SOUTH INDIA HERITAGE TOUR

SOUTH INDIA HERITAGES TOUR WITH KERALA

South India is gifted with everything a tourist looks for. It has got beautiful hill stations, backwaters, wild life sanctuaries, ancient historical monuments, waterfalls and more. Enjoy a houseboat cruise at the famous Alleppey backwaters in Kerala, walk through the historical ruins of Hampi in Karnataka, visit the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu and much more. South Indian food is popular all over the world. Try the delicious South Indian cuisine yourself as you travel along the various destinations in South India.

Region: South India
Duration: 21 Nights & 22 days
Departure:Every day tour
Minimum Require Group Size: 02
Destination Covered: Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry – Thanjavur – Trichy – Madurai – Periyar – Alleppey – Cochin – Munnar – Ooty – Mysore – Hassan – Bengalur

ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrival, Chennai – Mahabalipuram
Upon your arrival in Chennai, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred directly to Mamallapuram which is located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. After hotel check-in, you will have some free time to recover from the jet lag, and get ready to find something in South India! Overnight Mahabalipuram.

Day 02: Historical Mahabalipuram
After breakfast, start your day at Mamallapuram with a visit to the 7th-century Shore Temple which is surrounded by lush gardens, followed by an exploration of the celebrated bas-relief at Arjuna’s Penance and the Five Rathas. The afternoon is at leisure on the beach. Overnight Mahabalipuram.

Day 03: Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry
Continue your journey down the coast to the former French colony of Pondicherry. First, visit Auroville (City of Dawn) and Aurobindo Ashram that promotes the ideas to bring about a synthesis of yoga and modern science. Later, take a walk through the French Quarter of Pondicherry to soak up the French flavors and feel the city’s leisurely approach to life when strolling past charming colonial architecture & street side cafes, you may also take a bicycle if you prefer. Overnight Pondicherry

Day 04: Leisure Day in Pondicherry
Today is free at your own leisure in this lovely town. Overnight Pondicherry.

Day 05: Pondicherry – Thanjavur – Tiruchirappalli
Travel further through the fertile region known as the ‘rice bowl’ of Tamil Nadu to Thanjavur. On guided afternoon tour, you will discover the monumental granite Temple of Brihadeeshwara (Bull Temple) which is capped by a monolithic cupola and a symbol of power and might of the Cholas who ruled between 9th and 13th centuries. Enjoy a wonderful collection of royal remnants of the early 19th century at nearby Thanjavur Palace. Observe and learn about how the exquisite bronzes and handicrafts are produced by the hands of local craftsmen. Drive to Trichy for an overnight stay. Overnight Tiruchirappalli.

Day 06: Tiruchirappalli
Today you will visit the Rock Fort. A climb of 434 steps leads to the ancient temple of Ganapati on top and a further climb to a Shiva temple. The rest of day is free at leisure. The car is at disposal all day. Overnight Tiruchirappalli.

Day 07: Tiruchirappalli – Madurai
Today you will drive to Madurai (approx. 3 hours), South India’s greatest temple town and significant pilgrim site. Overnight Madurai.

Day 08: Majestic Temples & Arts of Madurai
Madurai is the oldest city in Tamil Nadu. Today you will visit the thousand-year-old Meenakshi Temple, one of India’s largest pilgrim sites with 12 towering gopurams; it’s going to be unforgettable to observe the rituals and celebration during the evening puja ceremony inside the Meenakshi Temple.

Later, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace – a gracious building revealing the power and wealth of the Nayakas who made Madurai their capital in the 16th and 17th centuries. Continue to the Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple. Overnight: Madurai

Day 09: Madurai – Periyar
After breakfast drive through the Western Ghats to Periyar Tiger Reserve, India’s earliest sanctuary and one of the best places to see the Asian Elephant. After checking into your hotel, you have time to stroll through one of the spice plantations this area famous for and learn about the many different uses of spices, both in medicine and food. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight Periyar.

Day 10: Enchanting Periyar
In the early morning (around 7 am), you’ll enjoy a forest trek inside the National Park which takes 1-3 hours regarding your interest. After the trekking, take a late morning cruise on the picturesque Periyar Lake at the heart of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Afternoon free at leisure.

Optional: This night you can choose to take an optional martial art performance, the ancient Kalaripayattu that is said to be 3,000 years old. Overnight Periyar

Day 11: Periyar – Alleppey
After the breakfast, drive to Alleppey, embark on your houseboat and start an enchanting cruise along the reputed backwater of Kerala; just relax and lay back while you navigate slowly through the tranquil waterways. It is a wonderful opportunity to discover Kerala’s rural lifestyle. You’ll see that Kerala is known for its cashew nuts, coir trade, rice, pepper crops and coconuts. Overnight: Onboard

Day 12: Alleppey – Cochin
Morning drive to Cochin and transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit Cochin is the natural harbor created by the famed underwater Malabar mud-banks whose quality ensures that the rougher the seas are outside the calmer the waters are within the Harbour. Vasco-de-Gama placed it on the world map. It has a Jewish synagogue, Portuguese churches, mosques & Hindu temples. Watch the Chinese Fishing Nets. Enjoy the Kathakali Dance Performance in the evening. Overnight Cochin.

Day 13: Cochin – Munnar
Morning drive to Munnar and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight Munnar.

Day 14 Munnar City Tour
Today’s visit to the sights of Munnar will allow you to discover the breathtaking beauty of this idyllic destination in God’s own country. The unending of tea plantations, pristine valleys, and mountains, abundant species of flora and fauna in the forests, that’s all Munnar has to offer. Overnight Munnar.

Day 15: Turning to Ooty
Drive to Ooty this morning. After checking in the hotel, you are free to explore Ooty by yourself. Overnight Ooty.

Day 16: Greenly Ooty
Ooty is the right place for fans of nature. You will savor the “queen of all hill station” as you experience its charming flowers, lofty mountains, and lush forests. Overnight Ooty.

Day 17: Ooty – Mysore
Drive to Mysore this morning and transfer to the hotel. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight Mysore.

Day 18: Mysore Discovery
Morning tour of Mysore, visit the City Palace, a Hindu Temple and a monolithic sculpture of the bull Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva. Visit the beautiful Brindavan Gardens where you can admire the amazing topiaries and the illuminated, cascading fountains. In the afternoon, visit the Srirangapatnam. Overnight Mysore.

Day 19: Hoysala Architecture in Hassan
After breakfast, proceed to Hassan, visiting Belur & Halebidu en route. Halebidu is home to one of the best examples of Hoysala architecture in the ornate Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples.

Continue to discover the main attraction in Belur, including the Chennakeshava temple complex which contains the Chennakesava Temple as the centerpiece, surrounded by the Kappe Chennigraya temple built by Shantaladevi, queen of king Vishnuvardhana. Overnight Hassan.

Day 20: Hassan – Bengaluru
Morning drive to Bengaluru visiting Shravanabelagla en-route. The statue of Gommateshvara Bahubali at Shravanabelagola is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Jainism, one that reached a peak in architectural and sculptural activity under the patronage of Western Ganga Dynasty of Talakad. On arriving in Bengaluru, check into the hotel. Overnight Bengaluru.

Day 21: Bengaluru City Highlights
Morning half day city tour of Bengaluru – visit the Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens, the Mysore Arts and Crafts Center, the Bull Temple, and the colorful bustling local markets. This afternoon is free at leisure. Overnight Bengaluru.

Day 22: Bengaluru, Departure
Bid farewell, after check out from the hotel, our representative will escort you to the airport for your homebound flight.

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