Day 1 - Arrival Chennai
Upon
your arrival at the Chennai International airport you will have
a reception at the airport and then be transferred to the hotel.
Chennai is the capital of State Tamilnadu and one of the four
largest metropolises of India.
Day 2 - Chennai
After breakfast, you will go on a city excursion. Madras is
a pulsating metropolis with over 6 million residents. Because
many south Indian feature films are shot here, the town is
called the "Hollywood of India". On the city excursion, you will
see the Kapaleshvara temple, which is dedicated to God Shiva and
is a good example if the colorful south Indian temple
architecture. After that you will visit the Fort St. George
which was the trade post during 1639. You’ll also visit the 16th
century St. Thomas Church. At the National Museum, you will see
sculptures out of the Pallava, Pandava and Chola time. Your
excursion also includes a visit to the National Art Gallery and
Marina Beach. After that you will return to your hotel for
dinner and an overnight stay in Chennai.
Day 3 - Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram
After
breakfast you will drive about 40 miles to the far temple city,
Kanchipuram. It is among the "seven holy cities of" India. After
each Kanchipuram was the capital of the Pallava, the Chola and
the Vijayanagar kings. While the country is dotted with fabulous
temples, you will visit the three most important temples in
South India: the Kailasanatha-temple, the Vaikunthaperumal
temple, as well as the Ekambareshwara temple. Kanchipuram is
also very well known for its hand woven silk materials. You’ll
then drive to Mahabalipuram which is well known for its 7th
century Five Rathas. These are the world's largest stone relief.
You’ll then arrive and be transferred to your hotel. You’ll have
the rest of the afternoon free to rest on the beach.
Day 4 - Mahabalipuram
After
breakfast you will start your tour by visiting the 7th-century
Shore temple which is surrounded by lush gardens. In addition
you’ll visit the 7th- century Five Rathas, which are the world's
largest stone relief; Bhagiratha’s Penance, a 1900-square-foot
rock block; and rock cut caves from the 6th and 7th centuries.
In the evening, you can explore this small town, where you can
also see the soap stone workers making designs and sculptures
with chisel and hammer. You will stay overnight in Mahabalipuram.
Day 5 - Mahaballipuram -
Pondicherry - Tanjore (Thanjavur)
After breakfast, you will drive to Tanjore. En route you’ll
visit Pondicherry, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the city
Auroville, which covers more than 2000 acres. Today also, you
can see the influence of French rule in Pondicherry, because the
Frenchmen strongly were represented here until 1954. Many
residents still speak French in addition to Tamil. You’ll then
continue on to Tanjore where you’ll be transferred to your hotel
for an overnight stay.
Day 6 - Tanjore - Trichy (Trichurapalli)
After
breakfast you’ll visit the 9th-century Brihadeshwara Temple.
This temple gave Tanjore it’s name of the “Jewel of South
India”. The temple–dedicated to the God Shiva–features a
200-foot-high tower shaped like a pyramid. It is crowned by a
heavy cupola weighing 88 tons. You’ll also visit Raja Rajan Art
Gallery which houses bronze statues of the 9th through 16th
centuries. You’ll continue on to Trichy where you’ll be
transferred to your hotel for refreshment and rest. During the
afternoon you’ll visit the famous Rock Fort Temple that is
carved out of rock that is about 300 feet high. Wear your
walking shoes because you’ll have to climb 345 steps to get to
the top of the temple. Once there, you will have a wonderful
view of the city. You’ll also have time to visit Srirangam, home
to 21 temple towers on an island in the Kaveri River. The
Ranganathasvami temple, dedicated to God Vishnu, is one of the
largest temples in South India and is famous for its beautiful
sculptures. After that, you will visit the Jambukeshwara temple,
dedicated to God Shiva, and one of the oldest and largest in
Tamil Nadu with five walls and seven Gopurams (soaring towers).
