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-: Fascinating South India Tour :-
Duration of Trip -::- 15 Nights / 16 Days
Key Places Covered -::- Mumbai , Cochin , Kumarakom , Periyar , Madurai , Trichy, Tanjore , Pondicherry , Mahabalipuram , Chennai , Mysore , Bangalore , Mumbai
Day 01 : Mumbai - Cochin
Arrive at Mumbai early in the morning. Proceed to a hotel close to the airport for breakfast and then take the morning flight to Cochin. Arrive at Kochi (Cochin) airport; Vacation International representative will transfer you to your hotel.
Kochi is a haven for seafaring visitors from all over the world. In the early evening proceed for a private harbor cruise. Enjoy watching the dolphins, the fishing island and the Bolghatty Palace. Cruise till the mouth of the sea and enjoy the sunset.
Return to the hotel and enjoy a seafood dinner. Overnight will also be at hotel.
Day 02 : Cochin
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Proceed for a sight seeing tour of Cochin. A few interesting sites included in the tour are the: Chinese fishing nets, JEWISH SYNAGOGUE, etc. Later visit the interesting International Pepper Exchange, located in Jewtown. The Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow etc. are also nice for sightseeing. Take a boat ride and visit BOLGATTY PALACE and VYPPIN ISLAND.
In the evening proceed for KATHAKALI DANCE PRESENTATION.
Proceed to the jetty after breakfast on 2nd morning.
Board a traditional boat of Kerala and go on a leisurely backwater cruise along the lake. Discover the countryside at your own pace. The backwaters of Kerala are a unique product of Kerala and are found nowhere else in the world. The backwaters of Kerala are a self supporting Eco-system teeming with aquatic life.
Reach Aleppey which is famous for its boat races, houseboats, coir products, fish and lakes. This place remains prominent on the tourist trial of Kerala as one of the major centres for backwater boat trips. "Kuttanad" in Alappuzha is one of few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. Kuttanad is a land of lush paddy fields and is called the 'Rice Bowl' of Kerala. Kuttanad stretches for 75 Km sandwiched between the sea and the hills.
Drive back to Cochin and transfer to hotel for dinner and night stay.
Day 03 : Cochin - Alleppey
After breakfast proceed to Alleppey. Alappuzha is famous for its boat races, houseboats, coir products, fish and lakes. Kuttanad is a land of lush paddy fields and is called the 'Rice Bowl' of Kerala. Check into a traditional houseboat of Kerala Style and go on a leisurely backwater cruise along the lake on a thatched houseboat. The backwaters of Kerala are a unique product of Kerala and are found nowhere else in the world. In the evening the boat will anchor by the lush paddy fields and enjoy the tranquility of the water around. Dinner would be laid out in the boat. Spend night on houseboat.
Day 04 : Kumarakom - Periyar
After breakfast proceed to Kumarokom at noon. Visit the Bird Sanctuary. Enjoy the scenic beauty & the marvelous waterfalls, high mountains with the low flying clouds passing by. Visit Tea Plantations and also see how tea is processed.
Proceed to Periyar. Check in at hotel on arrival. Periyar wildlife sanctuary is home to nomadic tribes of wild elephant, boar, deer, the great Indian tiger and more. Evening go for boat cruise in the lake to watch wild animals. Dinner and overnight stay will be at hotel.
Day 05 : Periyar
Enjoy breakfast. Take a jungle trek in the morning with your guide. This is a very interesting trek and not very hard also. Afternoon visit spice plantations like cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. on your way back to the hotel, you could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices.
Stay the night at Periyar.
Day 06 : Periyar - Madurai
Drive to Madurai after breakfast. Reach and transfer to hotel.
Madurai is synonymous with the celebrated Meenakshi Temple. Madurai’s main attraction is the Famous Sri Meenakshi Amman temple a riotously baroque example of Dravidian architecture with Gopurams carved from top to bottom in a breathtaking profusion of multicolored images of Gods.
In the evening visit the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva. Later, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace - A gracious building in the Indo saracenic style, famous for the Stucco work on its domes & arches. Also visit the Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple. Afternoon will be free. Dinner and overnight stay will be at hotel.
Day 07 : Madurai - Trichy - Tanjore
Enjoy sightseeing in the morning.
