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Best of South India
Best of South India
Duration: 20 Nights / 21 Days
Places Covered: Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram
- Pondicherry - Swami Malai - Tanjore - Tirchy - Madurai - Rameshwaram
- Kodaikanal - Kanya Kumari - Kovalam - Periyar - Kottaym - Alleppey -
Cochin - Ooty - Coonoor - Mysore - Srirangapatnam - Hassan - Belur - Sravanbelgola
- Bangalore - Mumbai
Day 01: Chennai
Begain Your Tour
Arrive into Chennai
Welcome to Vardman's "Best of South India"! On arrival in Chennai,
you will be met and transferred by Vardhman's representative to your hotel.
Later proceed on a city tour of Chennai
Visit Fort St. George, San Thome Cathedral and the museum to see the Art
and Bronze Gallery. (Closed on Fridays and Public holidays). High court,
Marina Beach, San Thome Cathedral and Snake Park..
Overnight :Hotel
Day 2: Chennai- Kanchipuram- Mahabalipuram- Chennai
This morning after proceed on a full day excursion of Mahabalipuram
& Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram (64 kms from Chennai) is the ancient capital of the Pallavas
famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The first
temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has
paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi
and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for
its silks.
Mahabalipuram
The city of Mahabalipuram is famous for the seven pagodas. Here on the
seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples which
are the examples of Dravidian style of Architecture.
Evening drive back to Chennai.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 3 : Chennai - Pondicherry
This morning after breakfast drive to Pondicherry. Upon arrival
at Pondicherry check into your hotel.
Later proceed on a city tour of Pondicherry.
Pondicherry: Although the French influence is gradually fading, Pondicherry
retains a few Gallic accents. Pondicherry's main sights are the Rai
Nivas, the Sacred Heart Church and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The ashram
retreat was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo after whose death the spiritual
authority passed to one of his disciples, a French woman known as the
Mother. The Mother was also instrumental in founding the city of Dawn
Auroville, 10 km from Pondicherry. Its original charter aimed at creating
a city of the future where people from India and abroad could live and
work together in a spiritual environment.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 4 : Pondicherry - Swami Malai
After breakfast drive to Swami Malai enroute visit Chidambram and
Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Upon arrival at Swami Malai check into your
hotel. Later visit Swami Malai Temple.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 5 : Swami Malai - Tanjore - Trichy
This morning after breakfast drive to Trichy enroute visit Tanjore.Upon
arrival at Trichy check into your hotel.
Later proceed on a city tour of Trichy.
Visit Rock Fort Temple. The Rock Fort situated on the banks of the Kaveri
river, Trichy's most famed land mark is an 84 m high rock, one of the
oldest in the world aprox.3,800 million years. The attraction is not
for fort itself but the temple at the summit. 344 steps hewn out of
rock lead to the top where are the inscriptions dating back to the 3rd
century B.C.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 6 : Trichy - Madurai
On the day 6 of your tour drive to Madurai. Upon arrival at Madurai
check into your hotel.
Later proceed for sightseeing of Madurai.
Visit the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva
with its towering Gopurams (rising high above the surrounding country
side). Later, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace - A gracious building
in the Indo saracenic style, famous for the Stucco work on its domes
& arches. There is also an extensive museum dedicated to the life
and work of Mahatma Gandhi.
Evening witness Prayer Ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple
Overnight :Hotel
Day 7 : Madurai - Rameshwaram or Kodaikanai
Full day at leisure .
Optional: Visit Rameshwaram or Kodaikanal.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 8 : Madurai - Kanya Kumari - Kovalam
This morning after breakfast drive to Kanya Kumari (Cape Comorin),
the last end of India where three Oceans meet. Continue drive to Kovalam.
On arrival and check into your hotel.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 9: Kovalam
Day free to relax at the golden beach, with three adjacent crescent
beaches. Kovalam has been a favorite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans,
since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created
a beautiful Bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options
at this beach are plenty and diverse - sunbathing, swimming, herbal
body toning massages, special cultural programs, Catamaran cruising
etc. Evening enjoy the beach.
