South India Tour Package Duration - 21 Days / 20 Nights

Destinations Covered - Mumbai - Hyderabad - Bangalore - Mysore - Cochin - Kumarakom - Thekkady - Madurai - Trichy - Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Chennai

Day 01 Arrive / Mumbai / Hyderabad
Namaste! Welcome to India!

Arrive very early this morning in Mumbai, India's most cosmopolitan city. You are greeted with a traditional Indian welcome and escorted to your hotel. Rooms have been pre-registered for immediate occupancy.

This morning's tour of Mumbai includes the City of Bombay, a blend of East and West. Your survey of the city will include the British built arch "Gateway of India", Bombay's landmark, built in commemoration of the visit of King George the Vth and Queen Mary for the Delhi Durbar in 1911. See the Hanging Gardens, located on the crest of Malabar Hill, a welcome oasis of green and almost entirely concrete and cement. Visit the Prince of Wales Museum built between 1904 and 1914 which was used during World War I as a hospital. The huge structure can be spotted from a distance as sunshine sparkles on the massive marble dome. The museum houses a priceless collection of art considered one of the best in all India, including a rich display of miniature paintings, ancients sculptures, jade, china and much more. Also visit the affluent community of Malabar Hills, Dhobi Ghat, Marine Drive, the Gandhi Memorial Museum and Jain Temple.

Late this evening, you will be transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Hyderabad.

Upon arrival in Hyderabad, a stunning contrast between the old and new, the traditional and modern., you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel (B)

Day 02 Golconda Fort Excursion / City Tour
The ancient fort of Golconda is a former capital of Qutub Shahi dynasty of rulers. Originally a mud structure, it grew into a magnificent fortress citadel. The citadel itself is built on a granite hill and surrounded by battlement ramparts constructed of large block masonry, some of them weighing several tons. The massive gates are studded with large pointed iron spikes intended to prevent elephants from battering them. It is further protected by a cordon wall to check direct attack. Outside of the citadel stands another battlement rampart with perimeter of more than 6 miles. All of these walls are in an excellent state of preservation. Unfortunately, many of the structures inside the citadel-- the palaces and harem of the Qutub Shahi Kings, assembly halls, arsenal, stables and barracks have suffered a great deal from past sieges and the ravages of time. Enough remains, however, to give a good impression of what it must once have looked like. One of the most remarkable features of the fort is its system of acoustics-- the sound of hands clapped in the Grand Portico can be heard in the Durbar Hall at the very top of the hill. Tombs of the dynasty rulers are also situated nearby, set in manicured gardens.

Hyderabad city tour reveals an amalgam of old world charm together with the ebullience of modern growth. Visit Char Minar-- the city's landmark, with its four minarets. Built in the 16th-century, it still stands amid the bazaars of the old city. See Mecca Masjid and the impressive 17th-century mosque built of granite; Birla Temple, the library and university all displaying the grandeur of modern-day India. Salar Jung Museum housing an extraordinary private collection of unique, rare and fine art objects representative of the great wealth of the Nizam, who once was the wealthiest man in the world. Overnight is at the hotel. (B)
Day 03 Hyderabad / Bangalore
Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangalore.

Upon arrival in Bangalore, you are met and transferred to your hotel. Bangalore- built in the 16th century by a feudal lord, enlarged by the legendary Tipu Sultan and later laid out by the British, Bangalore is undoubtedly one of India's most gracious cities. A creation of this century, Bangalore today is one of India's thriving commercial and industrial centers.

This afternoon tour the "Garden City," including a visit to the beautiful Lalbagh Botanical Gardens containing rare and exotic flowers and plants. The gardens are said to be developed and laid out by Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan as a summer garden almost two centuries ago. Visit the Mysore Arts and Crafts Center, the Bull Temple and the colorful and bustling markets. (B)

Day 04 Bangalore / Belur / Halebid / Chikmagalur
Drive to Chikmagalur (113 miles / 5 hrs) en route visiting Belur & Halebid. Belur was once the capital of the Hoysala empire, today made unforgettable for its exquisite temples. The Chennakesava Temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. It took 103 years to complete and you can see why. The facade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures and friezes with no portion left blank. Elephants, episodes from the epics, sensuous dancers... they are all there - awe-inspiring in their intricate workmanship. Inside are hand-lathe-turned filigreed pillars. The Veeranarayana Temple and the smaller shrines are well worth a visit.

