Enchanting South India Tour
Day 01 : Arrive
Mumbai
Arrival at Mumbai airport
Our company representative will meet and assist
you at the airport
Transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
After late breakfast start sightseeing of
Mumbai including Gateway of India and Hanging
Garden, St. John's Church, Prince of Wales
Museum, University and High Court.
Evening transfer to airport for flight to
Hyderabad. On arrival check in to hotel for
overnight stay.
Day 02 : Mumbai - Chennai
After breakfast excursion to Elephanta
Caves on motorboats. A flight of
100 steps takes you to the top of the hill
where it is set. The caves houses large pillars
that seem to hold the ceiling, which is made,
have crossbeams. The picturesque presentations
of the 9 marvellous sculptured panels, set
on the walls are awe-inspiring. The most famous
of the panels is the Trimurthi, or triple-headed
Shiva, where the God is depicted as the destroyer,
the preserver and the creator. Later in the
afternoon cruise back to Gateway of India
and have lunch
Evening transfer to airport for evening flight
to Chennai
Arrive Chennai, our representative will meet/assist
you at the airport and transfer to hotel for
overnight stay
Day 03 : Chennai
Breakfast at hotel and start sightseeing of
Chennai visiting Marina Beach, the second
longest beach in the world. The St. George
Fort, built in 1653, is currently used as
the state government’s secretariat,
Santhome Cathedral was built around 14th-15th
century and is another colonial structure
worth visiting. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the
Kapaleeswara Temple is the oldest temple in
Chennai. Another important temple in the city
dedicated to Lord Krishna is Parthasarthy
Temple. The Snake Park has a large collection
of snakes and many other reptiles. Overnight
at the hotel.
Day 04 : Chennai – Kanchipuram
- Mahabalipuram
Morning after breakfast drive to Mahabalipuram.
Enroute visit Kanchipuram – one of India’s
seven sacred cities and one of its loveliest
temple towns also known for its handloom silks,
followed by visit to temples Kailasnathar,
Vaikuntaperumal, Ekambareshwara, Kamakshiamma
and Sakiswarar.
After lunch continue drive to Mahabalipuram
known for its Pallava Art and its beautiful
long beach, on arrival transfer to the hotel,
rest of evening free for leisure and relax.
Overnight at Mahabalipuram.
Day 05 : Mahabalipuram
Morning after breakfast take a sightseeing
tour of the city, built in the 7th century,
this ancient city is said to be a sculptor's
delight, boasting of some of India's most
sublime rock-cut art, for which it is now
a World Heritage site, 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. Overnight at
hotel
Day 06 : Mahabalipuram- Chidambaram
- Tanjore – Tricky
Morning after early breakfast drive to Tanjore.
On the way visit visit Chidambaram,
which is one of the foremost Saivite shrines;
the very name Kovil refers to Chidambaram,
where Natarajan is enshrined in the Chit Sabha
or the Hall of Consciousness, in the Ananda
Tandavam (Dance of Bliss) pose. Chidambaram
is one of the Panchabhoota Stalams signifying
the 5 elements of wind (Kalahasti), water
(Tiruvanaikka), fire (Tiruvannamalai), earth
(Kanchipuram) and space (Chidambaram). The
Moovar (Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar) as
well as Manikkavacakar have sung praises of
Chidambaram. Several literary works praise
the glory of Chidambaram. Chidambaram is one
of the 5 dance Halls of Shiva (Kanakasabhai).
The five dance halls are Chithambram, Madurai,
Tiruvalankadu, Tirunelveli and Kutralam.
After lunch at local restaurant continue
drive to Tanjore (Thanjavur), the ancient
capital of Chola kings. Visit the Brihadeshwara
temple, which was built by Raja and is termed
as the crowning glory of Chola temple architecture.
Th is temple is one of the monuments in India
with World Heritage listing. Also visit the
Thanjavur Palace, which was constructed in
1550 and has huge corridors, spacious halls,
observation and arsenal towers.
After visiting Trihy we will continue drive
to Tricky (50 kms from Tanjore), on arrival
check in to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 07 : Trichy
Breakfast at hotel. Later start sightseeing
tour of Trichy the most famous landmark of
this bustling town - the Rock Fort Temple,
a spectacular monument perched on a massive
rocky outcrop, which rises abruptly from the
plain to tower over the old city. It is reached
by a flight of steep steps cut into the rock
and from its summit you get a fantastic view
of the town plus its other main landmark,
the Sri Ranganathanswami Temple. This temple
is one of the largest and most interesting
temple complexes in India, built on an island
in the middle of the Cauvery River and covering
a staggering 2.5 sq km and Jambukeshwara -
Mysore Temples. Evening drive back to hotel
or take a walk through old city particularly
big bazaar street and China bazaar. Overnight
at hotel
Day 08 : Trichy - Madurai
Morning after breakfast start sightseeing
tour of Trichy the most famous landmark of
this bustling town - the Rock Fort Temple,
a spectacular monument perched on a massive
rocky outcrop, which rises abruptly from the
plain to tower over the old city. It is reached
by a flight of steep steps cut into the rock
and from its summit you get a fantastic view
of the town plus its other main landmark,
the Sri Ranganathanswami Temple.
