Best of South India

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Detail Itinerary of Best of South India

Day 01 : Arrival- Chennai
You will be welcomed at the Chennai International Airport and then get transferred to the hotel. Over night at Hotel.

Day 02 : Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram
In the morning, we will go to Mahabalipuram. Enroute we will do the sight seeing of Kanchipuram. It is considered to be one of the seven sacred cities of India. It was one of the greatest centers of learning in the pre-Christian era & important to all the religion. There are many beautiful temples which we shall see. Another magnificent temple is Kamakshi Temple, dedicated to the Goddess Kamakshi who is the presiding deity of the city. We will continue our journey to Mahabalipuram. Relax at the hotel.

Day 03 Mahabalipuram
Today we will explore Mahabalipuram which offers the superb combination of unique monuments & fine beaches. There are four types of monuments: rock-cut monolithic temples; excavated cave temples; open air rock sculptures; structural temples, collectively known as the Shore Temple. Later enjoy the gorgeous beaches. 

Day 04 : Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry
Breakfast in the hotel and start the drive to Pondicherry - a city with a unique Anglo-French background. Arrive Pondicherry and checkinto the hotel, after lunch, visit the world famous Aurobindo Ashram - abode of the twentieth century saint and philosopher Sri Aurobindo which forms the nucleus of many activities and trade in Pondichery. Later, visit 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
 
Day 05 : Pondicherry -Thanjavur
Full day excursion of Tanjore and Darasuram Thanjavur - Thanjavur, or simply Tanjore, was the capital of the great Chola empire who were also responsible for the most of its 93 temples. The Brihadisvara temple is the main Chola temple, dedicated to Siva, built in early 11 century and one of the most magnificent in the country with 14 storey, 62 mts high vimana. It is topped by a dome carved from 80 ton block of granite which needed a 6.5 km ramp to raise it. There are superb inscriptions and sculptures of Siva, Vishnu and Durga built mainly with large granite blocks, carvings of the dancers and frescoes of kings, queens and musicians.

Day 06 : Thanjavur - Madurai via Trichy
Trichy - Tiruchappalli, known as Trichy in short, is India’s largest artificial diamond manufacturing centre. The Rock Fort, built in 17th century stands on 84 mt high rock in the centre of the town. There are about 440 steps and on the way are the Vinayaka temple and at the end is the Tayumanasvami temple dedicated to Siva. There are also other 7th century cave temples which have beautifully carved pillars and panels.

Day 07 : Madurai
Sit back and relax in your coach seat. Madurai is over 2500 years old and is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu. Ancient seat of learning, the city is planned in the shape of a lotus. 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. Arrive back to the hotel in the evening, have dinner and overnight in the hotel

Day 08 : Madurai - Periyar
Arrival check in at Hotel - This area is famous world wide for its cuisine- infact this is the largest producer of spices in the world - The Cuisine here is a typical Kerala one, prepared with garden fresh spices. Guided tour to Spice plantations like pepper, cardamom, cloves, coffee, tea and the medicinal plants numbering more than 150.
 
Day 09 : Periyar - Kumarakom
Periyar is located in the Thekkady district of Kerala. Here in the heights of Western Ghats Mountains is the vast lake formed by the dam across the Periyar River. Around this lake is one of the most fascinating wild life sanctuaries. Covering an area of 777 sq.km of lush green tropical forests, it is the natural habitat of elephant, bison, spotted deer, sambar, bear etc. Colourful variety of birds like the Malabar Grey hornbill, Grey jungle fowl and the Jungle Myna are seen. Early morning -  go for a Boat Ride on Lake Periyar, which is the ideal way to observe Elephants, deer, bison's and other wildlife at a close range arrival check in at.

Day 10 : In Kumarakom - Cochin
A.M. Day house boat with lunch.
P.M. Cochin sightseeing.
 
