South India Tours Packages - Splendour Tour

Durations : 17 nights / 18 days
Destinations : CHENNAI - MAHABALIPURAM – KANCHIPURAM -  TANJORE - TRICHY - MADURAI – PERIYAR - MUNNAR – KUMARAKOM –KOCHI – OOTY – MYSORE – HASSAN - BANGALORE

DAY 01 : HOME – CHENNAI

Upon arrival our company representative will meet you on arrival and give you transfer to the Hotel. Check-in and relax.

Chennai, the present gateway to the South is about 350 Yrs old. Chennai is ever growing, changing and pulsating with new activities. Capital of Tamil nadu, it is the fourth largest cities in India.

visit Kalashetra founded by Rukmini Devi Arundale in 1936 the institution is devoted to the revival of traditional dance, textile designing, and weaving, which are taught in naturally harmonious environs. Classical dance Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music permeate the very fabric of life in Chennai and the Kalakshetra at Tiruvanmiyur is a school of the Indian art epitomizing the revival of ancient culture, crafts and heritage.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel.

DAY 02 : CHENNAI

After Breakfast proceed for city sightseeing tour of Chennai visiting museum to see the Art and Bronze Gallery (closed on Fridays and Public Holidays). Fort St. George – this bastion derived its name from St. George, the patron saint of England, The State Legislature and the Secretariat are located inside this fort. Drive through the Flower and Fruit market also visit Fort museum, St. Thome Cathedral, Snake Park and Marina Beach.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel.

DAY 03 : CHENNAI – MAHABALIPURAM

After breakfast drive to mahabalipuram.
Mahabalipuram Globally renown for its shore temples, Mahabalipuram was the second capital of the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram. 58 kilometres from Madras on the Bay of Bengal, this tiny sea - side village of Mahabalipuram, is set in a boulder - strewn landscape. Tourists are drawn to this place by its miles of unspoiled beach and rock-cut art. The sculpture, here, is particularly interesting because it shows scenes of day-to- day life, in contrast with the rest of the state of Tamil Nadu, where the carvings generally depict gods and goddesses. Overnight Stay will be at hotel.

Visit The main attraction of Mamallapuram is the Shore Temple, which is renowned for its intricate carvings and skilled craftsmanship, the world over. The temple is located on the shore facing the sea. The most striking feature of this temple is that it is dedicated to both Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.

DAY 04 : MAHABALIPURAM – KANCHIPURAM - MAHABALIPURAM

Morning drive to Kanchipuram, 70 kms west of Mahabalipuram, this city of thousand temples lies. One of the seven sacred cities of Hindus, it was the capital of the early Cholas as far back as the 2nd century BC. Kanchi was a major seat of Tamil learning as well as an important place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus.
Apart from this, there are a number of other monuments here, such as the cave temples, sculpted relief and structural temples. Most of these monuments display Dravidian style of architecture. The pillars exhibit Dravidian art, whereas sculptures are excellent specimens of Pallava art.

Overnight stay will be at hotel.

DAY 05 : MAHABLIPURAM – CHIDAMBHARAM - TANJORE

After breakfast drive to Tanjore enroute visiting Chidambaram.
On arrival at Tanjore check in to the hotel.

The rice bowl of Tamil Nadu, Tanjavur, is a bustling country town, 55 km east of Trichy. Tanjavur rose to glory, during the later Chola reign, between the 10th and 14th centuries, and became a centre of learning and culture. It is also the headquarters of the district of the same name

Overnight stay will be at the hotel.

DAY 06 : TANJORE - TRICHY

After breakfast visiting Sri Brihadisvara Temple: Built by the great Chola king, Raja Raja I in the 10th century AD, this temple is an outstanding example of the Chola architecture. Also visiting Tanjavur Palace: The Palace, adjacent to the temple is a vast structure of fine masonry, built partly by the Nayaks around 1550 AD, and partly by the Marathas.

After noon drive to Trichy, and check in at the hotel.
Excursion to Srirangam, evening visit Rock fort temple during sun set.

Tiruchirappalli, situated on the banks of the river Cauvery is the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu. It was a citadel of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas. Trichy is a fine blend of tradition and modernity built around the Rock Fort. Apart from the Fort, there are several Churches, Colleges and Missions dating back to the 1760s. The town and its fort, now in Trichy were built by the Nayaks of Madurai.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel.