PM : Drive to Madurai, on arrival check in
to hotel overnight stay
Day 09 : Madurai
After breakfast we will vvisit to Meenakshi
Sundareshwar, one of the largest temple complex
in India built between the 16th and 18th centuries.
Apart from the estimated 33 million sculptures
there, the temple is absolutely absorbing
with the endless rounds of ceremonies, prostration
of countless devotees and glittering market
stalls, later visit Tiruparankundram Murugan
Temple, Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple. Overnight
at Madurai.
Day 10 : Madurai - Periyar
After breakfast checkout and drive to Periyar.
On arrival check in to hotel
PM : Visit at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
one of India's biggest wildlife sanctuaries
covering 777 sq. Km (300 Sq. miles) is a Tiger
Reserve. Its centrepiece, the man-made Periyar
Lake at the height of 2000 ft. covers 26 sq.
km, running through the forests of the Western
Ghats in Kerala, discover the park, animals
found here include elephant, sambar, gaur
and wild animals found here include elephant,
gaur and wild boars and birds like ibis and
grey heron. The visit is done in a boat to
view animals with a bit of extra luck we may
be able to see the rare tiger as well. Later
in the evening take a spice plantation tour
to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper,
coffee, tea estates etc. on your way back
to the hotel, you could stop at the local
market and pick up some fragrant spices. Overnight
at hotel
Day 11 : Periyar – Kumarakom
Early morning at the time of sunrise take
a boat ride in the Periyar Lake, Kumarakom
- for the nature-lover. Here in this backwater
town, you can laze in a canoe amidst sylvan
surroundings where the only presence is yours
and the egrets. Later visit at Kumarakom Bird
Sanctuary, located on the banks of the Vembanad
Lake, to see bird viewing where numerous species
of birds, including Darters, Bitterns, Brahminy
kites, Marsh Harries, Teals and several varieties
of Herons roost are found. For an inquisitive
bird watcher, it is always advisable to carry
their binoculars at all times. Return to hotel,
Make sure you do not miss out on Karimeen
and fresh toddy the favourite fresh water
food and the local wine. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 : Kumarakom – Backwater
Houseboat - Alleppey
After breakfast drive to Jetty to check in
to houseboat. The day for the journey of backwaters
in the boat, through the tropical countryside
enchanting backwaters of Kumarakom by regattas
(snake boats) for which Kerala is very famous,
while sailing enjoy 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. The Chinese fishing
nets, the reminiscent of our past trade links,
are also found on the way. Flocks of duck
swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying
across the sky remains as enduring pictures
reflecting the charm of this tourist land,
you also enjoy fishing from the houseboats,
evening enjoy sunset from the sun-deck of
the houseboats, moving towards Alleppey. The
Houseboats have generated electricity; sitting
cum dinning area, separate bedroom with attached
English toilets, sun deck and fu lly loaded
kitchen with a Chef, and Srank (Driver). Overnight
at the houseboat.
Day 13 : Alleppey – Kovalam
Morning after breakfast check out houseboat
Drive to Kovalam and on arrival check in to
hotel
Day free to relax at the beach resorts one
can take Ayurvedic massages available at the
resort.
Day 14 : Kovalam- Cape Camorin Excursion
After breakfast drive to Cape Camorin also
known as Kanya Kumari 85 kms, this place is
at the tail tip end of India, one can see
the 3 seas meet over here (Arabian Sea, Indian
Ocean & bay of Bengal) on arrival visit
Kumari Amman Devi Temple, Vivekananda Rock
& Ashram, enjoy sunset over here &
drive back to Kovalam for overnight.
Day 15 : Kovalam- Trivandrum –Mumbai
Morning after breakfast drive to Trivendrum
Arrive and start sightseeing of Trivendrum
, the capital of the state of Kerala is a
beautiful seaside city built on seven hills.
The famous Sri Padmanabhaswamy Swami Temple
is dedicated to Vishnu and is a landmark in
the city.
PM : Transfer to airport for international
flight back to your home / flight to Mumbai
for connecting international flight
