ENCHANTING SOUTH INDIA

Duration:               15 Days

Destinations:         Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Pondicherry - Tanjore Trichy - Madurai - Periyar - Kumarakom - Backwaters - Cochin Bangalore - Mysore - Mumbai

DAY 1                         ARRIVE CHENNAI                                                  

Arrive late night at Chennai. Upon arrival, the guests will be met by our representative outside the customs gate and transferred to the hotel.

Overnight at hotel

DAY 2                         CHENNAI

Chennai (formerly know as Madras), the cultural centre of South India and capital of the modern state of Tamil Nadu is a fascinating jumble of old and new. It is a potpourri of impressions, a fistful of colour, a whiff of jasmine and the rustling of silk. It brings to mind the subtle, intricate variations of classical music, the evocative grace of Bharatnatyam, complicated and exuberantly laced temple walls and a spontaneity of bronzed Dravidian faces. It is a gateway to the sun kissed South India.

This morning’s sightseeing would include a visit to Mylapore in the south, which is the site of the famous Kapaleeswara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is the biggest temple in Chennai with a beautiful dome and is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture. Near the temple, is the Santhome Cathedral, which is a historical and pilgrimage centre that was built in 1504 and rebuilt in new Gothic style in 1893. It houses the remains of St. Thomas The Apostle. Also visit the Government Museum & Art Gallery, which has an interesting archaeological section and a bronze gallery, a superb collection of the Chola Dynasty. The Art Gallery has a collection of old paintings and modern art.

Overnight in Chennai

DAY 3                         CHENNAI

This morning after breakfast at the hotel, visit to  Kalakshetra, an internationally renowned institution for Indian classical dance and music, at Thiruvanmiyoor, an outstanding example of the cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu.

After the visit excursion to Kancheepuram and Mahabalipuram

Kancheepuram, the city of thousand temples, is one of the seven sacred cities of India. The former capital of the Pallavas, it is famous for its exquisitely woven silk saris. The Kancheepuram temples and the homes of silk fabric weavers are worth a visit.

After lunch, visit Mahabalipuram. Situated 61kms from Chennai, Mamallapuram was the second capital of the Pallava Kings, the first being Kancheepuram. Located here, the marvelous Shore-temple, which is a World Heritage site, monolithic Rathas (horse chariot), cave marking Arjuna’s penance, a sculptural panel etc. are all very unique.

Overnight in Chennai

DAY 4                         CHENNAI - PONDICHERRY

After breakfast drive to Pondicherry covering a distance of 165 kms in approximately 4 hours. Arrive Pondicherry and check-in at your hotel.

Pondicherry, which was up until the 1950s, a far-flung outpost of the French maritime empire. It is so different from the rest of Tamil Nadu that one feels that one has entered another country! This busy coastal town is divided roughly into two: the old White Town of elegant French houses, restaurants & administrative buildings and the Black Town west of the canal where India takes over again.

Afternoon, tour of Pondicherry visiting Botanical garden, Eglise De Sacre Coeur De Jesus and Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Later visit township of Auroville or the city of Dawn. Designed by a French architect Roger Arger, it is an entirely new concept in education and urban living.

Overnight in Pondicherry

DAY 5                         PONDICHERRY - TANJORE

Morning, drive to Tanjore covering a distance of 180 kms in approximately 4½ hours.

Upon arrival at Tanjore - check into hotel.

Afternoon sightseeing tour of Tanjore - was the capital of the Chola Empire from the tenth to the fourteenth centuries. A Chola king, Raja Raja Chola, who held the throne from 985 to 1016, built the greatest of the empire's 74 temples, the Brahadeeswarar, with its soaring tower over the inner sanctum. This tower rises more than 62 meters (200 feet). On its dome rests a single block of granite weighing 80 tons.

Overnight in Tanjore

DAY 6                         TANJORE - TRICHY - MADURAI

After breakfast drive to Madurai covering a distance of 190 kms.

Stop at Trichy for a city tour - visit the 'Rock Fort Temple' which rises abruptly to a height of 273 ft. A steep staircase cut into the rock leads upto the Fort. At the first level are the remnants of a huge hall blasted into ruins in 1772. The next storey is the Mathrubhuteshwarer Shrine dedicated to Shiva. Finally at the top of the hill, the 'Uchhi Pillayar Koil' - a Ganesh Temple offering a commanding view of the city.

Afternoon, continue your drive to Madurai. Upon arrival check-in at hotel.

