Delightful South! Nearly untouched by invasions throughout it's history,
the Indian heritage is more intact here than in any other region of the country.
Tamil Nadu is a bastion of Hinduism, home of the world famous Bharat Natyam
dance, towering temples and the towns of Mahaballipuram and Kanchipuram. Kerala,
with it verdant greenery and breathtaking landscapes is the spice coast of India,
with a thread of unbroken beach line, a unique network of rivers and lagoons.
Duration : 23 Nights / 24 Days
This itinerary covers the following destinations : Mumbai - Bangalore
- Mysore - Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Madurai - Kanyakumari
- Kovalam - Periyar - Cochin
Day
1 : Mumbai
Reach Mumbai late in the evening. Welcome by our representative with flower garlands on arrival at the airport. Transfer to the hotel.
Day 2 : Mumbai
Mumbai is India's foremost sea port, commercial centre and the hub of the world's largest film industry commonly called Bollywood. The tour would start with a visit to the Gateway of India - The imposing stone archway in Indo-Saracenic architecture built in the year1911, Hanging Gardens which provide gorgeous sunset views over the Arabian Sea and feature numerous hedges carved into the shapes of animals. Proceed towards the Aquarium and Marine Drive also known as "Queens Necklace". Due to its street lights shining like bright and sparkly stars at night. Later, visit the Museum of Wales and walk towards the Victoria station and then to Mumbai's famous Colaba market.
Return to the hotel.
Day 3 : Mumbai
Take a cruise in the Arabian Sea to see the famous the Elephanta Caves - Hewn out of a solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD, the cave complex is a collection of shrines, courtyards, inner cells, grand halls and porticos arranged in the splendid symmetry of Indian rock-cut architecture, and filled with exquisite stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses represented in many reincarnations.
The evening is free at leisure to enjoy Mumbai and its wonderful nightlife.
Day
4 : Bombay / Bangalore
Morning at leisure in Mumbai. In the afternoon, leave for the airport to catch a flight for Bangalore.
Day 5 : Bangalore
After breakfast, proceed for an orientation for your stay in Bangalore, the Capital city of Karnataka. The town came into existence in the early 16th Century and is also referred to as the Garden City. It is India's cosmopolitan city and has become a landmark for the IT industry.
The visit includes a walk in Lal Bagh - the rich and beautiful Lal Bagh Garden spread over 240 acres of greens located up till southern suburbs of Bangalore. Rulers of Mysore laid this garden. Haider Ali started building this garden in the year 1760, but his son Tipu Sultan completed it.
Continue your experience with a visit to the National Museum that was established in the year 1896, the Museum has significant collections of ancient weapons, stone carvings, pottery, painting and relics of the 5000-year-old Mohaenjodaro Civilization. Vidhan Sauda, a magnificent post-independence structure incorporating the traditional feature of architecture. Later pick up your shopping bags and enjoy A shopping spree.
Return to the hotel.
Day
6 : Bangalore / Mysore (3 ½ hrs)
Today, depart for Mysore - the capital of the erstwhile princely state, this quaint charming city of Mysore has a profusion of palaces and museums around which the boulevards of the city radiate.
En route, we stop at Srirangapattanam, the summer Palace of Tipu Sultan, located on an island of Cauvery. In the afternoon, we visit the Brindavan Gardens. The Brindavan Gardens, a celebrated beauty spot in this part of India is world famous for its symmetric design. It is one of the most beautifully laid out terrace gardens in the world. Mysore is famous for its silk material, sandalwood and incense sticks. On arrival, check in to the hotel.
Day 7 : Mysore
The next morning, visit the Mysore Palace built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, arches and colonnades, the palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and pieces of art from all over the world. It's a kaleidoscope of stained glass, beautiful carved wooden doors, mosaic floors, and exquisite paintings. The tastefully decorated and intricately carved doors open into luxuriously decorated rooms. The Palace has now been converted into a museum, which treasures paintings, jewellery, royal costumes of the rulers and much more.