About 17 km East of Belur stands Halebid, the ancient capital of the Hoysalas, formerly known as Dwarasamudram (Gateway to the seas). The temples of Halebid represent one of the most artistically exuberant periods of Hindu cultural development. One of the marvelous temples is the Shiva Temple. The temples of Halebid - like those of Belur - bear mute testimony to the rich, cultural heritage of Karnataka. The Hoysalesvara Temple, dating back to the 12th century, is astounding for its wealth of sculptural details. The walls of the temple are covered with an endless variety of gods and goddesses, animals, birds and dancing girls. Yet no two facets of the temple are the same. This magnificent temple - guarded by a Nandi Bull - was never completed, despite 86 years of labor. Upon arrival in Chikmagalur, check in at your hotel. (B)

Day 05 Chikmagalur / Mysore
This morning drive to Mysore en route stopping at Shravanabelagola, where a rock temple stands on the summit of Indragiri Hill. Inside the inner shrine sits Lord Adinatha, father of the Jain Saint, Gommateswara, whose colossal statue is the main attraction at Shravanabelagola and draws tourists and pilgrims from all over the world. Upon arrival in Mysore check in at the your hotel

This evening we will visit the lush and exotic Brindavan Gardens. The Brindavan Gardens, laid on the terraces of the Krishnarajasagar Dam, is a vast stretch of the most delicately planned symphony in architecture, horticulture, engineering and aesthetics. Built by Sir M Visveswaraya, the Brindavan gardens with its beautifully manicured lawns and shrubs are adorned with musical fountains which dance is gleeful rhythm to the music. (B)
Day 06 Mysore Sightseeing
Mysore is a beautiful city of stately palaces, gardens, parks and museums. Your tour of this scenic, slow-paced town, famous for its superb hospitality and spectacle, includes visits to City Palace. Formerly the residence of the Wodeyar family, it is one of the largest of its kind in India. The architecture was inspired by the Buckingham Palace. It was rebuilt in 1911-12 and is a blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Its elegant archways, colonnades, domes and turrets are a credit to the restoration work. Today the current Maharaja, who is active in local politics, occupies a small part of the palace. Visit Nandi (Shiva's Bull) - a huge monolithic image always garlanded with flowers; and the colorful and aromatic markets of flowers, fruit, incense and spices. The afternoon is at leisure.

This afternoon proceed to Srirangapatnam, the Summer Capital of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. They ruled much of Southern India during the later part of the eighteenth century and were practically the only local rulers who put up any resistance to the might of the British Empire. The Daria Daulat Bagh with its well-maintained gardens was the perfect setting for Tipu's summer palace, where you can view his personal belongings and glean an inkling of his simple life style. (B)

Day 07 Mysore / Bangalore / Cochin
Drive to Bangalore (93 miles/3 hours) to connect to your flight to Cochin, one of the most picturesque places in Kerala. Its past is so rich that it could lay a valid claim to being a museum city.

Upon arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel. Cochin is a beautiful all weather harbor and a grand seascape, one of India's largest ports and a major naval base. At dusk you can see the dim silhouettes of huge merchant ships patiently awaiting their turn for a berth in the docks. The influence of Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans is evident in Cochin and its people. The older parts of Fort Cochin and Mattanchery are an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal, Holland and an English country village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast. Despite this, Cochin is an attractive city with serene backwaters, lagoons overhung with feathery coconut palms and picturesque islands.

Later this afternoon arrive early at the show venue, so that you can get a backstage view of the performers preparing for the show. Enjoy a presentation of the colorfully costumed Kathakali dance drama. Kathakali is a ritualized dance form native to Kerala; elaborate costumes and makeup, as seen here, are the norm. Male dancers portray both male and female roles. In this story, boy meets girl and boy kills girl; the Prince of Heaven (Indra's son, left) makes it clear that the love of his demoness admirer (black costume, right) is unrequited. (B)

Day 08 Cochin Sightseeing
This morning you will tour this incredible city. Visit the Portuguese St. Francis Church, considered the first European Church in India, built in 1562 by St. Francis; this is India's oldest European-built church. The original structure was wood, but was rebuilt in stone in the mid-16th century. Continue on to Mattancherry Dutch Palace, a double-storied palace built in the classic Kerala nallukettu style, denoted an interesting blend of European and indigenous forms of architecture. The most important feature of Mattancherry Palace is the murals in the bedchambers and other rooms, which depict scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranic legends connected with Shiva, Vishnu & Krishna, These murals are some of the most beautiful and extensive, one of the wonders of India.

