INDTOURS | Best of South India

Best of South India Tour

Tour Duration : 18 Days
Tour Destinations : Mumbai, Cochin, Thekkady, Kumarakom, Alleppey, Kovalam, Kanyakumari, Madurai, Tanjore, Pondicherry, Mahabalipuram, Chennai, Mysore, Srirangapatam & Bangalore.
Tour Description : This 17 Nights / 18 Days journey reveals South India's rich cultural heritage covering the three most important states of South India, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The journey starts with the visit to the financial capital of India Mumbai highlighting the spirit of the people of Mumbai and its cosmopolitan culture.
Home of the Indian Cinema Bollywood. This journey further takes us to Kerala God's own Country where we spend the next 7 Nights and experience tranquility, the beautiful backwaters, lush green surroundings , tea estates , spice plantation , mouth watering delicacies and unwind ourselves with Ayurvedic massage therapies. After an insight of Kerala we proceed to Tamil Nadu the bordering state of Kerala, where we get to see the rich culture and heritage South India has to offer with the massive temples at Madurai, Tanjore , experience the culture at one and the only place in India where French is still popular Pondicherry - Former French Colony. Visit the shore Temples of Mahabalipuram - A world Heritage site and the Chennai City with its beautiful Marina Beach. After Chennai we experience a train journey in Executive Class in one of the best passenger trains of India which offers airline style seating to Mysore with is beautiful palace and gardens.
Our journey finally ends at Bangalore the city of Gardens , now popularly known as the silicon valley of India.

Day 1: Arrive Mumbai

Namaste! We are warmly welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together. After immigration and custom formalities, we are transferred to our Hotel. Rest of the day is free for rest. Overnight: Hotel in Mumbai.

Day 2: Mumbai

After breakfast, our experience of Mumbai starts with Gateway of India- Mumbai's most famous monument; this is the starting point for most tourists who want to explore the city. We continue our tour of Mumbai by visiting the Prince of Wales Museum & Victoria Terminus which is recently added to the world heritage site. This is city's most exuberant Gothic building look more like a lavishly decorated palace or cathedral than a train station. Our Next Stop is at Mani Bhawan, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed here during the freedom Struggle of British India. The house is now converted into a Museum. From here we leave for Jain Temple and Hanging gardens, Tower Of Silence, the bustling Crawford Market and drive past Haji Ali - the tomb of a wealthy Muslim merchant, who renounced all his worldly belongings before embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca. The tomb itself is over eight hundred years old and linked to the mainland by a path that is annually submerged in the high monsoon tide. We end our tour at the Dhobi Ghats - a vast outdoor laundry. After the tour we return back to our hotel.

Overnight: Hotel in Mumbai.

Day 3: Mumbai - Cochin : By Flight

Today we are transferred to airport for our flight to Cochin. On arrival, we are transferred to our Hotel. Rest of the day is free for personal activities.
Overnight: Hotel in Cochin

Day 4: Cochin

In the morning we tour Cochin, the commercial capital of Kerala, with one of the finest natural harbors in the world. We visit the oldest European Church in India "St. Francis Church". Today it is governed by the Church of South India (CSI). Vasco De Gama was buried here before his remains were taken back to Portugal 14 years later.
Next we visit the Santa Cruz Cathedral Built by the Portuguese in around the 16th century; this Roman Catholic Church is famous for the beautiful paintings on its ceiling. We visit the Jewish Quarter with its old synagogue, and the Dutch palace built by the Portuguese and given to the Raja of Cochin. Later we take a boat cruise to visit the Bolghatty Palace and observe the fascinating Chinese fishing nets in action. In the evening we enjoy Kathakali Dance Performance. This dramatized presentation of a play usually based on the Hindu epics of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas, has a unique combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance. Overnight: Hotel in Cochin.

Day 5: Cochin - Thekkady : (Drive: 195 Km / 5 Hrs)

In the morning after breakfast we drive to Thekkady. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Entry: 0600 to 1800 hrs): Lying close to plantations, in the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves - the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread across 777 sq km, of which 360 sq. km is thick evergreen forest, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Noted for its geomorphology, diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty, the Reserve attracts visitors from all over the world. On arrival in Thekkady, we check in our Hotel. After lunch we visit the spice plantation. About 4000 Sq. KM of Idukki district is under spice plantations. The main occupations of the natives are spice farming and trading. The original produce was cardamom, pepper, ginger and turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, all spice, tea etc. This will give an excellent opportunity to the visitor to see the spice plants and ayurvedic medicinal plants and buy some garden fresh spices from the plantations. This is a guided Tour and it will take 1-1:30 hours. Later in the evening we return back to our hotel. Overnight : Hotel inThekkady.