DAY 07 : TRICHY - MADURAI

After breakfast drive to Madurai on arrival check in to the hotel

Morning sightseeing tour of Madurai. Madurai, known as Athens of the East, it is the second largest city on the banks of the River Vigai. The city believed to be more than 2500 yeras old. The city got its name from the drops of nectar (Mathuram) that fell from Shiva's locs when he came to bless its people for constructing a temple for him. Madurai where the people wake up at the chant of hymns is proud of magnificent 'The Meenakshi-Sundareswara Temple.
Afternoon sightseeing, evening attend temple ceremony

Overnight stay will be at hotel

DAY 08 : MADURAI – PERIYAR

Drive to Periyar Upon arrival at Periyar - check into hotel

Periyar tiger Reserve, Thekkady, is an example of nature’s bounty, with great scenic charm, rich bio diversity and providing veritable visitor satisfaction. Sprawled over an area of 777 Sq .km., Periyar is one of the 27 tiger reserves in India.Zealously guarded and efficiently managed reserve is a repository of rare, endemic and endangered flora and fauna and forms the major watershed of two important rivers of Kerala, the Periyar and Pamba.

Boats ride on Lake Periyar to watch animals in their natural habitat. The earliest sanctuary, it was set up in 1934 and forms part of the mountain ranges, the Western Ghats. Cruising on Lake Periyar, you are likely to see animals like wild boars, sambars, wild dogs, langur monkeys and wild elephants.

Overnight stay will be at hotel

DAY 09 : PERIYAR - MUNNAR

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Munnar upon arrival in Munnar- check in to the hotel.

Munnar - breathtakingly beautiful - a haven of peace and tranquility - the idyllic tourist destination in God's own country.Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests - aroma of spice scented cool air - yes! Munnar has all these and more housing world's highest tea-growing estates.

Proceed for sightseeing of Munnar, which includes Rajamalai, Matuppetty, and Kundala Dam. (Subject to permission from authorities)

Overnight stay will be at hotel

DAY 10 : MUNNAR – KUMARAKOM

After breakfast drive to Kumarakom switching over to a boat for a through many canals and waterways up to Alleppey. The backwater cruise in a country boat is the best way to explore the villages and rural life. In Alleppey you will be taken aboard your floating houseboat, a different boat with a bedroom and en-suite rest room for your comfort. Enjoy unlimited surfing on backwaters, sip a coconut, get disturbed by only the chirping of birds and occasional ripples in water and savor mouthwatering delicacies prepared in front of you by your Kitchen crew. Spend the night on board the houseboat. Enjoy a cruise on the backwater through a maze of canals and lagoons and enjoy freshly caught fresh water fish cooked to your taste on board.

About House Boat

Earlier Houseboats of Kerala are known as "Kettuvallam", these huge, ling and tapering barges were traditionally used to cargo tonnes of goods across kingdoms, with portion covered with bamboo and coir serving as a rest room and kitchen for the crew. A familiar sight on the Backwaters, these vessels are built entirely without nails. Plants of jack wood are joined together and coir rope and coated with caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kennels. With careful maintenance they last for generations. Today widely and appropriately called Luxury Houseboats, (Kerala Backwaters) they carry furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. As you cruise down the canal you can see morning newspaper and mail delivery by boat, vendors in boat paddle from house to house selling everyday provisions like rice, vegetables, oil, kerosene etc. with hundreds of quacking ducks around. Also you can see village activities, fisherman's activities and see old beautiful temples, churches and old fashioned Kerala

Overnight at House Boat

DAY 11 : ALLEPPEY – COCHIN

Drive to Cochin or "Kochi"- the palm green, commercial capital of Kerala is known as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea". Afternoon proceed for sightseeing Visiting Kochi beach, St. Francis Church, Fort Kochi, Santa Cruz Basilica, Fort Kochi, Jewish Synagogue and Jew Town, Mattancherry, Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace), Mattancherry and The Chinese fishing nets (Cheenavala) are distinctly unique to Cochin. These nets are found only in Kochi, outside China.

Overnight stay will be at hotel
 
DAY 12 : COCHIN - OOTY

After breakfast drive to Ooty and check in at the hotel.Ooty, the hill station famous for tea estates, and in the evening go for boat ride on the lake.

Overnight stay will be at hotel.

DAY 13 : OOTY

Day leisure for own activities and to explore Ooty your own

Over night stay will be at hotel

DAY 14 : OOTY – MYSORE

In the morning proceed Get ready to enjoy the hill station Tour at ooty. Morning enjoy toy train ride  Visit the botanical gardens, Rose Garden, Avmamore Palace, and Govt. Museum and enjoy a boating through the enchanting 'Lake'. Inhale deeply to get the best of Eucalyptus-scented air.