Tucked snugly in the recesses of Tamil Nadu, on the sacred Vaigai River, Madurai - a city shaped like a lotus - is the destination of thousands of pilgrims. Madurai is the oldest and the second largest city in Tamil Nadu. The legend has that the Pandyan King, Kulasekhara, built a great temple and a lotus shaped city around it. On the day the city was to be named, Lord Shiva appeared to bless the people nectar flowed from his matted locks. So it was called ‘Madhurapuri’ and later it became ‘Madurai’.

This evening attend a prayer ceremony at the Meenakshi temple. At 9 PM, attend the night ceremony at the temple. This is a ceremony that takes place every evening when the temple bronze of Lord Shiva is carried to the bed chamber of Parvati. The procession is accompanied by religious prayer and temple music.

Overnight in Madurai

DAY 7                         MADURAI

This morning re-visit the beautiful Meenakshi Temple. Its enormous domes covered with gaily-colored statues dominate the landscape and are visible from all over Madurai. This temple is dedicated to Lord Siva and Goddess Meenakshi. Designed in 1560 by Vishwanatha Nayak, the present temple was built during the reign of Tirumalai Nayak from 1623 to 1655 AD, but its history goes back 2000 years, when Madurai was the capital of the Pandya Kings. There are 4 entrances to the temple and 12 towers ranging from 45m to 50m. The temple is famous for its 1000 pillar corridor. It has also been the centre of Tamil culture, art, dance and music over centuries.

Also visit the palace of Tirumala Nayak which is an example of the architectural mastery of the Nayaks - a blend of Hindu and Saracen architecture. It's enormous roofed arcade supported by 48 foot high stoned pillar still stands.

Afternoon at leisure to relax or pursue independent activities.

Overnight in Madurai

DAY 8                         MADURAI - PERIYAR (THEKKADY)

This morning, drive to Thekkady covering a distance of 137 kms in approximately 4½ hours. On arrival check-in at hotel.

The Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary is one of the 16 Project Tiger Reserves in India and is amongst the most picturesque wild life sanctuaries in the world despite the tragic loss of the richly vegetated valley due to the dam and the 21 sq. mile reservoir. Since boat travel is the only way of traveling through this sanctuary, one can cover large areas in a short time and experience the wilderness like never before. There is probably no sanctuary in the world where elephant behavior can be watched in such absolute comfort and safety.

This afternoon, cruise in the Periyar lake in the cool surroundings and the panorama spreads around - tropical jungles, wild elephants, Indian gaur, monkeys, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boat and birds of myriad varieties.  With an area of 777 Sq. Km the wildlife sanctuary lies at an elevation of 914 meters to 1828 meters above sea level on the Periyar Lake in the hills of Western Ghats.

Overnight in Periyar

DAY 9                         PERIYAR (THEKKADY) - KUMARAKOM

Today morning, a visit to the nearby spice plantations will be arranged.

After the visit, drive to Kumarakom covering a distance of 130 kms in approximately 4 hours.

Kumarakom slumbers on the bank of the famous Vembanad Lake, which is a part of Kuttanad ('granary' of Kerala). The Vembanad Lake with its majestic canals, streams and distributaries along its banks weave an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web. The gorgeous green of the fringed palms ripple in the blue waters and blend into wavelets.

Arrive Kumarakum and check-in at hotel.

The afternoon is free to relax by the pool, enjoy an Ayurvedic massage or visit the Kumarakom bird sanctuary

Overnight in Kumarakom

DAY 10                      KUMARAKOM - BACKWATERS (HOUSEBOAT)

The morning is free in Kumarakom. You have an option to indulge in Yoga and/or an Ayurvedic massage. A specialist would speak about the healing science of Ayurveda, and centuries old herbal remedies.  

At noon check-out of hotel and transfer to the “Houseboat” or 'Kettuvallom', the traditional rice barge, with its sturdy build and stately carriage. Today, the Kettuvallom offers the visitor to Kerala an entirely new kind of experience. Combining holidaying, pleasure boating and ecological living in an exhilarating way.

This afternoon activities will be mostly water based, cruise via an intricate network of canals, through backwater villages where daily life continues unaltered, as it has for centuries.  You will see lush palm groves and stretches of rice fields, while daily traffic on the broader canals of regular ferries and cargo boats will serve to emphasize to economic importance of these vital waterways.

Lunch and dinner will be served on board.

Overnight in Houseboat

DAY 11                      HOUSEBOAT - COCHIN

After breakfast, drive to Cochin covering a distance of 65 kms in approximately 1½ our. On arrival check-in at your hotel.

