South India Cultural Tour

17 Days

Chennai > Trichy > Madurai > Periyar > Cochin > Bangalore > Mysore > Hospet > Badami > Goa > Mumbai

DAY 01 - CHENNAI

Arrive at Chennai. Transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at Chennai.

DAY 02 - CHENNAI - TRICHY

Full day tour of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. The former was the main port of Pallava dynasty & has exquisite rock-cut monuments, monolithic structures and bas-reliefs. It is also a beach resort. Kanchipuram, the golden city was one of the seven sacred cities of India and once had 1000 temples. It is also famed for it's hand - woven cottons and Kanjivaram silk. Evening transfer to railway station for Trichy night train. Overnight on board.

DAY 03 - TRICHY

Morning arrive Trichy & transfer to Hotel. Afternoon tour of Trichy visiting the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Ganapati - 434 steps cut out into the rock side and interspersed with shrines, lead to the temple, yet another flight leads to the temple of Lord Shiva. The ascend is climaxed by a magnificent view of the sacred Kavery river. Visit Srirangam a massive temple dedicated to lord Vishnu, which contains within its walls a bazaar. Overnight stay at Trichy.

DAY 04 - TRICHY - MADURAI

Morning drive to Madurai enroute visiting the famous 9th century Chola Temple Brihadeshwara at Tanjore. Overnight stay at Madurai.

DAY 05 - MADURAI

Morning half day sightseeing tour - visit the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering Gopurams (rising high above the surrounding country side), Tirumala Nayak Palace - a gracious building in the Indo Sarcenic style famous for the stucco work on its domes and arches. Afternoon free. Overnight stay at Madurai.

DAY 06 - MADURAI - PERIYAR

Morning drive to Periyar National Park. Check in at hotel. Overnight stay at Periyar.

DAY 07 - PERIYAR - COCHIN

Morning drive to Cochin. Check in at hotel. Overnight stay at Cochin.

DAY 08 - COCHIN

Morning half day tour to visit the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church and & the Santa Cruz Church. Afternoon free. Overnight stay at Cochin.

DAY 09 - COCHIN - BANGALORE - MYSORE

Morning transfer to airport for Bangalore flight. Arrive and drive directly to Mysore. Overnight stay at Mysore.

DAY 10 - MYSORE - BANGALORE

Morning tour of Mysore. Afternoon drive to Bangalore. Overnight stay at Bangalore.

DAY 11 - BANGALORE

Morning full day excursion of Belur and Halebid. The Chenna Kesava Temple of Belur, Halebid's 12th century Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temple are masterpieces of Hindu art. Overnight stay at Bangalore.

DAY 12 - BANGALORE - HOSPET

Drive to Hospet. Check in at hotel. Overnight stay at Hospet.

DAY 13 - HOSPET

Morning visit Hampi. Hampi the once beautiful capital city of Vijaynagar Empire was greater than Rome and had palaces; temple and sculptures spread all over. The Sultanates of South razed the city to the ground in the year 1565 AD. Some of the interesting ruins remaining are the Virupaksha, Vittala and Hazara Rama Temples, huge Ganesha & Narasimha images, the elephant stables, the queen's bath, and carvings on the Ramachandra Temple & Lotus Mahal. Overnight stay at Hospet.

DAY 14 - HOSPET - BADAMI

Morning drive to Badami visiting the famous Aihole and Pattadakal Temples enroute. Overnight stay at Badami.

DAY 15 - BADAMI

Morning visit the Badami Caves. Badami also known, as Vatapi is rich with Hindu and Jain temples carved out of sand stone hills. The carved temples date back to the 6th century. Afternoon free. Overnight stay at Badami.

DAY 16 - BADAMI - GOA

Drive to Goa. Overnight at the Goa.

DAY 17 - GOA - MUMBAI

Cost Details :

Cost of the package:

FLIGHT SUPPLEMENT

COST INCLUDES

>> Accommodation on twin sharing basis in 01 Double room.
>> Daily Breakfast.
>> Airport / hotel transfers + city tour + Drives by non-a/c Ambassador Car with an ALL INDIA TOURIST PERMIT.
>> Train Fare in 2nd A/C Sleeper on CHENNAI - TRICHY sector.
>> All currently applicable taxes, however, any other tax as and when levied by the Government shall be extra.

COST EXCLUDES

>> Any meal unless specified above.
>> Any entrances to monuments.
>> An English-speaking guide during sightseeing trips.
>> Personal nature expenses like telephone / laundry bills etc.
>> Airports tax and travel insurance etc.
>> Services not specified above.

SPECIAL NOTE

>> Please note that any hike in - Taxes, Entrance fees of monuments / museums, fuel or guide charges levied by Government of India, shall be charged extra.
>> We can also offer you the supplement costs for the guides, entrance fees etc if you require these services
>> These Packages are valid till 31st March 2003 after that the summer season will start and the cost will be low - please check with us.

HOTELS TO BE USED OR SIMILAR: