheri, Cubbon Park, Bengaluru India
This stately Pompeian red coloured building is now the High court of Karnataka but was earlier known as the Public Offices or Attara Kacheri and housed the various departments to carry out the administration of the state. It was built in 1868 on a scale way beyond its actual need. Get to admire its perfect symmetry, Corinthian columns and pediments as you listen to interesting facts about this building.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Vidhana Soudha and Attara Kacheri, Cubbon Park, Bengaluru India
Our next stop is the majestic Vidhana Soudha, the largest state legislature or local parliament building in India made of grey granite. Get to know the interesting story of why this building comes about and the reason it looks the way it is
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Bangalore District, Bangalore District, Karnataka
No story of British rule of the state from 1831 to 1881 is complete without a visit to a prominent church from that era. Its hallowed walls contain stories and vivid descriptions of its gentry and you will hear from us how a tiny island nation on the edge of the Atlantic ocean, several thousand kilometers from here manages to establish a toehold in India and goes on to establish the largest empire known to mankind.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Bangalore Palace, Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru 560052 India
Our last stop of this comprehensive tour of the city ends at the Bangalore Palace. We will explore the outside of this stately building, the Bangalore home since the 1870s of the Wodeyar rulers of the kingdom of Mysore. Get to know the fascinating story of why this home of the rulers looks so British with its battlements, turrets and ivy on its granite walls
Duration: 15 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Lalbagh, Bengaluru 560004 India
Our story and exploration begins at this marvellous garden dating form 1760, making it the oldest in the city. It is also the largest in the city with over two thousand species of rare and tropical plant life.
Along with exploring the unique sights the garden has to offer you will also get to know how Bangalore evolved from its modest origin in pre-medieval times to the times when it was a fairly nondescript place compared to its more illustrious peers, now long faded into oblivion; to the fascinating period when the city was traded and gifted about; then fought over and retained as a prized possession; right down to the time it reached an inflexion point culminating in its transformation into a modern metropolis and IT outsourcing capital of the world.
Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes
Stop At: Bangalore District, Bangalore District, Karnataka
Next we make our way to a centuries old historical temple whose tall gopura or tower has stood like a sentinel watching the colossal events of the city and the evolution of the landscape around it. Get to know about the Hindu religion which has a billion adherents and its unique attributes and gods as we seek the blessings of the deity inside the temple.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Bangalore Fort, Krishna Rajendra Rd, Bengaluru 560002 India
More stories of the city are contained within the modest precinct of this once might fort than in any other part of the city. Get to marvel at the expertly constructed granite walls( the stone placements have been compared to the ones in Machu Picchu), stone carvings/stucco artwork and massive wooden doorways that have gracefully withstood the passage of time.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: KR Market, Near Avenue Road-Mysore Road junction, Bengaluru 560002 India
We then stroll over to this remarkable wholesale market which emerges in the late 1790s on a dried lakebed. Get to witness the hustle and bustle of the daily life of the buyers and sellers. Some of the unique sights(especially of the flower market), sounds and smells are sure to stay with you for a long time to come.
We break off for a traditional south Indian lunch after this stop
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Venkatappa Art Gallery and Government Museum, Kasturba Road Cubbon Park, Gandhi Nagar, Bengaluru India
Post lunch we will explore the sights and landmarks of what was called the Cantonment and later, the Civil and Military station during the British rule of this part of the city. We begin at the Government Archeological museum, a picturesque Greco-Roman building from 1877, a modest home to some unique artefacts and stone sculptors that showcase the glory of Bangalore and its surroundings and India in general.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Sir Mark Cubbon Statue, Ambedkar Veedhi, Bengaluru 560001 India
We stroll over to a fine cast-iron statue of a unique and likeable Briton from the Isle of Man and get to know why we have many landmarks and locations named after him in Bangalore even to this day
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Vidhana Soudha and Attara Kacheri, Cubbon Park, Bengaluru India
This stately Pompeian red coloured building is now the High court of Karnataka but was earlier known as the Public Offices or Attara Kacheri and housed the various departments to carry out the administration of the state. It was built in 1868 on a scale way beyond its actual need. Get to admire its perfect symmetry, Corinthian columns and pediments as you listen to interesting facts about this building.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Vidhana Soudha and Attara Kacheri, Cubbon Park, Bengaluru India
Our next stop is the majestic Vidhana Soudha, the largest state legislature or local parliament building in India made of grey granite. Get to know the interesting story of why this building comes about and the reason it looks the way it is
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Bangalore District, Bangalore District, Karnataka
No story of British rule of the state from 1831 to 1881 is complete without a visit to a prominent church from that era. Its hallowed walls contain stories and vivid descriptions of its gentry and you will hear from us how a tiny island nation on the edge of the Atlantic ocean, several thousand kilometers from here manages to establish a toehold in India and goes on to establish the largest empire known to mankind.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Bangalore Palace, Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru 560052 India
Our last stop of this comprehensive tour of the city ends at the Bangalore Palace. We will explore the outside of this stately building, the Bangalore home since the 1870s of the Wodeyar rulers of the kingdom of Mysore. Get to know the fascinating story of why this home of the rulers looks so British with its battlements, turrets and ivy on its granite walls
Duration: 15 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Adult pricing applies to all travelers.