This afternoon explore the bustling port of Cochin including Mattancherry Palace, St. Francis’ Church, Spice Markets and drive past the famous Chinese fishing nets, etc.

Jewish Synagogue - Built in 1568, the building was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1662 and rebuilt by the Dutch two years later. Scrolls of the Old Testament and a number of copper plates inscribed in Hebrew script are preserved here.

Fort Kochi - Situated 12kms from Cochin, the Fort Kochi is said to be the oldest European settlement in India.

St. Francis Church - The oldest church constructed by the Europeans in India, the Portuguese originally built this protestant church in 1510. Vasco da Gama, the first European to reach India died in Cochin 1524, and was buried here for 14 years, before his remains were transferred to Lisbon in Portugal. His tombstone can be seen inside the church.

Mattancherry Palace - Built by the Portuguese in 1555, this Palace was presented to the Raja of Cochin as a gesture of goodwill. This was also known as the Dutch Palace, resulting from substantial renovation by the Dutch after 1663. The central hall was the Coronation Hall of the Rajas. Their dresses, turbans and palanquins and murals from Hindu mythology are all beautiful and worth seeing.   

Overnight in Cochin

DAY 12                      COCHIN - BANGALORE

This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangalore. Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to your hotel

Bangalore, the capital of the state of Karnataka, was founded in 1531 by a Yelahanka Prabhu chieftain, Kempegowda. It boasts a salubrious climate with innumerable parks, gardens, lakes and tree-lined avenues giving it the sobriquet “garden city”. A major industrial and commercial centre, with a lot of scientific and research activity, Bangalore is multifaceted: modern marvels, historic monuments, bustling shopping plazas, tranquil walks, rustling silks, fragrant sandalwood and friendly people. If it is called the ‘silicon valley’ of India for its advanced software, it is also known as the ‘city of draught beer’ because of the abundance of the popular beverage as well as the innumerable pubs.

After lunch, visit the Vidhouna Sabha, the Legislative Chambers of the Sate Government, a masterpiece of temple architecture. Also visit the Government Museum, which is one of the oldest museums of the city housing exquisite collection of coins, sculptures, inscriptions etc.

Overnight in Bangalore

DAY 13                      BANGALORE - MYSORE - BANGALORE

This morning, leave for a full day excursion to the city of Mysore via Srirangapatnam and get an opportunity to visit the palace of Tipu Sultan, the famous warrior king of yesteryears.

Srirangapatnam - 16kms from Mysore stands the ruins of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan’s Capital from which they ruled much of Southern India during the 18th century. In 1799 the British finally conquered them with the help of disgruntled local leaders. Tipu’s defeat marked the real beginning of the British territorial expansion in Southern India. The summer palace of Tipu Sultan, Srirangapatnam is known for its fortress and tomb of the famous warrior king.

In the garden city of Mysore, visit the Mysore Palace, the residence of the Maharaja and admittedly one of the most beautiful buildings in India. Also visit the Zoological Garden, Arts & Crafts Center & Brindavan Gardens.

Overnight in Bangalore

DAY 14                      BANGALORE - MUMBAI

Morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Mumbai. On arrival, meet and greet at the airport and transfer to your hotel.

Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra, is the fastest moving, most affluent and industrialised city in India. Bombay is part of India's beautiful west coast that runs down from Gujarat, through Bombay to Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. The city has a natural harbour, which was developed by the British and is one of the busiest ports of India. It is home to people of all Indian creeds and cultures, a fascinating city, throbbing with life, and, for many people, the gateway to India.

Afternoon, orientation drive of Mumbai includes visit to Gateway of India, the principal landmark of Bombay, was the principal port when the visitors came to India by ship. The gateway was conceived, following the visit of King George V to India in 1911, and was officially opened in 1924. Its architecture is akin to the conventional Arch of Triumph, with elements derived from Muslim styles of 16th century Gujarat. A major landmark of this vibrant city is the VT or Victoria Terminus, which was designed in Italian Gothic style by F. W. Stevens. The first train to steam out of Bombay was from here to Thane in 1853. Drive upto Malabar Hill to the lovely Hanging Gardens and the Kamla Nehru Park from where you will get a wonderful view of Mumbai and the Arabian Sea spread out before you.    

Late at night, transfer to the international airport to board home bound flight in the early hours of day 15.

DAY 15                      MUMBAI - ABROAD

Flight back home