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Chennai
- Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Trichy - Tanjore - Madurai - Periyar
- Munnar - Kumarakaom - Alleppey - Cochin - Ooty - Mysore - Banglore
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DAY
1/ ARRIVE CHENNAI
Arrive Chennai. Meet assist at the airport and transfer to hotel.
Day of leisure. Night stay in Chennai.
DAY
2/ CHENNAI
Morning after breakfast proceed for sight seeing tour of Chennai
covering St.Thomas Church, Kapaleshwar Temple and Fort St.George.
Drive past the Marina Beach, the natural sandy beauty and spacious
promenade and beautiful gardens of the beach attracts tourists
visiting Chennai. Night stay in Chennai.
DAY
3/ CHENNAI - KACHIPURAM - MAHABALIPURAM
Morning drive to Kanchipuram -- known as the
Golden City of a Thousand Temples, is one of the oldest towns
in India. It is famous for both its temples, many of them remarkably
well preserved and for its hand-woven silks. Kanchipuram is one
of the seven sacred cities of India and it is the only one associated
with both Shiva and Vishnu. Visit Ekambareshwar Temple, Kailashnath
Temple, Kamakshi Temple, the Vaikunthaperumal Temple, all built
in the 7th and 8th centuries. With a weaving tradition dating
back to the Pallava era (when silk was the royal cloth), Kanchipuram
is justly famous for its particularly fine silk saris, embellished
with stunning patterns. Visit the local homes of the weavers and
watch them create magic out of silk thread into saris. Continue
drive to Mahabalipuram & transfer to hotel. Later proceed
for city sightseeing.
Mahabalipuram - This is a small, quiet seaside resort
with a unique 7th-century Shore Temple, a lovely beach and some
of the most beautiful rock-cut temples in the world. Situated
on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, Mahabalipuram was already a
famous seaport in the 1st century AD. This town was a workshop
for temple building. Visit the seven pagoda-style Shore temples,
lashed by the waves of the sea and the seven rathas or temple
chariots, a group of monolithic monuments & animal figures
carved out of solid rock, the earliest known examples of Dravidian
architecture. They were constructed in a single century-long burst
of creative enthusiasm, starting in the reign of Narasimhavarman
1 (AD 630-68). End the visit by photography of the beautiful Shore
temples at sunset. Night stay in Mahabalipuram.
DAY
4/ MAHABALIPURAM - TRICHY
After breakfast drive to Trichy, short name of Trichurapalli,
situated on the banks of Kaveri River is a blend of history and
tradition as well as pilgrim centre, it is famous for Ranganath
temple at Srirangam. Later city tour visiting Rock fort and its
temple at a height of over 23mts. Also visit Srirangam and Jambukeshwar
Temple. Night stay in Trichy.
DAY 5/ TRICHY - TANJORE - MADURAI
Morning drive to Thanjavur (Tanjore)(104kms/03hrs) enroute visiting
the Brass factory at Kumbakonam. Tanjore once the capital of Chola
Kings, has the Brahadeswara temple(or the big temple of God).The
temple tower rises to a height of 15mts from a square base of
29 mts and then tapers off, making a total of 66mts. Continue
drive to Madurai. The ancient city of Madurai, some 2600 years
old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower
with the Meenakshi temple in the centre. Arrive and transfer to
hotel. Night stay in Madurai.
DAY
6/ MADURAI
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. Situated on the banks of the Vaigai River,
Madurai is the ancient capital of the Pandya Kings. Legend has
it, that the divine nectar falling from the locks of Lord Shiva
gave the town its ancient name, Madhurapuri—the land of
nectar. Today, it is an important business centre.
The crowning glory of Madurai is the Meenakshi Sundareshwara Temple
Complex, which is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, her consort
Lord Sundareshwara, and her celestial brother, Lord Vishnu. The
Meenakshi Temple has a thousand-pillared hall. Also enjoy a 'light
& sound Panorama' in Thirumala Naik Temple or visit to Alagar
hills & Thirupura Rock Temple. In the evening, listen to the
distinctive temple music at Thiruppa Rakundram. Night stay in
Madurai.
DAY
7/ MADURAI - PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Morning drive on a scenic route dotted with plantations of rubber,
cardamom, cocoa, green pepper and areca nut, to the wildlife reserve
at Periyar. Arrive Periyar and transfer to hotel. Rest of the
day free for walk around in the peaceful town known for various
Spice and coffee plantations. Night stay in Periyar.
DAY
08/ PERIYAR - MUNNAR
Early morning enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar to see wild elephants.
Afternoon drive to Munnar, the famous hill station of Kerala.
Arrive Munnar and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Munnar.
DAY
09/ MUNNAR
Day is free to relax and to walk around. Munnar is situated near
the Anaimudi Peak, the highest peak in the Western Ghats.Also
visit Rajamalai & Eravikulam National Park, 15Kms from Munnar,
this is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Thar, a rare mountain
goat (Hermitragas Hylocres). 2. Marayoor, 40Kms from Munnar, the
only place in Kerala that lays claim to the natural growth of
Sandalwood. The Muniyara caves with murals and relics from the
New Stone Age Civilization. A Children’s Park, spread across
a hectare of land under the canopy of a Single Banyan Tree, are
of great interest to tourists. Night stay in Munnar.
