Duration: 20 Nights / 21 Days
Places to be Covered: Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Pondicherry - Swamimalai - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Rameshwaram - Kodaikanal - Kanyakumari - Kovalam - Periyar - Kottayam - Alleppey - Ooty - Coonoor - Mysore - Srirangapatnam - Hassan - Belur - Sravanbelgola - Bangalore - Mumbai
Day 01: Chennai
On your arrival at International Airport, you will be met by our representatives and transferred to the hotel. Check into the hotel and relax.
Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, is known as the 'Gateway to South India'. Chennai is popular for its rich historical and cultural heritage, clearly visible in hundreds of temples and historic monuments of the city.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Chennai.
Day 02: Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram
After breakfast, enjoy a full day excursions to Kanchipuram (76km-2hrs) and Mahabalipuram, the two famous temple towns of Tamil Nadu.
Kanchipuram, the ancient capital of the Pallavas, is famous as the city of 1000 temples (still has 124 temples). Kanchipuram is also famous for silk. See the amazingly beautiful temples of Kanchipuram famous for their architectural richness. The first temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built between the 7th and 8th century and has interesting paintings on the walls.
Sightseeing and lunch at Kanchipuram. Thereafter, we drive to Mahabalipuram (also known as Mamallapuram).
Mahabalipuram is the 7th century port town of south India. The town is famous for its rock-cut and monolithic temple architecures. It's also a UNESCO world Heritage Site. Visit the famous Arjuna's Penance, the Shore Temple and the Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots) - five monolithic pyramidal structures named after the legendary Pandavas.
Return to Chennai in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Chennai.
Day 03: Chennai - Pondicherry
After breakfast we drive to Pondicherry (170 km - 5 hrs), a former French colony and now a Union Territory of India, which carries a strong whiff of the French presence in India. Legend says that Pondicherry is the place where St.Agasthaya settled down.
Arrive at Pondicherry and check into the hotel. Later, enjoy an afternoon sightseeing tour of Pondicherry. Visit the famous Aurobindo Ashram, located 10 km north of Pondicherry. The ashram promotes Aurbindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter. Also visit Auroville - a unique experiment in international living and in creating a new environment where men and women of all nationalities live together in harmony.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Pondicherry.
Day 04: Pondicherry - Swamimalai
After breakfast we drive to Swamimalai (166 km-5 hrs). Enroute, visit Chidambaram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram, a Chola period sculptural monument.
Also known as Thillai, Chidambaram is famous for the Nataraja Temple. The temple sculptures depicts postures from the Bharatnatayam form of dance. Nataraja is Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer.
Arrive at Swamimalai and check into the Sterling Ethnic Village Resort. The resort organizes different theme dinners and concerts which are well thought-out and enjoyable. Yoga and Ayurveda facilities are also available at the resort.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at the resort.
Day 05: Swamimalai - Tanjore - Trichy
After breakfast, we drive to Trichy (91 km-2 hrs) enroute visiting the Tanjore Temples.
Tanjore was the capital of the ancient state ruled by the Cholas. Tanjore is popular for its temples and paintings. Visit the famous Brihadeeswarar temple housing a huge Shiva lingam and a stone sculpture of the Nandi bull.
Arrive Trichy and check into the hotel. Also called Trichurapalli, the place is one of the most sacred towns of south India. Trichy is famous for Rock Fort, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple and Sri Jambukeshwara Temple.
After lunch, enjoy sightseeing tour of Trichy visiting Rock Fort, Sri Ranganathaswamy and Jambukeshwara Temples.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Trichy.
Day 06: Trichy - Madurai
After breakfast we proceed to Madurai by surface (140 km- 4hrs). Madurai is a 2,600 years old famous temple town of south India. Arrive and check into the hotel.
Afternoon, visit the famous Meenakshi Temple, Mariamman Teppakulam (Great Tank) and the Palace of Tirumalai Nayak. Evening, revisit the Meenakshi Temple for prayer ceremony.
Overnight stay will be at Madurai.
Day 07: Madurai - Rameshwaram / Kodaikanal
After breakfast full day at leisure. Enjoy day excursion (optional) to Rameshwaram / Kodaikanal.
Rameshwaram, a sacred pilgrimage destination for Hindus, is known for its enchanting scenic beauty. Visit the famous Ramanathaswamy Temple located close to sea on the eastern side of the island.
Return to Madurai in the evening. Overnight stay will be at Madurai.
Day 08: Madurai - Kanya Kumari - Kovalam
After breakfast we proceed for Kovalam by surface, visiting Kanyakumari enroute.
An important pilgrim centre of India, Kanyakumari is the southern most point of India where the Indian subcontinent meets the Indian Ocean. Visit the famous Kumari Amman Temple dedicated to the virgin Goddess and the Vivekananda Rock Memorial. Evening enjoy a breathtaking view of the sunset against the sea that never fails to enchant your eyes and soul.
Continue to Kovalam. Kovalam is one of the finest beach destinations of south India famous for its clean and beautiful golden beaches and enchanting surroundings of swaying coconut palms.
