Classical South India Tour
Architecture, Backwaters, Palace and Beach
Day 1
Chennai Arrival to Mahabalipuram (70kms/1hr 30minutes drive)
On arrival at Chennai International Airport you will be received by our Driver and transfer to Mahabalipuram (1h 30 minutes drive)
Check into your hotel.
Stay night at Mahabalipuram
Day 2
Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (70kms/2hrs each way)
Morning drive to Kanchipuram-one of the 7 sacred cities of India,ancient capital of the Pallava dynasty and one among the 3 main cities famous for silk weaving.Visit the temple of Kailasanatha and Ekambareshwara.You can also visit the silk weaving units if you are interested.After the visits drive to Mahabalipuram.
On arrival visit the famous monolithic temples known as the 5 Rathas,old light house,the Shore Temple.
Staynight at the hotel.
Day 3
Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry (100 kms/2h 30min)
After breakfast visit the Arjuna penance, Krishna’s Butter Ball, Varaha Cave and the Krishna mandapam.
Later drive to Pondicherry the former French colony, the centre of the town still retains a French atmosphere in its architecture.
Check in the hotel.
Later visit the Aurobindo Ashram, Manakula vinayagar temple, Notre dame des ange church, walk around the French quarters.
Also visit the Goubert Market-the colourful flower, fruit, vegetable fish market of Pondichery and walk to the beach.
Staynight at Pondicherry.
Day 4
Pondicherry - Chidambaram (2h) - Gangaikondacholapuram (1h) - Kumbakonam (1h) - Tanjore (1h/210 kms)
After breakfast drive to Kumbakonam.
On the way we visit Chidambaram the temple dedicated to the Cosmic dance of Shiva,known as Nataraja. Continue the drive to Gangaikondacholapuram considered built by the Cholas with rare sculptures Later drive to Darasuram, considered to be the finest miniature granite architecture of Tamilnadu.
After the visit drive down to Tanjore.
Stay night at Tanjore.
Day 5
Tanjore - Trichy - Tanjore (130 kms/1h 15min)
After breakfast drive to Trichy and on arrival stop on the banks of the holy river cauvery where you can see the pilgrims dipping in the river with many Brahmin priests doing various kinds of rituals, very colourful and unique. Later visit the huge temple Sri ranganathaswami in Srirangam where the town itself is within the temple walls.
Drive back to Tanjore.
Afternoon visit the Bronze museum known as Art Gallery where you can see one of the most beautiful, delicately made wax lost bronze statues.
visit the famous Brihadeeswara Temple of Tanjore, one of the many masterpiece skills of the Cholas.
Stay night at Tanjore.
Day 6
Tanjore to Chettinad (120kms/2h 30min)
After breakfast drive to Chettinad the land of traditional bankers and traders who built spectacular bungalows and mansions all around this region.
On arrival check into your hotel.
Afternoon visit a paletale Chettiyar House and in the evening walk through the village to have a glimpse of the local life.
Stay night at Chettinad.
Day 7
Chettinad - Madurai (80kms/2hrs)
After breakfast drive to Madurai and on arrival check into the hotel and relax.
Afternoon visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace – a gracious building in Indo ceramic style, famous for the Stucco work. In the evening visit the great temple dedicated to the Godess Meenakshi considered to be a big pilgrime center for the Hindus.
Stay night at Madurai.
Day 8
Madurai - Periyar (150kms/4hrs)
Post breakfast drive to Periyar which is famous for its wildlife sanctuary.
Check into the resort and later enjoy 2hrs elephant package which includes 1hr ride and then bathing, feeding, timber dragging process, command and communication, etc.
In the evening watch a theatrical performance of Kathakali dance and Kalaripayattu martial art show.
Stay night at Periyar.
Day 9
Periyar - Aleppey (190kms/5hrs)
After late breakfast visit a Spice garden where you can see the different types of spices grown. Continue your drive to Aleppey through the tea, rubber and pine apple plantations. On arrival check in to your Houseboat traditionally known as Kettuvalam. You will be served with your lunch on board. Time to relax and enjoy the nature and the people. Dinner on board.
Stay night in Houseboat.
