HISTORICAL SOUTH INDIA TOUR

18 Days/17 Nights

Goa-Badami-Hospet-Hassan-Banglore-Mysore-Ooty-Cochin-Periyar-Houseboat-Cochin

DAY 1

Fly to Goa

The Beach paradise of India

Our friendly Local Representative will be waiting for you at theAirport/Railway station

 he will take you to your resort at the world-renowned Beach destination of India-GOA.

After lunch, relax at ‘the Queen of Arabian Beaches’. Admire Nature’s awesome beauty.  Try exotic Goan dishes at dinner.  Overnight at your resort.

DAY 2

Goan Sight tour

Enjoy River Cruise

After breakfast, check out of your resort. We then go on a full day sightseeing trip of Goa.

Visit a number of historic churches including Basilica of Bom Jesus, where the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier is enshrined.

Later, visit the Se Cathedral, famous for its Golden Bell – the biggest bell in Goa and one of the best in the world.

After a spice plantation tour and pleasure boating in Mandovi River, back to the Resort ,Relax and enjoy an overnight stay.

DAY-3

Leisurely at Goa

Merge with Sun & surf

Relax the entire day at the Beach.The day is at your disposal.

Overnight at the Hotel

DAY-4

On to Badami (7.30 hrs)

Relax!

Today we move onto to another Hisorical Destination-BADAMI.Once the Capital of Chalukya, Badami is noted for Several Temples.Some structural and the other rock cut of the 6^th & 7^th Centuries.

It’s a long journey from Goa to Badami (7 Hrs).Hence Reach the Resort by latec afternoon & Relax!

Overnight stay.

DAY 5

In & around Badami

Visit Aihole & Pattadackkal

Today you can visit Pattadakkal which is 32 Kms from Badami,where you can visit the famous Temples KadaSiddeswara,Jambulinga,galaganatha,sangameswara,mallikarjuna,virupaksha,and papanatha.

Aihole is 44 Kms from Badami where you can visit Durga Temple,Ladh Khan Temple,Art Gallary etc.

Check into the Hotel & relax

The Art Gallary,Badami Fort,Caves of Badami,are the Main attractions here. Later Back to the Hotel & overnight stay

DAY 6

Onto Hospet(160 Kms-3 Hrs)

Visit Hampi

Make an early check out from your resort.  Sit back in your air-conditioned cab  to begin an unforgettable journey to Hospet for tracing the remnants of the old capital of the Great Vijaya Nagar empire (1186 A.D. to 1565 A.D.).Please note that Hospet is the Base station to Visit Hampi.

Arrive at Hospet by afternoon  and check into your hotel. Relax.

On the Same day you can go to Hampi for an Overview of This Hisorical Destinationwhich is just 13kms from Hospet ,your Base station.

Back to Hospet by evening.

Have a sumptuous dinner and overnight at your resort.

DAY 7

At Hampi

Visit historic temples

After breakfast, we drive to the historic Hampi nearby.  Visit important temples, Purandara Dessara Mandapa, Lotus Mahal, and Queen’s Bath,Dassara platform,Hazarama Temple,Pattabhirama Temple etc

See the longest masonry work in the world at the Thungabhadra Dam if you are interested ,Which is 17kms from Hampi..

Back in the resort enjoy your dinner.  Overnight in your resort.

DAY-8

Onto Hassan (320 Kms-8 Hrs)

Visit Historical Sites

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and drive to Hassan – the gateway to explore the ancient culture sites of Belur and Halebid.

Shortly after, embark on a journey centuries back in time. You are on to Belur – a quaint hamlet about forty kilometres from Hassan.

Visit the Chennakesava Temple, which is an exquisite example of Hoysala architecture. Don’t shake your head in disbelief when your guide says it took 103 years to build the temple; it is true.

Next we drive seventeen more kilometres to the East to discover Halebid. Marvel at the fine architecture of the Hoysaleswara Temple, which bear testimony to the rich cultural heritage of Karnataka.