‘’Sightseeing trip of Cochin"
Dutch Palace - Built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin Raja in 1555. The glory of the palace lies in the murals, which are in the best traditions of the Hindu temple art. There are scenes from the Indian epics - Ramayana and Mahabhartha depicted on the walls. The Palace also houses ancient Dutch maps of Cochin, royal planquins, weapons, coronation robes and period furniture.

The Jew Town - in the Mattancherry, is one street long. Jews used to occupy virtually all the houses on the Jew Road, where they sold fruits, vegetables and spices or worked as oil pressers or carpenters. The Spice market is still located on the narrow street, but most homes and business belong to non-Jews. Out of seven Synagogues that graced this street only the Paradeshi is open.

On one end of the Jew Town, at the end of the Jew Cemetery road is the Jewish Burial place, with stone sepulchers above ground and inscriptions in Hebrew and Malayalam. From the burial ground, a walk through several blocks will bring you to the Magen David decorated, wrought iron gates of the Paradeshi Synagogue. Along the way one can identify buildings that once housed synagogues and prayer halls, as well as Jewish homes, by the still visible stars and Hebrew Inscriptions and decorations.

The Synagogue also contains silver and gold decorated Torah Scrolls, an orient carpet in front of the Ark (gift from Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie), two brass columns, two bimot and Torah crowns of solid gold set with gems given to Cochini Jews by neighboring Rajas.
 
Day 11 : Cochin - Ooty
After breakfast drive to Ooty.It is one of the most popular hill resorts in southern India at an elevation of 7216 ft. above sea level. The Eastern Ghats are mighty and attractive while the Western ghats have wooded loveliness. Nature unfolds itself in and around Ooty in a myriad of profiles, each one with a distinctive grandeur and individuality. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Evening free to explore the beautiful & ravishing beauty of Ooty. Night stay in Ooty.

Day 12 : Ooty
Morning visit Zotanical Garden: A variety of exotic and ornamental plants adorn this garden, which is the venue for the Flower show held in May every year. Day free to relax and explore the surroundings. Night stay in Ooty.

Day 13 : Ooty – Mysore
Morning drive to Mysore. The city got its name from Mahishasura, the buffalo headed demon king. Chamundeswari, an incarnation of Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva, killed the demon. It is also the capital of sandalwood, musk and rosewood. Mysore emerged as the capital of the Wodeyar kings, in 1399 AD. The original wooden palace was destroyed in a fire in 1897 during a marriage ceremony. Henry Erwin, a British architect, designed the new palace and handed it over to the king in 1911-12, at a cost of Rs. 4.2 million. Though royalty no longer exists in its accepted form, the descendants of the royal family still live here. The palace is a blend of Indo-Saracenic, Mogul and Hindu architecture styles. The entire effect is magnificent. Other attractions include the Lalit Mohan Palace, at the foot of the Chamundi Hill. E. W. Fritchley, a British architect, built it in 1931. Then there is the Jagan Mohan Palace, built by Krishnaraj Wodeyar IV in 1861 as a royal auditorium. Today, it is a famous art gallery, containing royal paintings.  Brindavan Gardens - Witness the exuberant beauty of Brindavan Gardens. Night stay in Mysore.

Day 14 : Mysore - Bangalore
After breakfast, visit the places you must have been longing to visit: Sir Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery - Housed in the Jag Mohan Palace, this gallery has a collection of exquisite paintings dating back to 1875. St. Phenomena's Church - Built in the Gothic style, one of the largest churches of the country. Chamundi Hills - Right on the top of the hill, 

Day 15 : Bangalore - Departure
AM sight seeing of Bangalore. Bangalore -  Known as the Garden City, is also the  electronics and computer capital of India. The city founded in 16th century has various places of interest including the summer Palace of Tipu Sultan, the famous warrior who died fighting the British; Vidhan Soudha which houses the State Legislature and Secretariat is a post Independence granite building in neo-Dravidian style and the Lalbagh gardens laid down by Hyder Ali in 18th century contain more than 1800 species of tropical and sub-tropical plants, a a variety of old trees, fountains, lotus pools and terraces. P.M. LEAVE BANGALORE.