DAY
10/ MUNNAR - KUMARAKOM
Morning drive to Kumarakom near Kottayam and stay in one of the
backwater resorts. The panoramic backwaters here offer an ideal
retreat to enjoy nature at its best. Night stay at Kumarakom.
DAY
11/ KUMARAKOM - ALAPPUZHA
Morning drive a short distance before switching over to a boat
for a through many canals and waterways up to Alleppey. The backwater
cruise in a country boat is the best way to explore the villages
and rural life. In Alleppey you will be taken aboard your floating
houseboat, a different boat with a bedroom and en-suite rest room
for your comfort. Enjoy unlimited surfing on backwaters, sip a
coconut, get disturbed by only the chirping of birds and occasional
ripples in water and savor mouthwatering delicacies prepared in
front of you by your Kitchen crew. Spend the night on board the
houseboat. Enjoy a cruise on the backwater through a maze of canals
and lagoons and enjoy freshly caught fresh water fish cooked to
your taste on board. Night stay in Allapuzha.
DAY
12/ ALLAPUZHA - COCHIN
Morning drive to Cochin (225Kms drive). The Commercial Capital
of Kerala, and the most cosmopolitan of Kerala’s cities,
Cochin is a fascinating blend of cultures. Arrive & transfer
to hotel. Later proceed for sightseeing in Cochin covering:
1. The Hill Palace Museum, a fully-fledged archaeological museum
and Kerala’s first ever Heritage Museum are the main attractions
(closed on Mondays).
2. Chinese Fishing Nets, this unique style of huge cantilevered
fishing nets were erected between 1350 and 1450 AD by traders
from the Court of Kubla Khan, a Chinese King.
3. Santa Cruz Basilica, this historic church was built by the
Portuguese and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558.
Pope John Paul II proclaimed the Church a Basilica in 1984.
4. The Jewish Synagogue, constructed in 1568, this is the oldest
Synagogue in the Commonwealth (closed on Saturdays & Jewish
Holidays).
The area around the Synagogue, called Jew Town, is the centre
for Spice & Handicraft shops.
5. Mattanchery Palace (Dutch Palace), built by the Portuguese
in 1557 and presented to the Regent of Kochi (closed on Fridays).
Night stay in Cochin.
DAY
13/ COCHIN - OOTY
After breakfast drive to Ooty. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Evening
free to explore the beautiful & ravishing beauty of Ooty.
Also visit Zotanical Garden: A variety of exotic and ornamental
plants adorn this garden which is the venue for the Flower show
held in May every year. Night stay in Ooty.
DAY
14/ OOTY
Day free to relax and explore the surroundings. It is one of the
most popular hill resorts in southern India at an elevation of
7216 ft. above sea-level. The Eastern Ghats are mighty and attractive
while the Western ghats have wooded loveliness. Nature unfolds
itself in and around Ooty in a myriad of profiles, each one with
a distinctive grandeur and individuality.
Night stay in Ooty.
DAY
15/ OOTY - MYSORE
Morning drive to Mysore. The city got its name from Mahishasura,
the buffalo headed demon king. Chamundeswari, an incarnation of
Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva, killed the demon. It is also the
capital of sandalwood, musk and rosewood. Mysore emerged as the
capital of the Wodeyar kings, in 1399 AD. The original wooden
palace was destroyed in a fire in 1897 during a marriage ceremony.
Henry Erwin, a British architect, designed the new palace and
handed it over to the king in 1911-12, at a cost of Rs. 4.2 million.
Though royalty no longer exists in its accepted form, the descendants
of the royal family still live here. The palace is a blend of
Indo-Saracenic, Mogul and Hindu architecture styles. The entire
effect is magnificent. Other attractions include the Lalit Mohan
Palace, at the foot of the Chamundi Hill. E. W. Fritchley, a British
architect, built it in 1931. Then there is the Jagan Mohan Palace,
built by Krishnaraj Wodeyar IV in 1861 as a royal auditorium.
Today, it is a famous art gallery, containing royal paintings.
Night stay in Mysore.
DAY
16/ MYSORE
After breakfast, visit the places you must have been longing to
visit: Sir Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery – Housed in the
Jag Mohan Palace, this gallery has a collection of exquisite paintings
dating back to 1875. St. Phenomena's Church – Built in the
Gothic style, one of the largest churches of the country. Chamundi
Hills – Right on the top of the hill, Brindavan Gardens
– Witness the exuberant beauty of Brindavan Gardens. Night
stay in Mysore.
DAY
17/ MYSORE - BANGALORE
After breakfast drive to Bangalore enroute visiting Sirangapatnam
- capital of warrior – King Hyder Ali & his son Tipu
Sultan, has magnificent monuments that are well worth a visit.
Set & refresh in hotel then go to visit Mysore Palace : Once
the residence of the Woodeyars, Built in 1912 in the Indo –
Saracenic style, this palace exudes a grandeur that is unmatched.
The Golden royal Elephant, the Durbar hall.. Arrive and transfer
to hotel. Night stay in Bangalore.
DAY
18/ BANGALORE - DEPARTURE
After breakfast checkout from hotel and proceed to visit the city
of Gardens: You will see Vidhan Sudha – It houses the State’s
Legislature and Secretariat, Nandi Temple - One of Oldest temple,
popularly known as the Bull temple, etc. Later transfer to airport
to board the flight back home.
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