Most of us travel lovers are always hunting for newer places to visit in economical way. Yes a true backpacker spirit is in globetrotting which calls for an itinerary covering the maximum  tourist destination within the budget. With this I thought of compiling a repository of budgetary destination.

This week I picked up our neighboring country across South, full of endless beaches, timeless ruins, elephants, tea and food. Very few can match the charm of Sri  Lanka. Here is a complete itinerary for a fun filled holiday in Sri Lanka.

Lion Rock, Source: Set Travel

Itinerary Details: Bentota 2 nights, Kandy 2 nights and Colombo 1 night. (For 2 people)

• Day 1 - Reach Colombo,hire a cab and proceed to Bentota 
• Day 2 - Enjoy in Bentota
• Day 3 - Reach Kandy within 6 hours by train or within 3 hours by cab (Hire charges is Rs 4000). Enjoy the beaches and temples of Kandy.
• Day 4 - Explore the city of Kandy or alternatively you can visit tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya (the city of light)
• Day 5 - Take a train to Colombo which would take around 3 hours. Indulge in the beauty of the city.
• Day 6 - Au Revoir Sri Lanka 

Bentota Beach,  Source: Maya Pillai, Flickr

Bentota Beach, Source: Merkur Beqiri, Flickr

Kandy, Source: Alan,Flickr

Gangarama Temple, Colombo, Source: Wikipedia

Total Cost: Rs. 38000 for 2 people (inclusive of return air fare  from Chennai,  Stay, Visa fees & Transport)

Cost Breakdown:  

Details	Cost	Source
Flight (from Chennai)	18,000	Kayak
Visa	1,000	ETA Srilanka
Colombo to Bentota	4,000	Airport Transport Service
Bentota (2N)	4,000	AirBnb
Bentota to Kandy	2,000	By Train
Kandy (2N)	4,000	Airbnb
Kandy to Colombo	2,000	By Train
Colombo (1N)	3,000	Airbnb

Best time to visit: End December to April

So, all ready to pack your bags and fly international?

Riding through the serpentine roads to Ananthagiri hills was mystifying and getting lost was icing on the cake.

My friends and I planned to start exploring the nearby places to Hyderabad and Ananthagiri Hills in Vikarabad was on the top of the list.

Amidst the forest area of Rangareddy district about 90 kilometres from Hyderabad, Ananthagiri Hills are a pleasant weekend gateway. Tress canopying the road and small water bodies in between makes the journey picturesque.  On the way there is a Vishnu temple named Anantha Padmanabha Swami Temple. During the weekends temple is rabbled with pilgrims in the morning. We chose to visit the temple later and followed the road till our expert GPS navigator (our friend) could not figure out what was Google maps up to.

It was be difficult to judge the destination as Ananthagiri Hills got camouflaged with the Ghats. Nonetheless, what followed was way more adventurous. We were lost and we did not know the regional language.  So, if you are lost and cannot read or speak Telugu it will be really arduous but can be riveting too. We found ourselves on the mud paved roads. We kept moving into the forest instinctively and to our surprise a wild boar crossed in front of our car. We were thrilled but it ran too fast to be captured by our cameras.  Next we halted in between the forest to look around and see where the road leads us to. Just about 20 meters from where we were was a small reservoir of Kotipally Dam. We walked up to the shore of the reservoir.

The place had a different charm, it was serene and yet reverberating with life. There were flocks of lovely birds all along the shore. It was a great place of amateur photographers like us. It was rejuvenating to see all of bustling spirit. Green beaters, Black Ibis, Little Egret and many more were all occupied from taking a dip in the water to catching their prey. Taking a near perfect shot of birds in flight is any photographer’s delight and we accomplished it.

Let the birds do some chirping themselves.

Spending couple of hours, we drove back as we were famishing by then. We thought it to be wise to go back to the temple area and eat as there were few eating joints.  We visited the temple first before having our lunch as it was about time for the temple to close.

The temple is built by Nawabs of Nizam some 400 years ago.  It is still well preserved and revered by many. I was amused by the cleanliness inside which is not common in other temples. But we couldn’t click the pictures as it was not allowed to carry cameras inside the temple. I assume some things are better captured by our personal lenses – our eyes.