Day 7 - Trichy - Madurai
After breakfast
you will drive to Madurai where you’ll be transferred to your
hotel for refreshment and rest. Madurai is home to many:
Pilgrims, beggars, business persons, cow vehicles and many
awaiting Rickshaw drivers. It is one of the oldest cities of
South India and a center for Pilgrimage. The main attraction
which lies in the middle of town is the Sri Meenakshi Temple. It
was built during the 17th century in the Dravidian style with
many Gopurams (soaring temple towers)and features colorful
pictures of God, Goddesses, animals and mystical figures.
Religious ceremonies take place here from early morning to late
night. Pilgrims from all over the world visit here and sometimes
up to 10000 persons are at the Temple. One of the largest temple
complexes of India, within the Sri Meenakshi Temple is a market.
Evenings you can pursue a temple ceremony. You’ll also have time
to visit the 16th-century Thirumalai Nayak Palace before
retiring at your hotel for an overnight stay in Madurai.
Day 8 - Madurai - Periyar (Thekaddy)
After breakfast you’ll drive to Thekaddy. This trip through
the mountains, spice plantations and tea plantations will
definitely energize your senses. After your arrival, you will be
transferred to your hotel for rest and refreshment. In the late
afternoon you’ll enjoy a boat trip in Periyar Wildlife National
Park. This park is one of the world’s best places to see
elephants in their natural surroundings. Before sunset, you’ll
also be fortunate to see other wild animals visit the bank of
Periyar Lake to drink and eat. You can also enjoy a pleasant
walk in the markets before returning to your hotel for an
overnight stay.
Day 9 - Periyar
- Kumarakom (Backwaters) - Cochin
After breakfast you’ll drive to Cochin. On the way you’ll
visit a Spice Farm (optional), where you can see various spice
plantations such as cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, peppermint,
clove, vanilla, ginger, chili, tea and coffee plants. Then
you’ll continue on to Kovalam where you will enjoy a boat ride
in the Backwaters. Along the bank, you will see the traditional
life of people living on the banks nestled in coves of coconut
and palm trees. After the boat trip, you will continue your
drive to Cochin. After your arrival, you’ll be transferred to
your hotel for a short break. That evening you will enjoy a
Kathakali Dance Show which depicts 400 years of history and old
legends in this breathtaking dance drama. The dancers wear
painted fantastic costumes and color their faces with red, green
and black inks. Every gesture and movement by every dancer has a
special meaning. After the show you will return to your hotel
for an overnight stay.
Day 10 - Cochin -Ooty
After breakfat
you will travel on to Cochin where your first stop is at the St.
Francis Church, built in 1503 by the Portuguese. Then you’ll
visit the Mattancherry Palace or "Dutch Palace" built by the
Dutch and later on handed over to the local king. At the harbor,
you can see unique Chinese fishing nets, which marks the visit
of Chinese people in Cochin. You’ll also visit the Jewish
Synagogue, built in 1558. Around the Synagogue, you can buy many
antique things. You’ll then drive on to Ooty, which is a very
beautiful hill station of Tamilnadu. Upon your arrival you’ll be
transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay in Ooty.
Day 11 - Ooty
During the morning you will visit the botanical garden home
to over 1000 different plant species. The garden was established
in 1847 by Marquis of Tweed. After that, you will visit the
cottages of the Toda tribe who are the descendants of Alexander
the Great’s army. The Toda tribe speaks their own language. The
afternoon is free time, and may want to take a walk to the Ooty
Lake before enjoying a delicious local meal, and retiring at
your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 12 - Ooty - Mysore
After
breakfast, you will drive to Mysore. On the way, you can visit a
tea factory. Upon your arrival you’ll be transferred to your
hotel for rest and refreshment. Then you can explore Mysore
which was a former capital and now is the second largest city in
Karnataka. It is a beautiful city with palaces, gardens, parks
and museums. Sandalwood incense sticks are made here. In the
spring, jasmine flowers bloom here. Visit the Mysore palace
which is the largest palace in the country, and once home to the
Wodeyars during 1857. You’ll then visit the Chamundi Hills where
the temple of Durga (Chamundeswari) celebrates the victory over
the buffalo God. On the way, you will pass the Nandi monolith of
1659, a large Bull Statue. You’ll have time to visit the
wonderful Brindavan Gardens before returning to your hotel for
an overnight stay.
