Journey Through South India
- Basilica of San Tome, Fort Museum
- Seven Pagods, Kailasanatha temple, Ekambareswara temple
- Caves, Krishna Mandapam, Arjuna’s Penance
- Chola Temple of Brihadeeshwara
- Srirangam Temple
- Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Palace
- Sanctuaries
- Vembanand Lake, Houseboat
- Marari Beach
| Title | Cultural South India |
| Details | Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry – Trichy – Madurai – Periyar - Kumarakom - Backwaters – Fort Cochin – Wayanad – Mysore – Hassan – Hospet – Badami - Goa |
| Duration | 20 Nights / 21 Days |
This leisurely tour through Chennai, Mahabalipuram to Kochi covers all the highlights of Southern India. From Tiger reserves to sleepy old hills, backwaters and ornate temples there are enough variety to make your tour memorable. There are several interesting towns and cities to visit; you will also come across the popular Chinese fishing nets of Kochi and jungle walk in Periyar. During the tour, stopping at ancient temples and colourful market will make the trip more interesting. Exploring Madurai sitting on cycle rickshaw is the most interesting thing to go for. It is a trip, completely designed of contrast and surprises. Everything that you experience in Southern India will remain in your mind and heart forever.
Day 01 : Arrive Chennai – flight
You will arrive early morning at Chennai International Airport. Early afternoon proceed to for a city tour if you are upto it. Firstly you will visit, Fort St. George, which is presently, is being used by the Tamil Nadu Government From the British hold of centre, you will proceed to Mylapore, which was inhabited in the 16th century by the Portuguese; visit the San Thome Church,named for the Christian disciple (“Doubting Thomas”) who lived and taught here in the first century.
Also visit Kapaleeswarar Temple, honouring Shiva, dates back to the 13th century AD and is the biggest temple in Chennai. You will also drive past the Marina Beach, the second longest in the world
Day 02 : To Mahabalipuram - by surface / 55 kms /approx 1.5 hrs)
After breakfast proceeds to Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), built in the 7th century, is an ancient Pallava port. Declared as the world heritage site by UNESCO, Mahabalipuram boasts of some of India’s most sublime rock-cut art.
Mahabalipuram is renowned for its series of charming rathas and the spectacular carved relief depicting Arjuna’s Penance. The magnificent Shore Temple, built by king Rajasimha in the seventh century. The Krishna Mandapam has a bas-relief of Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill in his fingertips.
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to Pondicherry, which has a rich French cultural heritage. Later you will proceed for sightseeing tour of Pondicherry - visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, located on Rue de la Marine, is the most popular attraction in Pondicherry..
Day 04 : To Trichyvia Chidambaram – by surface / 198 kms / approx 6 hrs
After buffet breakfast at hotel, you will be driven from Pondicherry to Trichy en-route stopping at Chidambram, the capital of the Cholas from AD 907 to 1310, Chidambaram lies 9 km north of the Coleroon River, the northern limit of the Kaveri delta. It is one of Tamil Nadu’s most important holy towns.
After visiting Chidambaram, continue your drive to Trichy. Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel. Tiruchirappalli, situated on the banks of the river Cauvery is the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu. Visit the Rock Fort, which is a landmark of Trichy. You will visit Sri Rangan Temple.
Day 05 : To Maduraivia Tanjore – by surface / 252 kms / approx 6 hrs
After buffet breakfast, you will be driven from Trichy to enroute visiting the famous city Tanjore.
Afternoon, you will proceed to visit Tanjore city. Your sightseeing tour will start with visit to Brihadeeshwara Temple, built in the 10th century by Raja Chola. The Art Gallery, and the Saraswati Mahal Library which houses palm leaf & paper manuscripts.
After visiting Tanjore continues your drive to Madurai. One of the oldest cities in South India, Madurai has been the centre of learning and pilgrimage for centuries.
