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Day 01 : Mumbai - Mysore Morning catch a flight to Bangalore. On arrival in Bangalore, our Tour Executives pick you up for the palace city of Mysore (140Kms/3hrs).On Arrival in Mysore you are transfered to the hotel for an overnight stay. An alternative overnight halt at Mumbai/Bombay adjustable to your flight timings can be arranged. Day 02 : Mysore Morning after Breakfast explore Mysore and the surrounding area. You can visit the Maharaja's - a giant indo- saracenic building - the colourful vegetable and flower markets, and Chamundi hill noted for its Nandi temple. On the outskirts of Mysore visit the ruins of Tipu Sultan's capital at Srirangapatnam, and Somnathpur, whose star-shaped Kesava temple is considered to be one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. Overnight stay in Mysore. Day 03 : Mysore - Nagarhole National park 85 kms away in Southwest of Mysore lies Nagarhole National park, which claims populations of tiger, leopard and elephant as well as over 250 species of birds. Visit the park by jeep, on elephant back or in a coracle. Stay two nights at the Kabini River Lodge or at water Woods a small six bedroom bungalow, beautifully appointed, and situated on the banks of the Kabini river. Overnight stay at Nagarhole on Jungle Plan (which includes All the Jungle activities). Day 04 : Nagarhole National park A day to explore Nagarhole, with ample opportunities for watching wildlife - On Jungle Plan Activities. Overnight stay at Nagarhole. Day 05 : Nagarhole National park-Ooty Morning drive to Ooty, a famous hill station in the Nilgiri Hills - also known as Queen Of Hills - offers a relaxing atmosphere in contrast to this bustling town. Overnight stay at Ooty. Day 06 : Ooty-Coonoor(Toy Train)-Cochin Morning transfer to Railway Station to connect Toy train - 3Track to Coonoor. Enjoy the scenic Beauty of Queen of Hills, Ooty. From Coonoor a car drive takes you to Cochin. Arrive in Cochin in the late afternoon and check into your hotel. The tourists interested in exploring body and soul to revitalize themselves can break their journey at Kairali Ayurvedic Resort, in the foothills of the Western Ghats, at Pallakad. Kairali is an ideal place for - be it through the magic of Ayurveda, the salubrious climate throughout the year. To fully experience and enjoy Kairali, we would recommend you a two-night stay at Pallakad. Further details can be offered to the tourists on request. Day 07 : Cochin Over the centuries the Portuguese, Dutch and British have all influenced this port city. This morning visit the synagogue, Dutch Palace, St Francis' Church and the spice market. In the late afternoon, take a romantic sunset cruise to see the surrounding islands and the legendary Chinese fishing nets. Evening watch a performance of traditional Kathakali Dance of Kerala. Overnight stay in Cochin. Day 08 : Cochin-Periyar After breakfast drive along the coast to Alleppey and cruise by motor boat across Vembanad Lake to Kumarakom. Drive by car to lake Periyar wildlife sanctuary in the cardamom hills. Stay overnight at Periyar. Alternatively, you may wish to take a relaxing overnight houseboat cruise on the backwaters, in a Deluxe Houseboat observing the activities of the local people on the banks of the canals and waterways. Day 09 : Periyar Early morning and afternoon wildlife viewing by boat; alternatively, take a trek through the forest with a local guide. Afternoon Spice Plantation Tour in the city. Overnight stay at Periyar. Day 10 : Periyar-Madurai After breakfast descend from the hills to Madurai (155km/4hrs). Afternoon city tour of Madurai includes the colourful and vibrant Meenakshi Temple. Overnight stay in Madurai. Day 11 : Madurai - Karaikudi Leave this morning for the region of Chettinad, just 90 kms east of Madurai, and home to the Nattukottai Chettiars, a prosperous banking community, who ventured overseas to Ceylon, Burma and Indo-China in the 19th and 20th centuries. Stay overnight at the Bangala, a charming 75 year old Chettinad Bungalow belonging to the Meyyappa Chettiar family, now restored into a delightful heritage guesthouse. Explore the area of Chettinad visiting some of the grand mansions that are an architectural delight. Day 12 : Karaikudi-Trichy Today visit Trichy/Tiruchirapalli whose skyline is dominated by the Rock Fort temple. The temple can be reached by a steep flight of steps cut into a tunnel through the rock. Also visit SriRangam; the superb temple complex spread over an island in the Cauvery River. The morning rituals on the banks for the Cauvery River at Amma Mandapam are very interesting. Overnight stay in Trichy. Day 13 : Trichy - Tanjore Leave this morning for Tanjore noted for the great Brihadeeshwara temple, one of the most magnificent Chola temples in India. Visit the Art Gallery located in the grounds of the Tanjore Palace and the Saraswati Mahal Library housing ancient palm leaf manuscripts. Overnight stay in Tanjore. Day 14 : Tanjore-Pondicherry Drive via the temple towns of Kumbakonam and Chidambaram to Pondicherry, a former French colony. The town reveals a lingering continental influence in its architecture and layout. Stay overnight in Pondicherry. Day 15 : Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram This morning visit the Aurobindo Ashram, founded by a Bengal philosopher in the early 20th century and continue to Mahabalipuram to explore the stunning temples and giant rock carvings, created by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman in the 7th century. Fourteen cave temples have been hewn into the cliff face, but even more remarkable are the nine monolithic "Chariot" shrines, each carved from a single boulder, which stand on the seashore. Stay Overnight at Mahabalipuram. Day 16 : Kanchipuram - Chennai Bid a goddbye with a visit to Kanchipuram to see the 7th century Kailasanatha and Vaikuntaperumal temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu respectively. Kanchipuram is also noted for its cotton dyeing and silk weaving industry. This afternoon your journey concludes at Chennai/Madras.
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Holidays in South India
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