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Our 15- day South India Discovery itinerary offers a fascinating blend of ancient traditions, spectacular temple architecture, and distinctive art and dance forms. Markedly different from the north in terms of climate and culture, the exotic south has a wealth of attractions.
Day 1 Arrival Mumbai
Warm welcome with fresh flower garlands, your room is available for immediate occupancy.
Day 2 In Mumbai
After a morning at leisure, we visit the Prince of Wales museum, The Gateway of India overlooking the harbor and the Dhobi Ghat, a unique and colorful outdoor laundry. Than drive up Malabar Hill to the lovely Hanging gardens and Kamla Nehru Park. Back in the city we visit Mani Bhawan, a small museum dedicated to the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi and end our day at bustling Crawford market.
Overnight hotel
Day 3 Mumbai – Chennai
Fly to Chennai, Afternoon tour of – Chennai, founded by the British in the 17th century and still retaining much of its colonial elegance. We visit museum, art gallery, St. George Fort & Temple of Kapaleeshwara.
Overnight hotel
Day 4 Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram
Leave for Mahabalipuram - famous for the 7th Century Temples.
En route we visit Kanchipuram - the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines.
Overnight hotel
Day 5 Mahabalipuram - Tiruvannamalai – Pondicherry
Travel to the ancient French colony, Pondicherry.
En route we stop at Tiruvannamalai, a temple Town with over 100 temples, which includes the largest Shiva Parvati temple - 13 stories high, with a 1000 pillared hall.
Overnight hotel
Day 6 Pondicherry - Trichy
We visit Aurbindo Ashram, promotes Aurbindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter.
Post lunch visit Auroville, a unique experiment in international living and in creating a new environment where men and women of all nationalities live together in harmony.
Overnight hotel
Day 7 Trichy - Thanjavur
Morning visit the Rock-Fort is the landmark of Trichy. A climb of 434 steps leads to the ancient temple of Ganapati on top. From here we will get a good view of Sri Rangam Temple and the Cauvery River.
Travel by road to Thanjavur.
Overnight hotel
Day 8 Thanjavur - Madurai
Morning visit the beautiful Chola Temple of Brihadeshwara is capped by a monolithic cupola made of a single granite block weighing 80 tons which was taken to the top with the help of a 6 km long ramp, an old technique used by the Egyptians for building pyramids
Post lunch drive to Madurai - one of the great pilgrimage centers of the south.
Overnight hotel
Day 9 In Madurai
Today we visit the vast Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva. Tirumala Nayak Palace - a gracious building in the Indo saracenic style, famous for the Stuccowork on its domes & arches.
Evening enjoy the « Sound and light show » at Tirumala Nayak Palace and later we leave to witness the Aarti ceremony at Meenakshi Temple.
Overnight hotel
Day 10 Madurai - Kanyakumari - Kovalam
Travel to Kovalam En route visit Sree Padmanabhapuram Palace in Kanyakumari.
Overnight hotel
Day 11 In Kovalam
Day at leisure to relax on the beach. Overnight hotel
Day 12 Kovalam - Alleppey - Kumarakom
We drive to Alleppey and at noon embark the deluxe houseboat for a thrilling experience of backwater in Kerala as we travel towards Kumarakom we experience the kerala’s village lifestyle.
Overnight houseboat.
Day 13 In Kumarakom
Arrive Kumarakom and relax in the backwater resort.
Overnight hotel
Day 14 Kumarakom - Periyar
Drive to Periyar , Here, on an afternoon « safari cruise » on Lake Periyar, we slip slowly through the animals jungle environment.
Overnight hotel
Day 15 Periyar - Cochin - Mumbai
Drive to Cochin airport and fly to Mumbai.
Day at leisure.
Day 16 Departure
Early this morning transfer to the airport to Board your flight back home.
Extend Your Stay
Not quite ready to end your holiday, take our extension trip to « Karnataka ».
Optional Post – Tour Extension Karnataka
6 Days & 5 Nights
- Free and easy tour
- Comprehensive sightseeing tours
- World heritage sights visits
- A delightful and thrilling shopping experience
- In-depth knowledge on Indian rich Culture, Traditions, Arts, Crafts, History, Heritage, Religions and much more
- Explore the World Heritage Mahabalipuram Temples and the art of Chennai
- Explore the historic French colonial town of Pondicherry and the temple cities of Thanjavur, Trichy and Madurai
- Visit the enormous complex of Meenakshi temple in Madurai and witness the evening prayer ceremony
- Cruise Kerala’s serene backwaters and lagoons on a private houseboat before ending your journey at a lovely beach resort on the shores of the Indian Ocean
Please complete the following information to request a reservation. Once we receive your request we will contact you within one business day to confirm availability, answer any questions you may have and to advise you the deposit due date.
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