Day
01/ Arrive Chennai
Arrive Chennai. Meet assist at the airport and transfer to hotel.
Day of leisure. Night stay in Chennai.
Day
02/ Chennai
Morning after breakfast proceed for sight seeing tour of Chennai
covering St.Thomas Church, Kapaleshwar Temple and Fort St.George.
Drive past the Marina Beach, the natural sandy beauty and spacious
promenade and beautiful gardens of the beach attracts tourists visiting
Chennai. Night stay in Chennai.
Day
03/ Chennai - Kachipuram - Mahabalipuram
Morning drive to Kanchipuram-- known as the Golden City of a Thousand
Temples, is one of the oldest towns in India. It is famous for both
its temples, many of them remarkably well preserved and for its
hand-woven silks. Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred cities
of India and it is the only one associated with both Shiva and Vishnu.
Visit Ekambareshwar Temple, Kailashnath Temple, Kamakshi Temple,
the Vaikunthaperumal Temple, all built in the 7th and 8th centuries.
With a weaving tradition dating back to the Pallava era (when silk
was the royal cloth), Kanchipuram is justly famous for its particularly
fine silk saris, embellished with stunning patterns. Visit the local
homes of the weavers and watch them create magic out of silk thread
into saris.
Continue drive to Mahabalipuram & transfer to hotel. Later proceed
for city sightseeing.
Mahabalipuram - This is a small, quiet seaside resort with a unique
7th-century Shore Temple, a lovely beach and some of the most beautiful
rock-cut temples in the world. Situated on the shore of the Bay
of Bengal, Mahabalipuram was already a famous seaport in the 1st
century AD. This town was a workshop for temple building. Visit
the seven pagoda-style Shore temples, lashed by the waves of the
sea and the seven rathas or temple chariots, a group of monolithic
monuments & animal figures carved out of solid rock, the earliest
known examples of Dravidian architecture. They were constructed
in a single century-long burst of creative enthusiasm, starting
in the reign of Narasimhavarman 1 (AD 630-68). End the visit by
photography of the beautiful Shore temples at sunset. Night stay
in Mahabalipuram.
Day
04/ Mahabalipuram - Trichy
After breakfast drive to Trichy, short name of Trichurapalli, situated
on the banks of Kaveri River is a blend of history and tradition
as well as pilgrim centre, it is famous for Ranganath temple at
Srirangam. Later city tour visiting Rock fort and its temple at
a height of over 23mts. Also visit Srirangam and Jambukeshwar Temple.
Night stay in Trichy.
Day
05/ Trichy - Tanjore - Madurai
Morning drive to Thanjavur (Tanjore)(104kms/03hrs) enroute visiting
the Brass factory at Kumbakonam. Tanjore once the capital of Chola
Kings, has the Brahadeswara temple(or the big temple of God).The
temple tower rises to a height of 15mts from a square base of 29
mts and then tapers off, making a total of 66mts. Continue drive
to Madurai. The ancient city of Madurai, some 2600 years old is
laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the
Meenakshi temple in the centre. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Night
stay in Madurai.
Day 06/ Madurai
Madurai is over 2500 years old and is the second largest city of
Tamil Nadu - Ancient seat of learning. The city is planned in the
shape of a lotus. Situated on the banks of the Vaigai River, Madurai
is the ancient capital of the Pandya Kings. Legend has it, that
the divine nectar falling from the locks of Lord Shiva gave the
town its ancient name, Madhurapuri—the land of nectar. Today, it
is an important business centre.
The crowning glory of Madurai is the Meenakshi Sundareshwara Temple
Complex, which is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, her consort Lord
Sundareshwara, and her celestial brother, Lord Vishnu. The Meenakshi
Temple has a thousand-pillared hall. Also enjoy a 'light & sound
Panorama' in Thirumala Naik Temple or visit to Alagar hills &
Thirupura Rock Temple. In the evening, listen to the distinctive
temple music at Thiruppa Rakundram. Night stay in Madurai.
Day
07/ Madurai - Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Morning drive on a scenic route dotted with plantations of rubber,
cardamom, cocoa, green pepper and areca nut, to the wildlife reserve
at Periyar. Arrive Periyar and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day
free for walk around in the peaceful town known for various Spice
and coffee plantations. Night stay in Periyar.
Day
08/ Periyar - Munnar
Early morning enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar to see wild elephants.
Afternoon drive to Munnar, the famous hill station of Kerala. Arrive
Munnar and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Munnar.
Day
09/ Munnar
Day is free to relax and to walk around. Munnar is situated near
the Anaimudi Peak, the highest peak in the Western Ghats.Also visit
Rajamalai & Eravikulam National Park, 15Kms from Munnar, this
is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Thar, a rare mountain goat
(Hermitragas Hylocres). 2. Marayoor, 40Kms from Munnar, the only
place in Kerala that lays claim to the natural growth of Sandalwood.