Then visit Chamundi Hills - the temple of patron Goddess of Wodeyars, Chamundeshwari located on a hill 335 meters high, the temple can be approached by 1000 steps built by the Maharaja of Mysore in the 17th century. Half way towards the Temple is the giant monolith Nandi Bull. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8 : Mysore / Chennai (Train)
Enjoy the day at leisure and later transfer to the railway station to board a train to Chennai. On arrival in Chennai late evening check in to the hotel.
Day
9 : Chennai / Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram / Chennai
After breakfast depart for :
Mahabalipuram : As the port of the Pallava rulers of Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram was of particular importance in the 7th -8th Centuries. Most of the Hindu monuments date from this period. They are particularly associated with two Pallava rulers, Mamalla and Rajasimha. The rock-cut and monolithic temples at Mahabalipuram are the earliest temples of monumental architecture in Southern India. Most of the cave Temples are excavated into the sides of a granite hill, only a short distance from the sea.
Continue towards
Kanchipuram : One of the important holy cities of Hindus. The city has a political significance since it served as a capital of Pallava rulers in the 7th -9th Century. It continued to maintain its importance during the succeeding Cholas, Vijayanagars and Nayakas periods. Important examples of Hindu Temple architecture spanning almost a thousand years are preserved at Kanchipuram.
Later return to Chennai.
Day 10 : Chennai
The next morning, proceed for the city tour of Madras, which is now known as Chennai and is one India's four metropolitans located on the Coromandel Coast, it is the gateway to South India and also an important harbour. Sightseeing tour of Chennai city starts with a visit to Saint Mary's Church (built in the year 1678 - 80), the spiritual and physical centre of the original settlement and the oldest surviving building in the East associated with the Anglican Church.
Visit the famous Museum that houses a fantastic collection of medieval artillery, regimental flags, weapons and armour. Also visit the St. George Fort built in the year1644. Drive along the Marina, which is one of the most beautiful marine promenades in the world and contains a series of impressive private and public buildings. End the tour with a visit to the Kapaleeshwara Temple. This is the largest and the most important Shiva complex in Chennai.
Later return to the hotel.
Day 11 : Chennai / Pondicherry (3 hrs)
Spend the day at your disposal and travel down to Pondicherry. Pondicherry, which is 161 kilometres South of Chennai , is an amalgamation of all the former French settlements, which were handed over to the Indian Government in November, 1954.
Day 12 : Pondicherry
After breakfast, set out to explore the historical city. Pondicherry was the largest French colony in India. The city has a long and interesting history of trade and war. There is a strong French influence in the city, especially in the old quarters, with Rues and Boulevards lined with Mediterranean style houses and bakeries, although the city remains very much Indian.
The main attraction of the town is the Sri Aurobindo Ashram founded in the year 1926 and based on the teachings of philosopher poet Aurobindo Ghose and also known as the Centre of Integral Yoga. Enjoy the evening at leisure by the warm sandy beach.
Return to the hotel.
Day 13 : Pondicherry
Enjoy the day at your disposal to explore the quaint and historical city.
Day 14 : Pondicherry / Chennai (162 Kms)/ Madurai (Train)
In the morning, transfer to Chennai railway station to catch a train for Madurai. Night on board.
Day
15 : Madurai
Arrival early in the morning. Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India. The city is famous for is rich heritage and promoting Tamil language through "Sangams". The city has been in existence since about the 4th Century B.C and is mentioned in ancient texts of Greeks, Romans and Arabs.
Arrival and check into the hotel. In the morning, visit Madurai city, which is the cultural capital of South India. It has been the centre of learning and pilgrimage for centuries. Visit the thousand-pillared Meenakshi Temple, which is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture, featuring Gopurams or multi pillared halls, covered from top to bottom in a profusion of multi coloured images of Gods, Goddesses, animals and mythical figures. It is one of the most lively temples of India.
In the afternoon, visit the Tirumalai Nayak Palace, which was built in the year 1636.
