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South India is famous for
its natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage and thus provide the visitors a stimulating
experience. During the 16 Days South India Tour you will visit some of the
finest temples of South like the cave temples in Mahabalipuram and the most outstanding examples of Vijayanagar
temple architecture in the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. During this tour you
will also enjoy the vivid tropical vegetation and boat ride on
backwaters. |
Day 01: Chennai
Around Midnight arrive in
Chennai. The
cosmopolitan City and capital of TamilNadu is the main gateway for
the travellers to
India. Upon arrival, you will be met by an Indo
Vacations representative and transferred to the hotel.
Day 02: Chennai - Covelong - Mahabalipuram (about 58 kms.)
Morning city tour
of Chennai. We will visit the fort St. George near the harbor area of
Chennai. Then drive to Mahabalipuram. In
Mahabalipuram you will visit some of
the 14 cave temples and 9 monolithic rathas (temple chariots). Pallavamala was the ruler who made the famous port in the 7th century
and was largely responsible for building the temples. Overnight stay
at the Beach resort.
BD
Day 03:
Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (about 100 km)
In the morning after having breakfast, drive from Mahabalipuram
to Pondicherry. Pondicherry was retained as French colony until 1954.
Pondicherry has even today the French atmosphere amidst the
surrounding Tamil country. We visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, which is
a world famous Yoga and philosophy center.
BD
Day 04:
Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Kumbakonam - Tanjore (about 190 km)
We drive
through the tropical mountains to Chidambaram.
Chidambaram lies on the
north edge of the coleroon river. In Chidambaram we visit the Natraja
Temple which is dedicated to the dancing
Lord Shiva, a famous Hindu
deity of the Chola Kings. On the way to Tanjore we have a stop over in
Kumbakonam. Kumbakonam is famous for its 18 temples in the town
centre. The city Tanjore (Thanjavur) is our last destination today.
Tanjore was the capital of great chola empire who built more than 70
temples between 10th and 14th century. We visit here one of the world
heritage monument, Brihasdisvara Temple (11th century), which is also
known as big temple.
BD
Day 05:
Tanjore - Srirangam - Trichy (about 60 km)
Today
we drive to Srirangam and visit the Ranganathasvami Temple which is
one of the largest temples in India dedicated to
god Vishnu. After the
visit of Srirangam we proceed to Trichy.
Trichy, the land near the
delta is very fertile and productive. This town Trichina is so ancient
that it was mentioned by Ptolemy in the 2nd century BC by Alexandrian
geographer. We climb stairs to the famous Rock Fort which was built on
84 m high rock in the centre of town in about 1660. We also visit a
Shiva and Ganesha temple and enjoy a wonderful view of the
surroundings from the top.
BD
Day 06:
Trichy - Madurai (about 140 km)
Today
we leave Trichy and drive to Madurai. Madurai, situated on the bank of
river Vaigai is also referred to as the Athens of the East. Madurai
has the most outstanding examples of Vijayanagar temple architecture
in the Minakshi Temple, a standing monument to the temple builders of
the 16th and 17th century. We spend enough time in Minakshi Temple and
afterwards have a walk through the bazaars of this 2500 years old town
before we drive back to our hotel.
BD
Day 07: Madurai
- Periyar (about 140 km)
Today we visit at first Tirumalai Nayaka Palace which was built in the
1636 and represent the Indo-Mughal style. A visit to Gandhi Museum is
also included in our programme today. In Gandhi Museum we get the
information about the life of Gandhi and freedom movement during the
presence of British in India. In the afternoon we drive to
Periyar. BD
Day 08: Periyar
- Kumarakom (about 120 km)
We start
our day by having a Boat ride on the lake of Periyar. The lake of
Periyar is the central point of the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 780 square km and was
designated a part of project Tiger in 1973. After the Boat ride we
drive through the Park and observe the elephants, bison, sambar, wild
oxen, wild boar and spotted deer which are common here. In the
afternoon we drive through the mountains which are full of Cardamom
and pass through the tea and coffee plantations and proceed to
Kumarakom. In Kumarakom we enjoy the Boat ride trip through the
tropical vegetation on the backwaters.