Arrive Kovalam and check into the hotel. Overnight stay will be at Kovalam.
Day 09: Kovalam
Breakfast at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Enjoy lazing and sunbathing on the cool and clean beaches of Kovalam.
Overnight stay will be at Kovalam.
Day 10: Kovalam - Periyar
Breakfast at hotel. Thereafter we drive to the famous Periyar (276km-7hrs). Arrive and check into the Forest Lodge /Resort and relax. Afternoon, enjoy an exciting boat cruise on Periyar Lake for wildlife viewing.
Overnight stay will be at the Forest Lodge /Resort.
Day 11: Periyar - Kottayam - Alleppey
Breakfast at Lodge /Resort. Thereafter we drive to Kottayam (115 km - 4 hrs). Arrive at Kottayam and board a Kettuvallom (the luxury Houseboat). Enjoy sailing through the day on the serene and paradise like backwaters of Kerala.
Dinner and overnight stay will be on the Houseboat.
Day 12: Alleppey - Cochin
Arrive at Alleppey in the morning and disembark the Houseboat. In the afternoon, we proceed to Cochin (56 km-1 hr) by surface.
Also famous as Kochi, Cochin is one of the most famous historical cities of Kerala. Cochin is also famous for its exceptionally beautiful backwaters and beaches. Arrive at Cochin and check into the hotel.
Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Cochin.
Day 13: Cochin
Breakfast will be at hotel. Thereafter enjoy a sightseeing tour of Cochin. Visit the famous Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), St. Francis Church and the Jewish Synagogue. Also see the giant Chinese Fishing Nets being lowered on the famous Vasco Da Gama Square, offering a spectacular view to its visitors. Evening, also enjoy a Kathakali Dance Show in a Theatre.
Overnight stay will be at Cochin.
Day 14: Cochin - Ooty
After breakfast at hotel we drive to Ooty (280 km-7 hrs). Arrive at Ooty and check into hotel.
Ooty is regarded as the 'Queen of southern hill resorts'. Located at an altitude of 7,350 ft above the sea level amidst the picturesque surroundings of the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, Ooty is the most beautiful and enchanting hill station of South India. Also known as Udhagamandalam, Ooty is known for its highly pleasant climate and the breathtaking scenic beauty.
Overnight stay will be at Ooty.
Day 15: Ooty - Coonoor - Ooty
After breakfast, full day at leisure. Explore and enjoy the enchanting natural beauty of Ooty, which never fails to fascinate her visitors. Visit the sprawling tea plantations and velvety meadows of Ooty and get enchanted by its charm.
Afternoon, enjoy an excursion to Coonoor to visit Sims park, and enjoy cool walks through tea estates or drive to Lambs' Rock for a spectacular view of the plains.
Evening, return to Ooty. Overnight stay will be at Ooty.
Day 16: Ooty - Mysore
After breakfast, we drive to Mysore (155 km). Arrive at Mysore and check into the hotel and relax.
Mysore, popularly known as the city of Palaces, combines traditional grandeur with modernity and emerges as one of the most beautiful and best planned cities in India.
Afternoon, enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Mysore. Visit the famous Mysore Palace, the beautiful Brindavan Gardens, Krishnaraja Sagar Dam, St. Philomena's Church, the Jaganmohan Palace and the Chamundi Hills.
Overnight stay will be at Mysore.
Day 17: Mysore - Srirangapatnam
After breakfast, enjoy a morning visit to sacred Somnathpur Temple. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to Srirangapatnam. Located at 15 km from Mysore, Srirangapatnam is famous for the island fortress of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan and the Ranganathaswamy Temple.
Overnight stay will be at Mysore.
Day 18: Mysore - Hassan
After breakfast, we drive to Hassan (150 km). Arrive at Hassan and check into the hotel. Afternoon, visit the famous Hoysala Temples of Belur and Halebid.
Overnight stay will be at Hassan.
Day 19: Hassan - Sravanbelgola - Bangalore
After breakfast, we drive to Bangalore (186 km) visiting Sravanbelgola, enroute.
Sravanbelgola is a sacred Jain site, 49km Southwest of Hassan, consisting of two hills and a large Tank. On one of the hills, Indragiri houses an extraordinary 18-meter high monolithic statue of the naked male figure of Gomateshvara, the largest freestanding sculpture in India.
Arrive at Bangalore and check into the hotel and relax. Afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bangalore. Visit the major attraction of Bangalore such as the Vidhan Soudha, Cubbon Park, Lal Bagh, Tipu's Fort & Palace made entirely of wood and M.G Road for Shopping.
Overnight stay will be at Bangalore.
Day 20: Bangalore
On time transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai. Arrive at Mumbai and check into the hotel and relax. Afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Mumbai. Visit the famous Gateway of India among other attractions of Mumbai.
Overnight stay will be at Mumbai.
Day 21: Mumbai - End of Tour
After breakfast at the hotel, on time transfer to international airport for flight to onward destination or way back home with sweet memories of India.
Note: You can also choose to extend your stay in Goa.
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