South India Delight
Duration: 16 Nights / 17 Days
Places Covered: Mumbai - Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Tirupati
- Bangalore - Mysore - Kodai - Trichy - Tanjore - Madurai - Ramesharam - Trivandrum
- Kanyakumari - Mumbai
Day
1 : Mumbai
Welcome to India. You will be received at International Airport and immediately
transferred to your hotel for rest.
Overnight at Mumbai.
Day 2 : Mumbai - Chennai
Transfer to airport after breakfast for flight to Chennai.
Transfer to your hotel. Check in at hotel in Chennai.
In the afternoon, proceed for city tour of Chennai visiting Museum (Closed on
Fridays and holidays). Drive through the flower and fruit market, High Court,
Fort Museum, Marina Beach, San Thome Cathedral and Snake Park.
Relax in the evening. Overnight at Chennai.
Day 3 : Chennai - Mahabalipuram
- Chennai Excursion
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for Mahabalipuram by surface.
Proceed for sight seeing of Mahabalipuram - famous for the seven pagodas. Here,
on the seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples, which
are the examples of Dravidian style of architecture.
Visit Kanchipuram, ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000
temples that still has 124 shrines. Kanchipuram is also famous for silk.
Return to Chennai and relax at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 : Chennai - Tirupati
Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer to Tirupati. Tirupati - A temple and pilgrim town. Located at the foot
of the Tirumala Hills on which the ancient and beautiful temple of Lord Venkateshwara
stands. Spread over seven hills, this township is the most picturesque pilgrimage
centre in the south.
One must see the fervor with which the devotees stand in long queues for a glimpse
of their Lord. Masses of coins, jewelry & hair are received as offerings.
On arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon proceed for Darshan of LORD
BALAJI.
Overnight at Tirupati.
Day 5 : Tirupati - Bangalore
Start after breakfast and proceed for Bangalore.
Bangalore - where every season carries a holiday mood, a city called the Garden
City of India, a city which has identified it self as the Manhattan of India,
a city which keeps pace with the latest trends and fashion. Bangalore is fast
emerging as one of the most industrialized city in India. The local Chieftain,
KEMPE GOWDA, founded Bangalore in sixteenth century. But Bangalore never came
up on the scene till Tipu Sultan converted it into the summer capital of Mysore.
The Wodeyars also contributed in developing the city through gardens and palaces
they built. To the British goes the credit of making it into an administrative
center.
The pleasant climate of Bangalore has been an attraction for one and all. Capital
of a state that is rich in Sandalwood, Rose wood and Silk, certainly has more
to offer than a day or two of sight seeing. Bangalore has always tried to keep
itself peppy and jazzy. The numerous pubs and nightclubs can compete with any
modern city of America or Europe. It is a city that has adopted to the changing
fashion trends in the world. The city is not only has large number of cinema
halls but is also famous for its nightlife. The modern shopping malls full of
brightly lit shops and showrooms not necessarily invite prospective buyers but
are treat for the window shoppers too.
Overnight at Bangalore.
Day 6 : Bangalore - Mysore
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for city tour of Bangalore in the morning.
Drive to Mysore. En-route sight seeing of Srirangapatanam. Reach Mysore and
transfer to hotel.
Sightseeing of PALACE and the temples. Overnight at Mysore.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 7 : Mysore - Kodaikanal
After breakfast visit The Palace, Chamundi Hill, Art Galleries & Devraj
Urs market. Return to hotel. Proceed to Kodaikanal. Reach in the evening.
Kodaikanal is one of the most popular serene hill stations in India.With her
wooded slopes, mighty rocks, enhancing waterfalls and a beautiful lake, Kodaikanal
will mesmerize any visitor.
Kodaikanal, or Kodai is a serene hill station, set high in the Palani Hills
at an altitude of over 2100 metres. Wooded hills. Pleasant walks, picturesque
waterfalls and a magnificent lake, make Kodai one of the most beautiful hill
stations in India. Kodaikanal is rich in flora and fauna. It has a unique plant
- the Kurinji, which blossoms once in 12 years, making the hill slope a blaze
of purple. The Kurinji last blossomed in 1992.
Kurinji andavar Temple (3.2 kms.) :
The
presiding deity of the temple is Lord Murugan. From this point, one can get
a beautiful view of the northern plains and Plaani Hills.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8 : Kodaikanal - Trichy
Proceed to Trichy after breakfast. Reach and proceed for Full day excursion
to the city of Trichy.
Visit the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Ganapathi, 434 steps cut out into
the rock side and interspersed with shrines, lead to the temple. Visit SRIRANGAM,
a massive temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu sprawled on a Island in CAUVERY RIVER
which contains within its walls a Bazaar (TRADITIONAL MARKET OF INDIA) as well.
