Day 1/ Arrive Chennai
Arrive Chennai. Meet assist at the airport and transfer to hotel.
Day of leisure. Night stay in Chennai.
Day 2/
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 3/
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 4/
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 5/
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 6/
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 7/
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.