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| With so much to offer, there is something for all tastes. India takes pride in its rich cultural heritage characterised by its magnificent temples and the historic forts and palaces |
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South India, a land of vivid colour, spices and backwater. Hill stations from the days of the Raj. Massive old temples, palaces, art galleries, game parks and the palm fringed beaches. On this journey experience the rich and the vibrant culture of South India. The tour starts with Chennai ( Madras) and heads to the garden city of Bangalore, then on to the princely state of Mysore, the Sandalwood country, with its lavish palaces and gardens. Watch wildlife in the Nagarhole National Park noted for herds of elephant, tiger and rich diversity of wildlife. Relax in the hill station of Ooty in the Nilgiri hills. Drive through the Western Ghats to Cochin and backwaters to see the Keralan life. Continue on to the temple cities of Madurai and Tanjore and see amazing Dravidian temple architecture and the religious fervor. Relax on the palm dotted Covelong beach before returning home.
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Chennai (Madras) ~ Bangalore ~ Mysore ~ Nagarhole ~ Ooty
Cochin ~ Kumarakum ~ Madurai ~ Tanjore ~ Covelong |
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Day 1 Chennai
Arrive Chennai in the morning. Afternoon tour of this bustling city, one of the oldest and the fourth largest city of India which still maintains the best of Indian tradition. Visit the Fort St George, built by the East India Company in 1653, St Mary’s Church, the first Anglican Church in India and the Kapaleeshwara temple, which was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1566 and rebuilt 300 years ago. Overnight at the Ambassador Pallava.
Day 2 Chennai to Bangalore
Morning train Shatabadi Express to Bangalore, noted for its gardens, tree-line avenues and Gothic churches. Afternoon tour of the city visiting the Tipu Sultan’s Palace and Fort, Bull temple, Botanical garden and impressive Vidhan Sabha. Overnight at the Taj Residency.
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Day 3 Bangalore to Mysore
Morning drive to Srirangapatnam and visit the summer palace and museum of Tipu Sultan who was defeated by the British in 1799. Also visit Sriranganathswamy temple. Continue onto Mysore, renowned for sandalwood, teak and incense. Overnight at the Southern Star Hotel.
Day 4 Mysore
Morning city tour of Mysore visiting the City Palace of the Maharaja of Mysore built in Indo-Saracenic style and the museum. Drive to visit Chamundi hill where a huge statue of Nandi Bull overlooks the city. Explore the colourful Devraja fruit and vegetable market. Afternoon free.
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Day 5 Mysore to Nagarhole
Morning drive to the Nagarhole National Park, an excellent sanctuary with tropical teak forests and the Kabini river running through. The park is noted for herds of elephant, tiger, leopard, samber deer and variety of birdlife. Afternoon safari by an elephant, jeep or coracle. Overnight at the Kabini River Lodge.
Day 6 Nagarhole to Ooty
Morning safari in the park. After breakfast drive into the Nilgiri hills to Ooty (Queen of Nilgiri hills), a popular hill station during the British Raj, with its tea plantations, gardens and bungalows. Remainder of the day at leisure in this picturesque area. Overnight at the Taj Savoy
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Day 7 Ooty to Cochin
A long but picturesque drive to Cochin through the Western Ghats on the Malabar Coast. Set amidst lagoons and the backwaters, Cochin is also known as the ‘‘Venice of the East’’. Over the centuries Europeans have been trading here for ivory, spices and teak. The British, Dutch and the Portuguese left their cultural influence on this great city. Evening see the famous Kathakali dance performance, a traditional folk dance of Kerala enacting stories from the Hindu epics. Overnight at the Taj Residency.
Day 8 Cochin
Morning city tour visiting the Dutch Palace, with its 17th Century murals of Ramayana, Jewish Synagogue, built in 1568, housing Grand Scroll of the Old Testament. Also visit Fort Cochin and St
France’s Church, the oldest European church in India. Vasco de Gama, who discovered India, was first buried here. In the evening a sunset harbor cruise to see the Bolgahtty Island and the Chinese
fishing nets.
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Day 9 Cochin to Kumarakum
Drive to Allepy and take a boat cruise to Kottayam. The cruise takes over 2 hours and passes through
tranquil palm fringed narrow canals and waterways. Drive to Kumarakum on the shores of the Vembanad Lake. Overnight at the Taj Garden Retreat.
Day 10 Kumarakum to Madurai
After breakfast leave for the ancient city of Madurai, with a recorded history going back to 6th Century. It was well known to Greeks and Romans with whom the city carried on active trade. Reminder of the day at leisure. Overnight at the Madura Park Inn.
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Day 11 Madurai
Morning city tour visiting the Tirumalai Nayak Palace, built in 17th Century on Indi-Saracenic style and the spectacular Shree Meenakshi temple, a superb example of Dravidian temple architecture. It has profusely carved massive gopurams and a 1000-pillared hall. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening return to Meenakshi temple and visit the colourful temple market.
Day 12 Madurai to Tanjore
Drive to the temple town of Trichy, the citadel of Chola dynasty in the medieval period. The city saw wars fought between the British and French in 18th Century. Visit the Srirangam Island, a living example of temple town where the life centers around the temple with 22 magnificent gopurams (gateway towers), the tallest being 236 feet high. Continue onto Tanjore, the granary of Tamil Nadu and the Cultural capital of the region.Overnight at the Oriental Tower Hotel.
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Day 13 Tanjore to Covelong
Morning tour of Tanjore visiting the famous 10th Century Brihadeeshwara temple, an engineering marvel and now preserved as a world heritage monument. Tanjore is also famous for paintings.
You will see some of famous Frescos depicting myths and courtly pursuits. Drive to Covelong Beach
visiting en route the famous shore temple in Mahabalipuram. Overnight at the Fisherman’s Cove.
Day 14 Covelong
At leisure by the beach.
Day 15 Chennai to London
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
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| Options |
Sri Lanka Extend your holiday and visit Sri
Lanka. Direct flight from Chennai to Colombo.
Taj Mahal Fly to Delhi and visit Taj Mahal and
the Golden Triangle.
Andaman Islands Fly to Port Blair and relax
on the sandy beaches of Andaman Island. |
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