Duration: 14 nights/15
days Destinations Covered: Chennai - Mysore- Bangalore- Kovalam- Periyar-
Madurai - Trichy- Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram
Day 1: Chennai Arrive Chennai and our Tour Executive will meet you
and transfer you to the hotel. Overnight in Chennai
Day 2:
Chennai sightseeing
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Chennai including Marina Beach. 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 Kapaleeshwara Temple is the oldest
temple in Chennai. Another important temple in the city dedicated to
Lord Krishna is Parthasarthy Temple.
Day 3 : Mysore
Early morning transfer to the Railway Station to board train for
Mysore. Arrive Mysore and transfer to hotel. Later visit Chamundi
Hill. On the top of the hill stands the temple dedicated to the
Goddess Chamundeshwari, the royal family's patron deity. Overnight
in Mysore
Day 4 : Mysore
Morning city tour including Maharaja's Palace built as recently as
1897, which is one of the biggest in India; St Philomena's Church
etc; Sri Jauyachamarajendra Art Gallery housed in the Jagmohan
Palace.
Day 5 : Hassan
Morning drive to Hassan, a calm and peaceful town. Arrive Hassan and
check - in at hotel. Later visit Belur, known for its exquisite
temples and Chennakeshava Temple is a fine example. Also visit to
Halebid, where Hoysaleswara Temple has a wealth of sculptural
detail, the walls covered with gods, goddesses.
Day 6 : Bangalore
Morning drive to Bangalore visiting Sravanbelagola enroute, which is
one of most important Jain Piligrim centres. Arrive Bangalore and
check - in at hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of
Bangalore
visiting Tipu Sultan's Palace, originally built in mud in 1537 and
rebuilt by Haider Ali a couple of centuries later; Bull Temple
enshrining a massive bull carved out of a single piece of Grey
granite; Lalbagh gardens laid out by Haider Ali in the 18th century;
Cubbon Park laid out by the British in the 19th century. Vidhan
Soudha built in granite incorporates features of traditional Indian
architecture.
Day 7 : Bangalore - Kovalam
Morning transfer to the airport to board flight for Trivandrum.
Arrive Trivandrum and straight away proceed 30 minutes to Kovalam
Beach. Arrive Kovalam and check - in at your hotel.
Day 8 : Kovalam
Day free for independent activities or free to stroll along the
beach.
Day 9 : Periyar
Morning drive to Periyar. Arrive Periyar and check - in at hotel.
Later walk around in the peaceful town known for various Spice and
coffee plantations.
Day 10 : Madurai
Early morning enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar to see Wild
Elephants and other animals which come down to the water's edge.
Take a tour of the famous Spice Plantations. After lunch drive 4hrs
to Madurai.
Day 11 : Madurai
Morning visit Meenakshi Temple, where the 1,000-pillared hall has
stone figures carved on the pillars, some of which sound like metal
when hit with an object. Also visit Tirumalai Nayaka Temple and the
museum dedicated to the life of Mahatma Gandhi. Overnight in Madurai.
Day 12 : Trichy
Morning drive to Trichy. Arrive Trichy and check - in at your hotel.
Later sightseeing tour of Trichy including the Rock Fort, 434 steps
cut into the rock side and interspersed with shrines lead up to the
top. Also visit Srirangam Temple sprawling over a large area on an
island as the Cauvery flows on both sides. It houses the image of
the sleeping Vishnu along the mortal remains of SriRamanuja Acharya.
Day 13 : Pondicherry
Morning drive to Pondicherry. Arrive Pondicherry and check - in at
hotel. Later visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, the final resting place of
the founder of the Ashram, Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Also visit
Church Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus is the place to visit for seeing
stained glass windows built in Gothic style. Overnight in
Pondicherry
Day 14 : Mahabalipuram
Morning drive 90kms/2hrs to Mahabalipuram. Arrive Mahabalipuram and
check - in at hotel. Later visit Arjuna's Penance, Krishna Mandapam,
Varaha Mandapam, Five Rathas and Shore Temples. This small fishing
village is home to very important World Heritage Monuments with it's
extensive beach and excellent seafood. Overnight at your beachside
resort at Mahabalipuram
Day 15 : Leave for Chennai
Full day relaxing at the beach before your late afternoon transfer
to Chennai airport (60kms/1.5hrs) to board flight for onward
destination. End of our services.
Bangalore
visiting Tipu Sultan's Palace, originally built in mud in 1537 and
rebuilt by Haider Ali a couple of centuries later; Bull Temple
enshrining a massive bull carved out of a single piece of Grey
granite; Lalbagh gardens laid out by Haider Ali in the 18th century;
Cubbon Park laid out by the British in the 19th century. Vidhan
Soudha built in granite incorporates features of traditional Indian
architecture. 