 | CHENNAI | MAHABALIPURAM
| PONDICHERRY | TRICHY | MADURAI | TRIVANDRUM | KANYAMUMARI | ALLEPPY | KUMARAKOM | COCHIN
| OOTY | MYSORE |
HASSAN | BANGALORE | GOA | MUMBAI |
Day 1- Arrive Chennai and local
sightseeing for the day. The city has a rich Dravidian heritage. It traces its origins to
ancient times when it traded with the Far East and the West in perfumes, spices, silks and
skins. It also remains the gateway to the great ancient cities of southern India with
their rich architectural heritage, culture and civilization.
Day 2 Leave for Mahabalipuram
stay at Mahabalipuram for two nights’ stay at a beach resort.
Day 3- In
Mahabalipuram. Mahabalipuram, the ancient Pallava port, is today the site of several sculpture
marvels. Visit Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna Mandapam, Varaha Mandapam, Five Rathas And
Shore Temples. Later visit Kancheepuram, one of the seven sacred cities of India and also
home to the famous silk and cotton weaving industry
Day 4- To
Pondicherry - Pondicherry – Always pleasant and charming, it still retains its French
colonial influence. A former French colony, Pondicherry presents an unusual combination of
European culture and Indian traditions. An added attraction is the township of Auroville,
an oasis of peace and enlightenment. It is an experiment in international living
Day 5- To
Trichy-A drive of 5 hours will bring you to another ancient city with a history stretching
from the days of the Chola dynasty. Tiruchirappalli popularly called Trichy is on the
banks of the Cauvery river. Looking high over the city is the Rock Fort. 434 steps cut into the rock side and
interspersed with shrines lead up to the top. Other attraction is Srirangam Temple
sprawling over a large area on an island as the river flows on both sides. It houses the
image of the sleeping Vishnu along the mortal remains of Sri Ramanuja Acharya
Day 6- To
Madurai-In the morning travel by surface
to the temple town of Madurai, a 3hours drive. Madurai, situated in southern Tamil Nadu is
the second largest city here lying on the banks of Vaigai river. Enjoy a city tour later
in the day. The main city area revolves around Meenakshi Temple, with its baroque example
of Dravidian architecture and the four tall gopurams (pillars) with multicoloured gods,
goddesses, demons and deities.
Day 7-
To Trivandrum After breakfast an interesting
drive to Trivandrum. It is a modern city with wide avenues and several beautiful parks and
picturesquely situated on small hills. Proceed to the Chitralayam Art Gallery to view the
collection of Orientalpaintings and then visit the Trivandrum Museum to see the display of
local arts and crafts.
Day 8- To Cape. Take a full day
trip to Kanyakumari, famous for its brilliant sunsets and sunrises. It is India’s
‘land’s’ end, the southernmost tip of the mainland. It is at the confluence
of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. On an offshore rock, in memory of
Swami Vivekananda, the Indian philosopher who would contemplate here, stands Vivekananda
Rock Memorial. Kanyaumari is the only place in India where one can watch the sun set and
moon rise simultaneously on a full moon evening. Return in the evening to Trivandrum.
Day 9- To Alappuzha Drive a
short distance before switching over to a boat for a cruise through many canals and
waterways up to Alleppey. The backwater cruise in a country boat is the best way to
explore the villages and rural life by these backwaters amidstcoconut plantations. In
Alleppey you will be taken aboard your floating houseboat, a different boat with a bedroom
which will be totally at your disposal. Enjoy unlimited surfing on backwaters, sip a
coconut, get disturbed by only the chirping of birds and occasional ripples in water and
savor mouthwatering delicacies prepared in front of you by your Kitchen crew. Spend the
night on board the houseboat. Enjoy a cruise on the backwater through a maze of canals and
lagoons and enjoy freshly caught fresh water fish cooked to your taste on board.
Day 10 Arrive and
Kumarakom and transfer to Back Water Resort.
Day 11- To Cochin-A journey of 2
hours by car will bring you to Cochin. A myriad of tiny islands set in the shimmering blue
Arabian sea, against a lush green back drop, forms the set for Cochin or Kochi, as it is
known. Later visit Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese known for its murals depicting
scenes fro the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and dresses and palanquins used by
Cochin’s erstwhile rulers; Koonan Kurishu Shrine which is a small chapel, Jewish
Synagogue which has a number of copper plates inscribed in the Hebrew script; Fort Kochi ,
St Francis Church, the oldest one to be constructed by Europeans in India; Santa Cruz
Basilica with a beautifully painted ceiling, and, Chinese Fishing Nets near the
harbor’s entrance.