Gaze up at the twenty-one magnificent towers of the temple surrounded by seven
walls.
Return to hotel and relax.
Day 9 : Trichy - Tanjore
Breakfast at hotel.
In the morning drive to Tanjore also known as Thanjavur (The rice bowl of TAMIL
NADU). Proceed for sight seeing of Tanjore. Visit the famous Chola Temple of
Brihadeeshwara - A WORLD HERITAGE MONUMENT. Its bronze and handicrafts make
Tanjore one of the highlights of the tour to South India. The majesty of the
palaces and art gallery attached to the temple is really awe-inspiring. It is
also famous for the silk.
Overnight at Tanjore.
Day 10 : Tanjore - Madurai
Breakfast at hotel. Later leave for Madurai by surface and en route visit Karaikudi
(Chettinad).
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.
Check into the hotel by noon.
Freshen up and by afternoon visit the famous Madurai Meenakshi temple (dedicated
to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering GOPURAMS) - There are four entrances
to this amazing temple complex set in 6 hectares. Beat some of the stone pillars
in the complex with any hard object and feel incredible on hearing sweet metal
sounds. The total number of pillars in the temple is a staggering one Thousand.
If time permits enjoy a 'light & sound Panorama' in Thirumala Naik Temple
(optional) or visit to Alagar hills & Thirupura Rock Temple.
Overnight at Madurai.
Day 11 : Madurai - Rameshwaram - Madurai excursion
Breakfast at hotel.
Full day excursion to Rameshwaram, a city of swell and gentle sand dunes, embellished
with the delicacy of casurina trees and stark palms. This is a sacred place
for Hindus since according to Ramayana, this where Lord Rama worshipped God
Shiva to absolve himself of the sin of killing.
Return to Madurai by evening. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 : Madurai - Trivandrum
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed to Kanyakumari - the southern tip where the Indian
subcontinent meets the sea.
Proceed for the sunset view against the sea - AN UNFORGETTABLE VIEW. Leave for
Trivandrum by surface and reach late evening.
Relax at hotel. Overnight at Trivandrum.
Day 13 : Trivandrum - Alleppey - Houseboat
Breakfast at hotel. Start tour in the morning visiting the Sree Padmanabha Swami
Temple and Kanakakunnu Palace.
Proceed to the backwaters of Alleppey where you will board the Luxurious Traditional
Houseboat, which is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the
backwaters for a memorable day & night cruise. The boat will take you through
the virgin villages of Kuttanad - the only location in Kerala situated below
sea level. By evening the boat will be anchored at the middle of the water column.
Enjoy a starry night stay in between blue waters & blue skies.
Overnight on board the houseboat.
Day 14 : Cochin
Proceed to Cochin through the heartland of South Kerala. Experience the backwater
views and pass through the choir villages and the rice bowl of Kerala - Alleppey.
End the beautiful journey at Cochin. Check in at hotel.
The eventful history of this city began when a major flood in AD 1341 threw
open the estuary at Kochi, till then a land locked region, turning it into one
of the finest natural harbors in the world. Kochi thus became a haven for seafaring
visitors from all over the world and became the first European town-ship in
India when the Portuguese settled here in the 15th century.
A few interesting sites included in the tour are the Chinese fishing nets along
the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate,
Bastion Bungalow etc. Apart from these architectural splendors, an array of
restaurants serving fresh seafood is also popular among tourists.
The
Chinese fishing nets erected on teak wood and bamboo poles work on the principle
of balance. Records say they were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450.
Vasco Da Gama Square, the narrow promenade that parallels the beach, is the
best place to watch the nets being lowered and pulled out of the sea.
Proceed for a SUNSET HARBOR CRUISE in the evening. This will be the best way
to end your religious tour of South India. Overnight at Cochin.
Day 15 : Cochin - Mumbai
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai. Reach and transfer
to hotel.
For the day you'll be taking a sightseeing tour of Mumbai which has a very distinct
and appealing culture of its own.
The places covered will be MAHALAKSHMI TEMPLE, HANGING GARDEN, TOWER OF SILENCE,
CHOWPATTY AND PRINCE OF WALES MUSEUM.
Relax in the evening. Overnight at Mumbai.
Day 16 : Mumbai - Home
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to GATEWAY OF INDIA and proceed to harbor for ferry
to ELEPHANTA CAVES. Sightseeing and return by afternoon.
Proceed to hotel and relax in the evening. Check out late and transfer to airport
at 2200 hr.
Day 17 : Mumbai - Home
Early morning flight back home with sweet memories of India.
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