We had a decent South Indian lunch which we were not hopeful of getting at this place. On enquiring from the natives about other landmarks to be seen, they told us about Buddhist Caves near the temple and on the way to the forest. We marched ahead and bypassing the temple there were stairs leading to the jungle. We kept walking inside but could not find the caves. After taking few shots of exquisite birds we decided to return. It was late afternoon and sun was no more merciful as he was the rest of the day. Well, no qualms for that as we were quite lucky to enjoy a temper day in the month of June.

So, next time if you are lost while on road I would say it's a blessing in disguise.

• Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple
• Ancient Caves
• Trekking inside the forest

Dating back to 1426 – 32AD Bahamni Sultan Ahmed Shah built the magnificent Bidar Fort. Being one of the biggest forts in India it gives way the architectural brilliance of Bahmani rein. This formidable fort was the catalyst for the construction of Golkonda Fort in Hyderabad. My love for forts and palaces led to this little known historical monolith.

Unlike others, my friends and I decided to explore the exotic ruins of Ashtur first. The entrance through the Dulhan Darwaza led to the eight tombs of the kings of the Bahamani dynasty. Their grandeur spoke of their religious fanfare in the past. Diamond laced paintings on the inner walls were a treat to the eyes. Apart from the stucco work done on the arches, there is no decoration done on the walls the tombs. The relics massively built dome personified the gradual decline of the political power of the dynasty.

With few tourists around we could spend a good time on these tombs. The fading lights of the evening added life to the ruins. The site was mystifying and absolutely perfect for getting captured.

We started to be back to our hotel as it was getting dark and these ruins are about 4kms from the main city. Also, we did not wish to miss Wimbledon and FIFA World Cup semi finals.

Next morning our journey started by enjoying a sumptuous South Indian breakfast of vadas and dosa accompanied by delicious filter coffee.  On asking the locals about other places to visit apart from the fort, they said on the way to the fort lay a 400 year old University named Madarsa of Mohammed Gawan. We stopped at the Chaubara (Clock Tower) en route to Madarsa.  We clicked a few pictures there before moving to our next destination.

Madarsa of Mohammed Gawan, where we halted next is an imposing University built by a Persian fugitive Gawan during the 14th century, who later became the scholar of the Bahamani court. This Persian architecture was amongst the biggest Islamic learning centre during 1472. Remains of the paintings on the walls showcase the artistry and vibrancy of the era. Ironically, it just remains a playground for children and teens.  

Post the Madarsa was the stopover at the fort. The vestibule to the fort was breath-taking. Huge brick walls and deep moats seals the fort from all sides. This fort was built by Alla-Ud-Din when he shifted his capital from Gulbarga to Bidar. The 7 gates leading to the fort have small parapets from where the guards used to keep a watch for any enemy movement. What emerged by passing these gates was mesmerising. The main fort opens up to a dazzling garden known as Lal Bagh which got its name on account of beautiful red flowers which were grown there.

On one side of the garden is the Solah Khambha Mosque also known as Janana Masjid as it is opposite to the Janana Mahal. Having 16 pillars and a prayer hall in the centre, it is a geometrical masterpiece. Adjacent to the mosque is Gagan Mahal which is divided into two parts - the outer was for male staff and guards and the inner part had rooms on either side of the covered passage also for guards. The main building of the palace was for the king and his queens. This mahal was originally build by the Bahamani rulers but there were certain alterations made by the Bahrid Shah rulers.

On the other side of the garden is the royal kitchen now turned into a museum for displaying artifacts and remnants of the Bahamani sovereignty.

Behind the main fort is the old fort. Visiting various isolated ruins we realized that India is among the few countries which had the fortune of witnessing such a royal past and amalgamation of different cultures, religions and dynasties.

While returning we had a chance to look at the famous Bidri art work. ‘Bidri’ is derived from ‘Bidar’ and ‘Bidar’ was derived from ‘bidru’ meaning bamboo. Bidar was famous for its bamboo clusters in the past.

Bidri metalwork has a striking inlay artwork which makes it an important export handicraft. Though we didn't have much time to buy one but surely that remains in my must to have list.

“Those who don’t travel have not even turned one page of any book” by the end of this expedition I realized the importance of this quote.

So guys pack your bags and start exploring! Who knows you might stumble upon places unfolding mysteries of the past.

Accommodation

• Sapna International (recommended)
• Hotel Mayura
• Hotel Mayura Barid Shahie
• Krishna Regency

• Rail - Bidar railway station is easily accessible by Hyderabad
• Air - Hyderabad is the nearest airport
• Road - 150 km drive away from Hyderabad