Feb 11, 2026
We have recently returned from our inaugural group tour to Hyderabad, and we wanted to share a selection of our favourite moments and photographs. It was a quintessentially ‘Kudu’ journey: a civilised blend of monumental history and the quiet thrill of the wild.
Our small group enjoyed a truly cultural experience: temples and monuments contemplated at a leisurely pace; the breath-taking sighting of tiger and leopard; the indulgence of authentic Hyderabadi biryanis and the sheer delight of residing in one of the world’s most exquisite palace hotels.
Once the heart of one of India's wealthiest princely states, Hyderabad is legendary as the source of the Koh-i-Noor diamond and the seat of the notoriously pleasure-loving Nizams. Our journey through three Indian states offered a deep dive into the Deccan Sultanates, exploring Hindu temples and unique forest reserves far from the well-trodden tourist paths.
The ‘Ornate Brooch’ of the Deccan: Bidar
Our cultural exploration began in Bidar, the 15th-century capital of the Bahmani and Barid Shahi dynasties. Often described as an “ornate brooch on the heart of the Deccan plateau,” the town’s walled fort is a masterclass in Indo-Islamic history.
We spent a morning investigating the atmospheric ruins where Persian, Turkish and Hindu influences merge - a testament to the Hindu craftsmen who worked under Muslim rulers.
One cannot visit this region without acknowledging its artisanal soul. We were privileged to witness the creation of Bidriware, a unique metalwork technique dating back to the 14th-century Bahmani Sultans.
Seeing the delicate silver being inlaid into the blackened alloy of zinc and copper reminded us why these escorted cultural tours are so vital - they connect us directly to a heritage that remains vibrant today.
A Taste of Royal Nizam Heritage
No cultural tour of India is complete without a culinary journey. The Hyderabadi biryani is world-famous for a reason: its meticulous blend of South Indian spices with Mughlai and Arabic influences.
We savoured this "Nizami" delicacy, appreciating the tenderness that comes from such a storied tradition of royal hospitality.
Into the Wild: A Tiger Safari in Tadoba
An early morning flight to Nagpur brought us to the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (Tadoba National Park) in Maharashtra.
We stayed for three nights in a stylish, secluded lodge near the park gates. Tadoba is a "gem" for those seeking a tourist-free national park experience. While the tigers here are not used to human presence, making sightings feel like a hard-won reward, our patience was handsomely repaid.
The tropical dry deciduous forest is a sanctuary not just for the Bengal tiger, but for leopards, sloth bears and 195 species of birds. Our days were paced between morning and afternoon jeep safaris and quiet hours relaxing by the pool or exploring the lodge grounds on foot.
Living Like a Nizam: The Taj Falaknuma Palace
Returning to Hyderabad, we resided at the Taj Falaknuma Palace, one of the many former residences of the Nizam. Recently restored to its full 19th-century glory, this was a highlight for our guests.
Accompanied by an in-house historian, we explored the palace's exotic history. Outside the palace walls, our private resident guide led us through the landmarks of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty.
Our walking city tour through the historic heart of Hyderabad allowed us to sample Nimrah’s biscuits and Irani tea fortifying us for the architectural precision of the UNESCO World Heritage candidate sites.
Looking Ahead to 2027
The contrast of this journey was its greatest strength: from the grand scale of the Qutb Shahi tombs to the intimate, remote silence of the Maharashtra jungle.
Due to the positive feedback from this year's guests, we have added an extra night at the Taj Falaknuma Palace to enable Kudus to lie back and bathe in this unique destination, literally the “Mirror to the Sky”. To see the full itinerary please click here.