INCREDIBLE SOUTH INDIA TOUR

                                   24 Days/23 Nights

Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Kanchipuram – Pondicherry –Tanjore –Trichy – Madurai – Periyar – Kumarakom –Houseboat – Cochin – Ooty – Mysore – Bangalore – Hassan – Hospet – Badami -Goa

DAY 01

Arrive at chennai

Our friendly Representative will be waiting for you at the Airport.

We welcome you to Chennai.

Direct transfer to the Hotel for Overnight stay.

DAY 02

Sightseeing In Chennai

On to Mahabalipuram(86 Kms-2.30 Hrs)

After Breakfast we take you for a half day sightseeing in and around Chennai -visit Marina Beach, St.Thomas Mount, National Art Gallery Fort Museums, Valluvar Kottam, Sittarangam Guidy Park etc.

After noon we will proceed to Mahabalipuram .On arrival check in to the Resort.

Later after relaxation we proceed 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 base-relief in the world.

Back to the hotel .

Overnight stay at there.

DAY 03

On to Kanchipuram

Back to Mahabalipuram.

Morning after breakfast we will drive to Kanchipuram.

Kanchipuram is generally known as the city of thousand temples is one of the seven holy cities of the Hindus Visit Ekambareswar Temple.

Vaikuntha Perumal Temple, Varadaraja Temple, Kailasnatha Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple etc and then proceed Mahapalipuram by evening.

Overnight stay at your Hotel.

DAY 04

On To Pondicherry(135 Kms-3 Hrs)

After breakfast, we drive to Pondicherry – a city with a unique Anglo-French background.

Check into your resort and relax.

After lunch, visit the world famous Aurobindo Ashram – abode of the twentieth century saint and philosopher Sri Aurobindo. Later make at visit at Auroville town – an oasis of peace and enlightenment designed by the French architect, Roger Anger. You would find the town living up to its designer’s mission of making people realize the merits of human unity.

Back to your resort by evening.

Overnight stay.

DAY 05

On To Tanjore(172 Kms-3.30 Hrs)

After breakfast, we drive to Tanjore, the ‘rice bowl’ of Tamil Nadu.

On arrival check in to your resort. Relax.

In the afternoon 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.

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.

Enjoy  Overnight at your resort.

DAY 06

On To Trichy(55 Kms-1.30 Hrs)

After breakfast, drive to Trichy. Trichy is along the beautiful Cauvery River; enjoy the landscapes on your route.
On arrival check in to your resort in Trichy - the city blessed by a fine blend of history, religion and commercial activity.

In theafternoon, we 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.

Overnight in your resort.

DAY 07

On To Madurai(130 Kms-3.00 Hrs)

After breakfast, we set out to Madurai. The city is planned in the shape of a lotus.
Check in to your hotel at Madurai by noon.

Later  in the afternoon, 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 had an exciting day. Go to bed early. Overnight at your hotel.

DAY 08

On To Periyar(155 Kms-3.30 Hrs)

After Break fast we check out from the resort at Madurai and will proceed to Periyar.

Reach there by afternoon and check in to your resort.

Later we  you on a memorable boat ride through Lake Periyar in the heart of the sanctuary. Come across elephants and bison grazing on the banks.
You can also opt for an elephant safari through the forest, if you are interested.

Back to the resort for Overnight stay.

DAY 09

On To Kumarakom(125 Kms-3.30 Hrs)

After an early breakfast we drive to Kumarakom –one of the famous backwater destination in Kerala.

On arrival  check in to you backwater resort .

We now take you to view the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary located in an island in the backwaters. Watch exotic birds, the migratory Siberian Stork among them, lead their normal lives unaware of you or your binoculars.

Enjoy dinner and overnight stay at your resort.

DAY 10

Check into Houseboat

In the morning we will board a houseboat to  start a memorable Houseboat cruise. Your houseboat is a typically huge traditional boat made of Anjili wood.

On board, enjoy the scenery and serenity around.

Glide through dreamy landscapes till nightfall. Then, the boat casts anchor right in the middle of the romantic waterway.

DAY 11

Arrive at Alleppey

Proceed to Cochin(65 Kms-1.30 Hrs)

Enjoy Breakfast and check out from the  Houseboat  and drive to Cochin –The tropical paradise of India.Reach there before noon.

After noon get ready for a sightseeing trip in and around Cochin. First, you board a luxury boat that takes 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 resort for enjoying Overnight stay.