Day 13 - Excursion to Somnathpur
After breakfast it’s on to Somnathpur, about 136 miles east
of Msyore. This small village is home to last surviving Hoysala
temple out of 80 temples built during the 13th century. Then you
will return to your hotel for rest and refreshment. Early
afternoon be ready for an excursion to Sravanbelgola, one of the
universally known Jain Pilgrimage center. You’ll see the largest
monolith in the world: the over 50-foot-high Gommatheswara
statue, erected between 980 and 983 BC of granite. You’ll then
return to Mysore for an overnight stay.
Day 14 - Mysore - Sravanabelgola - Hassan
After breakfast you’ll drive to Hassan. On the way you’ll visit
Sravanbelgola, one of the universally known Jain Pilgrimage
center. You’ll see the largest monolith in the world: the over
50-foot-high Gommatheswara statue, erected between 980 and 983
BC of granite. You’ll then continue on to Hassan where you’ll be
transferred to your hotel for rest and refreshment. You’ll have
time to visit Belur and Halebid, home to the most people temples
built duirng the 12th and 13th centuries. You’ll then return to
Hassan for your overnight stay.
Day 15 - Hassan - Hospet
After breakfast you’ll
take a long trip to Hospet. After transfer to your hotel, you’ll
have the rest of the day free to explore the town or just rest.
Day 16 - Excursion to Hampi
After breakfast it’s on to Hampi. This gigantic city emerged in
1336, which was for 200 years the capital of the Vijayanagar. In
1565 it was conquered and plundered by the Moguls. Hampi is a
world heritage site. You’ll then return to Hospet for an
overnight stay.
Day 17 - Hospet - Pattadakal - Aihole - Badami
After breakfast you’ll drive to Badami. On the way you will
stop at Aihole and Pattadakal. Aihole was the capital of the
Chalukyas from the 4th to 7th century. Today this small village
has more temple than houses. Around 70 temples are master works
of the Hindu Temple art and architecture. You’ll also visit
Pattadakal, a world heritage site because of its temples on the
banks of the river Malaprabha. You’ll then drive on to Badami, a
picturesque town between two rock spurs and an artificial lake.
The caves carved during the 5th and 6th centuries depict the
Gods of the Hindus, Jains and the Buddhists. You’ll return to
your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 18 - Badami - Belgaum - Goa
After breakfast, you will drive
to Goa. On the way, you’ll visit Belgaum, a beautiful
picturesque town. Upon your arrival in Goa, you’ll be
transferred to your hotel. You’ll have the rest of the day free
for relaxing on the beach.
Day 19 - Goa
After breakfast, you’ll take a half-day sightseeing tour of
Goa. You’ll visit Miramar Beach, the Basilica of Bom Jesus and
the city of Panjim- bustling with shops and tourists. The
afternoon is at leisure so you can relax on the beach. You’ll
have an overnight stay in Goa.
Day 20 - Goa
This is a day at leisure. Enjoy the water sports at the
beach, go for a swim, and explore the shops for cashew nuts and
other great finds in downtown Goa. You’ll have an overnight stay
in Goa.
Day 21 - Goa
Day at leisure. Enjoy the sun, sand and beach.
Day 22 - Goa - Mumbai (By Flight)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Goa airport for
the flight to Mumbai. After your arrival, the day is free for
excursion of Mumbai and personal activities. Late evening
transfer to Mumbai International airport for your journey home.
Note: You can extend your tour by 2 more days so you can visit
Mumbai and the Ajanta and Ellora caves (UNESCO world heritage
sites) near Mumbai. You can also increase or decrease the number
of days in Goa as per your requirement. |