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Day 01
Arrive Chennai
Arrive at Chennai International Airport. As a part of
your South India tour you will first visit Chennai or
Madras as it was known as is the capital of Tamilnadu.
It is a teeming, sprawling, bustling industrial metro
established on the site of a fishing village in 1639 as
a first British settlement in India by the English
merchant, Francis Day. Later, The East India Company
developed Chennai as one of the major trading centres in
India. Chennai has a blend of Dravidian and Gothic
architecture in its buildings. The city might have grown
but it has never lost its traditional grace and charm.
Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you are met by
our representative who will present you with a welcome
pack including all necessary documentation for your
South India tour and arrange for your transfer to your
hotel for check-in. No activity is scheduled today,
since most of the International flights arrive into
India close to midnight only. Overnight at hotel
Day 02
In Chennai
This morning embark from your hotel for a half day tour
of Chennai.
This tour includes a visit to The Santhome Cathedral
Church - built in 1504, then rebuilt in neo-Gothic style
in 1893, this Roman Catholic Church near Kapaleeshwarar
temple is said to house the remains of St. Thomas the
Apostle.
St Thomas Mount - is the place where the apostle is said
to have been killed.
Little Mount Shrine - St. Thomas is believed to have
lived in Little Mount Shrine (a tiny cave) when he came
to India around 58 A.D. Known locally as Chinnamalai,
the cave is entered via the Portuguese Church that was
built in 1551.
Fort St George -built in the 1640 A.D., the first
bastion of British power of India, the fort has
undergone much alteration. The fort is now used by the
Tamilnadu Legislative Assembly and the Secretariat
office. The 46m high flagstaff at the front is actually
a mast salvaged from a 17th century shipwreck.
St Mary's Church built in 1678-80, was the first
English Church in Chennai, and is the oldest surviving
British Church in India. There are reminders in the
Church of Clive, who was married here in 1753, and of
Elihu Yale, the early Governor of Chennai who later
founded the famous American University bearing his name.
The Fort Museum - It has a collection of objects from
the tenure of the East India Company in Chennai
including letters from Robert Clive.
Rest of the day at leisure to explore the city on your
own. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03
Chennai Mahabalipuram By Road ( Approx 60 Kms / 01
Hour )
This morning you drive to Mahabalipuram.
Mahabalipuram - Mahabalipuram is a sleepy coastal town
60 kms south of Chennai. This tiny sea side village set
in a boulder strewn landscape is a site of many ancient
sculptural marvels. It was the port city of the Pallavas
who had mastered the art of construction without using
bricks or mortar, carving out exquisite sculptures from
rocks. The best examples of the ir art here are the five
monolith chariots, the pride of Mahabalipuram. The
various panels on the walls depict scenes from Hindu
mythology and fables from the Panchtantra. The
Mahabalipuram ruins, date to the seventh century and
consist of a cave temple, shore temple, monolithic
rathas (rock-carved temple chariots) and bas-reliefs
(among the world's finest.). It is the ideal place to
purchase intricately shaped and skilfully carved
statues.
Mahabalipuram , is one of the Indian towns that was
devastated by the recent Tsunami waves in December 2004
, but in true Indian style , the citys inhabitants
showed tremendous courage and had the city back to
normal very quickly.
Upon arrival check-in to the hotel. Rest of the day at
leisure to explore the city on your own or perhaps just
relax on the beach.
Overnight will be in Mahabalipuram.
Day 04
Mahabalipuram- Tanjore By Road ( Approx 179Kms / 05
Hour )
Breakfast in the hotel. This morning after the breakfast
drive to Tanjore.
On arrival check in to the hotel. Rest of the day free
at leisure.
Overnight will be in Tanjore.
Day 05
In Tanjore
Tanjore is the home of Carnatic music, musical
instruments, dance and traditional handicrafts; Tanjore
(Thanjavur) is famous for the Brihadeeswarar Temple.
