Duration of South India Cultural Tour: 14 nights/15 days
Destinations Covered : Chennai - Mysore- Bangalore- Kovalam- Periyar- Madurai - Trichy- Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram
Day 01 : Chennai
Arrive Chennai and our Tour Executive transfers you to the hotel. Overnight stay in Chennai.
Day 02 : Chennai
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Chennai including Marina Beach; St. George Fort, built in 1653, which is currently used as the state government's secretariat; Santhome Cathedral, built around 14th/15th century and dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kapaleeshwara Temple, the oldest temple in Chennai. Another important temple in the city dedicated to Lord Krishna is Parthasarthy Temple.
Day 03 : Mysore
Early morning transfer to the Railway Station to board train for Mysore. Arrive Mysore and transfer to hotel. Later visit Chamundi Hill. On the top of the hill stands the temple dedicated to the Goddess Chamundeshwari, the royal family's patron deity. Overnight in Mysore
Day 04 : Mysore
Morning city tour of Mysore including Maharaja's Palace built as recently as 1897, which is one of the biggest in India; St Philomena's Church etc; Sri Jauyachamarajendra Art Gallery housed in the Jagmohan Palace.
Day 05 : Hassan
Morning drive to Hassan, a calm and peaceful town in Karnataka. Arrive at Hassan and check - in at hotel. Later visit Belur, known for its exquisite temples and Chennakeshava Temple. Also visit to Halebid, where Hoysaleswara Temple has a wealth of sculptural detail, the walls covered with gods, goddesses and a mark of Hoysala empire.
Day 06 : Bangalore
Morning drive to Bangalore visiting Sravanbelagola enroute, one of most important Jain Piligrim centres in India. Arrive at Bangalore and check - in at hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Bangalore visiting Tipu Sultan's Palace, originally built in mud in 1537 and rebuilt by Haider Ali a couple of centuries later; Bull Temple enshrining a massive bull carved out of a single piece of Grey granite; Lalbagh gardens laid out by Haider Ali in the 18th century; Cubbon Park laid out by the British in the 19th century. Vidhan Soudha built in granite incorporates features of traditional Indian architecture.
Day 07 : Bangalore - Kovalam
Morning you are transferred to the airport to board a flight for Trivandrum. Arrive at Trivandrum and straight away proceed to Kovalam Beach. Arrive at Kovalam and check - in at your hotel.
Day 08 : Kovalam
Day is free for independent activities or a stroll along the beach. Kovalam also has the serene surroundings and the solemn moments for you. The place is famous for the Ayurveda Resort too.
Day 09 : Periyar
Morning drive to Periyar. Arrive at Periyar and check - in at hotel. Later walk around in the peaceful town known for various Spice and coffee plantations and the largest wildlife sanctuary known for the tigers, elephants, deer and bisons. Also there is a possibility for bird watching and a close scrutiny of tiger from the elephant back.
Day 10 : Periyar - Madurai
Early morning enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar to see wild Elephants and other animals which come down to the water's edge. Take a tour of the famous Spice Plantations. After lunch drive 4hrs to Madurai.
Day 11 : Madurai
Morning visit Meenakshi Temple, where the 1,000-pillared hall has stone figures carved on the pillars, some of which sound like metal when hit with an object. Also visit Tirumalai Nayaka Temple and the museum dedicated to the life of Mahatma Gandhi. Overnight stay in Madurai.
Day 12 : Trichy
Morning drive to Trichy/Tiruchirapalli. Arrive at Trichy and check - in at your hotel. Later sightseeing tour of Trichy/Tiruchirapalli including the Rock Fort, 434 steps cut into the rock side and interspersed with shrines lead upto the top. Also visit Srirangam Temple sprawling over a large area on an island as the Cauvery flows on both sides. It houses the image of the sleeping Vishnu along the mortal remains of Sriramanuja Acharya.
Day 13 : Pondicherry
Morning drive to Pondicherry. Arrive at Pondicherry and check - in at hotel. Later on visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, the final resting place of the founder of the Ashram, Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Also visit Church Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus to see the stained glass windows built in Gothic style. Overnight stay in Pondicherry.
Day 14 : Mahabalipuram
Morning drive to Mahabalipuram. Arrive at Mahabalipuram and check - in at hotel. Later visit Arjuna's Penance, Krishna Mandapam, Varaha Mandapam, Five Rathas and Shore Temples. This small fishing village is home to the World Heritage Monuments with it's extensive beach and excellent seafood. Overnight at your beach resort at Mahabalipuram.
Day 15 : Leave for Chennai
The whole day is free to relax at the beach before your late afternoon transfer to Chennai airport (60kms/1.5hrs) to board a flight for onward destination or way back your home.
*This itinerary is a rough guideline only and can be altered in any which way to suit your convenience.
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