Day 01 : Arrive Chennai & Transfer to Mahabalipuram (55 Kms, 01 Hr)
Arrive in Chennai. After completing formalities with customs
and immigration, you will be received by our representative
with Traditional Indian Welcome (with garlands).
On arrival drive to Mahabalipuram .
Madras is a fascinating city with its ancient temples and
unique culture, golden sandy beaches merging wi th the
breakers of the Bay of Bengal and a marvelous tradition of
music and dance.
On arrival check in at Hotel
Overnight at hotel
Day 02 :
Mahabalipuram
After breakfast this morning, visit
Mahabalipuram which was the main port of the Pallava dynasty
& has exquisite rock-cut monuments, monolithic structures &
Bas-reliefs. Thereafter visit
Museum, Dakshin Chitra that preserves actual houses of
different communities & village craftsmen from the four
southern states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka &
Kerala.
By noon make an excursion to
Kanchipuram (about 26 kms), the ancient capital of the
Pallavas, famous as a city of 1000 temples that still has
124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built
in the 7th & 8th century & has painting on the walls.
Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasnatha, Sri Kamakshi &
Vardarajaewamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also
 famous
for its silk.
Return back to hotel.
Overnight at hotel
Day 03 :
Mahabalipuram-Pondicherry (140 Kms, 03 Hrs)
After breakfast this morning drive to
Pondicherry, a charming coastal town that was formerly a
French colony and still got few touches of French culture.
Upon arrival check-in at hotel.
Afternoon visit the
French Tamil quarter and the world famous
Sri Aurobindo Ashram a spiritual center founded on modern
science and yoga. Also visit the world-famous
Auroville International Community. This is an experiment in
international living where people live in peace and
progressive harmony above all creeds, politics and
nationalities.
Overnight at hotel)
Day 04
Pondicherry-Trichy (240 Kms, 05 Hrs)
Morning after breakfast drive to Trichy, visiting Tanjore
enroute.
Tanjore also known as thanjavur was the ancient capital of
the chola kings whose origins (like those of the pallavas,
pandyas and cheras with whom they shared the tip of the
indian peninsula) go back to the beginning of the christian
era.
At Tanjore, we explore the Chola architecture with the
Bridhdiswara Temple built in 1010. With a dome carved from a
single piece of granite weight over 80 tonnes, this
magnificent temple is now a World Heritage Monument. Along
the way also visit the temple of Airavatesvara at Darasuram
whose decorative friezes portray mythological stories.
Continue your drive to Trichy and upon arrival check-in at
hotel.
Overnight at hotel
Day 05
Trichy-Madurai (150 kms, 03 Hrs)
After Breakfast this morning visit Trichy & its’ spectacular
temple architecture at
Srirangam. Set on an island in the Cauvery River within
seven concentric walled Courtyards, the Sri Ranganathaswami
Temple is one of the largest complexes in India.
Afterwards continue drive to Madurai. Upon arrival check-in
at the hotel.
Madurai : A pilgrimage to south in incomplete without a
visit to Madurai. It is the second largest city in Tamilnadu
and is elaborated for the Meenakshi temple. Madurai is also
one of India's most ancient cities with a history dating
back to the 6th century b.c. It was the capital of the
pandyan empire till the 14th century a.d.
Afternoon visit
Madurai, one of the oldest cities in South India and has
been a centre of learning & pilgrimage for centuries.
Sri Meenakshi temple which attracts thousands of pilgrims
from all over India. The temple is named after the daughter
of a Pandyan King. Designed in 1560 by Vishwanatha Nayak,
the present temple was substantially built during the reign
of Tirumalai Nayak (1623-55 AD), but its history goes back
2000 years to the time when Madurai was the
 capital of Pandya Kings.
Overnight at hotel
Day 06
Madurai-Periyar (140 Kms, 03 Hrs)
Morning after breakfast drive to Periyar (Thekkady) famous
for elephants, tigers and spices. Upon arrival check-in at
hotel.
Afternoon motor boat cruise in the Periyar wildlife lake,
where one can have a unique experience of viewing wildlife
at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The
greatest attraction of Periyar however are the herds of wild
elephants that come down to play in the lake.
Overnight at hotel
Day 07
Periyar-Kumarakom backwaters (200 Kms, 05 Hrs)
Morning visit to the spice plantations like cardamom,
cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. and on your way
to Kumarakom jetty you could stop at the local market to
pick up some fragrant spices.
At Kumarakom Jetty we embark on a traditionally thatched
houseboat of Kerala Style and go on a leisurely backwater
cruise along the lake. The houseboat with all modern
comforts lets you discover the countryside at your own pace.
You will have lunch, dinner and breakfast in the Houseboat.
A ride on the houseboat is a fabulous way to explore the
fascinating beauty of the backwaters.
Overnight at Houseboat.
Day 08 Alleppey
Jetty -Cochin (70 Kms, 01½ hrs)
Morning we arrive at Alleppey jetty at 1000 hrs and after
breakfast disembark the houseboat to dri ve to our next
destination Kochi. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel.
Rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight at hotel
Day 09 Cochin
Morning after breakfast,visit Cochin the city of lagoons.
Visit the
St. Francis Church - India's oldest European Church, was
constructed in 1503 by Portuguese; Chinese Fishing Nets,
strung out along the top of Fort Cochin; Mattancherry Palace
or The Dutch Palace built by Portuguese in 1557, this palace
was presented to the Raja of Cochin, Veera Kerala Verma. The
palace's alternative name, the Dutch Palace, resulted from
substantial renovations by the Dutch after 1663.
In the evening, you visit the Kalari Center where you will
get to witness and observe the very skillful and amazing
Kalaripayattu. This is a famous martial art of Kerala.
Overnight at hotel
Day 10
Cochin-Bangalore (Flight)-Transfer to Mysore (134 Kms, 03
Hrs)
Morning, transfer to the airport to board flight for
Bangalore. As you arrive you will be met, assisted and
transferred to Mysore.
Enroute visit
Sravanabelagola, one of the oldest and most important Jain
pilgrimage centres in India and the site of the 17m high
statue of Gomateshvara said to be the world's tallest
monolithic statue and important Jain religious ce ntre.
Continue drive to Mysore. On arrival check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at hotel
Day 11 Mysore
After Breakfast visit the magnificent city on the foothills
of Mount Chamundi. Visit the
Mysore Palace also known as the Amba Vilas Palace, this
palace was the seat of the Maharajas of Mysore. Burnt down
in 1897, the present one was completed in 1912 at a cost of
Rs. 4.2 million; Also visit
Chamundi Hill - overlooking Mysore from 1062m summit of the
hill is the Sri Chamuneswari temple and the Brindavan
Gardens.
Afternoon, make an excursion to
Srirangapatnam an island town encircled by river Cauvery.
The temple of Lord Sriranganatha is said to have been built
by the Chieftain Thirumalaiah in 894 AD. This was once the
capital of Hyder Ali & his son Tippu Sultan, "The Tiger of
Mysore". In the 18th century, Marathas attacked
Srirangapatna & forced heavy payments. Hyder drew back the
Marathas & saved the Kingdom. In 1799 Tippu fought a fierce
Battle (Battle of Mysore) against the British & fell bravely
defending his capital. Srirangapatna remains in a ruined
state recalling the Battles fought & the past glory.
Overnight at hotel
Day 12 Mysore-Bangalore
airport
After this morning drive straight to Bangalore airport. On
arrival in Bangalore transfer to Airport to connect your
flight back home.
Click here for rates & book this tour |
French
Español
Italiano
Deutsch
Português
