Duration : 14 nights / 15 days
Destination covered : Mumbai -
Banglore - Shravanabelagola - Chikmagalur - Belur
- Mysore - Banglore - Cochine - Kumarakom - Thekkedy
- Madurai - Chennai - Kanchipuram - Chennai
HIGHLIGHTS
Hightlight: An unforgettalbe
panorama of unique sites shared with warm and friendly
people can be found in South India. Exquisite temples,
jungle habitats, cool hills, bustling markets, artistic
crafts...the excitement of each awaits you on this
tour.
• Kathakali dance drama
• Backwater cruise
• Bharatanatyam dance performance
Day 2 Mon: Arrive Mumbai
(Bombay)
Arrive tonight in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India's
most cosmopolitan city. You are greeted with a traditional
Indian welcome and escorted to your hotel.
Day 3 Tue: Mumbai Sightseeing
After a leisurely morning, embark on a tour of Mumbai.
Visit the Gateway of India, the Hanging Gardens,
Malabar Hill-where Mumbai's rich and famous live-the
Prince of Wales Museum, Dhobi Ghat, Marine Drive,
the Gandhi Memorial Museum and Jain Temple.
Day 4 Wed: Mumbai - Bangalore
- Shravanabelagola - Chikmagalur
This morning fly to Bangalore, one of the most beautiful
and well-planned cities in India. Upon arrival,
enjoy a tour of the "Garden City," including a visit
to Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens, the Mysore Arts and
Crafts Center, the bull temple and the colorful
and bustling markets. After lunch, proceed to Chikmagalur,
stopping en route to visit Shravanabelagola. Overnight
in Chikmagalur.
Day 5 Thu: Chikmagalur -
Belur - Halebid - Mysore
Drive to Mysore, stopping en route to visit Belur
& Halebid. Belur, situated on the banks of the Yagachi
River, is home to the Chennakesava Temple, which
basks in the glory of one of the greatest monuments
of medieval art in India. An outstanding example
of Indian temple architecture is found in Halebid.
Hoysaleshwara Temple's entire surface is covered
with a succession of friezes running its entire
length, featuring elephants, lions, horsemen, and
an incredible display of celestial beasts and birds.
Tonight, in Mysore, view the illuminated City Palace.
Enjoy your stay at the Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel,
which was built by the Maharajah of Mysore.
Day 6 Fri: Mysore Sightseeing
Your tour of Mysore includes visits to City Palace,
Chamundi Hill (where Nandi, a huge monolithic image
of Shiva's Bull, is always garlanded with flowers
and held in high esteem by Hindus), and the colorful
and aromatic spice markets. Your afternoon is at
leisure. This evening drive 10 miles from Mysore
to enjoy the beautiful and exquisitely illuminated
Brindavan Gardens, which sprawl amid gorgeous cascading
fountains.
Day 7 Sat: Mysore - Bangalore
- Cochin
Drive to Bangalore, stopping en route at Srirangapatnam,
where the legendary warrior Tipu Sultan built his
island fortress and Summer Palace. Upon arrival
in Bangalore, connect with your flight to Cochin
in the state of Kerala, known for its well-balanced
ecosystem. Tonight enjoy a presentation of the colorful
costumed Kathakali dance drama.
Day 8 Sun: Cochin Sightseeing
- Kumarakom
This morning visit the Portuguese-built St. Francis
Church, the Jewish Synagogue, the famed Mattancherry
Palace, and see the use of Chinese fishing nets-ingenious
devices requiring little human attention. Depart
this afternoon for Kumarakom, experiencing the rich
culture and active lifestyle that has evolved over
the centuries in and around the backwaters and waterways
that thread this region.
Day 9 Mon: Backwaters Cruise
This morning, enjoy a boat ride through the series
of canals and lagoons that snake their way through
several tiny villages and tropical vegetation. Not
only do the backwaters of Kerala link the state
together, they are an integral element in maintaining
ecological balance and creating harmony with nature.
Your afternoon is at leisure. You may want to experience
an Ayurvedic therapeutic massage, indigenous to
this region, which is both relaxing and healing,
or perhaps take advantage of the rich waters with
a bit of fishing.
Day 10 Tue: Kumarakom -
Thekkady
Your exploration of South India continues as you
travel to Thekkady, located on the Tamil Nadu /
Kerala border. This unique wildlife sanctuary is
about 300 square miles and centered on an artificial
lake fed by the Periyar River. Afternoon is at leisure.
Day 11 Wed: Thekkady - Madurai
This morning you will enjoy game viewing from boats
that carry you along convoluted waterways and afford
you sightings of elephants, bison, deer and occasionally
tigers. This tropical habitat makes it one of the
premiere reserves of southern India and home to
all manner of flora and fauna. This afternoon, drive
to Madurai, a bustling city packed with pilgrims,
businessmen, bullock carts and legions of rickshaw
pullers. In the evening, visit Meenakshi Temple
to witness the evening Puja ceremony.
Day 12 Thu: Madurai Sightseeing
- Chennai (Madras)
This morning, return to Meenakshi Temple, a riotously
baroque example of Dravidian architecture. Also
visit Thirumalai Nayak Palace and the Gandhi Museum.
Continue to Mariamman Teppakkulam Tank, site of
the Teppam or float festival in January each year.
Later fly to Chennai (formerly known as Madras),
the fourth largest city in India.
Day 13 Fri: Kanchipuram
& Mahabalipuram Excursion
Today, enjoy an excursion to Kanchipuram, one of
the seven sacred cities of India, which served as
a capital for several dynasties. Visit three of
the best temples-Kailasanatha and Ekambareshwara
(dedicated to Lord Shiva) and Vaikuntaperumal (dedicated
to Lord Vishnu). Continue your excursion to the
ancient Pallavan port of Mamallapuram, stopping
for lunch at a seaside resort. Later visit the 7th-century
rock hewn monuments. The shore temple, the last
surviving of seven temples, is a unique example
of a temple built of rock quarried elsewhere and
carried to shore.
Day 14 Sat: Chennai (Madras)
Sightseeing - Depart Chennai
Your tour of Chennai takes you to Victoria Art Gallery,
the Bronze Gallery and Chennai Museum. Visits to
Fort St. George, San Thome Cathedral and Kapaleeswarar
Temple complete your tour of Chennai. Afternoon
is at leisure. Tonight say farewell to unforgettable
India and board your international flight home.
Day 15 Sun: Arrive North
America
Arrive home, filled with colorful memories of your
sojourn through Southern India
Heritage
Culture 
