Duration : 16 Nights / 17 Days
Destinations Covered : Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Trichy - Madurai - Periyar - Cochin - Bangalore - Mysore - Belur - Halebid - Hassan - Hassan - Hampi - Hospet - Badami - Goa
Day 01 : Arrive Chennai (Madras)
On arrival at Chennai international airport you will be welcomed in a traditional Indian style by the company’s representative. After meet and greet you will be escorted to your pre booked hotel for night stay.
Day 02 :
Chennai Sightseeing
After breakfast you will meet our guide in the hotel lobby who will take you for the city tour. Chennai is the
gateway to south India, the capital of Tamil Nadu. The green airy city beckons those who love the leisurely tempo of life. Temples and forts, churches and beaches, mosques, parks and monuments are all part of the mosaic of Chennai. The main places of interests are Fort St. George; this is the place from where British East India Company ruled India in the early days.St Mary church in the fort is the oldest protestant church east of Suez. Theosophical Society is locate on the bank of the river Adayar in a spacious wooded estate, the world headquarters of the Theosophical Society has fine library, shrines to all faith and the serene Garden of Remembrance. Other places of interest are San Thome Cathedral Basilica. Sri Kapleshwar Temple Sri Parathasarthy Temple and the Marina the second longest beach in the world. Later return to hotel, evening free for own activities. Overnight stay at hotel.
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Day 03 : Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Trichy (by train)
Today after early breakfast we will leave for an excursion to Kancheepuram and Mahabalipuram.Kancheepuram is about 64 Km from Chennai and is famous for temples. It is also called the “city of thousand temples” It is the ancient capital of the Pallavas.The first-ever temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has ancient wall paintings. Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are temples one must visit. Kanchipuram is famous for its silks. Later we will go to Mahabalipuram famous for the seven pagodas. It also has on its seashore an ancient group of rock hewn temples which represent the Dravidian style of architecture. Shore temple is worth visiting. Later in the afternoon drive Chennai railway station to board your train to Trichy. Arrive Trichy and transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay at your hotel.
Day 04 :
Trichy Sightseeing
After leisurely breakfast our driver and guide will take you for sightseeing.Trichy is situated on the bank of the river Kaveri, it was once ruled by Chola dynasty in the medieval period. It was also briefly ruled by the Pallavas and Pandayas.But the most monumental chapters of Trichy as it exists today were written by the Nayaks of Madurai , who constructed the town around the Rock Fort which is Trichy’s most famed landmark. In the 18th century, the Carnatic wars were fought between the French and the English in this region. The house of Lord Robert Clive still exists here and is worth a visit and so is the Danish Church. The Rock-Fort is the landmark of Trichy. The ancient temple of Ganapati is situated and one has to take a flight of 434 steps. For reaching the Shiva Temple, which is situated at the top, one has to climb further. Rest of the evening free to relax. Overnight stay at Trichy.
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Day 05 : Trichy - Madurai
After breakfast drive to Madurai en-route visit Tanjore. Tanjavur dates back to Sangam age, it was between the 10th and 14th centuries that Tanjavur reached its zenith, becoming the centre of learning and culture. The Cholas were great temple builders and Thanjavur bears witness to this , being dotted with no fewer than 74 temples –the most famous of which is the Brihadeeshwara temple canopied by a huge cupola a single piece of granite block weighing around 80 tons, which was taken atop with the help of a 6 km long ramp, by the old technique as was used by the Egyptians for building their pyramids. The bronze figurine and handicrafts of Tanjore make it a worth–visiting place in South India. Upon arrival check in hotel. Overnight stay at Madurai.
Day 06 : Madurai
After breakfast leave for sightseeing of Madurai. Madurai is more than 2500 years old and was an important cultural and commercial centre even as early as 550 A.D. when Pandyas made their capital. The main attraction of Madurai is Meenakshi Sundareswara temple which was originally built by Kulasekara Pandya.However the entire credit goes to the Nayaks who ruled Madurai from 16th to 18th century .It is two temples one is dedicated to Meenakshi (Parvathi) and other to Lord Sundareswara (Shiva). Twelve gopurams (towers) grace the temple which is rectangular in shape. This temple is one of the best examples of Dravidian architecture and sculpture. The hall of thousand pillars is a museum of icons, photographs and illustrations. Also visit the Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple. Afternoon free. Overnight stay at Madurai.
Day 07 :
Madurai - Periyar
After a relaxed breakfast drive to Periyar wildlife sanctuary situated in the lap of the Western Ghats spread over an area of 777-sq kilometer. The high ranges of the Western Ghats are engulfed with dense evergreen moist deciduous forests and Savannah grasslands. A cruise in the Periyar Lake by a motor boat will give the visitor a good glimpse into the varied Wildlife Elephants, wild boar, sambar, tiger, leopard, wild dog, langur monkeys, etc. could be sited by a visitor during the cruise. Overnight stay at Periyar.