Gandhi Museum: The Gandhi Memorial Museum is one of the distinct places to be visited in Madurai. This Museum is one of the rare living memorials of "The Father of India".
The Vishnu Temple: There is a Vishnu Shrine called Kudal Algar and it is said that Lord Vishnu came down to this place to give away Meenakshi to God Sundareshwara.
Thirumalai Nayak Palace: This Palace was built in 1636 by King Thirumalai Nayak with the help of an Italian Architect. The building we see today was the main Palace where the King lived. The original Palace Complex was four times bigger than the present structure. This palace consisted mainly of two parts, namely Swargavilasa and Rangavilasa. After independence, this palace was declared as a national monument and is now under the care of the Tamilnadu Archaeological Department.
Drive to Tanjore stopping at Trichy. Visit the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Ganapathi. Visit SRIRANGAM, a massive temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu sprawled on Island in CAUVERY RIVER
On arrival, transfer to hotel and relax. Overnight stay and dinner will be at Tanjore.
Day 08 : Tanjore – Pondicherry
Tanjore is 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. The majesty of the palaces and art gallery attached to the temple is really awe-inspiring. It is also famous for the silk.
Proceed to Pondicherry, which carries a strong whiff of the French presence in India. Reach and report in the pre-booked hotel. Overnight stay and dinner will be at hotel.
Day 09 : Pondicherry
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Drive to visit Aurbindo Ashram, the city of dawn, 10 km north of Pondicherry. This ashram promotes Aurbindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter. Enjoy the promenade and the city. Overnight stay and dinner will be at hotel.
Day 10 : Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram
After breakfast drive to Mahabalipuram.
Visit the city in afternoon. The only shore temple which remains here is the spectacular two - spired shrine, unique because it houses both Lord Shiva and the Lord Vishnu in its sanctum-sanctorum. Proceed toward the beach to enjoy seductive evening. Overnight will be at the beach resort including seafood in the dinner.
Day 11 : Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Chennai
After breakfast drive to Kanchipuram - the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The important temples here are of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks.
Arrive Chennai - the gateway to southern India, established in 1639 by the East India Company, is one of the oldest cities of the country. Check in at hotel and stay overnight.
Day 12 : Chennai
Proceed for city tour of Chennai in the morning after breakfast. The important areas to visit are: Santhome Cathedral, Fort St. George, Kapaleeswarar Temple, The Fort Museum, etc. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 13 : Chennai - Mysore
Take train to Mysore. Breakfast will be served on the train. Reach and proceed to the hotel.
The picturesque railway station of Mysore has repeatedly won awards by the Indian Railways for its extremely courteous and excellent service by the staff at the counters. Mysore city was the capital of the old royal Mysore province.
Enjoy sightseeing tour of the city.
Mysore Palace: the Palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. Intricately carved doors open on to luxuriously furnished rooms. The majestic Durbar Hall has an ornate ceiling and many sculpted pillars. Illuminated on Sundays and public holidays, the palace presents a spectacle of breathtaking beauty.
Chamundi Hills: Chamundi Hill can be reached by a 13 km road or by climbing up the 1,000 steps laid out by the Mysore Maharaja in the 17th century. Half-way up along the stone steps is Nandi, Lord Shiva's Bull, a majestic 4.8 meter monolith. At the top is the 12th century temple of Chamundeshwari, the patron goddess of the Wodeyars. Close to the temple is the gigantic statue of the demon Mahishasura. The summit offers a panoramic view of Mysore's lakes, parks and palaces.
Brindavan Gardens, Brindavan Gardens, Brindavan Gardens are some of the best gardens in South India.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 14 : Mysore - Bangalore
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Bangalore.
Visit On your way Daria Daulat Bagh: Tipu's Summer Palace is located here. After arrival, check-in at hotel. Relax. In the evening visit a nice pub or explore the MG ROAD. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 15 : Bangalore - Mumbai
Start sightseeing tour of the city after breakfast. Vidhana Soubha, Lal Bagh, Tipu’s Palace & Fort, etc are worth visiting.
Take afternoon flight to Mumbai. Reach Mumbai. Transfer to hotel close to the airport. Relax in the evening and visit the CHOWPATTY BEACH for local flavor. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 16 : Mumbai – Home
Proceed for a city tour of Mumbai after breakfast. Take flight home with sweet memories of India.
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