Optional: Sight seeing of Thiruvananthapuram covering Museum complex,
Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Science & Technology museum, Veli Tourist
village, Aakulam boat club, Shangmugham Beach after breakfast. Return
to Kovalam to stay overnight.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 10: Kovalam - Periyar
After breakfast drive to Periyar. Afternoon boat cruise on Lake
Periyar to view wildlife.Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 11: Periyar - Kottayam/Kumarakom
To experience the best of Kerala, go aboard an exciting houseboat
cruise along the Kerala backwaters. Morning drive to Kumarakom and check
in to the houseboat on arrival. The overnight cruise takes you from
Kumarakom to Alleppey allowing you to enjoy serene surroundings en route.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner served on board
Overnight : Houseboat
Day 12: Alleppey - Cochin
The houseboat comes to a halt at Alleppey today morning after breakfast.
Then drive to Cochin. Upon arrival at Cochin check into your hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight : Hotel
Day 13: Cochin
This morning after breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Cochin.
Visit Dutch Palace at Mattancherry is renowned for its wall murals depicting
scenes from the Ramayana. The Jewish Synagogue at the heart of what
is locally called the Jew Town. The St. Francis Church, the oldest European
church in India. The Santa Cruz Basilica, originally built in 1557 by
the Portuguese. The Chinese fishing nets are huge cantilevered fishing
nets believed to have brought to Kochi by Chinese traders. Finally,
the Willingdon Island, named after Lord Willingdon, is the headquarters
of the Southern Naval Command of India.
Evening watch a performance of Kathakali Dance.
Overnight : Hotel
Day 14: Cochin - Ooty
This morning after breakfast, drive to Ooty, the beautiful leading
hill resort of South India. Situated in the heart of the Nilgiris (Blue
Mountains), at the height of 2287 Mtr., it lies on a plateau and looks
like a vast park. Lofty hills add to the grandeur of the scenery. Its
climate is similar to summer in England. The terraced beautiful gardens,
which are landmark in Ooty. Ooty is also known for its tea & coffee
plantations.
Upon arrival at Ooty check into your hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 15: Ooty - Coonoor
After breakfast proceed on a city tour of Ooty.
Visit the lake, Botanical Gardens, Conoor Tea Gardens, Sim’s Park,
Dolphin’s Nose. Later visit Film shooting points & other points
of interest or shopping etc.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 16: Ooty - Mysore
This morning after breakfast drive to Mysore. Upon arrival at Mysore
check into your hotel.
Later proceed on a city tour of Mysore
Visit the palace of the Maharaja built in 1911-12. The palace is of
harmonious syntheses of the Hindu and Saracenic styles of architecture
with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures which are magnificent.
Visit the Art Gallery; drive upto Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari
Temple that offers a panoramic view of Mysore. On the way back, see
the Nandi Bull. Later visit the Somanth temple, Mysore Zoo evening proceed
to Brindavan garden to visit lighting show.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 17: Mysore - Srirangapatnam
Today morning visit Somnathpur Temple. Afternoon visit Srirangapatnam.
Evening back to your hotel.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 18: Mysore - Hassan
After breakfast drive to Hassan and check-in at the hotel. Afternoon
visit Belur and Halebid Temples.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 19: Hassan - Sravanbelgola - Bangalore
This morning after breakfast drive to Bangalore enroute visit Sravanbelgola.
Upon arrival at Bangalore check into your hotel.
Later proceed on a city tour of Bangalore.
Visit the Lal Bagh with a variety of old trees, fountains, lotus pools,
terraces & an assortment of tropical and sub-tropical herbs. Also
see the Maharaja's Palace & Government Buildings.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 20: Bangalore - Mumbai (By flight)
After breakfast transfer to the Bangalore airport to catch flight
for Mumbai. Upon arrival at Mumbai check into your hotel.
Later proced on a city tour of Mumbai.
Visit the Gateway of India,The stone archway designed by Wittett in
the 16th century Gujarati style, Prince of Whales Museum & Elephanta
Caves – 9 kms by sea. These 7th century rock – cut cave temples
dedicated to Lord Shiva are situated a top a hill on the island. In
the evening make your way through the various sets of a typical film
studio. From a place to the village square. See men with cameras mounted
on cranes shooting sequences, inviting your tour of Film city's electrifying
ambience while dining on delicacies that are no less interesting than
the 'masala' (spice ) of Indian movies.
Overnight :Hotel
Day 21: Mumbai Departure
This morning after breakfast transfer to the Mumbai airport/railway
station to catch flight/train for your onward destination with sweet and
unforgettable memories of "Best of South India" escorted by
Vardhman Vacations.