In the afternoon proceed to Mysore - the princely city of South India...
On arrival check into the Hotel & relax
In the evening we will be free for shopping.

Overnight stay will be at Hotel.

DAY 15 : MYSORE – HASSAN

After breakfast, we proceed on a city tour of Mysore. Enjoy the royal streets with broad tree-lined avenues. View of Mysore, Visit Chama rajendra art gallery.

Next take the road to Chamundi Hills, 1062 metres above MSL. Have a panoramic view of Mysore city below.
Drive to Hassan enroute visit Sriranqapatnam.

Srirangapatna is an island fortress encircled by river. Cauvery. High stone walls and moats enclose temples, palaces and great mosque.

Daria Daulat Bagh with its delicate lattice work and frescoes was the summer palace of Tipu Sultan, the ligendary Tiger of Mysore, who defied the might of the British. Nearby, are the tombs of Tipu and his celebrated father Hyder Ali and the famous Sri Ranganatha Temple which gives this charming town its name. Other interesting stops include Royal Mosque and Wellesley Bridge.

Hassan an epicenter and a major highlight on the tourist map of south India, it is a gateway to some of the most historic and awe-inspiring temple trails linked to Hoysala Dynasty. It is also known as "Triangular eloquence in stone", a lot more to sightseeing around Hassan than just that. Besides the ancient heritage it has, it is famous for Agricultural produce such as Paddy, Pulses, Cereals, Spices, Coffee and Potato. The new found crop of Vanilla Beans and Gherkin has caught up in the world market.

Overnight stay will be at Hotel.

DAY 16 : HASSAN – BANGALORE

Morning excursion to the 11th centuary temples on Belur and Halebid. Afternoon drive to Bangalore enroute visit Shravanabelgola.

Belur is known as the Dakshina Varanasi or Southern Banaras. The serenity of Belur is attributed to the celebrated temple of Channakeshava, built by the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 A.D. to commemorate his conversion from Jainism to Vaishnavism.

Halebid is 15 km from Belur. This place was known as Dwara Samudra, the wealthy capital of Hoysalas. Halebid has several strikingly beautiful Hoysala temples and Jain shrines

Sharavanabelagola 51 km, a monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara, a Jain saint standing atop of Indiragiri hill is 17 meters high and it is one of the tallest monolith statues in the world created in the year 981 AD by Chamundaraya during King Rachamatta's period

Overnight stay will be at Hotel.

DAY 17 : BANGALORE

Bangalore and the surrounding area boast lots of interesting attractions, including palaces, temples, botanical gardens and parks. Considered by many to be one of India’s top travel destinations, the city offers up a pleasing combination of the ultra-modern and reminders of the country’s ancient roots. Cubbon Park, set in the city’s centre, features lovely gardens and shaded areas, and also a very popular amusement park; and the Labagh Botanical Gardens, located to the south, is home to an impressive collection of rare tropical plant species. The architecture of the city’s palaces and temples ranges from sleek modern to exotic ancient styles

Cubbon Park
The park is centrally located, and provides an area of visual beauty as well as shade from the hot sun. You’ll find literally hundreds of blooming shrubs and trees; an amusement park; and quiet spaces for relaxation. Several impressive structures surround the park, including the Aquarium; the Karnataka High Court, also known as Attara Kacheri; the Government (archaeological) Museum; Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall; the Venkatappa Art Gallery; and the Visveswaraya Industrial and Technological Museum.

Fort and Tipu Sultan's Palace
The old fort is in ruin, but parts still stand as a reminder of the local struggle led by Tipu Sultan against the domination of the British. Built by Kempe Gowda in 1537, features of note include the Islamic-style carved arches and the Ganapati temple – which is quite well preserved. Tipu Sultan's Palace, which is situated close by the fort, was completed in 1791, and now houses a museum. The palace is a wooden structure, standing two storeys tall, having carved, ornate arches, pillars and balconies.

Labagh Botanical Gardens
The word ‘labagh’ refers to the profusion of red-coloured blossoms of the roses planted in these botanical gardens, situated south of Bangalore. Designed in the 18th century by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, his son, the garden boasts trees standing today that date from that time. India’s largest collection of rare tropical plants is found here, as is a glass house that’s copied from the Crystal Palace in London.

Overnight stay will be at Hotel.

DAY 18 : BANGALORE - HOME

Transfer to the international airport to catch the flight home with the sweet memories of the tour.

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