Duration: 11 Nights / 12 Days
Destinations covered: – Chennai – Kanchipuram – Madurai – Periyar – Trivandrum – Kovalam – Cochin – Bangalore – Mysore
Day 01: Arrive Chennai
Traditional Welcome on arrival at Chennai International airport. Transfer to hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore commercial town. Overnight at hotel in Chennai.
Chennai is the fifth largest city in India and the capital city of the Tamil Nadu. Located on the Coromandal coast of the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the Musical and Cultural Capital of India.] The city is known for its classical dance shows and Hindu temples. The Tamil film industry, known as Kollywood, the second largest after movie industry (after Bollywood) in India, is based in the city.
Day 02: Chennai
After breakfast proceed for full day excursion to Mahabalipuram (60 km, 1 hr drive by road) & Kanchipuram (76 km from Chennai).
Mahabalipuram: -A UNESCO World Heritage site is an architectural marvel of Dravidian style incorporating Buddhist elements. These rock cut and monolithic monuments constitutes cave temples and monolithic chariots (Rathas). A walk around these monuments helps in connecting a bond with royal dynasty of Pallava.
Kanchipuram: It is well regarded as City of thousand temples. Kanchipuram attained its highest stature in 4th to the 9th centuries as capital of Pallava dynasty. Kanchi has magnificent temples of unique architectural beauty bearing eloquent testimony to its glorious Dravidian heritage. Buddhist monk Bodhidharma (A.D. 520) went to China from Kanchipuram to spread Buddhism. He stayed at the Shaolin Monastery and preached Buddhist ideologies. At that time he trained the local people in the art of Varmakkalai. The art underwent many changes and came to be known as Shaolin kung fu or boxing.
Day 03: Train Chennai to Madurai (444 Kms)
After breakfast proceed for guided tour of city visit one of oldest and biggest museum of India -Government Museum, first establishment of British in India-Fort St George ,One of largest auditorium of South Asia Vallur Kottam where a 33mt tall statute of poet-saint Tiruvalluv struck a awe in visitors. Late evening transfer to railway-station for overnight journey to Madurai
Day 04: Madurai
Morning arrive Madurai and check in to hotel.
Madurai: One of South India’s great temple towns, Madurai is synonymous with the celebrated Meenakshi Temple. Situated on the banks of river Vaigai, Madurai has a rich cultural heritage passed on from the great Tamil era more than 2500 years old. Madurai was an important cultural and commercial centre even as early as 550 AD. It was the capital city for the great Pandya kings.
After breakfast visit the great Tirumala Nayak Palace, Alagar Hills, Tirupara Kundran Rock temple. Spare your evening to immerse in divine beauty of Meenakshi Temple.
Over night at Madurai.
Day 05: Madurai – Thekkady (137 Kms- 3 hours drive by road)
After breakfast start for Thekkady. Drive through paddy fields and vast spice plantation.
Thekkady: – one of India’s most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries, where you can watch wildlife at close range. The vegetation, the flora and fauna and the birds of Thekkady are uniquely rich, vast and varied that it does not bear semblance to any other wildlife sanctuaries in the world. Even a casual visitor to this place will not fail to observe the special ecological pattern of Thekkady.
Afternoon, experience the mind bowing view of calm crystal clear Periyar Lake to view the wildlife. Overnight stay at Thekkady.
On arrival at Thekkady check into Hotel.
Afternoon, experience the mind bowing view of calm crystal clear Periyar Lake to view the wildlife. Overnight stay at Thekkady.
Day 06: Thekkady – Trivandrum (253 km- 5.5 hours drive by road)
After breakfast start for Trivandrum.
Thiruvananthapuram (known as Trivandrum) the capital of Kerala. Located at the South Western tip of India, is bounded by the Arabian Sea on the West and Tamil Nadu on the East. The wooded highlands on the Western Ghats in the Eastern and North Eastern borders give some of the most enchanting picnic spots, a long shoreline, with internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage make this district a much sought after tourist destination.
Arrive Trivandrum and check in at hotel.
In the afternoon visit Museum Complex, Padmanabha Swami Temple, Science and Technology Museum, Veli Tourist village.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Trivandrum-Kovalam-Trivandrum (16 Kms, 20 mins drive by road)
After breakfast start for Kovalam.
Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and true to its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees. Azure water and favourable climate make Kovalam a favorite year-round spot for swimming. Sea here is pacific and shallow where you can take a dip in the saline waters. Surfing and swimming are among the other water sports possible in Kovalam beach. Many people from different countries and cultures intermingle with each other and get together in this paradise of the South and spend their leisure time joyfully.
Enjoy at the Kovalam Beach. In the evening drive back to Trivandrum.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 08: Trivandrum-Cochin (210Kms- 4.5 hours drive by road)
After breakfast start for Cochin.
Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as ‘God’s Own Country‘. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala
Arrive Cochin and Check in at hotel.
Relax for the rest of the day or take a walk along the historic colonial streets of Fort Cochin. Watch a Kathakali Show (Traditional art performance of Kerala). Overnight at hotel in Cochin.
Day 09: Train Cochin to Bangalore (535Kms)
After breakfast proceed for a guided tour of Fort Cochin and the Jew Street in Mattancherry. Visit the synagogue, century’s old churches and palaces, colonial buildings, Chinese fishing net etc. Spend your evening on the nearby Fort Cochin beach or ferry across to Cherai Beach which is half an hour away. Come back to the hotel or visit Ernakulam city for souvenir and other shopping on Mahatma Gandhi Road.
Late evening transfer to railway-station for overnight journey to Bangalore.
Day 10: Bangalore
Arrive Bangalore and transfer to hotel.
Bangalore: Reputed as garden city of India Bangalore is capital of Karnataka houses finest temple Gangadhareshware Temple (Cave Temple) -Built by Kempe Gowda and known for its four monolithic pillars and rare idol of Agni, the God of fire. On Jan. 13/14th every year, the rays of the setting sun enter through the window; pass between the horns of the Nandi and shine on the Shiva lingam, in a unique phenomenon.
Afternoon visit to Lal Bagh, Cave temple Remainder of the day is free to explore commercial section of city. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Bangalore-Mysore (139 kms 3 hours drive by road)
After Breakfast drive to Mysore.
Mysore is defined by magnificent palaces, scenic gardens, fragrant sandalwood, luxurious silks, flamboyant festivals– Mysore is a veritable tourist extravaganza with its glorious history and rich tradition. Located 140 Kms from Bangalore, this City of Palaces bursts at the seams with a mind-boggling array of attractive destinations.
Afternoon visit to Maharaja Palace-built in 1911-12 by Wodeyar Rulers, the palace is a splendid structure in the Indo-Saracenic Style; its attraction is a magnificent gold throne. Visit Chamundi Hill, Vrindavan Garden – the famous gardens at the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12: Mysore – Bangalore (140 Kms- 3 hours drive by road)
After breakfast proceed for Bangalore. Enroute visit Srirangapatna.
Srirangapatna: Island fortress of Tippu Sultan, the legendary Tiger of Mysore who put up a valiant fight against British domination. Visit Tipu’s Summer Palace, Mosque, and Srirangapatna Temple.
Arrive Bangalore and depart for onward journey with sweet memories of Temples and Palaces.