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Rediscover the glory of Hyderabad

HYDERABAD CITY TOUR

Two dynasties, five centuries and a diamond that changed the world

Rs5750/person onwards
Private car 8 Hours Guided tour

The City the Qutub Shahi Kings Built and the Nizams Made the Richest on Earth

Hyderabad was founded in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shahi, a king so in love with a Hindu courtesan named Bhagmati that he built an entire city on the banks of the Musi river in her honour and named it after her. The diamond that would eventually become the Kohinoor was mined in the Golconda region and first traded at the fort that bears its name, making Hyderabad the centre of the greatest diamond market the ancient world ever produced. The Nizams who came after the Qutub Shahi dynasty inherited this extraordinary wealth and multiplied it — the last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, was listed by Time magazine as the richest person in the world, a man who kept the world's fifth largest diamond as a paperweight and whose treasury was described by British officials as beyond imagination. Our private Hyderabad city tour takes you through the full sweep of this extraordinary history in a single day, from Golconda Fort to the Chowmahalla Palace to the Charminar, with an expert cultural guide who brings both dynasties and all five centuries to life. 5 Senses Tours is recognised by the Department of Tourism, a winner of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award and the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award.

What to expect

The Hyderabad city tour begins with hotel pickup at 8:30 am in a private air conditioned vehicle.

Golconda Fort is the first stop and the oldest layer of Hyderabad’s story. Built originally as a mud fort in 1143 AD, it was progressively fortified between the 14th and 17th centuries by the Bahmani Sultans and then the Qutub Shahi dynasty into one of the greatest medieval fortresses in India. The fort covers an area of 11 kilometres and contains palaces, mosques, stables, magazines and the famous acoustic system — a hand clap at the main entrance can be heard clearly at the top of the hill 90 metres above, a feat of medieval engineering that allowed guards to signal the approach of visitors to the royal apartments without the visitor’s knowledge. The Golconda region around the fort was the source of the world’s greatest diamonds — the Kohinoor, the Hope Diamond and the Nassak Diamond all originated from mines in this area. Your guide tells the full story of how Golconda became the diamond capital of the ancient world and what happened to the stones that passed through it.

The Qutub Shahi Tombs stand in the Ibrahim Bagh gardens a short drive from the fort, a collection of seven domed mausoleums built for the seven kings of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. The tombs combine Persian, Pashtun and Hindu architectural elements in a style unique to Hyderabad — the arches, columns, dome minarets and carved galleries surrounded by gardens that in the Qutub Shahi period were maintained as a place of reverence where even criminals taking refuge were granted sanctuary.

Chowmahalla Palace is the centrepiece of the Hyderabad city tour and the most intimate encounter with the Nizam world available anywhere in the city. This was the private residence of the Nizams — the palace from which they administered one of the wealthiest states in India, received foreign dignitaries, and conducted the ceremonies of a court that rivalled the greatest in Asia. The grand durbar hall with its Belgian crystal chandeliers, the collection of vintage cars including Rolls-Royces that carried the Nizams through the streets of Hyderabad, and the extraordinary personal artefacts on display give a direct and vivid sense of a world that ended in 1948. At its peak 7,000 attendants maintained this palace. Your guide brings the personal and political story of the Nizams to life at every room.

Charminar is the final stop, the iconic four-minaret monument built in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shahi to commemorate the end of a plague that had devastated the city. It stands at the heart of the old city, surrounded by the Laad Bazaar famous for its bangles and the lanes of the attar market where perfumers have been selling fragrances since the Qutub Shahi period. Your guide will share the legend of the secret tunnel said to connect Charminar to Golconda Fort, built as an escape route for the royal family in times of crisis.

Hotel drop by 4:30 pm.

This private Hyderabad city tour is fully inclusive. We take care of hotel pickup and drop in a private air conditioned vehicle, your English speaking cultural guide throughout the day, all entry fees and a South Indian vegetarian lunch.

Inclusions

Hotel pickup and drop-off in a private air-conditioned vehicle English-speaking cultural guide throughout Entry fees to all sites Indian Lunch All taxes Duration: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Guided Tour

Hyderabad city tour is a guided tour where a cultural evangelist will provide the cultural context during our visit to Palaces, Forts and Tombs. Our cultural evangelists unpack authentic India for better comprehension and appreciation of the cultural and heritage of the ancient Indian civilization.

Private Tour

A private Hyderabad city tour ensures that we are able to focus all our attention on you and adjust the pace of the tour according to your interests. Pick and drop from your hotel in an airconditioned vehicle is included in the Hyderabad tour.

Strenghening local community

Our company is helping the local community by training & employing local guides. This initiative is to ensure travel dollars stay where they are spent.

Does Hyderabad city tour sound compelling?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is covered on the Hyderabad city tour?

The Hyderabad city tour covers four sites — Golconda Fort, the Qutub Shahi Tombs, Chowmahalla Palace and Charminar. Together these four sites span the full history of Hyderabad from the 12th century Golconda Fort through the Qutub Shahi dynasty to the Nizam period, giving a complete picture of five centuries of the city's extraordinary heritage

Is the Kohinoor diamond connected to Hyderabad?

Yes. The Kohinoor was mined in the Golconda region and first traded at Golconda Fort, making Hyderabad the birthplace of the most famous diamond in the world. Your guide tells the full story of the Kohinoor's journey from Golconda through the Mughal Empire, Nadir Shah's invasion, the Sikh kingdom and finally to the British Crown, at the fort where the story began.

How long does the Hyderabad city tour take?

The private Hyderabad city tour runs from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, covering all four sites in eight hours. The pace is adjusted to your interests — if you want to spend more time at Golconda Fort or Chowmahalla Palace we can reduce time at other stops.

Is Chowmahalla Palace open every day?

Chowmahalla Palace is closed on Fridays. If your tour falls on a Friday we visit Badshahi Ashurkhana and Birla Mandir as equally extraordinary alternatives. All other sites on the Hyderabad city tour are open seven days a week.

What should I wear to the Hyderabad city tour sites?

Comfortable walking shoes are essential as Golconda Fort involves a significant uphill walk. Modest dress is recommended for Charminar and the surrounding old city area. Shoes must be removed at the entrance to Chowmahalla Palace's main hall. Loose cotton clothing is ideal given the Hyderabad climate.

Is lunch included in the Hyderabad city tour?

Yes. A South Indian vegetarian lunch is included in all Hyderabad city tour packages. If you prefer non-vegetarian food or have specific dietary requirements please let us know when booking and we will arrange accordingly.

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5 Senses Tours, Hyderabad
4.8 Stars - Based on 361 User Reviews

Tripadvisor Reviews

For an illuminating blog on the life and legacy of the Nizams, please read The Nizams of Hyderabad, a tale of diamonds and diplomacy.

Pricing chart

4+ persons
Rs5750/person
  • Hotel Pick & drop
  • Private Car
  • Guide
  • Entrance charges
  • South Indian Vegetarian meals as lunch
2-3 persons
Rs6800/each
  • Hotel Pick & drop
  • Private Car
  • Guide
  • Entrance charges
  • South Indian Vegetarian meals as lunch
Single person
Rs10950/each
  • Hotel Pick & drop
  • Private Car
  • Guide
  • Entrance charges
  • South Indian Vegetarian meals as lunch

Trip Itinerary

Experience cultural immersion in the Hyderabad city tour.

8:30 AM - Hotel pick up
Golconda Fort
Qutub Shahi Tombs
Choumahalla Palace
Charminar
4:30 PM - Hotel drop

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