Day 01 : Mumbai - Mysore
Morning take a flight to Bangalore. On arrival in Bangalore you will be met
and assisted by our Tour Executive and proceed to the palace city of
Mysore(140Kms/3hrs). On Arrival in Mysore transfer to your hotel. Overnight
Mysore If you require an overnight stop in Mumbai due to your flight timing,
this can be arranged.
Day 02 : Mysore
Morning after Breakfast explore Mysore and the surrounding area. Places of
interest include the Maharaja's - a giant indo- saracenic building - the
colourful vegetable and flower markets, and Chamundi hill noted for its
Nandi temple.Outside Mysore visit the ruins of Tipu Sultan's capital at
Srirangapatnam, and Somnathpur, whose star-shaped Kesava temple is
considered to be one of the finest examples of Hoysala
architecture.Overnight in Mysore.
Day 03 : Mysore - Nagarhole National Park
85 kms southwest of Mysore lies Nagarhole National park, which claims
populations of tiger, leopard and elephant as well as over 250 species of
birds. Visit the park by jeep, on elephant back and in a coracle. Stay two
nights at the Kabini river Lodge or at water Woods a small six bedroom
bungalow, beautifully appointed, and situated on the banks of the Kabini
river.Overnight at Nagarhole On Jungle Plan(Which includes All the Jungle
activities)
Day 04 : Nagarhole National Park
A day to explore Nagarhole, with plenty of opportunities for wildlife
viewing - On Jungle Plan Activities. Overnight at Nagarhole.
Day 05 : Nagarhole National Park - Ooty
Morning drive to Ooty, a famous hill station in the Nilgiri Hills -Known as
Queen Of Hills - offers a relaxing alternative to this bustling town.
Overnight at Ooty.
Day
06 : Ooty-Coonoor(Toy Train) - Cochin
Morning transfer to Railway Station to connect Toy train - 3Track to
Coonoor enjoy the scenic Beauty of Queen of Hills. The car will meet you at
Coonoor and continue the drive to Cochin. Arrive in Cochin in the late
afternoon and check into your hotel. Please note that you may wish to
consider breaking your journey from Coonoor to Cochin at Kairali Ayurvedic
Resort, in the foothills of the Western Ghats, at Pallakad. Kairali is an
ideal place for exploring body and soul to revitalize and renew- be it
through the magic of Ayurveda, the salubrious climate throughout the year.
Their treatments are oriented towards personal goals of guests. To fully
experience and enjoy Kairali we would recommend a two night stay. Further
details on request.
Day
07 : Cochin
Over the centuries the Portuguese, Dutch and British have all influenced
this fascinating city. This morning visit the synagogue, Dutch Palace, St
Francis' Church and the spice market. In the late afternoon take a romantic
sunset cruise to see some of the nearby islands and the legendary Chinese
fishing nets. Evening watch a performance of traditional Kathakali Dancing.
Overnight in Cochin
Day 08 : Cochin-Periyar
After breakfast drive along the coast to Alleppey and cruise by motor boat
across Vembanad Lake to Kumarakom. Continue on by car to lake Periyar
wildlife sanctuary in the cardamom hills. Stay overnight at Periyar
Alternatively, you may wish to take a relaxing overnight rice barge cruise
on the backwaters, in a Deluxe Houseboat observing the activities of the
local people on the banks of the canals and waterways.
Day 09 : Periyar
Early morning and afternoon wildlife viewing by boat; alternatively, take a
trek through the forest with a local guide. Afternoon Spice Plantation Tour.
Overnight at Periyar
Day 10 : Periyar - Madurai
After breakfast descend from the hills to Madurai (155km/4hrs) Afternoon
city tour of Madurai including the colourful and vibrant Meenakshi Temple.
Overnight in Madurai
Day 11 : Madurai - Karaikudi
Leave this morning for the region of Chettinad, just 90 kms east of
Madurai, and home to the Nattukottai Chettiars, a prosperous banking
community, who ventured overseas to Ceylon, Burma and Indo-China in the 19th
and 20th centuries and amassed great fortunes. Stay overnight at The Bangala
a charming 75 year old Chettinad Bungalow belonging to the Meyyappa Chettiar
family that has been sensitively restored into a delightful heritage
guesthouse. Explore the area of Chettinad visiting some of the grand
mansions that are an architectural delight.
Day 12 : Karaikudi-Trichy
Today visit Trichy whose skyline is dominated by the Rock Fort temple. The
temple can be reached by a steep flight of steps cut into a tunnel through
the rock. Also visit SriRangam; this superb temple complex is spread over an
island in the Cauvery River. The morning rituals on the banks for the
Cauvery River at Amma Mandapam are very interesting to see as the families
remember their departed relations. Overnight stay in Trichy.
Day 13 : Trichy - Tanjore
Leave this morning for Tanjore noted for the great Brihadeeshwara temple,
considered to be one of the most magnificent Chola temples in India. Visit
the Art Gallery located in the grounds of the Tanjore Palace and the
Saraswati Mahal Library housing ancient palm leaf manuscripts. Overnight
stay in Tanjore
Day 14 : Tanjore - Pondicherry
Drive via the temple towns of Kumbakonam and Chidambaram to Pondicherry, a
former French colony: the town reveals a lingering continental influence in
its architecture and layout. Stay overnight in Pondicherry
Day 15 : Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram
This morning visit the Aurobindo Ashram, founded by a Bengal philosopher in
the early 20th century, and continue to Mahabalipuram to explore the
stunning temples and giant rock carvings, created by the Pallava king
Narasimhavarman in the 7th century. 14 cave temples have been hewn into the
cliff face, but even more remarkable are the nine monolithic "Chariot"
shrines, each carved from a single boulder, which stand on the seashore.
Stay Overnight at Mahabalipuram
Day
16 : Kanchipuram - Chennai
Conclude your journey with a visit to Kanchipuram to see the 7th century
Kailasanatha and Vaikuntaperumal temples, dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu
respectively. Kanchipuram is also noted for its cotton dyeing and silk
weaving. This afternoon end your journey at Chennai
»
»
