Upon arrival in Chennai, our Executive will meet you at the Airport followed by transfer from Airport to Hotel.
Check in the hotel and depart for the sightseeing of Chennai visiting - the ancient "Shiva Kapaleeswarar Temple" is constructed in the Dravidian style on 1250 AD and was rebuilt by Vijayanagar king in 16th century which is displays the architectural elements - rainbow - magnificent 37m tall colored Gopurams, mandapam and a huge tank and the Santhome Church is a soaring Roman Catholic Church is said to house the remains of apostle Doubting Thomas. (Overnight stay in Chennai)
Note: Sight seeing today will depend on your time of arrival. Incase of the said sight seeing not possible for the day, it shall be done the next day morning.
| Day 02 - CHENNAI TO MAMALLAPURAM (60KMS – 1.5HRS) |
Checkout from the hotel at 08.00am and drive to the laid-back beach town of Mamallapuram. On arrival sight seeing of Mamallapuram by Walk. We call it the ‘History walk of Mamallapuram’ which includes visits to all Major places of Interest (7th century monuments), a visit to Sculpture studio, a local snake charmers snake show including small magic right from his sleeve. This 03hrs interesting walk starts at the The Arjuna`s Penance (Bass Relief) and onward visiting monuments of Krishnas Butterball, Rayalagopuram, Ganeshratha, Varahacave, Ottikkal mandapam, Trimurthi caves, Koneri mandapam, Lions throne, Mahishasuramardini mandapam, Dharmaraja mandapam, Ramanuja mandapam, Five rathas (symbolises equality of men & women) & to end with at the famous Shore temple. To taste the south Indian flavor we have included a banana leaf lunch at one of the oldest restaurants of Mamallapuram. Return to hotel and at rest of the day at leisure. (Overnight at Hotel in Mamallapuram).
| Day 03 - MAMALLAPURAM TO BANGALORE / Via Kancheepuram (340KMS – 7.0HRS) |
After early breakfast checkout from the hotel at 07.30am and we drive to the temple town of Kancheepuram. On arrival at Kancheepuram sight seeing tour visiting - the famous temples of Varadaraja perumal (dedicated to lord vishu / the 1000 pillard hall is the most attraction), Ekambareshwar(houses the 3000yrs old mango tree which is still alive) & Kailasanathar(dedicated to god Shiva / oldest temple in Kancheepruam). Onward visit to the traditional saree weavers society. Silk has been intermingled with the life and culture of the Indians. Though India is producing all the varieties of silk i.e., dress materials, scarves/stoles, readymade garments, etc., the silk Sarees are unique. The Saree is almost synonymous with the word silk. It is the traditional costume of Indian woman since time immemorial. There are innumerable references in Indian literature about this draped garment and the style of wearing differs from time to time, region to region and people to people. The silk sarees of India are among the living examples of the excellent craftsmanship of the weavers of the country. After visiting in here we break for lunch around 12.00noon and after lunch onward we drive to reach Bangalore – The Garden city of SouthIndia. On arrival Check-in to the hotel and evening at leisure. (Overnight at Hotel in Bangalore).
| Day 04 - IN BANGALORE / Sightseeing. |
To have a contrast between modern cosmopolitan and the old Bangalore, we can visit Tipu's Summer Palace, which is, build mostly of wood. Further we will visit a hybrid of an ultramodern glass vernacular South Indian temple architecture, ISKCON's (International Society of Krishna Consciousness). After we will visit the Bull Temple - with a magnificent stone statue of the sacred bull, Nandi. If you like to have a pleasant culture shock we will bring you to the bustling local market, which contains a tarpaulin covered fruit and vegetable bazaar, a spice market, plenty of garland sellers and hole-in-the-wall tailor shops. (Overnight stay in Bangalore)
| Day 05 - BANGALORE TO MYSORE (140KMS – 3.0HRS). |
After breakfast check out of the hotel and drive to Mysore – the palace city of South India. On arrival at Mysore, sight seeing tour visiting Maharaja's Palace (Daily10:00am-5: 30pm). Built in Indo Saracenic style with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades, the Palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world it was once the residence of Wodeyars. Intricately carved doors open to luxuriously furnished rooms. The majestic Durbar Hall has an ornate ceiling and many sculpted pillars. In the evening we will visit Chamundi Hill Standing as the crown jewel of Mysore, Chamundi Hills is the abode of all-powerful Goddess, Chamundi or Chamundeswari with its carved in granite bull. (Overnight stay in Mysore)
| Day 06 - IN MYSORE / Day Return Excursion Srirenagpatnam & Somnathpur. |
After early breakfast at 08.00am we proceed for a day return excursion to Somnathpur and Srirangapattinum. Somnathpur - one need not search far for its history. An inscribed stone slab, in old Kannada, at the entrance says it all. The reigning monarch was Narasimha III (1254-91 A.D.) whose full regal title runs into a sizeable paragraph: "Sri Vishnuvaradhana, Pratapa Chakravarti, Hoysala Bhujabala, Sri Vira Narasimha, Maharajadhiraja, Raja Paramesvara, Sanivarasiddhi, Giridurgamalla etc. Later we drive to Srirangapattinam - a place with Ancient history is an Island fortress town on the bank of river cauvery. Visit the Srirengapatnam fort and the summer palace of Tippu sultan. After sightseeing of Srirengapatnam around 01.00pm break for lunch at a nice resort in same town. After lunch we visit Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary at a 3km distance on one of the three islands in the Cauvery River. It’s a good place to see Storks, Ibis, Egrets, Darters, Spoonbills and Cormorants round the year. We return to hotel and refresh/relax. (Overnight at Hotel in Mysore).