Day 10
Alleppey - Cochin (70kms/1h 30min)
After breakfast disembark the houseboat at Alleppey by 9.30am, from where you will be picked and transfer to Cochin. On arrival check into your hotel.
In the evening watch a theatrical performance of Kathakali dance. Stay night at Cochin.
Day 11
Cochin
Breakfast in the morning.Visit the Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace, St.Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica and the Chinese Fishing Nets. Later in the afternoon 2 hours sunset cruise.
Stay night at the Hotel.
Day 12
Cochin - Munnar (150kms/4 h 30min)
After breakfast drive to Munnar, considered to be the Heaven of Tea plantation. On arrival check in the hotel.
Afternoon visit a tea factory and walk around the town.
Stay night in Munnar.
Day 13
Munnar - Mettupalayam (195kms/6h drive)
After breakfast Trekking in the Tea plantation for 2 to 3 hours.
Afternoon drive to Mettupalayam
Stay night in Mettupalayam.
Day 14
Mettupalayam - Ooty - Mysore
After an early breakfast drive to railway station to board the UNESCO declared Toy Train (Dep 07 h10) to Ooty (Arr 12 h 00).
On arrival you will be met by your driver and continue the drive to Mysore (4 h drive)
Stay night in Mysore.
Day 14
Mysore - Somnathpur - Srirangapatna - Mysore (1h 15 min one way)
Breakfast in the hotel.
In the morning proceed on a half day excursion to Somnathpur to visit Hoysala type of temples.
Return to Mysore via Srirangapatina (45 min drive).
In the afternoon visit Mysore Palace.
In the evening visit Chamundhi hill and the colourful Devaraja Market.
Stay night at the hotel in Mysore.
Day 15
Mysore - Sravanabelagola - Hassan (130kms/3hr 30min)
Breakfast in the hotel.
Leave for Hassan.
On the way visit Saravanabelagola (2h 15min drive).
Arrive Hassan and check in at the hotel.
Afternoon visit the temples at Belur (45 min drive) and Halebid (30 min drive).
Return to Hassan (45 min drive).
Stay night at the hotel in Hassan.
Day 16
Hassan - Hospet (360 kms/8h drive)
After breakfast drive to Hospet. It will be a long drive but you will enjoy the road side villages and landscapes.
On arrival check in the Hotel.
Stay night in Hospet.
Day 17
Hospet - Hampi - Hospet (15kms/25min one way)
After breakfast full day excursion to Hampi, a very rich and fertile capital city of Vijayanagar Empire which had palaces, temples and sculptures, spread all over. The city was razed to the ground by the Sultanates of South in 1565. Some of the interesting ruins remaining are the Virupaksha, Vittala and Hazara Rama temples, huge Ganesha and Narasimha images, the elephant stables, the Queen’s Bath, carvings on the Ramachandra temple and Lotus Mahal.
After completing the Hampi tour drive back to the hotel.
Stay night at Hospet.
Day 18
Hospet - Badami (200kms/5hrs)
After breakfast drive to Pattadakal and Aihole to visit the great temple sites there. Pattadakal is a world heritage site with a cluster of 10 major temples,each displaying interesting architectural features. Aihole has about 125 temples divided into 22 groups scattered all over the villages and the near by fields.Here visit some of the major temples like Durga temple, Lad Khan temple, Huchimalli temple,Ravalphadi Cave temple, Konti temple, Umamaheswari temple, Jain Meguti temple and the Buddhist temple.
On arrival Check in the hotel.
Stay night in Badami.
Day 19
Badami - Hubli (110kms/3 h 30min drive)
After breakfast visit the exclusively rock cut Badami caves dedicated to Hindu Gods and the Jain Thirthangaras.
Afternoon leave for Hubli.
Day 20
Hubli - Goa (7h drive)
After breakfast drive to Goa. On arrival check in your hotel.
Rest of the day free.
Day 21
Goa
After breakfast visit the old Goa.
Rest of the day free.
Day 22
Goa
Breakfast in the hotel.
Free day to relax.
Day 23
Goa - Departure
Breakfast in the hotel.
Free day to relax.