Day 01 Arrive Chennai
Chennai, the gateway of south India has varied culture and one of the four
major cities of India. Today you will visit National Art Gallery, Fort
Museum, Santhome Cathedral, Kapaleeswara temple.
Day 02 Mahabalipuram
Visit Kanchipuram temples viz. Ekambaranathar temple, Varadarajar temple,
Vaikuntanathaperumal temple. In the afternoon visit Shore temple, five
Rathas, Arjuna's Penance and relax in the beach.
Day
03 Pondicherry
Pondicherry, once the French settlement is now the seat of Yoga. Visit
Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville and later in the evening relax at the beach
that runs along the city.
Day 04 Tanjore
Tanjore is known for its architecture and paintings. Visit Brahadeeswara
temple and Saraswati Mahal - the ancient Library.
Day 05 Madurai
Enroute visit Trichy Sriranganathar temple and rock fort temple. Later
proceed for the sightseeing which includes Tirumalai Nayak's palace and
night ceremony at 1000-pillared Meenakshiamman temple.
Day 06 Periyar
Morning drive 3.5 Hours to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and check into
Hotel. Afternoon visit the sprawling spice plantation tour. The best way
to visit the wild animals is to take a 2 hour boat ride towards dusk to
see the animals including elephants, sambar, gaur and deer.
Day 07 Kumarakom
Relax at the waterfront, with the occasional native row boat gliding
silently by, and the air so calm, you can reach out and touch the sky with
your
finger tips. Visit Kumarakom Bird sanctuary or proceed for the sunset
cruise arranged by the Hotel.
Day 08 Houseboat
Morning at leisure at Coconut Lagoon, taking a cruise on the backwaters in
traditional country canoes called "vanjis" to see the agricultural
activities of the local people living on the back waters. Later board the
traditional rice boats - "Ketuvallam" and begin your journey through the
picturesque backwaters and small lakes relaxing in the tranquillity of
Kerala's beautiful scenery. Experience the way of life and activity of the
local people, the one bedroom house with a lounge is exclusively for you,
meals will be served with freshly bought produce from the local markets
and cooked on board. Overnight on board.
Day 09 Kochi
Disembark the boat at Allepey and drive to Kochi. Visit the synagogue,
Dutch Palace, St Francis' Church and the spice market. In the evening take
a Sunset cruise to see some of the nearby islands and the legendary
Chinese fishing nets.
Day 10 Munnar
In the morning depart for Munnar enjoying the scenic beauty & the
marvelous waterfalls, high mountains with the low flying clouds passing
by. Arrive Munnar and check in at hotel. In the evening you can go for
sight seeing of Munnar and witness tea gardens spread like a green carpet
over hundreds of kilometers, lust green hills, a place so difficult to
describe, very low population too far from pollution, most of the covered
by TATA tea. sightseeing Munnar which includes the Raja Malai, a top peak
of Munnar where you can see Neel Thar (mountain goats), Mattupetty dam,
Indo Swiss project, you can also enjoy boating in the Lake (optional).
Day 11 Ooty
Drive to Ooty, a famous hill station in the Nilgiri Hills -Known as Queen
Of Hills - offers a relaxing alternative to this bustling town. Option to
take Nilgiri mountain rail from Coonoor to Ooty. Visit Botanical Gardens,
Boating in the Lake, etc.
Day
12 Mysore
Drive to Mysore. Visit the palace of the Maharaja built in 1911-12. The
palace is of harmonious syntheses of the Hindu and Saracenic styles of
architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures
which are magnificent. Visit the Art Gallery; drive upto Chamundi hill to
see Chamundeshwari Temple & a panoramic view of Mysore. On the way back,
see the Nandi Bull. Afternoon free. Overnight Mysore.
Day 13 Hassan
Drive to Hassan known for its Hoysala Architecture. Afternoon sightseeing
tour of Chennakeshawa Temple at Belur dating back to 13th century during
Hoysala dynasty & Hoyasaleshwara temple at Helebid.
Day 14 Bangalore
Drive from Hassan enroute visit Shravanabelagola - a Jain Pilgrim centre
and has a 17m high monolith statue of Jain Sage Gomateswara. Afternoon
sightseeing tour of Bangalore visiting Tipu Sultan's Palace, originally
built in mud in 1537 and rebuilt by Haider Ali a couple of centuries
later; Bull Temple enshrining a massive bull carved out of a single piece
of Grey granite; Lalbagh gardens laid out by Haider Ali in the 18th
century; Cubbon Park laid out by the British in the 19th century. Vidhan
Soudha built in granite incorporates features of traditional Indian
architecture.
Day 15 Bangalore - Goa
You will be transferred to the Airport to board flight to Goa. On arrival
check-in to the resort to relax.
Day 16 Goa
Today Morning proceed for the city tour of Old Goa. Visit old Goa
Churches, Basilica of Boom Jesus, Sri Mangueas Temple, Dona Paula &
Miramar Beach. Afternoon at leisure for swimming & sun bathing.
Day 17 Goa - Mumbai
Day free to relax and later transfer to Airport to connect flight to
Mumbai. On arrival you will be checked-in at hotel to relax or proceed for
the shopping.
Day 18 Mumbai
Sightseeing of Mumbai - the great port city with its Victorian Gothic
buildings from the British Raj Era mingling with the modern. The tour
includes 'Gateway of India' overlooking the Harbour, the 'Towers of
Silence', 'Marine Drive', the 'Colaba Causeway' - the commercial heart of
Bombay and the Dhobi Ghat, the unique and colourful outdoor 'laundry'.
Drive upto the Malabar Hill to the lovely 'Hanging Gardens' and the Kamala
Nehru Park from where you will get a wonderful view of Mumbai and the
Arabian Sea, spread out before you. Also visit Mani Bhawan, a small museum
dedicated to the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi, and the bustling
Crawford Market.
Day 19 Departure Transfer
You'll be transferred to the Airport to connect flight to onward
destination. Depart India with lingering memories.