Arrive at Hassan by afternoon and check into your hotel.

Overnight at your hotel.

DAY-9

Arrive into Bangalore (180 Kms-4 hrs)

Enjoy City Tour/Shopping

After Break fast Proceed to Banglore.

We welcome you to the garden city of Bangalore and take you to the hotel.

The day is free to relax and explore Bangalore. Shall we go shopping or just a city Tour? Bangalore offers some of the best shopping in South India. You may visit some of the department stores and upscale exclusive outlets in Commercial Street.

Or otherwise you can go for an excursion which can cover Cubban park,Vidhan sabha,Lal bagh gardens etc

Get back to your hotel in time for dinner. Overnight at your hotel.

DAY-10

Onto Mysore(140 kms-3 Hrs),

Enroute Sreeranga pattanam

In the morning ,after break fast,we drive into Mysore – the princely city of South India.

Later, it is time to visit the historic hamlet of Sree Rangapattanam. Visit Tippu Sultan’s summer palace. Stroll around the different monuments contemplating the daily life here many centuries ago.

Reach My sore by afternoon.

Check into your hotel. If time permits you can visit the famous Brindavan Gardens.

 Have dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 11

Palace City Tour of Mysore

Wonders of the Royal Kingdom

After breakfast, we proceed on a city tour of Mysore. Enjoy the royal streets with broad tree-lined avenues. View of Mysore Palace in the night when it is illuminated is unforgettable.

Visit Chama Rajendra Art Gallery to marvel at some famous paintings.

Next take the road to Chamundi Hills, 1062 metres above MSL. Have a panoramic view of Mysore city below.

Get down to the city to visit the zoo. Take snaps.

Get back to the city – now resplendent in glorious illumination.

Back to your hotel. Relax and enjoy overnight stay.

DAY 12

Onto Ootty (160 Kms-4 Hrs)

Toy Train Journey

After an early breakfast, we leave the City of Palaces for cool Ootty – ‘the Queen of Hill Stations’.

Part of your journey to Ootty is through the Bandipur Forests.

Reach Coonoore Hill station  and then continue the Travel in Mountain Train,an unforgettable journey in your life through the mountain ranges.

Arrive at Ootty by evening and check into your hotel.

Enjoy your dinner.

The fresh mountain air soon lulls you to sleep.

Overnight at your hotel.

DAY 13

A Charming day at Cool Ootty

Enjoy Day Excursion

After breakfast, we drive you in and around Ootty on a sight seeing tour. Take snaps of the picture postcard views.

Visit the botanical gardens, Rose Garden, Avmamore Palace, Govt. Museum and enjoy a boating through the enchanting ‘Lake’. Inhale deeply to get the best of Eucalyptus-scented air.

By the time you get back to your hotel in the evening, you would have shed an year or two.

Enjoy dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 14

On to Cochin (295 Kms-7 Hrs)

Kathakali show by Evening

After breakfast you can depart from the cool hill station and proceed to Cochin.Certainly it is a long journey and you can reach the destination by afternoon.

Check in to the Hotel & Relax.By evening get ready to visit the Kathakali Ambhi theatre to see a Kathakali performance with makeup demonstration.It will last for 3 hrs.

DAY 15

Experience Fascinating Cochin

Historical Tour

Breakfast, and get ready for full day trip in and around Cochin. We e take you to Fort Cochin and Mattancherry where you can trace the past of Cochin.

Visit the Jewish Synagogue at Mattancherry, considered to be the oldest in India. At Fort Cochin see the historic St. Francis Church built in 1510 by Portuguese priests.

Back to the mainland by noon. After lunch get ready for your final, and perhaps the most unforgettable, experience at Cochin. Set out on a country craft canal cruise. Amaze at life’s pace (or lack of it) in rural Kerala. Get a closer look at coir processing, duck farming and the tapping of toddy (country liquor from coconut palms). Drink tender coconut water – perhaps the world’s healthiest and sweetest natural drink. Or, get tipsy with a bottle of toddy.