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed for sightseeing tour of Madurai City Madurai's main attraction is the famous Meenakshi temples in the heart of the old town. Another attraction is the Tirumalai Nayak Palace (1636) restored by Lord Napier, dance drama concerts are performed daily. In the evening, you will proceed to the Meenakshi temple complex to witness the evening Aarti ceremony.
Day 07 : To Periyar – by surface / 140 kms / approx 4 hrs
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven from Madurai to Thekkady, which is also known as Periyar. Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel.
In the afternoon, proceed to Periyar National Park to view the wildlife by boat situated within the confines of the Western Ghats in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve is one of the most captivating wildlife parks in the world.
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to Kumarakom. Commence you drive to the lush backwaters of Kottayam in Kerala, lies a veritable paradise, which is called Kumarakom, or the 'Venice of the East'. Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields, and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget. Evening proceed for the sunset cruise on the backwaters.
Today embark Houseboat a sojourn in Kettuvallams, the House boats of Kerala, offers a panoramic view of one of the most picturesque aspects of the God's Own Country. One can cruise in it through the palm-fringed backwaters, throughout a night in waxing moonlights. The lullaby of the waves and the dazzling delights of the moonlit night can be experienced by spending a couple of nights aboard the Kettuvallam.
After buffet breakfast disembark Houseboat and proceed to Cochin. Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel. In the evening, you will visit a local theatre to watch Kathakali dance performance. Kathakali represents a synthesis of all that is best in dance, drama and music and has been recognized by connoisseurs of art, the world over as a `total art form of immense sophistication and power’. It is the impression created by make-up and the costumes that make Kathakali a visual par excellence.
Explore the city thoroughly: it’s bound to have you hooked, just like it had the Jews, visit Cochin City. You will first proceed to Mattancherry, where you will visit the oldest Jewish Synagogue in India, built in 1568; it was destroyed by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the Dutch a century later. You will also be visiting The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry, which was built in 1555 and its coronation hall and murals at Ramayana are noteworthy features.
Once you are done with your morning routine, you will be headed towards Wayanad. Check in at hotel. After leisure you can head for tourist places to visit. Some of the suggested tourist places are Banasura Dam, Begur Wildlife Sanctuary, Edakkal Caves, and Kanthapara Falls and so on. You can also go for trekking here, though compared to Himalaya it doesn’t have any linear trek. Overnight at hotel
Once the capital of a princely state, Mysore still carries on its placid shoulders the aura and glamour of palaces, the grandeur of festivals of times gone by, but all of it with a quiet, unhurried dignity. Afternoon, proceed for a halfday sightseeing tour of Mysore City, visit Maharaja’s Palace,Chamundi Hills, temple of Chamundeshwari, Rajendra Art Gallery.
In the morning our driver will assist you towards Hassan. Hassan was under the control of great Hoysala Empire during 11th to 13th century AD. Rest of the day is at leisure. In the evening you can explore the nearby places.
Early morning you will be drive towards Halebid and Belur. At Belur admire the beauty of the majestic Chennakeshava Temple and the Shiva Temple at Hoysaleshwara.
After buffet breakfast in the hotel, you would be driven from Hassan to Hostpet. Upon arrival proceed to check in at your hotel.
Hampi, as it is popularly known today was the medieval capital of the Hindu empire Vijayanagara (the City of Victory). Hampi in the Karnataka state of India is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
After buffet breakfast in the hotel, you would be driven from Hospet to Badami enroute visiting Aihole and Pattadakal temples. Upon arrival proceed for check in at your hotel. In the afternoon visit South Fort famous for its 6th century cave temples carved in to the sandstone cliffs.
Goa also known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise", the state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan. The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendours of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favourite with travellers around the world.
Spend the day exploring the beached and lazing around OR you may choose to visit the f amous churches and Temples of Goa.
Take an evening flight to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai domestic airport, you will be transferred to the Mumbai international airport to connect your flight for back home.