Also called the Big temple and it is dedicated to Lord
Shiva. The great Chola king Raja Raja I (985-1012 A.D)
built this temple. It is an outstanding example of the
Chola architecture. Its unique architectural excellence
has made the UNESCO to declare it a World Heritage
Monument. The 64.8m tall, 14-tiered pyramid shaped
vimanam rises from a square base and is topped by a huge
monolithic cupolas carved out from an 81.3 ton block of
granite. It was installed with aid of a 6km long
inclined plane. The tower is a testimony to the
engineering skill of the Chola architects who planned
its construction in a way that the shadow of the cupola
never falls on the ground. The Art Gallery, Nandi Bull
and the Saraswathi Mahal Library, are one of the most
ancient in the world are worth visiting.
Overnight will be in Tanjore.
Day 06
Tanjore Trichy - Madurai By Surface Approx (201 Kms/05
Hours)
Breakfast in the hotel. After breakfast this morning
drive to Trichy, and on arrival, visit rirangam.
Surrounded by the Kaveri water is a 600-acre island town
enclosed within the seven walls on the gigantic Sri
Ranganathaswami temple. There are no less than 22
gopurams, one of which is the tallest in India. The 72 m
high 13-tiered gopuram dominates the landscape for miles
around. The Rock Fort situated on the banks of the
Kaveri river, is Trichy's most famed land mark is an 84
m high rock, one of the oldest in the world aprox.3, 800
million years. The attraction is not for fort itself but
the temple at the summit. 344 steps hewn out of rock
lead to the top where are the inscriptions dating back
to the 3rd century B.C.
After completing the visit to Trichy continue the drive
to Madurai.
Upon arrival in Madurai check in to the Hotel.
Overnight will be in Madurai.
Day 07
In Madurai
Breakfast in the hotel. This morning embark upon the
sightseeing of the city.
Madurai is known as Athens of the East, it is the second
largest city on the banks of the River Vigai. The city
is believed to be more than 2500 years old. The city got
its name from the drops of nectar that fell from Shiva's
locs when he came to bless its people for constructing a
temple for him. Madurai is proud of magnificent of The
Meenakshi-Sundareswara Temple. Of its 12 gopurams, four
of the tallest stand at the outer walls of the temple.
The 48.8 m high southern gopuram is the most spectacular
and have over 1500 sculptures. In the Ashta Shakti
Mandapam inside the Meenakshi temple, the sculpted
pillars tell the story of the beautiful princess of
Madurai and her marriage to Lord Shiva.
Overnight stay is at the hotel.
Day 08
Madurai Periyar By Surface Approx (186 Kms/04
Hours)
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning drive to Periyar.
Periyar is spread over an area of 777 sq km; this
sanctuary has about 35 tigers and leopards. However,
sighting a tiger in Periyar is a fortune for one out of
thousand. The park encompasses a 26 sq km artificial
lake and is the home of Sambars, Wild Boars, Elephants
and Antelopes, which can be occasionally seen on the
banks of the river during a boat cruise. Periyar,
otherwise, blessed by Nature has enormous tea, coffee,
pepper and cardamom plantations and is lush green
Upon arrival check in to Hotel. In the afternoon there
is a boat cruise on Lake Periyar to view wildlife.
Overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 09
Periyar Kumarakom By Surface Approx (201 Kms/05
Hours)
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning drive to Kumarakom.
On arrival you will check-in at the backwater resort.
Kumarakom is a beautiful backwater village on the shores
of the enchanting Vembana Lake. Coconut Lagoon is set on
an abandoned coconut plantation in the heart of idyllic
backwaters.
Overnight will be in Kumarakom.
Day 10
Kumarakom Alleppey By Surface
Breakfast in the hotel. This morning drive to Alleppey
Jetty to go on board Kerala Houseboat called "Kettuvalam"
The deluxe boat, approx, 55 feet in length consists of
one bedroom, deck, pantry and a dining area. The room,
well furnished with AC unit for night use, provides
spacious attached bath, WC, shower area.
Traveling by boat on the backwaters in Kerala is one of
the most unique experiences. The boats crosses shallow,
palm-fringed lakes and travel along shady canals
providing glimpses of small settlement on the narrow
land, shops, schools and trading on boat, lush green
rice fields. These canals are well connected between
Kottayam-Alleppey-Changancherry-Quilon and Kumarakom.
Overnight stay will be on Houseboat.
Day 11
Alleppey Cochin By Surface Approx (70 Kms/02 Hours)
After breakfast proceed to Cochin.
Upon arrival check in to hotel. Rest of the day free at
leisure.