After four hours of enchantment, it is time to get back to your hotel.

Enjoy dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 16

Onto Thekkady (190 Kms-4.30 Hrs)

Visit Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

After an early breakfast, we drive you to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Arrive at the Sanctuary by noon and check into your hotel.

Enjoy your lunch.

A little later, we take you on a memorable boat ride through Lake Periyar in the heart of the sanctuary. Come across elephants and bison grazing on the banks.

If time permits we will take you for an Elephant Safari nearer to the sanctuary.

Enjoy your dinner at the hotel. Overnight at your hotel.

DAY 17

Onto Kumarakom(175 Kms-3.30 Hrs)

On the houseboat

In the morning Proceed to Kumarakom to catch a House boat to Alleppey.It is a full day cruise with night stay at the mid of Backwaters.

Meander through narrow canals, come across huge acres of paddy fields, cause a flutter among children of a coir processing village, take deviation to avoid a tiny island in the middle of your way, go past Chinese Fishing Nets…Overnight stay onboard

DAY 18

Reach Alleppey

Return Journey from Cochin

Again the Boat start moving towards the Destination.

Well, enter Alleppey backwaters without knowing that many hours have passed since the breakfast gong.

                                 PACKAGE HIGHLIGHTS

Accommodation

N.B-Deluxe class includes 4/5 star or Eqv Heritage/nature Resorts & Hotels

First class includes 3 star or Eqv category hotels & Resorts

Transport(Up to 02-04 Pax)

Transport for Groups

-The Vehicle will be with the guests through out the Tour. They can make it use round the Clock if needed.

- Well experienced English speaking Driver will be appointed for the Tour.who can also act as an Escort.

- If there is no Land journey break in the Tour, One Driver, One Vehicle will be allotted  for the entire Tour . The same Driver & Vehicle will be along with the guests for the entire journey.

 Food

In all Hotels & Resorts Food will be on Bed & Breakfast Basis ( CP) unless specified .But as  Houseboat is included in the Tour,three times Meals will be served onboard as there is no chance to get Food from elsewhere.

The Guests have to specify the Type of Food they need before they check into the Houseboat.

Tours & Cruises

Cultural & Beach Tours at Goa

Historical Tour at Badami,Aihole,Pattadakal & Hampi

Temple Tours at Hassan, Belur & Helebid

Full day sightseeing tour in Mysore

Full day nature tour at ooty Hill station including Toy train journey

Backwater Hisorical Tour,Country craft Cruise & Kathakali show at Cochin

Boating,Spice plantation Tour & Forest Trekking at periyar Sanctuary

Houseboat Cruise & night stay in Houseboat from Kumarakom to Alleppey

Others

Included

Entry Fees,  Service & other Taxes, Toll Charges, Bata & Night halting Charges, Local Guides at Selected locations

Not Included

Airport tax, Air fares, Food cost other than specified, Phone call charges & other personnel expenses of the Guests.

 Package Price/Person in EURO & INR (based on 02 Persons on Twin share) From 1^st Oct 2011-31^st April 2012 except 19^th Dec 2011-15^th Jan 2012)

N.B- (01 )Base category rooms are taken for cost calculation.For Higher category rooms,extra payment has to be made.

(02) Indian Rupee rates are applicable for Resident Indians & those foreigners who has Working permit in India. USD rates are applicable for Foreign guests & Non Resident Indians.

(03) Food plan on Half board & full board can be made available on request.

SUPPLIMENTARY ATTRACTION COSTS/PERSON

FLEXI OFFER

An interim stay can be arranged at  Hubli to avoid long travel to Badami. If  you are not  fit to travel 09  Hrs at a stretch, you can add 01 night at  Hubli by reducing 01 night at Badmi with out any extra cost.