| Day 07 - MYSORE TO MUDUMALAI (110KMS – 3.0HRS) |
Check out from hotel at 09.00am and drive to Mudumalai - one of South India’s largest wild life reserve. Situated in the foothills of Nilgiris, Mudhumalai / Bandipur is a large reserve (3000 sq.km) ranges in vegetation from Semi-evergreen forests to swamps and grass lands. In Mudumalai the mostly dense forest is home to spotted deer, Indian Bison, tiger, panther, wild boars and sloth bear. The wild life elephant population estimated around 600 is one of the largest in the country. On arrival Check-in and free afternoon for ownactivities. In the evening visit the surprising attraction of Mudumalai the Elephant Pooja ceremony. (Overnight at Hotel in Mudumalai).
Wake up with the roar of the jungle and at 07.00am we go on an Elephant safari. This 45mts elephant ride is arranged by the forest department and on your tour Mudumalai is the only place where you can experience elephant ride. Return to hotel and rest. At 01.00pm proceed for a 04hrs Bush trek. An approved jungle guide well versed in the ways of nature providing an illuminating insight into the realm of this forest trek will accompany you on this tour, covering some of the most beautiful areas of the park such as Singara hillock and Moyar river side, where nature is left to itself, undisturbed by outside influences. This trekking will give you many photo opportunities as well as to watch the untamed in its own habit. Later return to the hotel and leisure. (Overnight at Hotel in Mudumalai).
Note: Safari & Elephant rides in Mudumalai are subject to availability/climatic conditions.
| Day 09 - MUDUMALAI TO COCHIN (380 KMS – 8.0 HRS) |
Check Out from hotel after early breakfast and drive to Cochin- a cosmopolitan city in the federal state of Kerala. On arrival check into hotel and rest. (Overnight at Hotel in Cochin).
| Day 10 - IN COCHIN / Sight Seeing |
After breakfast, at 09.00am proceed for sight seeing tour of Cochin visiting - ‘The Jewish Synagogue’ at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town, ‘The St. Francis Church’, the oldest European Church in India, ‘The Santa Cruz Basilica’ originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese, The Dutch Palace, Spice market at the narrow streets and the ‘Chinese fishing nets’ are huge cantilevered fishing nets believed to have brought to Kochi by Chinese traders. Return to hotel for lunch and later in the evening at 05.30pm visit the famous dance drama of Kerala, the “Kathakali”. This dance can be characterized by grotesque gesticulations, amazing costumes and very extensive make-up. The stories are mostly taken from the epics Mahabharatha and Ramayana. (Overnight at Hotel in Cochin).
| Day 11 - COCHIN TO KUMARAKOM (95KMS – 2.0HRS) |
Departing the hotel at 09.00am we drive to Kumarkom - The Unique backwater destination situated on the banks of the Vembanad lake is considered as the gateway to the backwaters of Kuttanad. On arrival check in to hotel. In the evening at 05.30pm enjoy the sunset cruise. (Overnight at Hotel in Kumarakom).
In the evening enjoy the sunset cruises on the Vembanad Lake. (Overnight stay in Kumarakom)
| Day 13 - KUMARAKOM TO ALLEPPEY (55KMS – 1.5HRS) |
HOUSE BOAT CRUISE: 'Alleppey Round Trip'
Checkout from the hotel at 10.30am and we drive to Alleppey – The land of Backwater. On arrival, at 12.00noon check-in to the private House Boat which is waiting to take you on a tour through the backwaters, a splendid area full of canals, lakes and coves. You can sunbathe on the deck or observe the landscape from the protection of the cabin. The population’s whole life takes place here on the water. The people sail, fish, swim and bathe here. They do their washing and their washing up. They are so adapted to the water that you can see people talking for an hour, while they are up to their necks in water. Peddlers take care of the supplies and the public transport goes on the water. Countless water birds wait for their chance to catch a fish. The trip goes through a wonderful area full of palm trees, rice fields and floating water plants that surround the boat like emerald Green Island. (Overnight on Boarded Houseboat).
| Day 14 - ALLEPPEY TO KOVALAM (160KMS – 3.5HRS). |
Disembark from Houseboat at 10.00am after breakfast and drive to Kovalam – one of the most beautiful seaside resorts in India. The journey through the tropical landscape of Kerala gives a good idea of how the people live there. On arrival Kovalam check in to hotel and rest of the day at leisure. (Overnight at hotel in Kovalam).
| Day 15 - KOVALAM / Day return excursion to Kanyakumari |
In the Morning we will drive Kanyakumari. The name of this place has been christened after the virgin goddess Kanyakumari Amman. The memorial is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, the greatest social reformer. Swami Vivekananda was supposed to have medicated on the rock where the memorial stands today. Upon arrival in Kanyakumari we will go by boat to visit Vivekananda Memorial, which stands on one of two rocks separated by about 70 meters from each other. It is a temple which was build by rulers of different dynasties from 12th century and onwards. After we will visit Gandhi Memorial, which was built on the spot, where the urn containing his ashes was kept for the public to pay the last respect, before immersing at the confluence of the three seas. It is a testimony to modern architecture. On the way visit Padmanabhapuram palace, (50 km from Kovalam) - an archaeological museum which contains fine architectural works, sculptures, mural paintings and old weapons. (Overnight stay in Kovalam)
| Day 16 - DEPARTURE TRANSFER |
Check out from hotel according to flight timing and the tour ends today with a transfer to Trivandrum airport for onward flight.
|