Day 01 : Chennai
Arrive
in Chennai, formerly known as Madras-the capital city of Tamil Nadu and one
of the foremost tourist destinations of South India. The city is a beautiful
blend of the traditional Tamil-Hindu culture and modern British culture. The
numerous temples, shrines, forts and palaces of Chennai are a reflection of
the rich and diverse historical heritage of the city. Assistance upon
arrival and transfer to hotel. Later proceed to see the major attractions
including Fort St. George, Marina Beach and Kapaleeswar Temple. In the
afternoon, enjoy shopping to buy souvenirs followed by transfer to the hotel
for overnight stay.
Day 02 : Chennai-Mahabalipuram-Kanchipuram-Chennai (14O km)
After breakfast, proceed for a fult day tour of Mahabalipuram &
Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram is the ancient capital of the Pallavas and is
famous as a city of 1000 Temples. It still has 124 shrines. The first temple
dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century 8 has paintings on
the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and
Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchiouram is also famous for its silks.
The city of Mahabalipuram is famous for the seven pagodas. Here on the sea
shore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples, which are the
examples of Dravidian style of Architecture. Overnight stay at Chennai
Hotel.
Day 03 : Chennai-Pondicherry (170km)
After
breakfast, transfer to Pondicherry, formerly a French colony, who had
settled in the early part of 18th century. Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram at
Auroville - the brain child of the mother and designed by French Architect
Roger Anger, Auro ville was meant to be an experiment in international
living where men and women could live in peace and progress in harmony with
each other, above all creeds. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 04 : Pondicherry - Swami Mailer(166 Km)
After breakfast drive to Swami Mailer-an ethnic Village Resort. Enroute
visit Chidambram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Overnight stay at the resort.
Day 05 : Swami Malai - Tanjore - Trichy(91 Km)
After breakfast, drive to Trichy. Enroute visit Tanjore Temple. Upon
arrival at Trichy, check into the hotel. Late afternoon visit Srirangam and
Rock Fort. Overnight stay at Trichy hotel.
Day 06 : Trichy - Madurai (142 Km)
After
breakfast drive to Madurai. Upon arrival check into the hotel. After freshen
up visit one of South India's great temple towns, Madurai is synonymous with
the celebrated Meenakshi Temple, situated on the banks of river Vaigai
Madurai. Overnight stay at Madurai Hotel.
Day 07 : Madurai-Rameshwaram(160Km) A Days Excursion
After breakfast, rest of the day is free to explore Madurai on your own. Or
take an optional day trip to visit Rameshwaram, Rameshwaram -situated on the
extreme south eastern limit of the Indian peninsula, is the Mecca for
Hindus. The Ramanathaswamy Temple situated close to the sea on the eastern
side of the Island is known for its magnificent structure, long corridors
and aesthetically carved pillars lining it. The corridor is the longest in
Asia- It is 197 metres long east-west, and 133 metres in length on
south-north. Overnight stay at Madurai hotel.
Day 08 : Madurai - Kanya Kumari - Kovalam (285Km )
Early morning drive to Kovalam. En-route visit Kanya Kumari (Cape
Comorin)-The last land end of India where three Oceans (Indian Ocean-Arabian
Sea & Bay of Bengal) meet. Later Continue drive to Kovalam. Upon arrival
transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 09 : Kovalam
After breakfast, proceed for half day sightseeing tour of Trivandrum. It is
bounded by the Arabian Sea in the west and Tamil Nadu in the east. Visit the
Napier Museum, Kuthiramalika Museum, Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple. In the
afternoon relax on the famous Kovalam Beach. Overnight stay at Resorts.
Day 10 : Kovalam - Periyar/ Thekkady( 276 km)
After
breakfast, proceed to Periyar. The very sound of the world Thekkady conjures
up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented
plantations. In the Periyar forests of Thekkady lies one of the finest
wildlife reserves in India. On arrival at Thekkady check into the hotel.
Rest of the day for at leisure Or take an optional tour of spice plantations
& you can also enjoy boating in the Periyar lake to view the wildlife at
the Periyar tiger reserve. Overnight in Thekkady
Day 11 : Periyar
After breakfast the day is free at leisure or enjoy an optional tour to
spice plantations & later enjoy boating in the Periyar lake to view the
wildlife at the Periyar tiger reserve! optional). Overnight in Periyar.
Day 12 : Periyar - Cochin
After breakfast drive to Cochin" The Queen of the Arabian Sea"
with one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Meet our
representative who will transfer you to the hotel. In the afternoon, proceed
for a half day sightseeing tour of Cochin. Visit the Dutch Palace, Jewish
Synagogue, Jews Street, St.Francis church, Chinese fishing nets & The
Indo-Portngnese Museum. In the evening you can also see^Kathakali dance
(ancient dance of Kerala-Optional). Overnight atCochin Hotel.
Day 13 : Cochin - Bangalore - Hassan (194 km )
Alter breakfast, transfer to the airport to board on your flight to
Bangalore. On arrival a drive to Hasan and visit Sravanabelogola that is
renowned for the 17m high statue of Lord Gomateshvara atop the Indragiri
Hill. Overnight stay in Hassan.
Day 14 : Hassan Tour (194 km)
Today, after breakfast proceed for an excursion tours to Behur and Halebid.
Behur and Halebid has a series of beautifully carved temples between them.
They are the places referred to in the glorious past of the historical sites
of Karnataka. Overnight stay in Hassan.
Day 15 : Hasan - Mysore (125 km)
After
breakfast, proceed for a drive to Mysore which gives you an Insight into the
changing topography, lifestyles, history and diversity between two places
within a single state-of Karnataka. Late afternoon set out on your
sightseeing tour to Brindavan Gardens and Mysore Palace. Overnight stay at
Mysore.
Day 16 : Mysore (lOO km) - Virajet(65Km) - Madeikeri
After breakfast drive to Virajpet. The town of Virajpet is the second town
of the district of Kodagu, in Karnataka. It is a small town of importance
for the local coffee and spice crops. Some of the tourist attractions in and
around Virajpet are the Ayyappa temple halfway up * and the Shiva temple at
the top of the Malethinke hill, a semispherical hill at Kakotuparambu which
is about 8 km from Virajpet. Enjoy your lunch at local restaurant after the
sightseeing and later proceed to Madeikeri for overnight stay.
Dav 17 : Madeikeri - Mysore (150 km)
After breakfast, visit Raja's Seat. At the western End of Madikeri, Raja's
Seat is a small pavilion with a garden surrounding it offering a view of the
green valley below Madikeri Fort. This fort was first built by Mudduraja in
the last quarter of the 17th Century. He also built a palace inside the
Fort. It was eventually rebuilt in granite by Tipu Sultan who named the site
as Jaffarabad. Late afternoon proceed to Mysore for overnight stay.
Dav 18 : Mysore - Bangalore (140 km)
After breakfast transfer to Bangalore airport to board your respective
flight.