BD
Day 09: Kumarakom - Kottayam - Alleppey (about 38 km)
Today we enjoy a Boat trip for two hours through the narrow channels
of famous backwaters of Kottayam and arrive in
Alleppey. Overnight at
houseboat.
BD
Day 10: Alleppey - Cochin (about 64 km)
Today we
drive to Cochin.
Cochin is the most interesting town in South India at Malabar Coast
and is also known as Venice of south. In Cochin we visit
St. Francis
church, the oldest European church in India in which the grave of
famous sailor Vasco da Gama can be visited. After the visit of St.
Francis Church we have a walk through the Jewish area of Mattancherry.
BD
Day 11: Cochin
Today
the town of Cochin is divided into different parts namely, Fort
Cochin, Willington Island, Ernakulam, Bolghatty Island and Vypeen
Island. Most of the historic buildings are in Fort Cochin. We have
whole day today at leisure so that we can explore Cochin on our own.
In the late afternoon we visit a Kathakali dance school.
Kathakali
dances come from Kerala and in its traditional form relates stories
from the Hindu epics Ramayana and
Mahabharata.
BD
Day 12: Cochin - Ooty (about 280 km)
From
the tropical coast of Kerala we drive on the serpent road and pass
through the Tea plantation and eucalyptus forests of mountains of
Nilgiri and arrive in the city Ooty (Udhagammandalam).
Ooty which was
developed as hill station by British, lies at an altitude of 2300 m.
and still has British flair.
BD
Day 13:
Ooty - Mysore (about 170 km)
Ooty (also
known as the queen of the blue mountains) is famous for its rolling
hills covered in pine and eucalyptus forests and also for its coffee
and tea plantations. We visit the famous and most beautiful botanical
Garden of Ooty which covers an area over 20 hectares and is planted
with more than a thousand varieties of plants, shrubs and trees
including orchids, fern and alpine. In the afternoon we pass through
the betel nut and pepper plantation and proceed to Mysore. In
Mysore
we drive to Chamundi Hill to see a giant Nandi (buffalo god) and enjoy
the view of the surroundings form the hilltop.
BD
Day 14:
Mysore - Halebid - Belur (about 170 km)
Today we
visit the most impressive and one of the largest city palaces in
India. The City Palace of Mysore "Ambar Vilas" is built in the
Indo-Saracenic style. Mysore is world famous for Silk and Sandalwood.
Mysore is also a centre of producing saris which is a common dress of
woman in India. After the sightseeing of Mysore we proceed through
picturesque hilly landscape and arrive in Halebid which is the ancient
capital of Hoysala empire. In Halebid we visit the Hoysalesvara Temple
of 12th century where we see half life size statues of Hindu deities,
with minute details of each, all around the temple. After the visit in
Halebid we proceed to Belur. In
Belur we visit the group of
Chennakesava Temples which are famous for its architecture and
sculptures. BD
Day 15:
Belur - Sravanabelgola - Bangalore (about 160 km)
Today we
proceed to Bangalore. On the way to Bangalore we make a stopover in
Sravanabelgola where we visit the colossal monolithic statue, standing
18 meters high. This Jain sculpture represents the saintly prince
Bahubali after he had gained enlightenment. After the visit of
Sravanabelgola we proceed for Bangalore. Bangalore is the capital city
of the Indian state Karnataka. This former "Garden city" Bangalore is
known today as "computer city" of India. In Bangalore we visit the
monolithic Nandi, Shiva's Bull and famous Gowda Fort which was built
by Tipu Sultan.
BD
Day 16:
Flight to Home
Around midnight flight back to home destination.
About
Hotels:
We
provide you the accommodation as per your budget mentioned above in
the table of hotels category for any of the booked tour. Hotels
provided by us are from budget to luxury class hotels. Luxury hotels
are all five stars or of above standard. Deluxe would be a
combination of 3 and 4 star Hotels and standard would be a
combination of 2 and 3 star or similar hotels. The criteria for
selecting hotels by us remains the best value of your money. We also
provide you wherever possible accommodation in heritage hotels.
Heritage Hotels are old Palaces, Forts and Grand mansions of
Maharajas which have been later renovated and converted into Hotels.
Rooms are decorated all individually. Rooms are comfortable,
romantic and present the flair of olden Maharaja days.
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