Duration: 17 Nights / 18 Days
Places Covered: Mumbai - Bangalore - Mysore - Hassan - Coorg - Calicut - Cochin - Kottayam - Kovalam - Periyar - Maduri - Thanjavur - Pondicherry - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Chennai
Day
01: Arrive Mumbai
Arrival in Mumbai (Bombay)Transfer to Hotel
Day 02: Mumbai (Bombay)
In the morning full day tour of Mumbai.
Day 03: Bangalore
By Flight. On arrival check-in at your hotel. In the afternoon, we visit
the Vidhan Saudha, Government Secretariat, The Lal Bagh, botanical Garden
opposite the Vidhan Saudha.
Day 04: Bangalore - Mysore
In the morning drive to Mysore, enroute visit Srirangapatnam, the Summer
Palace of Tipu Sultan built in 1784 AD.
Day 05: Mysore
After breakfast visit Mysore Palace. In the evening we take an excursion
to Chamudi hills to visit Sri Chamundeswari Temple.
Day 06: Mysore - Hassan
Drive to Hassan, enroute we visit Shravanabelagola.
Drive further to Hassan. Afternoon: visit Belur and Halebid temple complexes
.
Day 07: Hassan - Coorg
Morning drive to Coorg also known as the Scotland of India, where we visit
a coffee plantation. The Coorgies are known to be the descendents of Greek
soldiers.
Day 08: Coorg - Calicut
After breakfast we drive through the thickest rainforest of India, to Calicut
(Kozhikode).
Evening at leisure.
Day
09: Calicut - Cochin
After breakfast drive to Kochi, enroute visiting the construction of DHOW,
a typical Kerela hand made boat.
We will travel along the coast line and cross various water streams running
into the ocean and the back waters coming into the land. The drive is a
very eventful one. Evening at leisure.
Day 10: Cochin
Morning tour of Cochin. In the evening we enjoy Kathakali, an ancient religious
dance drama of Kerala.
Day 11: Cochin - Kottayam- Rice Boat
We drive through the countryside to a jetty near Kottayam to board the Riceboat.
Overnight on traditional Kerala rice boat.
Day 12: Kottayam - Kovalam
After breakfast on riceboat drive further on to Kovalam. Afternoon &
evening at leisure to enjoy one of the finest beaches in the area.
Day 13: Kovalam - Periyar
Drive to Periyar, the most famous wild life sanctuary of South India. As
you drive through the Blue Hills you will see thick rubber plantations,
tea plantations, and cardamom & pepper growing all along the road side.
Enjoy the winding roads and the landscape.
Day
14: Madurai
Early morning walk in the jungle is optional. After breakfast drive to Madurai.
In the aftrenoon visit the Sri Meenakshi Temple built in the Dravidian architecture
form of temple architecture.
Day 15: Madurai - Thanjavur - Pondicherry
Morning depart for Thanjavur to visit the famous Brihadeshwara temple. We
also visit the Museum which has one of the finest Bronze collections. We
continue onward to Pondicherry.
Day 16: Pondicherry - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram
After breakfast we drive to Kanchipuram the erstwhile capital of the Pallava
and Chola rulers. Later drive to Mahabaluipuram.
Day 17: Mahabalipuram
This town was the port city of the Pallava Kings (7 cent. AD). After breakfast
you visit the Group of five Rathas Temples, rock-cut monoliths named after
the heroes of the Epic - Mahabharata. The rock carving depicting the penance
of Shiva is one of the finest peace of stone carving and end the visit at
the Shore Temple. Afternoon independent.
Day 18 - Chennai
Morning is free to relax and enjoy the beach. After lunch, drive to Chennai
and visit the Saint Thomas Cathedral, Fort St. George (now the secretariat)
and the High Court buildings. We end our tour at the Connemara Hotel for
a farewell dinner at the Rain Forest Restaurant. Later transfer to the international
airport for flight home.