Day 08 : Periyar - Cochin
After breakfast drive to Cochin. Upon arrival transfer to hotel and check-in. Overnight stay at Cochin.
Day 09 : Cochin
Today enjoy the sightseeing of Cochin, the natural harbour created by the Dunder. Vasco-de-Gama placed it on the world map. It has a Jewish synagogue, Portuguese churches, mosques and Hindu temples. Watch the Chinese Fishing Nets. Afternoon free for own activities. Overnight stay at Cochin.
Day 10 : Cochin - Bangalore
You will have assisted transfer to the airport to board your flight to Bangalore. Upon arrival you will meet our representative who will escort you to the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Bangalore, visiting Cubbon Park, Vidhana Soudha, Tippu's Palace, Government Aquarium, Gandhi Bhavan, and Lalbagh Gardens. Later return to hotel for Overnight stay.
Day 11 :
Bangalore - Mysore
After breakfast drive to the
sandalwood city, Mysore. It was once the residence of the Maharajas of Mysore. On arrival check in hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Palace of the Maharaja which was built in 1911.The palace is built in Indo-Saracenic style , the palace has ornate domes , archways, turrets, colomnades and sculptures. Afterward proceed to visit the Art Gallery and later drive to Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple and have a spectacular view of Mysore. On the way back, have a glimpse of the Nandi the Bull. Evening free to discover the city on your own. Overnight stay in Mysore.
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Day 12 : Bangalore - Belur - Halebid - Hassan
After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Hassan.Upon arrival check in hotel. Later after wash and change go for sightseeing tour of Belur and Halebid. The Chenna Kesava temple of Belur, which is approximately 900 years old, is a fabulous example of Hoysala art. Halebid's 12th century Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples are masterpieces of Hindu art. En route visit Sravanbelgola which has the statute of Lord Gomteshwara , carved out of a single rock, which is visible from a distance of 25 kilometers is bathed with milk and honey once every 12 years. Later take a rest in the evening at your hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 13 : Hassan - Hampi - Hospet
After breakfast drive to Hospet. En-route visit Hampi. The once beautiful capital city of Vijayanagar Empire - greater than Rome, had temples, palaces & sculptures, strewn all over. The city was destroyed by the Sultanates of South in 1565. Still one can see the remains of Vitala, Virupaksha and Hazara Rama temples huge Narasimha and Ganesha images, the Haathi-Ghar, the Queen's Bathroom, carvings on the Ram Chandra temple & Lotus Mahal. Overnight stay at Hospet.
Day 14 : Hospet - Badami
Today drive to Badami en route visiting Pattadakal & Aihole. Pattadakal, also known as Petrigal, reached its peak of glory under the Chalukya kings from 7th to 9th centuries. Sanghameswara Temple is the oldest among this group. The life of Lord Krishna is carved on the pillars of the Mallikarjuna Temple. Virupaksha temple has carvings and panoramas from, the Ramayana & Mahabharata. The Papanatha Temple has remarkable carvings on pillars and roof. Aihole is the frame of stone temple structural design of the southern Dravida School. The Durga temple is famous for their sculptures. Later continue drive to Badami. Upon arrival transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 15 : Badami
After breakfast sightseeing tour of Badami also known as Vatapi is rich with one Jain and three Hindu temples. The carved temples were built in 6th century. Sculptured out of solid sand stone rock they are decorated with art forms. The Fort is atop a hill and has large halls which were use to store food grains, a watch tower & treasury. The Malegitti Shivalaya temple set on a hill is built of stones. Overnight in Badami.
Day 16 : Badami - Goa
Today you will be driven to one of the finest beach destination Goa, famous for its Portuguese style buildings and white sand sunny beaches
Day 17 : Goa
In Goa. Please inform us the number of days you wish to stay in Goa.
Day 18 : Goa - Bombay (Flight)
Today you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight to Mumbai from where you can take your further flight back to your country.
Tour End
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Basic Inclusions of the package :
- Assisted transfers from airport to hotel and back
- Accommodation in hotels (as per the category selected)
- Daily Breakfast (American / Indian)
- City tour + Drives by private car
- An English-speaking well mannered guide during sightseeing trips
- All currently applicable taxes
Exclusions:
- Any meal unless mentioned above, personal expenses like telephone /laundry bills etc.
- Entrance fees and still camera or video camera charges at various monuments and museums.
- Tips and gratuities to drivers, guides, and bellboys at hotels
- Departure taxes or Visa handling fees (A Visa is required to visit India)
- Any International Air fare, Airports tax and travel insurance etc. and other services not specified above.
- Anything not mentioned in inclusions.
Remarks
» All prices quoted per person in INR. on twin sharing basis. Rates subject to change without notice Rates are applicable for a minimum of two (2) persons travelling at one time.
» Rates are applicable for Indian market only.
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