Journey to the “City of Pearls” with a day tour to Hyderabad. This relatively new city by Indian standards (less than 500 years old) is brimming with culture and sights you don’t want to miss. Take a gander back in time as your professional English-speaking tour guide brings you to Charminar, a majestic monument with 4 gorgeously carved spires in the heart Hyderabad’s Old City. Built in 1591 by Mohammad Quil Qutub Shah, this towering architectural achievement was built to commemorate the eradication of the plague from Hyderabad. Continue on to visit the ruined city of Golkonda Fort built in the 13th century. The remains of the city will leave you breathless. Next see the Mecca Masjid, one of the oldest mosques in Hyderabad. The bricks are made from soil from the city of Mecca, making it even more important. You can also see Hussain Sagar, an awesome manmade lake in the city. The lake, constructed in 1562 by Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali, has a large stone Buddha in the middle that was built in 1992. Also known as “Tank Bund”, the lake connects the sister cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Hyderabad is not only the capital of the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, it is also the most populous. On your tour you will have seen the ancient parts of the city, but today it is actually much more modern. Hyderabad is a major hub for the information technology industry in India, as well as the biotechnology and pharmaceutical capital of India. Don’t miss this exciting look at a modern old city!

After being collected from your hotel waiting area between 9:30AM-10:00AM by your guide and driver, you will depart for your full-day tour of Hyderabad. Your tour starts with a visit to the magnificent Golkonda Fort, originally built in the 12th century, known for its innovative water supply system, huge acoustic palaces and the Fateh Rahben gun and cannons. Following this, you will visit the historical Qutub Shahi Tombs, located at Ibrahim Bagh and close to the Golconda Fort, where the bodies of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah and his heirs were buried. Next on the tour will be the ancient mosque, Mecca Masjid, whose construction was started by the Qutb Shahi dynasty and was completed by Aurangzeb. It is believed that the bricks and soil to build the central arch of this historic mosque were procured from through the major pilgrimage of Muslims, Mecca. Your driver will then take you to a local restaurant where you can enjoy famous Hyderabadi cuisine. After finishing lunch, your next stop will be at Charminar. Charminar is known as the Icon of Hyderabad, famous for its architecture, four minarets of 184-feet tall, four arches and the work of granite, mortar, limestone and pulverized marble. You will then venture onward to the Salar Jung Museum, which contains a treasure of exhibits that include ancient manuscripts, sculptures, carvings, artifacts, carpets, furniture and more. The Museum houses the largest one-man collection of antiques in the world by Nawab Mir Yusuf Ali Khan Salar Jung III (1889–1949), former Prime Minister of the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad. Later on, you will be taken to the Chow Mohalla Palace, recognized for a complex of four palaces built in the European and Mughal style of architecture. Before the conclusion of your day, your driver will take you to the beautiful and serene Hussain Sagar and the closely located NTR Gardens which are the best places to spend your evening, which will include a unique boat ride. At the conclusion of your tour, your driver will drop you back at your accommodation.

Set off on a 3-hour walking tour of the Old City of Hyderabad. Navigate through colorful markets and make your way to historic mosques and mansions. Accompanied by your local guide, hear the stories of the Nizams and the people of Hyderabad. Choose from flexible options of a private tour, exclusive to your booking, or meet other travelers in a shared, join-in tour. You can also request hotel pickup and drop-off for added convenience. The walk commences at Charminar, a monument symbolic of the city of Hyderabad, which was built in 1591 to commemorate the end of a deadly plague attack on the city. Your guide will enthrall you with legends like the presence of a secret tunnel underneath Charminar which connected to Golconda Fort, created as a means of escape for the royal family at times of distress. Next, walk to Mecca Masjid, one of the oldest and largest mosques in India. The foundation stone was laid by Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutub Shahi dynasty, and the bricks used to build the mosque were made from soil sourced from Mecca. Marvel at a magnificent mosque that can accommodate more than 10000 people. Stroll past bazaars full of bangles, perfumes, laces, and bridalwear, on your way to a unique Clock Tower. This clock was a gift to the people of this area at a time when wristwatches and wall clocks were rare. Walk past Moti Mahal, which used to be a Palace of the Nizams but, since 1969, now serves as a Homeopathic Hospital. Admire the Corinthian pillars of the Asman Garh Palace and the Palace of Khurshid Jah Bahadur before taking the last leg of your walk to the Chowmahalla Palace of the Nizams. Some of the noteworthy sections in this palace include a water fountain, vintage cars, intricate carvings, glass chandeliers, and the grand durbar hall. During the heydays of the Nizams, as many as 7000 attendants used to man this palace. Your tour either concludes here or with drop-off at your hotel if you select the pickup and drop-off option.