Overnight will be in Cochin.
Day 12
In Cochin
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning embark upon the
sightseeing of the city.
Cochin is Kerala's commercial centre, it has a fine
natural harbor. Cochin is famous for Mattanchery Palace,
St. Francis Church, Wellington Island, Bolghatty Island,
Chinese Fishing nets and Jewish Synagogue. Cruising on
the backwaters provides glimpses of the rural life, fine
view of the harbor and three islands.In the evening you
will witness Kathakali Dance Show in an auditorium.
Overnight will be in Cochin.
Day 13
Cochin Bangalore (Flight)
Bangalore Hassan By Surface Approx ( 194 Kms /04 Hours
)
Breakfastat the hotel. This morning assisted in the
departure transfer to the airport to board the flight
for Bangalore. Upon arrival in Bangalore received at the
airport and then drive to Hassan, visiting enroute
Sravanbelgola.
Said to be the world's tallest monolithic statue, it
rises 17 meter high of Bahubali. The statue was built in
981 AD by the sculptor Aristanmi and is most sacred to
the Jain Community.
Day 14
Hassan Mysore By Surface Approx (125 Kms/03 Hours)
This morning after the breakfast visit Belur and Halebid
temples.
Belur temple took over 103 years to build and is a
classic example of the Hoysala style of architecture. It
rises like a wedding cake in stone, from a star shaped
plinth, one of the hallmarks of Hoysala building design.
From the base upwards, there is an extraordinary wealth
of decorative detail; every available inch is crammed
with intricate carvings. In one frieze, 650 elephants
jostle one another in a continuous line. Many of the
figures of full-blossomed women depicted at Belur are
believed to be portraits of King Vishnuvardhana's queen.
Halebid is 16 km east of Belur and 27 km from Hassan.
The Hoysaleswara Temple dating back to 12th century is
astounding for its wealth of sculptural detail. The
walls of the temple are covered with an endless variety
of gods and goddesses, animals, birds and dancing girls.
Yet no two facets of the temple are the same. The
magnificent temple -dedicated to Lord Shiva guarded by a
Nandi Bull was never completed despite 86 years of
labour. In the inner sanctum, the star black lingam, the
symbol of Shiva, is still worshipped. The carving at the
door is ornate with small details.
In the afternoon, drive to Mysore and upon arrival check
in to the hotel.
Overnight will be in Mysore.
Day 15
In Mysore
After breakfast at the hotel this morning embark upon
the sightseeing trip of the city .
Mysore is 770 m above sea level. this imperial city was
the erstwhile capital of the Wodeyars. The legend takes
its name from a famous demon called Mahishasur, a great
warrior who ruled as a tyrant until the goddess
Chamundeshwari killed him. Mysore as we see today is
most famous for the imposing Royal Palace with a
magnificent Durbar Hall particularly splendid during the
Dussehra Festival when the Maharaja's jewellery, studded
gold throne (weighing 200 kgs) is on display.
Chamundeshwari temple perched on a hilltop is 2000 years
old; Nandi Bull half way to the hill is a 4.8 metre
monolith. 19 km northwest of Mysore is the KRS Dam and
the ornamental Brindavan Gardens. The musical fountains
and colorful lights transform this place into a
fairyland in the evenings. Overnight will be in Mysore.
Day 16
Mysore Bangalore By Surface Approx (141 Kms/03
Hours)
After breakfast at the hotel, this morning drive to
Bangalore visiting Srirangapatnam, the Fort and Palace
of Tippu Sultan.
Upon arrival in Bangalore, embark upon the city
sightseeing tour.
Bangalore is the capital city of Karnataka. It is one of
the most important metropolises of India. It is a vital
centre of science, aeronautics and electronics. Situated
1000 m above sea level, this garden city has pleasant
weather round the year. The Lalbagh, one of the finest
botanical Gardens of India, Cubbon Park laid in 1864
sprawling across 300 acres, Vidhana Soudha built in 1956
housing The State Legislature and Secretariat are the
main attractions.
After completing the sightseeing of the city, assisted
in the transfer to the airport to board the flight for
Chennai. Upon arrive in Chennai received at the airport
and assisted in the final departure transfer to the
international airport to board the flight back home. |