Day 6: Thekkady

Our day starts with a Jungle walk at the Periyar Wild life Sanctuary. Later we return back to our hotel for breakfast. In the afternoon we take boat ride over the Lake Periyar to watch animals in their natural habitat on the water's edge. While cruising on Lake Periyar, we are likely to see animals like Wild Boars, Sambars, Wild Dogs, Langur Monkeys, Wild Elephants and water birds; darter, grey heron, egret and kingfisher. Evening is free to explore the local bazaars at Thekkady and time to purchase some local spices grown in that area.
Overnight: Hotel in Thekkady

Day 7: Thekkady - Kumarakom: (Drive: 150 Km / 3 ½ Hrs)

Today we drive to Kumarakom. An unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. Situated on the Vembanad Lake, in this small water world you will come across plenty of traditional country crafts, boats and canoes which will take you into the heart of the scenic lake. On arrival in Kumarakom we board our traditional houseboat (rice boats - "Ketuvallam") and begin our journey through the picturesque backwaters and small lakes relaxing in the tranquility of Kerala's beautiful scenery -Experience the way of life and activity of the local people.
Overnight: A.C. Deluxe House Boat

Day 8: Alleppey - Kovalam: (Drive: 175 Km / 4 Hrs)

We enjoy breakfast on board, sail to Alleppey and disembark at the Puthenagady Jetty. A comfortable drive gets us to beautiful Kovalam Beach on the Malabar Coast near Trivandrum. We then enjoy 01 Rejuvenation Massage (01 Hour) and get to relax by the beach with endless white sands by the blue waters of the Arabian Sea in secluded a coconut groves.
Overnight: Resort in Kovalam

Day 9: Kovalam

Enjoy 01 Rejuvenation Massage (01 Hour) and free day to relax on the beach. Overnight: Resort in Kovalam

Day 10: Kovalam - Kanyakumari - Madurai: (Drive: 327 Km/ 7-8 Hrs)

After breakfast we leave for Madurai, en-route visiting Kanyakumari "Lands End" of India. Kanyakumari is the southernmost tip of peninsular India where the waters of the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea meet. We visit the Temple of Goddess Kumari, Vivekananda Rock Memorial in the sea where Swami Vivekananda mediated. Later after lunch we continue our onward journey to Madurai. On arrival, we check in our Hotel.
Overnight: Hotel in Madurai

Day 11: Madurai

Madurai situated in southern Tamil Nadu is the second largest city in Tamil Nadu, is an important cultural and commercial centre. Today we visit Madurai. The main city area revolves around Meenakshi Temple, with its baroque example of Dravidian architecture and the four tall gopurams (pillars) with multicolored Gods, Goddesses, demons and deities. Madurai is famous for the imposing Temple, a structure in the Dravidian style of architecture. The history of the city dates back over 2,000 years when it was the capital of the Pandyas. The most interesting feature of the temple is its Hall of a thousand pillars some of which sound like metal when hit with an object. The metal stone or musical pillar, although made of stone, produces sounds of different metals. Other places of interest include the Tirumalai Nayaka Temple and the Temple Art Museum.Overnight: Hotel in Madurai

Day 12: Madurai - Tanjore: (Drive: 195 Km / 4 Hrs)

In the morning after breakfast we drive to Thanjavur, popularly known as Tanjore, where lies the famous Brihadishwara Temple and its sprawling palace complex. The town is famous also for its distinctive style, a combination of raised and painted surfaces. "Krishna" is the most popular deity depicted, and in the Tanjore School his skin is white, rather than the traditional blue-black. Tanjore was the ancient capital of the Chola Kings whose origins go back to the beginning of the Christian era. Our afternoon tour of World Heritage Site of Tanjore includes Shri Brihadishwara temple built by "Raja-Raja" in 1010 A.D, which is the crowning glory of Chola temple architecture. The temple, set in spacious grounds, has several pillared halls and shrines. Inscriptions record the names of dancers, musicians and poets a reminder of the significance of this area to the development of the arts. We end our tour of Tanjore with a visit to the Tanjore Palace & Museum which has an eclectic collection of regal memorabilia most of it dating from the early 19th century.
Overnight: Hotel in Tanjore