Proceed to the Jewish Synagogue, which was constructed in 1568 and is the oldest in the Commonwealth. A stone slab from the Kochangadi synagogue (built in 1344, and has disappeared), inscribed in Hebrew, can be found on the inner surface of the wall. The copper plates on which have inscribed grants of privileges made by the ruler are also to be found here. At the Cochin Harbor, you can watch the fishermen using strange and ravishing Chinese fishing nets to catch fishes from a tiny waterfront area strewn with natural rocks. Enjoy a harbor cruise this afternoon. Overnight is at the hotel. (B)
Day 09 Cochin / Kumarakom
Drive to Kumarakom (50 miles/2hours), experiencing the rich culture and active lifestyle tht has evolved over the centuries in and around the backwaters and waterways that thread this region. Upon arrival check in at your hotel / cottage.

This afternoon, enjoy a boat ride through the series of canals and lagoons snaking 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. You might want to experience an Ayurvedic therapeutic massage, which is both relaxing and healing and is indigenous to this region. (B)

Day 10 Vembanad Lake
Take a cruise this morning on Vembanad Lake, site of a bird sanctuary. Water fowl, cormorants, egrets and teals are seen in abundance. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight is at the hotel / cottage.

Day 11 Kumarakom / Thekkady
Drive to Thekkady (81 miles/5 hours), located on the Tamil Nadu/Kerala border. This unique wildlife sanctuary is about 300 square miles and centered around an artificial lake fed by this Periyar River. Upon arrival check in at the your hotel.

Game viewing this afternoon onboard boats, which carry you along convoluted waterways and afford sightings of elephant, bison, deer and occasionally tiger. Like a placid river, the lake winds around capes and hills and is the heart of the 300 sq. mile sanctuary (B)

Day 12 Thekkady / Madurai
Morning game viewing by boat. All manner of flora and fauna flourish in this tropical habitat, making it one of the premier reserves of southern India. In the afternoon drive to Madurai (86 miles/4 hours). Upon arrival check in at the your hotel. This evening visit the Meenakshi temple to witness an interesting celestial wedding ceremony. (B)

Day 13 Madurai Sightseeing
Morning tour of the city of Madurai includes a visit to Shree Meenakshi Temple, with its baroque example of Dravidian architecture and the four tall gopuram (pillars) with multicolored gods, goddesses, demons and deities. 1,000 pillared hall has stone figures carved on the pillars, some of which sound like metal when hit with an object. The metal stone or musical pillar, although made of stone, produces sounds of different metals. Visit also Tirumala Nayak Palace -a gracious building in the Indo saracenic style, famous for the stucco work on its domes and arches and the Gandhi Museum. Continue to Mariamman Teppakkulam Tank. Afternoon is at leisure. Overnight is at the hotel. (B)

Day 14 Madurai / Tiruchirapalli
Depart Madurai this morning and drive to Tiruchirapalli (95 miles/3 hours). Upon arrival check in at the your hotel Later this afternoon, enjoy a city tour including a visit to the spectacular Rock Fort temple, a boulder of giant proportions perched on top of a hill with images carved into it. Climb the 400-odd steps from the entrance to the summit. On the way is a tunnel said to lead to Thanjavur, now sealed. Sri Rangam temple is sprawled over a large area, on an island as the Cauvery flows on both sides. It houses the image of the sleeping Vishnu along the mortal remains of Sri Ramanuja Achraya. Overnight is at the hotel. (B)
Day 15 Tiruchirapalli / Tanjore
Drive to Tanjore this morning (40 miles/1hour). Upon arrival check in at your hotel. Later this afternoon enjoy a city tour of Tanjore including a visit to the magnificent Sri Brahadesswarar Temple and other beautiful temples and churches of South India. (B)