- Dress code is smart casual
- Language English only
- Near public transportation
- A maximum of 8 people per booking
- Infants must sit on laps
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date
- Wheelchair not accessible
- Minimum age is 2 years
- Most travelers can participate
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
saturniina
April 2023
The tour was super useful way to spend my extra holiday in Bengaluru! It was a combination of history, outdoors, society and culture. I learned a lot and also got to share my experiences! The guide was friendly and helpful! The lunch and drinks also delicious.
The tour was super useful way to spend my extra holiday in Bengaluru! It was a combination of history, outdoors, society and culture. I learned a lot and also got to share my experiences! The guide was friendly and helpful! The lunch and drinks also delicious.rdscott
April 2023
This is a very good tour if you have limited time in Bangalore. Starting at 8.00 in the morning and finishing at 3.30 in the afternoon (with a hotel pick-up and drop-off), the tour covered a lot of places in one day. The tour also included a variety of places, which was good; including botanical ...
This is a very good tour if you have limited time in Bangalore. Starting at 8.00 in the morning and finishing at 3.30 in the afternoon (with a hotel pick-up and drop-off), the tour covered a lot of places in one day. The tour also included a variety of places, which was good; including botanical gardens, temples, markets, government buildings, a palace and a museum. The traditional lunch was good too. The bonus to the tour was our Guide, Pradeep, who was knowledgeable, worldly and fun. A great day. I would definitely recommend this tour.kpedad
April 2023
This small group trip was just what I was looking for to get out and see parts of the city I would have otherwise missed. Pradeep (tour guide) was an interesting guy with lots of knowledge on many topics so he kept the day fresh and entertaining. The highlight for me was probably the market, wh...
This small group trip was just what I was looking for to get out and see parts of the city I would have otherwise missed. Pradeep (tour guide) was an interesting guy with lots of knowledge on many topics so he kept the day fresh and entertaining. The highlight for me was probably the market, which is an experience I have not seen in the western world.RustyKentucky
February 2023
This was a great experience! A work colleague and I had a Sunday to spend in Bengaluru and this was a fantastic choice. It was all great, but the highlights were the visit to the KR Market and lunch at MTR. Our guide and driver were excellent and took great care of us.
This was a great experience! A work colleague and I had a Sunday to spend in Bengaluru and this was a fantastic choice. It was all great, but the highlights were the visit to the KR Market and lunch at MTR. Our guide and driver were excellent and took great care of us.Willem N
February 2023
The tour shows a lot of different “faces” of Bangalore and you get to know the historic context. A great botanical garden in the middle of the city, visiting an active temple and hear about the different religions, enjoy the biggest market with the best colors: flowers, fruits and spices and have...
The tour shows a lot of different “faces” of Bangalore and you get to know the historic context. A great botanical garden in the middle of the city, visiting an active temple and hear about the different religions, enjoy the biggest market with the best colors: flowers, fruits and spices and have lunch in the locally famous MTR. Really a local experience (no tourist seen in this part). In the afternoon a quick view on the Bangalore palace, parlement building and a church make the experience complete. Praveen is a very knowledgeable guide that does everything to give you a great day! Willem575maya
February 2020
What a wonderful way to be introduced to Bangalore! We got to visit many interesting sights in the city : the botanical garden, kR market, a hindu temple, an ancient fort, Bangalore Palace, the government museum, and an old church. Praveen from Hidden Gem Tours is a gem of a tour guide himself :...
What a wonderful way to be introduced to Bangalore! We got to visit many interesting sights in the city : the botanical garden, kR market, a hindu temple, an ancient fort, Bangalore Palace, the government museum, and an old church. Praveen from Hidden Gem Tours is a gem of a tour guide himself :-) He is not only very knowledgeable of the city and its history but also extremely helpful, and fun to be with. Visiting the botanical garden with Praveen was a delightful experience. His knowledge of the plant species and their origins was really impressive! The highlight of the day was the flower market at KR market where the colors and fragrances were so invigorating! A photographer heaven! I highly recommend this tour.