City Sightseeing Tours

The Golkonda Fort

The Golkonda Fort is one of the most impressive forts in the country. The architecture includes some amazingly advanced acoustics systems that were used for signalling approaching enemy as well as for detecting conspiracies being hatched in palace corners.

The climb up the Fort would be a sometimes steep, sometimes easy climb of about 360 steps and has excellent views of the Qutb Shahi tombs just outside the Fort area, the Charminar in the distance and the rest of the city’s landscape.

The Qutb Shahi Tombs

The rulers of the Qutb Shahi dynasty had a tradition of constructing their tombs during their lifetime. The Emperors tried to outdo their predecessor and the magnificence of the architecture advanced over time. The tombs tower over the landscape majestically. This architecture is a fascinating mix of Persian and the local styles. Remnants of the blue tile work on some of these elegant structures give us a peek into the richness of what was a trademark of this dynasty.

Note: While the lower areas of the Fort have wheelchair access, the upper portions of the Fort and certain areas of the Qutb Shahi Tombs cannot be accessed. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and carry an umbrella.

This tour will start with the Qutb Shahi Tombs where a complete dynasty is buried in one large complex. Each king outdid his forefathers and the tombs stand testimony to the evolution of the architecture of the Qutb Shahi times. The style, typical of those times is a mix of Persian and local architecture and the tombs stand imposingly against the backdrop of the Golkonda Fort.

The complex also has a large well, a hammam or bath complex where the bodies were ritually washed before being interred. Recently, the Aga Khan Foundation that was responsible for the superb restoration of the Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi has decided to invest in the restoration of these tombs and have started the process in some of the tombs.

After the visit to the tombs, the tour will proceed to the Golkonda Fort where you will get a chance to explore the lower areas of the Fort. The ruins of the palaces with its amazing acoustics system and the remnants of the advanced water suppy system will help you understand the technological prowess that this dynasty had.

The tour will end with the Son et Lumiere (Sound & Light Show) which starts at 6:30 PM and lasts about 55 minutes.

Note: While the lower areas of the Fort have wheelchair access certain areas of the Qutb Shahi Tombs cannot be accessed. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and carry a umbrella.

During the Sound & Light Show, you may be troubled by mosquitoes. Please try and cover your legs during this time and do carry along an insect repellent.

The Nizams of Hyderabad ruled over this region for almost two centuries and were known for their wealth and grandeur. On this tour, you will experience a slice of their life. Wander through the lesser known tombs of the Nizam’s noblemen and end the tour at the magnificent Falaknuma Palace.

Paigah Tombs

During the Nizam’s rule, the family next in nobility to the rulers was the Paigah Family. Apart from playing an important role in the politics of the region, they also left behind their marks in the palaces they built for themselves. Some of them have been converted into clubs, resorts and other important buildings. In the late 18th century and early 19th century, they also built some magnificent tombs. The Paigah tombs have a unique architectural style with a combination of Turkish, Mughal, Persian and Rajasthani style of architecture. In a small corridor, there is a simple tomb of Sir Vicar-ul-umra who built the Falaknuma Palace and gifted it to his brother-the Sixth Nizam

Falaknuma Palace

We will end the tour at the Falaknuma Palace which has recently opened after over a decade of painstaking restoration work and now is one of the most talked about Palace properties run by the Taj group of hotels. The Palace that was built in the late 19th century is shaped like a scorpion and has an eclectic mix of Western and Indian architectural styles and reflects the grandeur of the era associated with the Nizams, be it through the magnificent Venetian glass chandeliers above you or the peacocks roaming around in the sprawling gardens around the Palace. After a tour of the Palace, enjoy the beautiful view of the city below over high tea/dinner and taste the delicacies from the Nizam’s kitchens that have been transformed into gourmet meals by the team of qualified chefs at the hotel.

From block prints to traditional weaves, Indian fabric is famous the world over for its fine quality as well as the intricacies in the process of creating them. On this tour, we will see a block printing unit where fabrics are transformed using the centuries old process of batik block printing and another workshop where the most intricate of Persian weaves are trying to be revived. Some of these weaves are so intricate that it takes the artisans all day to weave just a couple of inches.

On the way, we will also stop at the traditional fabric market of the city where you can pick up the most stunning fabrics for your clothes and home furnishings at amazing prices!

Note: Please wear comfortable walking shoes and carry an umbrella.

Chowmahalla Palace

The Chowmahalla Palace was the seat of the dynasty of the Nizams of Hyderabad who were well known for the grandeur and wealth. This palace, built in the eighteenth century has been painstakingly restored and has been open to public only since 2006. The imposing Durbar Hall with its collection of glittering chandeliers and several rooms within the Palace display artefacts from the past that reflect the opulence with which this dynasty lived and ruled.

The most famous symbol of the city, the Charminar was planned as the centre of the city when the capital shifted from Golkonda to Hyderabad in 1591 AD. The four minarets structure towers over bustling bazaars selling colourful and glittering lacquered bangles, pearls, shiny fabric, traditional perfumes (ittar), antiques and other knick-knacks. The climb up the Charminar is about fifty steps through a spiral staircase from where you can get magnificent views of the Mecca Masjid, the Unani Hospital, the Osmania Hospital, High Court, the Purani Haveli as well as the Falaknuma Palace in the distance. For the true flavour of old Hyderabadi culture, this area of the city is a must visit.

Note: While some areas of the Palace can be accessed in a wheelchair, the busy streets in the Old City will not be easy for the disabled. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and carry an umbrella. For entering into Mecca Masjid, shorts are not permitted. In addition to that, women will have to wear a long top that covers their arms as well and carry a scarf to cover their heads.

Salar Jung Museum

One of the most unusual collections of art pieces in the world is housed in Hyderabad. This treasure trove is a fascinating amalgam of antiquity and modernity and represents the three Salar Jungs’ efforts to find the most exquisite pieces from across the world. It is believed that during the colonial period a lot of the art wealth of the country was shipped to the metropolitan countries and the Salar Jungs are credited with bringing back some of it to enrich the collection. Some of the most well-known pieces that you can find in this museum is the Veiled Rebecca, a masterpiece in marble carved by Giovanni Maria Benzoni, the Musical Clock made by Cook & Kelvy of England that features a woodcutter who comes out every hour to strike the hour, the Ivory Collection Gallery featuring stunning pieces of art from across the world, the sections on Indian textiles, miniature paintings and a double-figured wooden piece by an unknown sculptor.

Purani Haveli – The Nizam’s Museum

The next stop will be at Purani Haveli, the home of the Sixth Nizam, where, because of his love of clothes, a whole section of the Palace had to be converted into wardrobes. The Nizam would access his wardrobes in a hand drawn wooden lift. Today, the Purani Haveli also houses the numerous gifts given to the Sixth and the Seventh Nizams from emperors across the world.

Note: Most of the main areas of the Salar Jung Museum can be accessed by wheelchair. However, the Nizam’s Museum at Purani Haveli is on the first floor with no lift/elevator access.

Pochampally Village

Known for its cotton and silk weaving, this region has several villages that are dedicated to the craft of turning threads into colourful and intricate woven fabrics. One such village is Pochampally about 50 kilometres from Hyderabad where the ancient weaving style of ikkat is practiced in almost every home. You will see the complete process of how threads are dyed and arranged in a design and then woven so that beautiful patterns emerge. This tour will also give you a glimpse into village life in India.

We will also visit a weavers’ cooperative where you will get a chance to buy some of the beautiful products directly from the artisans.

Note: Please wear comfortable walking shoes and carry an umbrella.