DAILY ITINERARY
Day 1, Sun Mumbai / Chennai Upon arrival in Mumbai, transfer for the flight to Chennai. Welcome to
the city of Chennai, formerly known as Madras! You will be met and
welcomed by our local representative. Transfer to hotel and rest.
Welcome dinner.
D Taj Connemara Hotel Day 2, Mon - Chennai / Mahabalipuram / Kanchipuram / Chennai Today you will enjoy an excursion to 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 reliefs such
as the famous 'Descent of the Ganges', and the temple of Rivage, with
thousands of sculptures to the glory of Shiva. On the way back to
Chennai, visit the Kapaleeswarar, the ancient Shiva Temple, Santhome
Church and a local bazaar. B/L/D Taj Connemara Hotel
Day 3, Tue - Chennai / Trichy A short flight gets you to Tiruchirapalli - Trichy, a town deeply
immersed in Hindu religion and home to some outstanding Dravidian
temple architecture. You will visit to the Rock Fort Temple, the maze
of the Mathurubhuteshwar Shrine and some other local temples.
Afterwards, visit some local villages and experience the rural life of
Southern India. B/L/D Sangam Hotel
Day 4, Wed - Trichy / Thanjavur / Trichy You will take a day trip to Thanjavur, to visit the Brihadisvara
Temple, a World Heritage Site, which was built between 1003 A.D. and
1010 A.D. during the reign of the great King Rajaraja, founder of the
Chola Empire that stretched over all of South India and neighbouring
islands in South East Asia. Surrounded by two rectangular enclosures,
Brihadisvar is crowned with a 13-storey pyramidal tower that stands 61m
/ 67yards high and is topped with a bulb-shaped monolith. The walls of
the temple are covered with rich sculptural decorations. Evening, enjoy
an authentic South Indian dinner and a Bharat Natyam cultural show. B/L/D Sangam HotelDay 5, Thu - Trichy / Madurai Today drive to Madurai, one of the oldest cities in the South for a full-day of sightseeing. The life of Madurai revolves around the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar
Temple. This magnificently carved temple is the main attraction of
Madurai and its huge Gopurams tower over the city. The Meenakshi Temple
has a thousand pillared 'Mandapam'. There are precisely 985 pillars and
each of them is delicately and exquisitely carved. Among these are the
musical pillars that produce music when tapped. Surprisingly, these
musical pillars are carved of a single granite rock. The temple has
been a hub of Tamil culture and has sponsored the creation of great
literature, art, music, and dance in the region for a long time. The
city, apart from the temple, is crammed with shops, street markets,
pilgrims, hotels and restaurants. Madurai is certainly a lively and
culturally rich city! B/L/D Taj Garden Retreat Hotel
Day 6, Fri - Madurai / Kodaikanal A scenic and refreshing drive to the peaceful hill station of
Kodaikanal located at the top of the Palini Hills. Upon arrival, tour
the area and take a boat ride on Kodaikanal Lake to view the beautiful
landscape. B/L/D Carlton Hotel
Day 7, Sat - Kodaikanal/Periyar Drive through some beautiful spice and tea gardens, you will travel to
Periyar. En route stop to visit the tea estates and learn about the
process of growing tea. Later drive to the Wildlife Sanctuary of
Periyar. Afternoon, a boat tour will provide a first-class game viewing
experience. The forest slopes into the manmade lake at the bottom of
the hill and the lake serves as the waterhole or swimming area for the
animals. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar and even tigers can be spotted. The
reserve is also famous for a host of water birds. B/L/D Taj Garden Retreat Hotel
Day 8, Sun - Periyar A full day at Periyar sanctuary game viewing. One of the well-known
wildlife sanctuaries in the south, Periyar sanctuary attracts a large
number of nature lovers every year. Also called the Thekkady Wildlife
Sanctuary, this place is ideal for watching the animals in their
natural habitat. Evening is at leisure. B/L/D Taj Garden Retreat Hotel
Day 9, Mon - Periyar / Cochin After short drive to Changanacherry, you will board a unique houseboat
through the famous backwaters of Kerala. Fringing the coast of Kerala
and winding far inland is an intricate network of innumerable Lagoons,
Lakes, Canals, Estuaries and the Deltas of forty-four rivers that drain
into the Arabian Sea. These Backwaters are both the basis of a distinct
lifestyle and a fascinating thoroughfare, and travelling by boat along
the Backwaters is one of the highlights of your trip. This afternoon
arrive in Cochin and transfer to hotel B/L/D Taj Residency Hotel
Day 10, Tue - Cochin Today you explore Cochin, the commercial capital of Kerala, with one of
the finest natural harbours in the world. Ancient mariners from Arabia,
China, Holland, Britain and Portugal have all left their mark on this
beautiful island city, often referred to as the Venice of the East.
Here we tour the Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church, and the Jewish
Quarter with its old synagogue. B/L/D Taj Residency Hotel Day 11, Wed - Cochin / Bangalore / Mysore Morning transfer to Cochin airport and fly to Bangalore. Upon arrival,
drive to Mysore. En route, visit Srangapatnam: capital of Warrior-King
Hyder Ali & his son Tipu Sultan, with its magnificent monuments
that are well worth a visit. Arrive Mysore in the evening. Mysore has
always fascinated with its quaint charm, imposing buildings, rich
heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, broad
shady avenues and sacred temples. B/L/D Green Hotel
Day 12, Thu - Mysore
After breakfast, full-day sightseeing which includes: Sri
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,
Brindavan Gardens – Witness the exuberant beauty of Brindavan Gardens. B/L/D Green Hotel
Day 13, Fri - Mysore / Bangalore / Mumbai
Transfer to Bangalore airport and fly to Mumbai. Upon arrival, transfer
to the legendary Taj Mahal Hotel. Afternoon sightseeing and shopping.
Farewell dinner. B/L/D Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel
Day 14, Sat - Mumbai / home city Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. You will arrive home on the same calendar day! B
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