ROUND THE TRIP SOUTH INDIA TOUR-Option -2

Chennai-Mahabalipuram-Tanjore-Madurai-Kovalam--Houseboat-Periyar-Munnar-Cochin-Ooty-mysore-Hassan-Bangalore-Chennai

                                        (22 Days/21 nights)

      DAY 1

Reach Chennai

On To Mahabalipuram

Hearty welcome to Chennai.Our Representative will receive you at the Airport.

You will be transferred Directly to Mahabalipuram-The Historical Destination of the South.

Travelling time is 2 Hrs.

Check into the Hotel & relax

Overnight at the Hotel

DAY 2

At Mahabalipuram Sightseeing

In the morning after break fast, set out to enjoy the seventh century town, which has a vast beach line. On a sightseeing tour, marvel at the stone-made sculptures, caves, chariots and temples of the Pallava period.
You will also visit Arjuna's Penance - the largest bas-relief in the world.
Later You can have a Day excursion to Kancheepuram to visit the famous Temples.
Come back to your resort for a refreshing dinner.
Overnight stay at your resort.

DAY 3

To Tanjore

Visit Chidambaram & Kumbhakonam

In the Morning check out the Resort & proceed to Tanjore.You can visit the cultural mouments (mainly Temples) at Chidambaram & Kumbhakonam enroute.

Reach Tanjore by evening

Check into the Hotel & overnight stay

Day 4

At Tanjore

Visit Brahadeswara temple

Today we take you on a tour of this historic town. Ancient capital of the Cholas - one of the greatest dynasties of South India - Tanjore is dotted with no fewer than seventy-four temples. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch at the resort.
In the evening, we visit the Brahadeswara Temple - a World Heritage Monument. Enjoy the architecture. Also be awed by the majesty of the palaces and art gallery attached to this temple.

Back to the Hotel by evening.

Overnight stay

DAY 5

On to Madurai

Visit Trichy Enroute

After breakfast, Check out from the Hotel & Proceed to Madurai.

Enroute make a break at Trichy  &  visit Rock Fort temple - a boulder of giant proportions perched on top of a hill, with images carved into it. Take a deep breath and climb the 437 odd steps from the entrance to the summit.There after go to Sreranganm Temple ,which is also one of the most popualar pilgrim site
Reach Madurai by evening & overnight stay at the Hotel

DAY 6

At Madurai

Visit Meenakshi Temple

In the Morning visit the famous Madurai Meenakshi Temple. There are four entrances to this amazing temple complex set in six hectares. Marvel at the truly majestic towers, twelve of them, pointing skywards at 45 to 50 metres.

Beat some of the stone pillars in the complex with any hard object and feel incredible on hearing sweet metal sounds. You now know why they are called musical pillars. By the way, the total number of pillars in the temple is a staggering one thousand.
You can also visit the Market in the old town

Back to the Hotel
You had an exciting day. Go to bed early. Overnight at your hotel.

            DAY 7

            Proceed to Kovalam

            Visit Cape Enroute

             In the morning,check out from the Hotel &  proceed to  Kovalam .

 It is full day Drive anmd enroute you can visit Kanyakumari to visit             Vivekananda Memmorial by boat & Sun set Evening at Land’s end!

Reach Kovalam bt late evening & check into the Resort.

The rest of the day is yours to chart an unforgettable beach holiday. Feel           secure because Kovalam, because of its natural location, is considered one of the   safest beaches in the world.

Enjoy overnight stay at your resort.

 Day 8

 At Kovalam

            A Day at your disposal

Full day relaxation along the world famous beach.Merge with Sun surf & sand.

             Day 9

On to Alleppey in Houseboat

Enjoy Night in the backwaters

In the morning proceed to Alleppey (3.30 Hrs).Reach Alleppey by noon & check into the  Houseboat for a Day Cruise & night stay to Kumarakom.See some of the most spectacular backwater scenery in the world. Enjoy the excellent amenities of your boat.

Feel enchanted by the waterways and the charming views.

We continue our journey to Alleppey .In the night, the boat drops anchor in the backwaters, signalling the beginning of a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you. Enjoy the fabulous sensations of mysterious night sounds.

