South India Tours
South India Architecture and Backwater Tour
Duration : 12 Days / 11 Nights
Destinations Covered : Bangalore - Chennai- Pondicherry
- Chidambaram - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Periyar - Quilon - Cochin
Day
01 : Arrive Bangalore
You will be received by our representative at the airport, who will then escort
you to the hotel. Overnight in the hotel.
Day 02 : In Bangalore
In the morning after breakfast proceed for a full day sightseeing tour with
our guide. The highlight of the tour is the visit to the Vidhan Saudha, Nandi
Temple, Lal Bagh and Botanical Garden. Overnight in the hotel at Bangalore.
Day 03 : Bangalore - Chennai
After breakfast transfer to the railway station to board a train for Chennai.
On arrival our representative will receive and transfer you to the hotel.
Overnight in the hotel at Chennai.
Day 04 : In Chennai
After breakfast our guide takes you to the full day excursion to Mahabalipuram,
which was famous as a major seaport of the great Pallava Kings between the
8th and 10th century. Mahabalipuram is noted for its rock carvings and the
Shore Temple. Return to Chennai in the evening. Overnight in the hotel at
Chennai.
Day 05 : Chennai - Pondicherry
In the morning after breakfast drive to Pondicherry en-route stop at Mahabalipuram
for sightseeing. In the afternoon visit Aurbindo Ashram, which is 10 kilometers
north of Pondicherry. The ashram promotes Aurbindo's ideas in bringing about
a synthesis of Yoga and modern science to unite the spirit and matter. After
lunch visit Auroville a unique experiment in international living and in creating
a new environment where men and women of all nationalities live together in
harmony. Overnight in the hotel at Pondicherry.
Day
06 : Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Tanjore
In the morning after breakfast drive to Tanjore, en-route visit Chidambaram,
which is famous for the Nataraja temple with the root of the sanctum-sanctorum
covered with golden plates. The temples adorns the sculpture, which depicts
various form of Bharatnatayam dance. Later, drive to Thanjavur visiting the
Brass factory at Kumbakonam. Upon arrival check-into the hotel. Overnight
in the hotel at Tanjore.
Day 07 : Tanjore - Trichy
In the morning explore the famous Chola Temple of Brideshwar at Tanjore and
then drive to Trichy, which is situated on the banks of Kaveri River. The
place is a melting pot of history and tradition. Trichy is a pilgrim center
and famous for Ranganath Temple at Srirangam. Upon arrival check into the
hotel. In the afternoon explore the temples of Trichy with our guide. The
prominent temple in Trichy are the Rock Fort Temple and Srirangam Temple.
Overnight in the hotel at Trichy.
Day 08 : Trichy - Madurai
After breakfast drive to Madurai, a bustling city packed with pilgrims, businessmen,
bullock carts and legions of rickshaw pullers. After lunch explore the famous
Meenakshi Temple with our guide. The temple is a superb example of the Dravida
School of Architecture and is popular for its beautifully carved and gigantic
gateways. Overnight in the hotel at Madurai.
Day 09 : Madurai - Periyar
After breakfast drive to Periyar. On arrival check into the hotel. In the
afternoon our guide will take you on a spice plantation tour. The tour will
be followed by a boat ride on the Periyar Lake. The boat ride is a fine way
of enjoying the wildlife of Periyar wildlife sanctuary. You come across various
animals on your boat ride. Overnight in the hotel at Periyar.
Day
09 : Periyar - Quilon
After breakfast drive to Quilon, which is a four-hour descent through rubber,
cardamom and concount plantations, bringing you to the tropical plains of
Kerala. Afterwards enjoy a fascinating 3-hrs cruise on the famous backwaters
from Kottayam to Allepey and get a wonderful view of village life along the
banks. Later, a short drive will take you to Quilon, which is popular for
cashew, coir and marine products. Overnight in the hotel at Quilon.
Day 10 : In Quilon
The day is free to relax at the hotel. Overnight in the hotel at Quilon.
Day 11 : Quilon- Cochin
After breakfast drive to Cochin. Upon arrival check into the hotel. After
fresh-up visit the Jewish Synagogue and the Dutch Palace. Overnight in the
hotel at Cochin. Later, we organize a Kathakali Dance performance for you.
Before the performance you will be taken to the green room where you can see
the dancers dressing up for the performance. The dressing up for the Kathakali
is the most exciting and important part of the dance. You see the dancers
applying natural colors to their face, hands and feet. Our guide will brief
you about the nitty-gritty of the traditional dance. Overnight in the hotel
at Cochin.
Day 12 : Cochin - Flight Back Home
After breakfast transfer to the airport to catch a flight back home.
Tour ends.
South India Architecture and Backwater Tour Reservation Form