Description
Day 01: Arrival at Chennai – Mahabalipuram
On arriving at Chennai International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed and received by our tour representative. Later drive to Mahabalipuram. Overnight in hotel.
Day 02: Mahabalipuram
Breakfast in the morning and proceed for half day city tour of this wonderful city, famously known as the second Pagodas. Tourist sites covered will be the mesmerizing monolithic monuments and stone sculptures. Among the monuments, the most significant ones are the five Rathas, Arjuna’s Penance, Mahishasura Mandapam and Shore Temple. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 03: Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry
Enjoy a delectable morning meal at the hotel. Soon after, you’ll be driven to Pondicherry. A check-in at the hotel will be followed by a sightseeing tour of Pondicherry. Famous tourist attractions are Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry Museum, Arikamedu, Auroville City, and Pondicherry Beach. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 04: Pondicherry – Tanjore
Post an early morning breakfast, you’ll leave for Tanjore. On arrival, a check in at the hotel will be made. After a short relaxing session, you’ll move out to explore the city. The highly visited and admitted destinations include the 11th century Brihadeshwara Temple and Saraswati Mahal Library, housing an exceptional collection of books and manuscripts over paper and palm leaves. Overnight in the hotel..
Day 05: Tanjore – Tiruchirappalli – Madurai
Indulge in an appetizing breakfast. You’ll then head towards Madurai, en-route Tiruchirappalli. At Trichy, the major attractions will be the rock fort, regarded as the landmark of this city. At the top, sits the wonderful Ganesh Temple which attracts hundreds of tourists from all over the world. Another site is Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, beautifully laid with 21 gopurams fortified by seven concentric walls. In the afternoon, you’ll continue our journey to Madurai. Upon arrival check in the hotel. Overnight.
Day 06: Madurai
Breakfast and go for city tour. Major attractions covered will be the 1000 pillared Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Palace and Gandhi Museum. Besides, the special night ceremony performed at the temple will offer you an awesomely enchanting experience. In the evening be the witness of evening ceremony at Meenakshi Temple. Overnight.
Day 07: Madurai – Periyar
Breakfast and drive to Periyar. Upon arrival check in the hotel. Rest of the day is free for leisure. Overnight in Periyar.
Day 08: Periyar – Kumarakom
Morning enjoy the boat ride into Periyar wild life sanctuary. The national park is home to a large variety of flora and fauna. You can easily spot tigers, elephants, gaur, bison, barking deer, mongoose, foxes, mouse deer and leopards.
Later in the afternoon drive to Kumarakom. Upon arrival check in the hotel. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 09: Kumarakom – Alleppey
Take an early morning breakfast and proceed for a sightseeing tour of Kumarakom, a beautiful little island, lying 16 km off Kottayam. Kumarakom is world famous for its exotic species of migratory birds flocking in from all round the world. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls are the most admired destinations here. At the end of the day, you’ll be driven to Alleppey and accommodated in a hotel to spend the night.
Day 10: Alleppey – Kochi
A drive to Kochi will proceed after an early morning breakfast. When you reach, a check in at the hotel will be followed by a magnificent sightseeing tour. Popular tourist attractions include St. Francis Church, Dutch Palace, Chinese fishing nets, Kochi backwaters, Marine Drive, Hill Palace and Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica. In the evening, you’ll attend an interesting performance of the traditional Kathakali dance. Return to the hotel to retreat back with a restful sleep.
Day 11: Kochi – Ooty
After breakfast drive to Ooty. Upon arrival check in the hotel. in the evening enjoy a short sightseeing tour of Ooty. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 12: Ooty – Mysore
An breakfast drive to Mysore. Majestic palaces, heritage buildings, lush green gardens, silk and sandalwood define the city of Mysore. A short halt at Srirangapatna will be made. Srirangapatnam Fort, Tipu’s Summer Palace, Gumbaz, and Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple are the major highlights. Proceed to Mysore thereafter. Arrival will be in the evening. A check in at the hotel will be made, after which a visit to Chamundi Hills will be organized. The Nandi monolith and enormous Mahishasura statue will spellbind you. Overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 13: Mysore
Breakfast and, a full day tour will be arranged. Some of the most exciting scenic attractions of Mysore are Maharaja Palace, Jaganmohan Palace and Brindavan Gardens. As the sun sets, you’ll be taken to the Krishna Raja Sagars to enjoy a different atmosphere with musical fountains and colorful lights. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 14: Mysore – Hassan
Breakfast and drive to Hassan. A break will be taken at Shravanabelagola, the oldest and the most sacred pilgrimage center for the Jain community. Here, the major attraction is the Gomateshwara, deemed to be the world’s tallest monolithic statue. Henceforth, you’ll proceed to Hassan. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 15: Hassan – Halebid – Belur- Hassan
Breakfast and an excursion into some of the wonderful attractions like the Hoysala temples of Halebid and Belur. While the Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebid portrays the Hoysala art and tradition, the Chennakesava Temple at Belur is an archetype of Hoysala architecture. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 16: Hassan – Bangalore
After breakfast drive to Bangalore. Upon arrival check in the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing of Bangalore popularly known as Sillicon City and Garden City. Major attractions covered will be Cubbon Park, Iskon Srikrishna Temple, Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, Commercial Street, Vidhana Soudha. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 17: Bangalore – Mumbai – Aurangabad (By Flight)
Early in the morning transfer to airport to board the flight for Aurangabad.
By the evening you will reach Aurangabad. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 18: Aurangabad – Ajanata – Aurangabad (80 + 80 Kms)
Morning excursion to Ajanta Caves, which is declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Ajanta Caves have been visited by tourists from all parts of the world. The mural paintings in Ajanta Caves display unique style that cannot be seen in any part of the world. The paintings depict the events on the life of Buddha and there are illustrations on Buddhist deities. The stunning paintings reveal the skills and artistry of the artists and they effectively narrate the events without the need for words. A lot of researches were undertaken to learn about the mystery behind the life of paintings. The paintings have withstood the test of time and the colors are fresh and glowing.
Evening return back to Aurngabad for overnight stay.
Day 19: Aurangabad – Ellora – Mumbai (by flight)
After breakfast excursion to Ellora Caves (Approx 30 Kms One way) throw light on the tolerance of the people of ancient India who were ready to accommodate other beliefs and faiths. Ellora Caves are spaced over 2 kilometers and there are 34 caves representing three religions namely Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. The monuments date between 600 A.D. and 1000 A.D. All the 34 temples and m onasteries were dug adjacent to each other in the walls of a cliff. The first 12 caves are Buddhist Caves and they are the oldest. The next 17 caves are the Hindu Caves. The last 5 caves are Jain Caves. The architectural expertise and the efforts taken by the artisans in constructing buildings out of rocks have no words to admire enough.
Later transfer to airport to board the flight for Mumbai.
Upon arrival in Mumbai transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 20: Mumbai
After breakfast explore Mumbai as the locals do with a half-day tour around town, led by a private guide. Visit the most popular sights and experience the best parts of the city, with the flexibility of a specialized itinerary, planned based on your own personal interests.
You will be chamfered around to many of the classic tourist spots. Take advantage of the photo opportunities there and listen as your private guide explains their significance and histories. You will also be taken to some of the less common places that are just as interesting and essential to Mumbai.
Some of the popular destinations include the Gateway of India, the Victoria Terminus, Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach, a visit to Gandhi’s home, Malabar Hill, the Dhobi Ghat, and more.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 22: Mumbai / Departure
Morning transfer to airport to board the flight for onward journey.