Day 13: Tanjore - Pondicherry: (Drive: 200 Km / 4 Hrs)

In the morning after breakfast we drive to Pondicherry. The Union Territory of Pondicherry is situated on the Coromandel Coast of South India, about 160 kms south of Chennai. Pondicherry traces its origin to Saint Agasthya, the revered sage of the south. It was also the site of many a battle between the British and the French, and was the capital of French India, before it attained its independence. Being a small and quiet enclave of Tamil Nadu, it has imbibed Tamilian culture. Apart from the charming atmosphere, excellent restaurants, and cheap beer, what attracts most travelers to Pondicherry is the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The ashram, founded by Sri Aurobindo in the year 1926, has brought international reputation to this coastal town. Tours of the ashram, the spiritual tenets of which combine yoga and modern science, are popular within India and abroad.
Overnight: Hotel in Pondicherry

Day 14: Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram - Chennai: (Drive: 195 Km / 4-5 Hrs)

In the morning after breakfast we drive to Mahabalipuram. We visit the World Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram. This group of sanctuaries, founded by the Pallava kings, was carved out of rock along the Coromandel Coast in the 7th and 8th centuries. It is known especially for its rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries), giant open-air relief's such as the famous 'Descent of the Ganges', and the temple of Rivage, with thousands of sculptures to the glory of Shiva. After lunch, we continue our journey to Chennai. On arrival we check in our Hotel. Rest of the day is free to relax.
Overnight: Hotel in Chennai.

Day 15: Chennai

We tour of Chennai starts with visit to The National Art Gallery & Museum. The museum was established in 1857 and contains one of the best collections of bronzes in the country, including the famous icon of Natraja. Our Next stop is at St. Mary's Church-built in 1680. This was first English Church in Chennai and is India's oldest surviving British church. In the church there are reminders of Clive, who was married here in 1753, and Elihu Yale, the early governor of Madras. We end our tour with a visit to People's Park and the beautiful Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world, and the clock towers. Overnight: Hotel in Chennai

Day 16: Chennai - Mysore : (Train # 12007 - Shatabadi Exp, Dep: 06:00 Hrs, Arr: 13:00 Hrs)

Early morning we are transferred to railway station to embark on the luxury first class train to Mysore. This is a very comfortable train journey. It offers air-conditioned "executive class airline" seating with meal services on board. On arrival, we are transferred to our Hotel. Mysore has never failed to mesmerize with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples. Our afternoon tour includes the Maharajah's Palace, the Shri Chamundeswari Temple and the Nadi Shiva's Mount. The evening is free to enjoy the Vrindavan Garden and City Palace, which is beautifully lit on certain days.
Overnight: Hotel in Mysore

Day 17: Mysore - Srirangapatam - Bangalore:(Drive: 150 Km/ 3 Hrs)

In the morning after breakfast we drive to Bangalore en-route visiting Srirangapatam, the island fortress that was once the capital of the warrior -Kings Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore. On arrival in Bangalore we check in our Hotel. In the afternoon we take a city tour of Bangalore, visiting Vidhana Soudha: This imposing edifice built almost entirely of dressed Bangalore granite, is a tribute to temple architecture, housing the Legislative Chambers of the state government, this is Bangalore's best - known landmark. Cubbon Park: in 1864, Lord Cubbon, the then viceroy of India, laid out 3000 acres of verdant tranquility. Today, it is an oasis of greenery in the heart of Modern Bangalore, Tipu Sultan's Palace: Now a museum, this two- storied ornate wooden structure is a mine of information and is one of the most remarkable Islamic buildings in the city. Also visit Lal Bagh Gardens: this 240 acre expanse of greenery forms one of India's most beautiful botanical gardens, the credit of which goes to the rulers Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, who laid out an 18th century paradise with rare trees brought from far off Persia, Afghanistan and France. Rest of the evening is free for shopping in local bazaar.
Overnight: Hotel in Bangalore

Day 18: Bangalore - Home:

The day is free to relax. Check out time 12:00 Noon. The day is free for shopping and other personal activities. In the evening we are hosted a farewell dinner before we are transferred to airport to connect our flight back Home.

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