DAY 12

On to OotY(295 Kms-7 Hrs)

After an Early Breakfast we will proceed our journey to Ooty - 'the Queen of Hill Stations'. It’s a long journey of 6.30 Hrs. From Connore Hill station you can catch the Mountain Train to ootty.

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

Sightseeing at Ooty

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.

Overnight at the hotel

DAY 14

On To Mysore(160 Kms-4 Hrs)

In the morning proceed to Mysore - the princely city of South India.

Part of your tour will be through Bandipur forests.

Reach Mysore by afternoon

Check into the Hotel & Overnight stay.

DAY 15

At Mysore

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.

DAY 16

On To Bangalore(140 Kms-3 Hrs)

          After Breakfast we will proceed to the Garedn city of India- Bangalore.

          Enroute visit to Sreerangapattanam ,which was the Summer palace of Tippusulthan.

          Reach Bangalore & later set out to enjoy a sightseeing tour in and around the Bangalore city.

            Visit Cubbon Park and Museum, Government Museum ,  Tippu’s     Palace,  The Fort, Bull temples & Vankappa Art Gallery.

Back to the Resort and enjoy Overnight stay.

DAY 17

On To Hassan(180 Kms-4 Hrs)

After Breakfast ,check out from the hotel at Bangalore and proceed to Hassan-the gate way to explore the ancient culture sites of Belur and Halebid.

Arrive at Hassan by noon nad check in to the Hotel.

Later proceed to Belur-a quaint hamlet about forty kilometers from Hassan.

Visit the Chennakeswara Temple, which is an exquisite example of Hoysala architecture.

Next we drive seven more kilometers to the east to discover Halebid.Marvel at the fine architecture of the Hoysaleswara temple,which bear testimony to the rich culture heritage of Karnataka.

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

Back to the Hotel for Overnight stay.

DAY 18

On To Hospet(320 Kms-8 Hrs)

After an early breakfast we will proceed to Hospet.Enjoy the journey to Hospet though the path blended with history of the Great Vijaya Nagar empire. Hospet is the base station to visit Hampi.

Arrive at the destination by afternoon and check in to your resort.

If preferred, on the same day you can go to Hampi for an Overview of the Historical Destination which is just 13kms from Hoapet.

Overnight stay at the Resort.

DAY 19

On to Hampi

After Breakfast we will drive to Hampi nearby. Visit important temples, Purandara Dessara mandapa,Lotus Mahal and Queen 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 17  kms from Hampi.

Back to the resort for overnight stay.

DAY 20

On To Badami(160 kms-3 Hrs)

Morning ,After breakfast we move on to Badami.another Historical Destination.Badami is famous for several Temples. Some structural and some Rock cut Temples of the 6^th & 7^th Centuries.

Visit the Art gallery, Badami Fort, Cave of Badami; which are the important attractions of Badami.

Later you can visit Pattadakkal which is 32 kms from Badami.there you can visit the famous temples Kada Siddeswara, Jambulinga, Galaganatha, Sangameswara, Mallikarjuna, Virupaksha and Papanatha.

You can also make a visit at Aihole whish is 44 kms from this destination.

Back to the Hotel,enjoy Overnight.

DAY 21-Day 23

On to Goa for 03 nights(370 Kms-10 Hrs)

Morning check out from the Hotel at Badami and proceed to Goa .It is long journey for 9 Hrs.

Reach Goa by late evening & check into the Resort

Overnight stay  for 03 nights

Day-24

Return Home

Today you will be transferred to the Airport to catch the return flight to home

Return to your home land with the marvelous memories of your tour…

Here comes the end of a fascinating tour!!!!!!!

                         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

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 if 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

All Tours & cruises mentioned in the Tour included

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 PROCE/PERSON IN EURO & INR  (Based on Twin share basis)

 (from 1^st Oct 2011-31^st March 2012 except 19^th Dec2011-15^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

FLEXI OFFER

1.Enjoy Kancheepuram visit enroute from Chennai to Mahabalipuram travel(Day-2) & take full day relaxation at Mahabalipuam next day(Day 3)

2.Avoid overnight at Trichy  and spare 02 nights at Tanjore  with  day excursion  to Tanjore  at no extra cost

3.Skip Kumarakom stay and add one more night at Periyar with out any extra cdost

4.Reduce 01 night at Goa and add visit cum overnight stay at Bijapur  with out any extra cost