Grand South India Tour

Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrive Chennai

  Welcome to Chennai, the gateway city of South India. Get welcomed by the Company's representative who will receive you with a smile and then escort you to your hotel. After finishing check in formalities at the hotel reception you proceed to your room for a comfortable night stay.
• Day 2 : Chennai Sightseeing - Mahabalipuram (58kms / 1.5hrs)

  After breakfast take a quick guided tour of Chennai city. The cosmopolitan city of Chennai is the capital city of the heritage state of Tamilnadu and is popularly known as the Gateway to South India. Chennai offers a number of attractions. Visit Marina Beach, St. Mary Church and St. George Fort. Later in the afternoon drive to beautiful Mahabalipuram situated on the sea shore. Also known as Mamallapuram, the temple city of Mahabalipuram is just 60 Kms from Chennai.

  • Hotspots Marina Beach
  • Themes Heritage
• Day 3 : Mahabalipuram / Kanchipuram / Mahabalipuram (65kms/1.5hrs)

  Morning after breakfast departs for the sightseeing tour of this beautiful temple city. Mahabalipuram is renowned for its monolithic rock cut shore temples and are considered as to the oldest temples in south India. This city is listed in the UNESCO's list of World heritage sites. You will visit Arjuna's Penance, Five Rathas, Ganesh Ratha, Kotikal Mandapam, Krishna's Butter Ball and Shore temples. Then you will move ahead towards the Kanchipuram 65 Kms from Mahabalipuram for excursion. Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred cities of Hindus filled with temples out of which some are still worshipped and others has lost their fame over the time. Evening return to hotel and overnight at Hotel.

  • Themes Heritage
• Day 4 : Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry (132kms/2.5hrs)

  Today after breakfast head to Pondicherry which was once the French Colonial town and still bestows the same culture. It was taken over by the Indian government in November, 1954. Now Pondicherry is famous for its Auroville ashram which was founded in 1926 by a French woman. The Auroville ashram brings forward spiritual code of belief that represents a fusion of yoga and modern science. Sightseeing tour and stay will be at Pondicherry.
• Day 5 : Pondicherry to Thanjavur (177kms/3hrs)

  Morning after breakfast depart for Thanjavur, situated on the eastern coast of central Tamil Nadu. The history of Thanjavur dates back to the 10th and 14th centuries. The cholas who ruled here were great temple builders and Thanjavur bears witness to this, being dotted with no fewer than 74 temples - the most famous of which is the Brihadeeswarar Temple. En-route to Thanjavur visit the four well know temples of Kombakonam, dedicated to Sarangapani, Kumbeswara, Nageswara and Bhrama. Also visit Mahamaham tank. Also stop at Darasuram a silk weaving center to visit Siva temple filled with some beautiful and rare sculptures.
• Day 6 : Thanjavur to Trichy (48kms/1hr)

  Morning visit Brihadeeswara temple build by Raja Raja Chola. This temple is considered as "the grandest temple in South India" and the second largest monolithic sculptures of its kind in the country. Then proceed for The Palace which was build partly by the Nayaks and partly by the Marathas. Afternoon depart for Tiruchchirappalli, situated on the banks of river Kaveri and was the Chola citadel during the Sangam Age. Evening visit the Srirangam, a picturesque island famous for Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Sri Ranganathaswamy. The town of Srirangam is enclosed within the seven walls of temple. Return to Trichy and overnight at Trichy.
• Day 7 : Trichy to Madurai (142kms/3hrs)

  Morning visit Trichy fort, Kumaravayalur (Murugan temple), Manapparai (famous for crisp savour prepared from rice and black gram dal) and Samayapuram. Then proceed for Madurai, a 2500 years old city and an important cultural and commercial center in 550 AD, when Pandyas made it their capital. Evening visit the Meenakshi temple for going to bed ceremony. Overnight at Hotel.

  • Hotspots Meenakshi Temple
• Day 8 : Madurai Sightseeing

  After breakfast visit Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple which was originally build by Kulasekara Pandya. It is a twin temple, one of which is dedicated to Meenakshi (Parvathi) and other to Lord Sundareswarar (Siva). It is one of the best examples of Dravidian style of architecture. Also visit Tirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, about 1 Km southeast of Meenakshi temple which illustrates the Indo-Saracenic style with carved domes without the support of girders or rafters. Then visit Gandhi museum, Mariamman Teppakulam, Koodal Azhagar Temple and Sri Satguru Sangeeta Samajam. Overnight at Hotel

  • Hotspots Meenakshi Temple
• Day 9 : Madurai to Periyar (160kms/4.5hrs)

  Morning breakfast and depart for the Periyar. Afternoon visit Periyar wildlife sanctuary, encompassing 777 sq Km, with a 26-sq-km artificial lake created by the British in 1895. Enjoy watching bison, sambar, wild boar, langur, elephants and tigers. Evening enjoy your hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
• Day 10 : Periyar to Kovalam (265kms/6hrs)

  Morning depart for Kovalam an awesome Beach destination. Afternoon relax at Beach. Overnight at beach Resort.
• Day 11 : Kovalam Beach

  Day free to relax on the beautiful Kovalam beach. Overnight at beach resort. Various watersports are available near Kovalam and one can enjoy the same if interest.