The day-long tour begins around 10 AM with a pick-up. Hop on the ride to Golconda Fort, a granite-built fortress from the Qutub Shahi dynasty's period. Listen to your guide as he spills knowledge on this fortress. Throughout history this region has been known for its miraculous mines & diamonds - be it Kohinoor or the Hope diamond. Although over the years diamond mines have become inactive. Your destination will be the nearby Qutub Shahi Tombs which includes seven tombs of Qutub Shahi kings that ruled over two centuries. From there, you will be taken to Mecca Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. It is believed that the soil of this mosque was brought from the holy Mecca city. After sightseeing at the mosque, you will be served lunch at the local restaurant. Enjoy your fresh meal before heading to your next destination i.e. Charminar, the icon of Hyderabad. It is perceived that this Minar was built as a sign of victory over the plague around 450 years ago. See the beautiful work of limestone, granite, & marble at this historical site. Next, you will visit Salar Jung Museum, the 3rd biggest museum in India. This museum houses the largest one-man collection of antiques in the world by Mir Yusuf Ali Khan popularly known as Salar Jung III, an art collector & also the then Prime Minister of Hyderabad Deccan during seven Nizam's reign. Following this, your driver will take you to Chowmahalla Palace, the former residence of Nizams of Hyderabad. Here you will come across a mixture of architectural styles (Rajasthani, European, along with Persian). At last, you will be escorted to Hussain Sagar, a beautiful heart-shaped lake perfect for spending a nice evening. Spend a wonderful time at the nearby NTR garden area where a boat ride is also awaiting you. After a sweet & calm boat ride you will be sent back to your hotel.

Arrive at the described location or you can choose the pickup option, whichever suits you best. You'll first see the Hyderabad city's icon monument, Charminar. Built-in the late 16th century, this 450 years old monument is still intact with its glorious craftwork. The construction of this monument was ordered by QuliQutub Shah when the city won its fight against the great plague. Be it underground tunnels or cat carved on the arches, your guide will tell some interesting facts & myths about this structure. After this, you'll stop by Mecca Masjid, one of the most ancient mosques in the Indian subcontinent. It is believed that this mosque was made with sand & bricks transported from Islam's most holy Mecca city. Next, you will halt at Clock Tower, a giant clock installed back in the old days when watches were very rare. Then your guide will show you the former residence of Nizam, Moti Mahal which is converted into a hospital now. On the way, you'll catch glimpses of gothic architecture at Asman Garh Palace assembled on a huge hillock in 1885. Following this, you'll witness exquisite European-style architectural work on the outskirts of Khursheed Jah Devdi Palace. At last, you will explore Chowmahalla Palace, the former official home of Nizam. The palace has now been altered into a unique museum open to the public. From vintage cars collection to magnificent chandeliers, watch all the antiques displayed here. With this, your tour comes to an end. Your guide will help you in booking a cab or you can choose the drop off option as well.

Your local English-speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you to explore the historical city of Hyderabad. First up is a visit to the archaeological treasure Golkonda Fort, then on to the Qutub Shahi Tombs, a royal cemetery for the 7 Qutub Shahi kings who ruled Golconda for nearly 170 years. Afterwards your guide will take you to one of the oldest mosques in Hyderabad, Mecca Masjid before stopping for some lunch at a nice local restaurant. After lunch, your next monument will be the magnificent Charminar, known as the icon of Hyderabad. Then it's on to the famous Salar Jung Museum before a final visit to the palace of the Nizams of Hyderabad state, also known as Chowmahalla Palace.