Enjoy a sumptuous dinner and overnight stay on board.

DAY 10

Reach Kumarakom-On to Periyar

Enjoy Lake Boating

In the morning the boat will reach at Kumarakom.Check out from the Houseboat & proceed to Periyar (3.30 Hrs).

Reach periyar by noon  & check into the Resort & Relax.

Go for a Spice plantation Tour first.

In the afternoon 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.
Overnight at your hotel.

Day 11

Trekking at Periyar-On to Munnar

In the morning Enjoy Jungle trekking at Periyar

Later in the afternoon proceed  to Munnar

Reach Munnar by afternoon.

Check into the Hotel & overnight stay.

DAY 12

At Munnar

Enjoy Hill Tour

Today Enjoy a Tour to Eravikulam National park  to see the wild goat NILGIRI TAHR.

Later visit Top station,Tea Museum etc.

Back to the Hotel by Evening .

`Overnight stay

DAY -13

Arrive into Cochin

See Kathakali

In the Morning Check out from the Resort & proceed to Cochin

Will reach Cochin with in 3.30  Hrs.

We welcome you to Cochin – the tropical paradise of India.

Check into your hotel.

Till evening, the day is free for you to relax or Shopping.

In the evening, we take you to witness one of the most colourful and exquisite performing arts in the world – Kathakali. After two hours of glorious entertainment, remember to get photographed with the Kathakali performer.

Enjoy your Kerala dinner on this tour and overnight stay at your hotel.

DAY 14

Sight seeing at Cochin

Country Craft Cruise as Special

After breakfast, proceed on a guided boat tour in and around Cochin. This is possible because our sights are all accessible by water.

See the historic Dutch Palace – a tribute to the relationship between the two cultures during the previous centuries.

We will also see the only Jewish Synagogue in India at Mattancherry; only one direct descendant of the family that set up this shrine is now alive.

Reach back mainland Cochin by noon. Enjoy your lunch.

Next get ready for a too-good-to-believe experience – a country craft canal cruise out of suburban Cochin to the interiors. In course of your expedition, peep at the rural Kerala life from close quarters. Enjoy the peace.

We get back to your hotel by evening. You are free to explore the streets downtown on your own.

Enjoy dinner and overnight stay at your hotel.

DAY 15

On to Ootty

Enjoy Toy Train

In the Morning check out from the hotel at Cochin & Proceed to Ooty.

Reach Mettupalayam by afternoon & continue the journey to ooty by TOY TRAIN.

Reach Ooty by evening

Overnight stay at the Resort

DAY 16

In and around Ooty

On to Mysore

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.
In the afternoon proceed to Mysore.

Reach Mysore with in 3.30 Hrs.

Check into the Hotel & relax

Overnight stay.

DAY 17

At Mysore

Full Day Excursion

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-18

Onto Hassan

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.

Enroute itself make a break to discover Halebid. Marvel at the fine architecture of the Hoysaleswara Temple, which bear testimony to the rich cultural heritage of Karnataka.

We then go one kilometre further to Basthali, famous for its Jain constructions. Admire the gleaming black stone pillars.

Arrive at Hassan by afternoon and check into your hotel.

Overnight stay

DAY 19

Day Tour to Belur & sravanabelagola

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

Visit the Chennakeswara 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.

Also visit Sravanabelagola to view the Largest Monolithic statue in the world-THE GOMATHESWARA!

Back to Hassan & Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Overnight at your hotel.

DAY-20

Arrive into Bangalore

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-21

On to Chennai by Train

In the afternoon you will be transferred to the Railway station to catch the Train to Chennai(Madras)Shathabdi Express/Brindavan Express.

Reach Chenni by night  & directly transfer to the Hotel

Overnight stay

DAY-22

Return Home

Today Morning  get ready for a city tour in & around Madras - Visit Kabaleswar Temple, Santhome Cathedral, Marina Beach, Fort Museum, National Art gallery, St. Thomas mount, Little mount shrine .Later we will transfer you to the Airport in time to catch the Retun Flight.

END OF THE TOUR

PACKAGE HIGHLIGHTS

Accommodation

Accommodation will be on Twin share in the Following Hotels & resorts.