In the evening, you will get a chance to attend the night ceremony at the Temple, with melodious music when Lord Sundarasvehvara (an incarnation of Shiva) goes to rest beside Meenakshi.
Return to the hotel.
Day 16 : Madurai / Kanyakumari
Spend the morning at leisure to visit the local market to shop for souvenirs. Madurai is popular for Sungidi handloom saris, brass works, Tanjore paintings, local handicrafts and antiques. Pudumandapam is an old mall (about 500 years old) of sorts, where you can find tailors, books, handicrafts and bronze items in quaint shops.
In the evening, depart for the railway station to catch a train for Kanyakumari. Night on board.
Day 17 : Kanyakumari
In the afternoon, start a tour of Kanyakumari with a visit to the Kumari Amman Temple , the Vivekananda Rock which has two Mandaps (halls); one belonging to Swami Vivekananda and the other belonging to a Holy Foot. The Holy Foot is a foot shaped carving found on the rock and is believed to be the footprint of Goddess Kumari who stood on this rock on one leg and performed the Tapasya (penance). Experience the magnificient Kanyakumari sunset near the sea.
Return to the hotel.
Day 18 : Kanyakumari / Kovalam
Start your journey to Kovalam with sandy beaches, a cool breeze that silently ruffles the coconut lagoons and the lush waves extend an embracing welcome. The exotic beach resort in Kerala has its history blended into the warm sands of time. There are hundreds of stories of valour, love and suffering wanting to be told in the backyards of history.
On arrival check into the hotel.
Day
19 :Kovalam
Enjoy the entire day at leisure to maybe catch up on a little sun bathing on the warm and sandy beach or just simply enjoy a relaxing Ayurveda Massage at a Spa.
Day 20 : Kovalam / Cochin (4 hrs)
The next morning depart for Cochin, which has been Kerala's centre for trade for innumerable centuries. With its beautiful setting on a cluster of islands, narrow peninsulas and a long history, Cochin boasts of one of the oldest churches in India, 500 year old Portuguese houses, cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, the historical Palace built by the Portuguese, Jewtown, complete with an immaculately preserved synagogues. In the afternoon, visit the Fort area including the Dutch Palace, the Church of St. Frances and the Jewish Synagogue.
Day 21 : Cochin
Morning breakfast is at the hotel Boat Cruise. Depart on a trip in the backwaters on house boats called Kettuvalam. This trip will take you through the tropical countryside and enchanting backwaters to Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets, typical villages and regattas (snake boats) for which Kerala is very famous.
Return to the hotel.
Day
22 : Cochin / Periyar
After a leisurely breakfast depart for Periyar. In the afternoon, get set for a spicy treat to the farmlands that grow Indian spices for which the French, Dutch, Portuguese and the British came to India. The Indian spices found here are pepper, tea, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, turmeric, etc. Rest of the day is at your disposal.
Day 23 : Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
The next morning, visit the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on a motorboat to see the wild Life - Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats, in God's Own Country, Kerala, is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary has a picturesque lake at the heart of the Sanctuary.
Set out to discover the Periyar National park. With a bit of luck, you may be able to view the gaur, wild pigs, sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, dole or Indian wild dog and very rarely, a tiger. There are now an estimated 40 tigers inhabiting this area. Four species of primates are found at Periyar - the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri langur, common langur, and the bonnet macaque. Periyar also happens to be the habitat of the elusive Nilgiri Tahr, but which is rarely to be seen.
The birdlife here comprises of darters, cormorants, kingfishers, the great Malabar Hornbill and racket-tailed drongoes. The reptilian population boasts of monitor lizards that can be spotted basking in the sun, on the rocks along the lakeshore. Visitors who trek into the Periyar National Park can often view a python and sometimes even a king cobra.
Return to the Hotel.
Day
24 : Periyar / Cochin / Mumbai (Flight)
After breakfast transfer to Cochin airport to catch a flight to Mumbai. In the evening transfer to Mumbai International airport to board your homebound flight.
Contact us today and let us know your requirement. We will be more than happy to assist and serve you.