Day 16 Tanjore / Pondicherry
Drive to Pondicherry (157 miles/7 hours) en route visiting Kubakonam, Darasuram, Gagaikondachaolapuram, Chikdambaram. Between two rivers in a 40 acre temple-complex, lies the temples of Chidambaram, one of the oldest, most venerated and magnificent temples of South India. Shiva Nataraja or the dancing Shiva stand in his cosmic dance pose in the golden rooted sanctum sanctorum. Flanking the temple are 108 sculptured illustrations of Bharat Natya Shashtra. Upon arrival in Pondicherry, check in at your hotel for overnight. (B)

Day 17 Pondicherry / Mahabalipuram
This morning enjoy city tour of Pondicherry. The city is the capital of the Union Territory of Pondicherry, a seaport on the Coromandel Coast. Besides shipping, the chief industry of the city is the manufacture of cotton textiles. It was the capital of former French India.

Proceed to Mahabalipuram this afternoon (69 miles/3 hours) and upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 18 Mahabalipuram
This morning visit the ancient Pallawan port of Mamallapuram, the seventh century rock hewn monuments. The shore temple, the only surviving one of seven, is a unique example of a temple built of rock quarried elsewhere and carried to shore. The best-known of the rock carvings is the immense bas-relief which is sculpted in fascinating detail on a huge whaleback-shaped rock, depicts the descent of the Ganges to the earth, the penance of Arjuna and myriad characters from the Mahabharata. This afternoon is at leisure. Overnight is at the hotel. (B)

Day 19 Mahabalipuram / Kanchipuram / Chennai
Drive to Madras today en route visiting one of India's seven great Hindu cities, Kanchipuram, believed to help confer eternal happiness on its visitors. One of South India's ancient cities, Kanchipuram's history dates back to the 2nd century when it was the capital of the Cholas. Subsequently, it was the capital of the Passavas and later one of the main towns of the Vijayanagar Empire. Kanchipuram has numerous temples, each one unique in its own way. Visit three of the best temples - Kailasanatha and Ekambareshwara, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and Vaikuntaperumal dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Besides being the Golden City of the temples, Kanchipuram has, for over four centuries, been famous for it's weavers who till today continue to weave saris using the best quality silk and pure gold thread.

Continue overland to Chennai (formerly Madras). Upon arrival in Chennai late this afternoon, check in at your hotel. Chennai was the site of the first settlement of the East India Company. It was founded in 1639, on a piece of land given by the Raja of Chandragiri, the last representative of the Vijayanagar rulers of Hampi. Chennai is a vibrant city that has managed to strike a beautiful balance between the modern and the traditional, a metropolis with a distinct old - world charm
Day 20 Chennai Sightseeing
This morning we tour the city of Chennai, visiting Victoria Art Gallery, which houses a rare collection of sculptures depicting the story of the life of Buddha and The Bronze Gallery with its finest collection of Chola bronzes ranging from two inches high to two feet tall, all perfectly modeled, sophisticated and dramatic. Visit Fort St. George, 350 year-old-fort with wide battlements considered as a reminder of the British Empire and now houses the Secretariat and the Legislative Assembly. St. Mary's Church, the oldest Anglican church consecrated in 1680 located within the Fort; and the Fort St George Museum which contains some fascinating items belonging to the early days of the East India Company and the colonial period. Drive along Marina Beach, visiting San Thome Cathedral Church, name after the Apostle, St. Thomas by the Portuguese who call it San Thome. It was believed that his remains were enshrined in the church.

Your last stop is Kapaleeswarar, an ancient Shiva temple, which is the biggest temple in Madras and dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple contains inscriptions dating back to the 13th century AD, and is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture. The magnificent 37-meter Gopuram depicts intricate carvings of tales from Hindu mythology.

This afternoon enjoy an excursion to Dakshinachitra. Reconstructing the timeless setting of the 19th century, it offers you an unforgettable and euphoric glimpse of the diverse lifestyles of four Southern States of India. Dakshinachitra, a serene and calm retreat for the esthetic conscious, transports you into a fantasy world of make believe. Here the past has been authentically restored and woven into the present. Original ancient Kerala and Tamilnadu houses have been lifted and placed in this timeless setting. Traditional craftsperson and folk artists work and perform in streets, homes and workshops within these ethnic surroundings. Overnight is at the hotel. (B)

Day 21 Chennai / Onward Flight
Transfer to the airport early this morning for your homebound flight filled with precious memories of your trip to South India.