Day 01: Arrive Madras (Chennai)
Arrive and check-in to hotel. Afternoon Chennai city tour to see some
of the highlights of India's fourth largest city. Visit the National Art
Gallery and Museum, which houses some of the most beautiful temple
frescos and South Indian bronzes; the Cathedral of San Thome, the
Mylapore Temple and St. Mary's Church. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 02: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram
Full day excursion of Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram. Drive to
Kanchipuram (71 km / 1.5 hours) from Chennai. Visit Kanchipuram, the
golden city of a thousand temples and one of the seven sacred cities of
India. It has many Gopurams. Proceed towards Mahabalipuram (55 km / 1
hour), which is an ancient coastal port and world famous for its shore
temple. Return to Chennai for overnight stay.
Day 03: Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry
Morning drive to Pondicherry (130 km /3 hours), an old French
settlement. Check-in at the hotel there. Afternoon sightseeing tour of
Pondicherry. (please suggest any place to visit enroute). Overnight stay
at the hotel.
Day 04: Pondicherry - Trichy - Tanjore
Morning drive to Tanjore (190 km), enroute visiting the Rock Fort
temple in Trichy. Check in at the hotel after it. Afternoon outing for a
tour around Tanjore city visiting the various temples, outstanding among
them is the Brihadeswara Temple. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 05: Tanjore - Madurai
Drive to Madurai (190 km/5 hours), which is a destination for the
spiritually inclined. Upon arrival check in at the hotel. In the evening
witness the closing prayer ceremony in the Meenakshi Temple, the famous
landmark of this city. Overnight at the hotel in Madurai.
Day 06: Madurai - Periyar
Drive to Periyar (137 km / 4.5 hours). Check-in at the hotel. In the
afternoon visit the wild life reserve by boat on lake Periyar. Overnight
at the hotel.
Day 07: Periyar - Kumarakom
Wildlife morning tour by boat, afternoon drive to Kumarkonam. Check in
at hotel after arrival, leave for the visit to teagardens and explore
the natural beauty. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 08: Kumarakom - Allepey - Cochin
Morning leave for cruise boat up to Alleppey. On arrival, meeting at
the boatyard and transfer to hotel in Cochin. Kathakali dance show in
the evening, overnight stays at hotel.
Day 09: Cochin - Ooty
Morning sightseeing tour of Cochin visiting Jewish synagogue,
Mattenchery Dutch Palace, Jew Town and Fort Cochin area. Afternoon visit
to Ooty.
Day 10: Ooty
Day for the tour of Ooty town and to explore the natural surroundings.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 11: Ooty - Mysore
Morning free, afternoon drive to Mysore. On arrival check in at hotel.
Day 12: Mysore
Morning visit of Mysore, which is known for its fine craftsmanship in
wood, ivory, sandalwood and for its silk. Visit the Maharaja Palace,
which is lavishly decorated in a mixture of styles. Also visit the
Zoological Garden, the Mysore Arts & Crafts Center. Afternoon visit
Brindavan Gardens (17 Kms) to see it illuminated in the evening and
attend a musical fountain show around 1900 Hours. Overnight stay at
hotel.
Day 13: Mysore - Bangalore
Morning out for a Bangalore City sightseeing with an excursion to
Cubbon Park laid out in 1864, 300 acres of verdant park-land. The
Bangalore Palace, built by the Wodeyer ruler of Mysore over a 100 years
ago, the unusual structure of Granite, the palace is modeled on the
Windsor Palace. The fort and Tipu Sultan's palace, a collection of
memorabilia of the 18th century. We also visit the Government Museum and
Venkatappa Art gallery - one of the oldest in the country, established
in 1886 adorned with relic of Mohenjodaro period. The historic sprawling
gardens at the Lal Bagh extended over 240 acres, was laid out by Hyder
Ali and Tipu Sultan in 18th century. We drive past the Vidhan Soudha,
High Court and the bull temple.
Evening transfer to airport for flight to Chennai. Transfer again for
international airport.
