The Best of South India - PI-052
Palm fringed beaches, lush green fields swaying in the gentle breeze, forests and rivers, boats and back waters, tiled roofs,Royal splendour & Pageantry, Palaces and Museums, temple towns echoing with evening prayers, fishermen coming home at sunset....and providing the background music to these visual delights is the distant roar of the Indian Ocean. Come, experience the charm of South India. You will never be the same again!
Day 1: Chennai
Saturday, December 7, 2024 - Sunday, December 8, 2024
Arrive and transfer to Hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2: Chennai - Mysore
Sunday, December 8, 2024 - Monday, December 9, 2024
Transfer to Railway Station to leave by Shatabdi Express at 0600 hrs. ( EXCEPT TUE ) for Mysore Arrive at 1310 hrs. transfer to Hotel. Afternoon visit Maharaja's Palace and Museum, built in the Indo-Saracenic style, it is one of the largest palaces of India and is an imposing structure standing in the heart of the city. It was formerly the residence of Wodeyar family. The Palace is a breathtaking sight particularly on Sundays & public holidays when it is illuminated. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 3: Mysore - Hassan - Mysore
Monday, December 9, 2024 - Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Full day trip to
Belur & Halebid the famous Hoysala temple in
Belur & Halebid. These ancient temples have intricately carved sculptures and friezes and also have exquisite pillars and panels. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 4: Mysore - Wayanad
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 - Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Morning leave by road for Wayanad Arrive and stay at Hotel Vythiri Resort. The Vythiri resort is located in the forested highlands of Kerala on the Nilgiri hills in South India. 2600 ft above sea level, this lush green and damp forests capture two monsoons in a year. Miles away from the dust, grim and din; a magical, romantic getaway tucked away in a lush tropical rain forest. Break into a song with tunes set by a chorus of chirping, multihued birds. Let a rainbow of butterflies and dragonflies play hide-and-seek with you. Vythiri Resort is parked bang amidst a 150-acre coffee and cardamom plantation. Replete with traditional planter's cottages that transport you back to a laid-back era. Is that a thunderous roar of a stream crashing down a ravine that you hear? Vythiri Resort. For the incurably romantic, the terribly adventurous or the complete workaholic who needs to recharge his batteries with ayurvedic rejuvenation. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 5: Wayanad - Kochi
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 - Thursday, December 12, 2024
Morning visit Pakshi Pathalam (translated as "bird hell"!)through the forest and the opportunity to experience the sheer thrill of spotting elephants, bison, spotted deer, sambar, wild boar and if you're really lucky, the rare barking deer. Serious bird watchers will marvel at the sheer number of rare birds that fill this bird heaven. A must for all nature lovers.Afternoon leave by road for Kochi. Arrive and overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 6: Kochi - Kovalam
Thursday, December 12, 2024 - Friday, December 13, 2024
Morning Sightseeing of Kochi city visiting
Jewish Synagogue, built in 1568 AD and decorated with copper plates bearing the Hebrew script and hand painted Chinese tiles. Visit the Mattan-Cherry Palace also known as the
Dutch Palace built by the Portugese and presented to the King of Cochin in 1555 AD. The
Chinese Fishing Nets at the entrance of the harbour, along the backwaters are a fascinating sight. These nets that line the sea front exhibit a mechanical method of catching fish to the coast of Malabar. Afternoon leave by road for Kovalam the world famous beach village Arrive and overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 7: Kovalam
Friday, December 13, 2024 - Saturday, December 14, 2024
Relax on the beach. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 8: Kovalam - Capecomorin - Kovalam
Saturday, December 14, 2024 - Sunday, December 15, 2024
Full day visit to Cape Comorin also known as Kanyakumari (75 kms) at the Southern most tip of India, where the Arabian Sea, the Indian ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet. Cape Comorin is famous for its spectacular sunrises andsunsets. Visit the Vivekananda rock Memorial, Suchindram Temple by ferry. Its situated on a huge rock where the great philosopher hadmeditated in 1892. There is a light house from where one can get a panoramic view.
Day 9: Kovalam
Sunday, December 15, 2024 - Monday, December 16, 2024
Relax on the beach or enjoy Ayurvedic massage. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 10: Kovalam - Thekkady
Monday, December 16, 2024 - Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Morning leave by road for Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Enroute enjoy the back water cruise from Alleppey to Changnacherry. Periyar sanctuary is one of the best in the country for watching and photographing wildlife. Arrive and stay at Hotel.
Day 11: Thekkady - Madurai
Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Early morning visit sanctuary to view wildlife. Shoot, of-course with your camera.Afternoon proceed by road to Madurai Arrive and stay at Hotel.
Day 12: Madurai - Tiruchirappalli
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 - Thursday, December 19, 2024
Morning half day city tour visiting the Meenakshi Temple. The huge temple complex with its magniflcient stone carvings was built in the 17th century by the Nayaks of Madurai. See the thousand pillar hall. Also see the Thirumalai Nayak Palace built in the Indo Saracenic style in 1636.Afternoon leave by road for Tiruchirapalli Arrive and check-in at Hotel for overnight stay.
Day 13: Tiruchirapalli - Puducherry
Thursday, December 19, 2024 - Friday, December 20, 2024
Morning half day city tour visiting Rock Fort, with the Vinayaka temple at the top reached by climbing 437 steps, Government Museum and Tiruvanaikkaval. Afternoon leave by road for Pondicherry. Enroute visit Thanjavur to visit the magnificent Brihadeeswar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which bears witness to the glory of Chola architecture, sculpture and painting. The Thanjavur Art Gallery has a priceless collection of bronze icons and granite sculptures dating from the 9th century AD. Arrive and overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 14: Puducherry - Mamallapuram
Friday, December 20, 2024 - Saturday, December 21, 2024
The history of Pondicherry goes back to the Roman times but actually started with the arrival of the French in 1693, who founded the town and built it in its present form, during the two and a half century they occupied it.Morning half day city tour visiting the impressive French colonial buildings and the Tamil streets, each named after a community, vibrate with cultural traditions. Also visit the famous
Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Quiet beaches and peaceful resorts to the north and south balance the town's bustling, yet easy going life. Afternoon leave by road for Mahabalipuram. Arrive and overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 15: Mamallapuram
Saturday, December 21, 2024 - Sunday, December 22, 2024
Morning half day visit the
Shore Temple on the beach, five rathas and see the rock carvings.Afternoon at leisure on the beach. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 16: Mamallapuram - Kanchipuram - Chennai
Sunday, December 22, 2024 - Monday, December 23, 2024
Afternoon leave by road for Chennai. Enroute visit Kanchippuram, the city of theousand temples. Once the capital of the Pallavas, Cholas and the Vijayanagar rulers, it is considered the second holiest place in India, next only to Varanasi. Visit the Kailasnatha temple, Ekambaranatha temple and Sri Kamakshi temple. Arrive Chennai and transfer to International Airport to fly back homeonward destination.
