Theme Packages
The Enchanting South IndiaDuration : 21 Days
Destinations
- Chennai
- Chettinad
- Cochin
- Delhi
- Kerala
- Madurai
- Mahabalipuram
- Mysore
- Sultana's Battery
- Tanjore
- Trichy
Description
The grand tour of South India covers the Chennai city, the regal city of Mysore, Sulthans Battery, the colonial charm of Cochin, the temple town of Madurai and the fantastic architecture of Tanjore and Pondicherry. The last few days are spent on the beaches of Mahabalipuram.
DAY# 1 Delhi
The guests assembled at the hotel in Delhi are taken to Chennai by flight.
Day# 2 Chennai
The morning in the city is dedicated for leisurely activities. In the afternoon you can visit St. George Fort, the Indo-Saracenic High Court building, the Theosophical Society building and gardens, the Kapaleeswarar Temple of Shiva of the 16th century and the Cholamandal Artists’ Village.
Day# 3 Mysore
From Chennai, you are taken to Mysore by train. The whole afternoon is spent on Karnataka’s second city, Mysore. The Maharaja’s Palace situated at the foot of the Chamundi Hills is the most wonderful attraction in Mysore.
Mysore is a wonderful place for shopping as it is famous for its silk, incense and carved sandalwood. A half-an-hour drive from Mysore will take you to Tipu Sultan’s fort, Srirangapatnam. The burial places of Tipu and Hyder Ali can also be seen in the summer palace.
Day# 4, 5 & 6 Sultan’s Battery
Sultan Battery is a beautiful place of coffee and cardamom plantations. It was previously known as the Ganapathivattom - "the fields of Lord Ganesha." Tipu Sultan had built a fort and battery for his army here. There are the Edakkal Caves on the summit of the Ambukuthimala Hill and Muthanga National Park. Tourists are taken to various historical and natural attractions.
Day# 7 & 8 Cochin
The guests are taken to Cochin. The afternoon is spent for sightseeing and shopping. Cochin is the great water city of the Malabar Coast sprawling over islands and headlands in the Arabian Sea and leading into the canals of the Backwaters. There are Portugal Churches, Hindu temples, the Mattancherry Palace all of which have a wonderful blend of architectural styles.
Day# 9 Kerala Backwaters
You can travel to the backwaters and spend the day in a houseboat. It is a place just to relax watching the birds and looking at the jungle that slides by. These backwaters are a set of canals and lakes that stretches between Cochin and Quilon on Malabar Coast.
Day# 10 Kerala
On this day the guests can spend their time in boating, fishing, trekking, sightseeing as they wish.
Day# 11 & 12 Madurai
The guests are taken to the extrovert city of Madurai. The Madurai city had originally evolved around the Great Temple of the Meenakshi-Sundareshwar. It was ruled by the great Queen Pandai.
Day# 13 Chettinad
The guests are brought to Chettinad and the afternoon is spent at the ancestral homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars or “Chettinadâ€. The city is renowned for its mansions and rich and distinctive dishes.
Day# 14 Tanjore
Guests are taken to Tanjore. It is the busiest rural center of the fertile rice-growing region of the vast delta of the river Kavery.
Day# 15 Tanjore & Trichy
Tanjore was once the capital of the powerful Chola dynasty. The Cholas were great art patrons and this can be seen from the beautiful carvings in the Brihadiswara Temple built by King Rajaraja.
Day# 16 Arrive Pondicherry
A drive via Dharasuram, Kumbakonam and Gangaikondacholapuram would bring you to Pondicherry.
Day# 17 Pondicherry
The day is spent by sightseeing around Pondicherry. It is the Union Territory in the Bay of Bengal and is also the home to Sri Aurobindo Ashram. There are Catholic Churches, museum and the 19th century Botanical Gardens.
Day# 18, 19 & 20 Mahabalipuram
A drive would bring you to Mahabalipuram, famous for its shore temples; Mahabalipuram is an old port city. The afternoon you can spend for sightseeing, shopping and the following days you can visit the temples.
Day# 21 Delhi
On the 21st day guests are taken to hotel in Delhi. From there they can depart to their hometown.
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