  • Hotspots Kovalam Beach
• Day 12 : Kovalam to Kumarakom (175kms/3.5hrs)

  Morning depart for Kumarakom and visit Kumari Amman Temple and the Vivekananda Rock. Kumarakom Bird sanctuary is 14 acres wide and the largest back water in Kerala. It is known for its migratory birds, 'Karimeen' (Pearl Spotted Fish), the 'Chemeen' (Prawns) and the 'Konju' (Tiger Prawns). Overnight at Kumarakom.

  • Hotspots Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
• Day 13 : Kumarakom to Alleppey Houseboat

  Morning after leisurely breakfasts at hotel depart to Alleppey also called as the "Venice of East". Alleppey is also famous for its snake boat race which takes place in August. On arrival board on to your houseboat (Rice boats) or Kettuvalloms. Kettuvalloms are boats made up of coir knots and not a single nail is used in their construction. Enjoy your all meals on the houseboat with a night stay on boat.
• Day 14 : Alleppey to Cochin (63kms/1.5hrs)

  Morning breakfast in houseboat and disembarkation at Alleppey. Drive to the Cochin (Kochi) the harbor city of Kerala. Today you will visit the churches of Cochin which are considered as the oldest in the region and also you will visit 500 year old Portuguese House, synagogues and in the evening also visit the coast to witness the Chinese fishing nets. Overnight at Hotel.
• Day 15 : Cochin to Bangalore (Flight)

  Morning buffet breakfast and transferred to airport for flight to Bangalore. Bangalore got its name from the word "Bendha Kaalu" (meaning boiled beans in Kannada language). It is also known as the garden city. On arrival at Bangalore visit Lalbagh botanical garden. Lalbagh garden was built in an area of 40 acres by the king Hyder Ali in 1760. Also visit the national museum and Vidhan Sabha. Evening free to explore the markets. Overnight at Hotel.

  • Hotspots Lalbagh Botanical Garden
• Day 16 : Bangalore - Mysore (143kms / 3hrs)

  Morning after buffet breakfast departure to Mysore the city of palaces. The name Mysore came from the word Mahishuru, which means the residence of Mahisha a Hindu demon. The city of Mysore is famous for its sandalwood products and Dushhera Festival which is celebrated here every year. En - route visit the palace of Tipu Sultan situated 19 Kms from Mysore. The palace is named as "Srirangapatna". Overnight at Mysore.

  • Hotspots Mysore
• Day 17 : Mysore

  Today proceed for the sightseeing of Mysore and visit Mysore Palace an architectural wonder which when illuminated with ninety seven thousand bulbs becomes a treat to watch. An Indo-Saracenic architecture was build by Henry Irwin. Then visit Chamundi hills, Lalitha Mahal Palace, Karanji and Kukkarahalli lakes. Overnight at Hotel.

  • Hotspots Mysore Palace, Kukkarahalli Lake, Lalitha Mahal Palace, Mysore
• Day 18 : Mysore - Hassan (125kms / 3hrs)

  Today depart for silent town of Hassan mainly famous for its excursion to Shravanabelagola, Belur and Helebid. Today visit Shravanabelagola which is 51 Kms of Hassan and is famous for its Jain Temples which has a statue of Lord Bahubali which is world's tallest monolithic statue with 17 m height. Overnight at Hassan.
• Day 19 : Belur & Helebid (39kms / 1 hr)

  Today we will visit Belur a picturesque settlement 38 kms away from Hassan located on the banks of river Yagachi. Visit Chennakeshava Temple an finest example of Hoysala architecture. The temple costruction took 103 years to complete its architecture.
  
  Also visit 12th century temples located 23 kms from Hassan in the city of Halebid. Here you will visit the Hoysaleswara temple which is guarded by a Nandi Bull which is considered as still not completed even after 86 years of Labour. Evening return to Hassan.
• Day 20 : Hassan - Bangalore(163kms / 4 hrs)

  Morning after leisurely breakfast depart for Bangalore. Day free to relax at hotel.
• Day 21 : Leave Bangalore

  Morning on time transferred to Airport to board on your flight for onward destination.

Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing

Terms & Conditions

This Tour is Offered by

• D9/7 of Ardee City - 122011
• 08069247163 (Ext : 308)
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