Duration : 20 Nights / 21
Days
Day1 : Bangalore :
Arrive Bangalore from your home country by midnight. Garland welcome, assistance and transfer to hotel. O/n Hotel.
Day 2 : Bangalore to Hassan :
After late breakfast we make a short visit to the Vidhan Soudha -a magnificent building housing the State Legislature and Secretariat. Further drive to Hassan (about 190kms/O4hrs), enroute visit Shravanbelagola. Arrive and check into the hotel, rest of the day at leisure. O/n Hotel.
Day 3 : Hassan to Mysore :
After breakfast visit to the Chennakesava Temple at Belur, the exquisite sculptors cover the exterior with the friezes. Later on proceed to Halebid to visit the Hoysalesvara Temple; set in lawns, it has two shrines dedicated to Siva with a Nandi Bull facing each. We will also, visit the Jain bastis. Afternoon drive to Mysore (about 135kms/O3hrs), enroute visit the Srirangapatna. This island fortress, once the capital of the warrior kings Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, has magnificent monuments that are well worth a visit. Arrive and check into the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
Day 4 : Mysore :
After breakfast we visit St. Philomina's Church, built in an imposing gothic style with its stained glass windows isa truly majestic sight. Move to Maharaja's Palace, designed by Henry Irwin and built in 1897. It is in the Indo- Saracenic style in grand proportions, with domes, arches and colonnades of carved pillars and shiny marble floors. Afternoon we make a short drive to Chamundi Hills to visit the 12th century temple. O/n Hotel.
Day 5 : Mysore to Vythiri :
After an early breakfast drive to Vythiri (about 175kms/O4hrs), a very picturesque journey over the Western Ghats. Check into the resort, rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
Day 6 : Vythiri :
After breakfast explore the Pookot Lake, situated close to the Resort is this perennial fresh water lake,. nestled among wooded hills. You can have a pleasant walk around the lake, which stretches to a couple of kilo meteres. Afternoon free to relax. O/n Hotel.
Day 7 : Vythiri to Cochin :
After an early breakfast drive to Cochin (about 285kms/O6hrs), enroute visit the Punnathoor Kota -the elephant camp at Guruvayoor. Arrive and check into the hotel & relax. O/n Hotel.
Day8 : Cochin :
After breakfast we make a short drive to visit the Mattancherry Palace -also called the Dutch Palace, The Synagogue built in the 18th century and the St. Francis Church, and then the Chinese fishing nets which adorn the north shore. Evening we watch the dance-drama of Kerala -The Kathakali in a local theatre. O/n Hotel.
Day9 : Cochin to Alleppey :
After breakfast drive to Alleppey (about 65kms/O2hrs), where we board our houseboat, each comprising two twin rooms, with attached bathrooms, running water, and a lounge area in which to relax and enjoy the sights on the shore. We cruise for about 3hrs. through the backwaters and coconut groves, before mooring up for the night. O/n Houseboat.
Day 10 : Alleppey to Thekkady :
Morning after breakfast disembark from the houseboat, drive towards Thekkady (about 155kms/04hrs). The road winds through the tranquil countryside, plantations of rubber, pepper, tea, coffee and cardamom on Western Ghats. Check into the hotel. O/nHotel.
Day 11 : Thekkady / Periyar National Park (walk 2 hrs.) :
After breakfast we enjoy a 2hrs. walk through the thick forest of Teak and Rose wood. Searching for the finest of the 246 species of birds and about 100 species of butterflies, we will also try to spot Flying Squirrel and Otter. After 2hrs. easy and interesting walking we return to our hotel. In the afternoon we explore the sanctuary by motorboat, with chances of sighting mammals like Elephants, Sambar, Wild Boars and a variety of bird life. O/n Hotel.
Day 12 : Thekkady to Munnar :
After breakfast drive to Munnar (about 110kms/04hrs) through the cardamom hills. Check into the hotel. Afternoon visit the Rajamali National Park, explore the park by walking. The views from the park are enchanting. O/n Hotel.
Day 13 : Munnar (Trek) :
Today after an early breakfast we drive to Chinnar wildlife Sanctuary (about 60kms), located in the rain shadow of High Ranges in the Southern Western Ghats. Its dry deciduous forest makes it easier to view the wildlife. On arriving at Chinnar at 08:00 A.M, you will be guided by trained guides from the local indigenous community to a cultural site through the dry deciduous forests of Chinnar. After lunch go for a short trek through the riparian forests along the Chinnar river. These forests are home to one of the most endangered mammals of India, the Giant Squirrel. Back to Munnar in the evening. O/n Hotel.
Day 14 : Munnar (Trek) :
After breakfast we drive the short distal1ce to the Silent Valley Estate of the Tata Tea Ltd, where we will begin our trek. The treks will take you through beautiful valleys where we can see all the beautiful areas of Munnar, valley where the rhododendrons and pine forests grow wild. Back to hotel and relax. O/n Tents.
Day 15 : Munnar to Madurai :
After an early breakfast we start our 8kms cycle ride uphill through the beautiful valley, surrounded by tea plantation and cardamom, we can enjoy the views over the lower slopes. We descend the 8kms back to hotel. Drive to Madurai (about 110kms / 04hrs) and check into hotel. Evening we visit the bustling temple of Meenakshi (fish eyed goddess), located in the heart of Madurai, surrounded by colourful and thriving markets. O/n Hotel.
Day 16 : Madurai to Thanjavur :
After breakfast, we take an interesting drive (about 190kms/4 hrs.) through mango groves, sugarcane plantations and green paddy fields (this region is the local center of rice production). Check into the hotel. Afternoon we visit the overwhelming temple of Brihadisvara built in 1000 A.D, we will also visit the Sarasvati Mahal Library, know for its collection of rare and illustrated manuscripts.
Day 17 : Thanjavur to Pondichery :
After an early breakfast we set off for a long drive, across sugarcane groves and casurrina plantations, to the distinctly French colonial atmosphere of Pondichery (about 225kms/07hrs.). The road is dotted with villages and towns, enroute we visit the Cosmic Dance city of Chidambaram. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Evening visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, touch and try the meditation and stroll around the colony still has the French touch. O/nHotel.
Day 18 : Pondichery to Mahabalipuram :
Morning after breakfast drive to Mahabalipuram, (about 135kms/04hrs). The small seaside village of Mahabalipuram, 65 km from Chennai, was once the main port of the Pallava dynasty from the 5th to the 9th centuries. Its exquisite rock cut temples are some of the finest in India and have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Check into the hotel, rest of the day free to relax. O/nHotel.
Day 19 : Mahablipuram :
Morning after breakfast visit Arjuna's Penance, a bas relief sculpted on the face of two enormous adjacent rocks. The Rathas -these mid seventh century monolithic temples were influenced by Buddhist architecture as they resemble the monastery, The Shore Temple by the sea is surrounded by gardens designed according to descriptions of the original layout from ancient texts. Evening enjoy the beautiful sunset. O/n Hotel.
Day 20 : Mahabalipuram to Chennai :
Morning free to relax, afternoon drive to Chennai via visiting Kailasanad Temple and Ekambara Nadh Temple in kancheepuram.Direct
transfer to international airport to board flight to your home country.
Day 21 : Chennai :
Early morning board your flight.
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