The Muniyara caves with murals and relics from the New Stone Age
Civilization. A Children’s Park, spread across a hectare of land
under the canopy of a Single Banyan Tree, are of great interest
to tourists. Night stay in Munnar.
Day
10/ Munnar - Kumarakom
Morning drive to Kumarakom near Kottayam and stay in one of the
backwater resorts. The panoramic backwaters here offer an ideal
retreat to enjoy nature at its best. Night stay at Kumarakom.
Day
11/ Kumarakom - Alappuzha
Morning drive a short distance before switching over to a boat for
a 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. In Alleppey you will be taken aboard your floating
houseboat, a different boat with a bedroom and en-suite rest room
for your
comfort. 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.
Night stay in Allapuzha.
Day
12/ Allapuzha - Cochin
Morning drive to Cochin (225Kms drive). The Commercial Capital of
Kerala, and the most cosmopolitan of Kerala’s cities, Cochin is
a fascinating blend of cultures. Arrive & transfer to hotel.
Later proceed for sightseeing in Cochin covering:
1. The Hill Palace Museum, a fully-fledged archeological museum
and Kerala’s first ever Heritage Museum are the main attractions
(closed on Mondays).
2. Chinese Fishing Nets, this unique style of huge cantilevered
fishing nets were erected between 1350 and 1450 AD by traders from
the Court of Kubla Khan, a Chinese King.
3. Santa Cruz Basilica, this historic church was built by the Portuguese
and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558. Pope John Paul
II proclaimed the Church a Basilica in 1984.
4. The Jewish Synagogue, constructed in 1568, this is the oldest
Synagogue in the Commonwealth (closed on Saturdays & Jewish
Holidays).
The area around the Synagogue, called Jew Town, is the centre for
Spice & Handicraft shops.
5. Mattanchery Palace (Dutch Palace), built by the Portuguese in
1557 and presented to the Regent of Kochi (closed on Fridays).
Night stay in Cochin.
Day
13/ Cochin - Ooty
After breakfast drive to Ooty. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Evening
free to explore the beautiful & ravishing beauty of Ooty. Also
visit Zotanical Garden: A variety of exotic and ornamental plants
adorn this garden which is the venue for the Flower show held in
May every year. Night stay in Ooty.
Day
14/ Ooty
Day free to relax and explore the surroundings. It is one of the
most popular hill resorts in southern India at an elevation of 7216
ft. above sea-level. The Eastern Ghats are mighty and attractive
while the Western ghats have wooded loveliness. Nature unfolds itself
in and around Ooty in a myriad of profiles, each one with a distinctive
grandeur and individuality.
Night stay in Ooty.
Day
15/ Ooty - Mysore
Morning drive to Mysore. The city got its name from Mahishasura,
the buffalo headed demon king. Chamundeswari, an incarnation of
Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva, killed the demon. It is also the
capital of sandalwood, musk and rosewood. Mysore emerged as the
capital of the Wodeyar kings, in 1399 AD. The original wooden palace
was destroyed in a fire in 1897 during a marriage ceremony. Henry
Erwin, a British architect, designed the new palace and handed it
over to the king in 1911-12, at a cost of Rs. 4.2 million. Though
royalty no longer exists in its accepted form, the descendants of
the royal family still live here. The palace is a blend of Indo-Saracenic,
Mogul and Hindu architecture styles. The entire effect is magnificent.
Other attractions include the Lalit Mohan Palace, at the foot of
the Chamundi Hill. E. W. Fritchley, a British architect, built it
in 1931. Then there is the Jagan Mohan Palace, built by Krishnaraj
Wodeyar IV in 1861 as a royal auditorium. Today, it is a famous
art gallery, containing royal paintings. Night stay in Mysore.
Day
16/ Mysore
After breakfast, visit the places you must have been longing to
visit: Sir Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery – Housed in the Jag Mohan
Palace, this gallery has a collection of exquisite paintings dating
back to 1875. St. Phenomena's Church – Built in the Gothic style,
one of the largest churches of the country. Chamundi Hills – Right
on the top of the hill, Brindavan Gardens – Witness the exuberant
beauty of Brindavan Gardens. Night stay in Mysore.
Day
17/ Mysore - Bangalore
After breakfast drive to Bangalore enroute visiting Sirangapatnam
- capital of warrior – King Hyder Ali & his son Tipu Sultan,
has magnificent monuments that are well worth a visit. Set &
refresh in hotel then go to visit Mysore Palace : Once the residence
of the Woodeyars, Built in 1912 in the Indo – Saracenic style, this
palace exudes a grandeur that is unmatched. The Golden royal Elephant,
the Durbar hall.. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Bangalore.
Day
18/ Bangalore - Departure
After breakfast checkout from hotel and proceed to visit the city
of Gardens: You will see Vidhan Sudha – It houses the State’s Legislature
and Secretariat, Nandi Temple - One of Oldest temple, popularly
known as the Bull temple, etc. Later transfer to airport to board
the flight back home.