Day 12- To Ooty- Drive through
the stunning Nilgiri Hills to the British hill station. of Ooty. Visit Mettupalayam and
take the Nilgiri Mountain Railway traversing 46kms of twists and turns to the hill station
of Ooty. Snaking through 16 tunnels and tall girder bridges, the climb offers breathtaking
vistas of plantation and fir-clad hills. Arrive and transfer to your resort for two nights
Day 13-
In Ooty Spend
full day in Ooty exploring many places like Botanical Garden, for a variety of over 1000
exotic and ornamental plants, shrubs and trees including ferns, alpines, adorn this
garden. Ooty Lake which is 2.5 km long and was built in 1825;St. Stephen’s Church
built in 1820’s in a Gothic Style. The wood is taken from Tipu Sultan’s Lal Bagh
Palace in Srirangapatnam; Government Museum displaying the tribal objects, districts,
ecological details and art & sculptures of the Nilgiris; Dolphin’s Nose located
at a distance of 12 kms from Coonoor, with a micro climate
Day 14- To
Mysore. Drive down hill to the sandalwood city of Mysore. This city is ‘TheJewel of
Karnataka’ and provides glimpses of its past grandeur. Stately Mysore with its tree
lined boulevards, grand palaces, and gardens is one of India’s finest cities. Life
retains its calm, measured pace, punctuated by outbursts of activity, celebrating
festivals. Afternoon you will enjoy a drive up Chamundi Hill to see the temple and the
statue of Nandi Bull
Day 15- In
Mysore Today’s
program includes a city tour covering Maharaja’s Palace built as recently as 1897,
which is one of the biggest in India; Srirangapatnam was the capital of Hyder Ali and Tipu
Sultan. Brindavan Gardens are illuminated 3 days a week, St Philomena’s Church etc.
Also visit Sri Jauyachamarajendra Art Gallery housed in the Jagmohan Palace, the gallery
has a collection of exquisite paintings. Later visit the colorful Devaraja fruit and
vegetable market before returning to your hotel for overnight
Day 16- To Hassan Drive early
morning to Hasssan, a calm and peaceful town, whichis a convenient base to visit Belur and
Halebid. After you check in you will first visit Belur known for its exquisite temples and
Chennakeshava Temple is a fine example. It took 103 years to complete and the façade of
the temple is covered with intricate sculptures and frescoes - awe-inspiring in their
workmanship. In the temple are hand-lathe turned filigreed pillars. Veeranarayana Temple
and the smaller shrines are worth a visit. Later drive to Halebid, where Hoysaleswara
Temple has a wealth of sculptural detail, the walls covered with gods, goddesses, animals
and dancing girls. No two facets of the temple are alike. Guarded by a Nandi Bull, it was
never completed, despite 86 years of work. Return to your hotel in Hassan later.
Day 17-
To Bangalore Today you will see the splendour
of Sravanabelagola, 51 kms south – east of Hassan, one of most important Jain Pilgrim
centres. Stop for a while before you continue your journey to Bangalore, also known as the
Garden City .Later visit Fort And Tipu Sultan’s Palace, originally built in mud in
1537 and rebuilt by Haider Ali a couple of centuries later; Bull Temple enshrining a
massive bull carved out of a single piece of Grey granite; Lalbagh gardens laid out by
Haider Ali in the 18th century; Cubbon Park laid out by the British in the 19th century.
Vidhan Soudha built in granite incorporates features of traditional Indian architecture.
Day 18- To Goa In time transfer
to airport enable board flight for Goa. Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer
to hotel. Evening at leisure.
Day 19- In Goa Day is at
leisure.
Day 20- In Goa Day is at
leisure.
Day 21-
To Mumbai Connect flight to Bombay in the morning. On this day you will visit the highlights of Bombay
which would include Mani Bhavan, the house where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay during his
visits to Bombay. Also visit the Prince Of Wales Museum having a priceless collection of
art and sculpture and Jain Temple. Drive past the “Tower Of Silence”, delightful
Kamla Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens situated on the slope of Malabar Hill offering a
panoramic view of Marine Drive and Chowpatty beach. Also drive past Crawford Market,
Bombay High Court . Visit The Gateway Of India, a splendid arch by the Arabian Sea, built
to commemorate the royal visit in 1927.
Day 22- Leave Mumbai In time
transfer to airport enable board flight for onward destination. |
