Best of South India

Arrive in Chennai, formerly known as Madras-the capital city of Tamil Nadu and one of the foremost tourist destinations of South India. The city is a beautiful blend of the traditional Tamil-Hindu culture and modern British culture. The numerous temples, shrines, forts and palaces of Chennai are a reflection of the rich and diverse historical heritage of the city. Assistance upon arrival and transfer to hotel. Later proceed to see the major attractions including Fort St. George, Marina Beach and Kapaleeswar Temple. In the afternoon, enjoy shopping to buy souvenirs followed by transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

Chennai-Mahabalipuram-Kanchipuram-Chennai (14O km)

After breakfast, proceed for a fult day tour of Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram is the ancient capital of the Pallavas and is famous as a city of 1000 Temples. It still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century 8 has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchiouram is also famous for its silks. The city of Mahabalipuram is famous for the seven pagodas. Here on the sea shore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples, which are the examples of Dravidian style of Architecture. Overnight stay at Chennai Hotel.

Chennai-Pondicherry (170km)

After breakfast, transfer to Pondicherry, formerly a French colony, who had settled in the early part of 18th century. Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram at Auroville – the brain child of the mother and designed by French Architect Roger Anger, Auro ville was meant to be an experiment in international living where men and women could live in peace and progress in harmony with each other, above all creeds. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Pondicherry – Swami Mailer(166 Km)

After breakfast drive to Swami Mailer-an ethnic Village Resort. Enroute visit Chidambram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Overnight stay at the resort.

Swami Malai – Tanjore – Trichy(91 Km)

After breakfast, drive to Trichy. Enroute visit Tanjore Temple. Upon arrival at Trichy, check into the hotel. Late afternoon visit Srirangam and Rock Fort.

Trichy – Madurai (142 Km)

After breakfast drive to Madurai. Upon arrival check into the hotel. After freshen up visit one of South India’s great temple towns, Madurai is synonymous with the celebrated Meenakshi Temple, situated on the banks of river Vaigai Madurai.

Madurai-Rameshwaram(160Km) A Days Excursion

After breakfast, rest of the day is free to explore Madurai on your own. Or take an optional day trip to visit Rameshwaram, Rameshwaram -situated on the extreme south eastern limit of the Indian peninsula, is the Mecca for Hindus. The Ramanathaswamy Temple situated close to the sea on the eastern side of the Island is known for its magnificent structure, long corridors and aesthetically carved pillars lining it. The corridor is the longest in Asia- It is 197 metres long east-west, and 133 metres in length on south-north.

Madurai – Kanya Kumari – Kovalam (285Km )

Early morning drive to Kovalam. En-route visit Kanya Kumari (Cape Comorin)-The last land end of India where three Oceans (Indian Ocean-Arabian Sea & Bay of Bengal) meet. Later Continue drive to Kovalam. Upon arrival transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Kovalam

After breakfast, proceed for half day sightseeing tour of Trivandrum. It is bounded by the Arabian Sea in the west and Tamil Nadu in the east. Visit the Napier Museum, Kuthiramalika Museum, Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple. In the afternoon relax on the famous Kovalam Beach.

Kovalam – Periyar/ Thekkady( 276 km)

After breakfast, proceed to Periyar. The very sound of the world Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. In the Periyar forests of Thekkady lies one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. On arrival at Thekkady check into the hotel. Rest of the day for at leisure Or take an optional tour of spice plantations & you can also enjoy boating in the Periyar lake to view the wildlife at the Periyar tiger reserve.

Periyar

After breakfast the day is free at leisure or enjoy an optional tour to spice plantations & later enjoy boating in the Periyar lake to view the wildlife at the Periyar tiger reserve! optional).

Periyar – Cochin

After breakfast drive to Cochin” The Queen of the Arabian Sea” with one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Meet our representative who will transfer you to the hotel. In the afternoon, proceed for a half day sightseeing tour of Cochin. Visit the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Jews Street, St.Francis church, Chinese fishing nets & The Indo-Portngnese Museum. In the evening you can also see^Kathakali dance (ancient dance of Kerala-Optional).

Cochin – Bangalore – Hassan (194 km )

Alter breakfast, transfer to the airport to board on your flight to Bangalore. On arrival a drive to Hasan and visit Sravanabelogola that is renowned for the 17m high statue of Lord Gomateshvara atop the Indragiri Hill.

Hassan Tour (194 km)

Today, after breakfast proceed for an excursion tours to Behur and Halebid. Behur and Halebid has a series of beautifully carved temples between them. They are the places referred to in the glorious past of the historical sites of Karnataka.

Hasan – Mysore (125 km)

After breakfast, proceed for a drive to Mysore which gives you an Insight into the changing topography, lifestyles, history and diversity between two places within a single state-of Karnataka. Late afternoon set out on your sightseeing tour to Brindavan Gardens and Mysore Palace.

Mysore (lOO km) – Virajet(65Km) – Madeikeri

After breakfast drive to Virajpet. The town of Virajpet is the second town of the district of Kodagu, in Karnataka. It is a small town of importance for the local coffee and spice crops. Some of the tourist attractions in and around Virajpet are the Ayyappa temple halfway up * and the Shiva temple at the top of the Malethinke hill, a semispherical hill at Kakotuparambu which is about 8 km from Virajpet.

Madeikeri – Mysore (150 km)

After breakfast, visit Raja’s Seat. At the western End of Madikeri, Raja’s Seat is a small pavilion with a garden surrounding it offering a view of the green valley below Madikeri Fort. This fort was first built by Mudduraja in the last quarter of the 17th Century. He also built a palace inside the Fort. It was eventually rebuilt in granite by Tipu Sultan who named the site as Jaffarabad.

After breakfast transfer to airport to board your respective flight.