Tour Overview

• Day 1

  ARRIVE CHENNAI

  Arrive Chennai International Airport. Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to hotel in Chennai. Chennai, India’s fourth largest city, is also called the Gateway to the South. From a tiny hamlet in 1639, it grew around the Fort St. George built by the British .A lush green city famed for its temples, silk, music and dance, Chennai gives a sense of serenity and spaciousness, enhanced by one of the world’s largest and most beautiful beaches, the Marina beach. Afternoon proceed for half day city tour visiting the museum to see the bronze gallery with its superb collection of Chola art. Drive through the flower and fruit market, past the High Court built in Indo-Saracenic style, the Fort Museum with its collection of colonial memorabilia and Marina Beach. Visit the San Thome Cathedral said to house the remains of St Thomas the Apostle, Kapaleeshwara temple and the Snake Park. Dinner & Overnight in Chennai.

• Day 2

  CHENNAI / KANCHIPURAM / CHENNAI (73 KMS, 01 HRS) – ONE WAY

  After breakfast proceed for same day visit to Kanchipuram Kanchipuram, the ancient capital of the Pallavas, lies 64 km away from Chennai. It is one of the seven sacred cities of India and attracts a large number of visitors, especially during the temple car festivals (Jan to May).It dates from the early Chola dynasty in the 2nd century and originally had 1000 temples, of which about 200 still survive. The seventh century Kailasnatha temple is the oldest and also considered the most beautiful of the town’s temples. The Varadaraja temple built by Vijayanagara kings, circa 16th cent., has superb sculpture in its 96 pillared marriage hall. The main shrine is on an elephant shaped rock. Other temples include the Ekambaresvara temple, Vaikunth Perumal temple etc. Kanchipuram is also famous for silk textiles. Dinner & Overnight in Chennai.

• Day 3

  CHENNAI / MAHABALIPURAM / PONDICHERRY (152 KMS, 03 HRS)

  After breakfast drive to Pondicherry with Lunch enrote Mahabalipuram : the coastal temple town of Mahabalipuram is an hour’s drive from Chennai. It has a beautiful beach over 20 km long. An erstwhile port of the Pallava dynasty, its stone carvings, caves and rock cut temples also attract tourists. A crocodile farm, a snake venom extracting center, schools of art and sculpture and many resorts draw holiday seekers all around the year, especially during the dance festival held in January. Later drive to Pondicherry & check in at hotel in Pndicherry. Pondicherry, a former French colony, presents an unusual combination of European culture and Indian traditions. Its history can be traced back to Agastya, the revered sage of the south who built his hermitage here in 1500 BC. It became a part of India in 1954, but traces of its history as a French colony still remain in its churches, cuisine, grid-pattern streets and some colonial buildings. An added attraction is the town of Auroville, an oasis of peace and enlightenment. Afternoon half day city tour visiting Sri Aurobindo Ashram founded by the philosopher-saint Sri Aurobindo in 1926 to put into practice his ideals of a peaceful community. Its spiritual tenets represent a synthesis of yoga and modern science. It is also his final resting place. Also visit the Pondicherry museum, which has sculptures, archaeological finds, and memorabilia of the French colonists. See the Sacred Heart Church with its Gothic architecture and stained glass windows. Dinner & Overnight in Pondicherry.

• Day 4

  PONDICHERRY / CHIDAMBARAM / TANJORE (175 KMS, 04 HRS)

  After breakfast drive to Tanjore with Lunch enroot Chidambaram : The temple town of Chidambaram, 60 km south of Pondicherry, was the capital of the Chola dynasty from AD 907 to 1310.Lying on the Chennai-Trichy route; it is an important Shaivite pilgrim centre. The town was developed around the 40 acre Nataraja temple complex dedicated to the dancing Lord Shiva. The complex, with its many shrines and four large Gopurams (towers) with finely sculpted icons, is regarded as a prime example of Chola artistry. Flanking the temple are 108 sculpted illustrations of Bharat Natya Shastra. Later drive to Tanjore & check in at hotel inTanjore. Located on the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, Thanjavur has the distinction of having been the capital of the Cholas, one of the greatest dynasties of the south. The Cholas were great temple builders and Thanjavur bears witness to this, being dotted with no fewer than 74 temples, the most famous of which is the Brahadeeswara temple, a World Heritage Monument. The city is also known for its bronzes, silks and the famous Tanjore paintings. Dinner & overnight in Tanjore

• Day 5

  TANJORE / TRICHY / COIMBATORE (269 KMS, 05 HRS)

  After breakfast proceed for half day city tour visiting the 11th century Sri Brahadeeswara temple, built mainly of granite blocks and decorated with sculptures and frescoes. It is topped by a monolithic dome constructed from a single 80 tonne piece of granite, which was dragged to the top using a 6 km long ramp, in a technique similar to that used by the Egyptians to build the Pyramids. Later drive to Coimbatore with Lunch enroot Trichy : Tiruchirappalli or Trichy, located on the banks of the Cauvery River, was mentioned by Ptolemy in the 2nd century BC. The town and its fort were built by the Nayakas of Madurai. It was ruled at various times by different dynasties, each of which has left their mark on the town. Today, Trichy is a blend of historical town, pilgrim center and thriving commercial city. It is also India’s largest center manufacturing artificial diamonds. After visit drive to Coimbatore & check in at hotel in Coimbatore. One of the most important cities of Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore is called “the Manchester of South India”, and is the third largest city in the state. Surrounded by rich agricultural land and within sight of the towering Nilgiri Hills, Coimbatore is significantly cooler and pleasanter than the coastal plains. A highly industrialized city, it is the center of textile manufacturing in the state with over a hundred mills in and around Coimbatore. Dinner & overnight in Coimbatore

• Day 6

  COMBATORE / METTAPALAYAM / COONOR (68 KMS, 03 HRS)

  After breakfast proceed for half day city tour visiting Sri Svetambara Vimalanthar Jain temple, St Michael Xavier Church at Big Bazaar and Athar Jamid Mosque at Oppalamara Street Afer visit drive to Coonor with Lunch enroot Mettapalayam. Upon arrival check in at hotel in Coonor. Situated 1858 km above sea level, Coonoor is a hill station 18 km from Ooty. At a lower altitude than Ooty, it enjoys a milder climate. It is a pleasant place to relax and take long walks. The picturesque hills around the town are covered with tea and coffee plantations. Afternoon visit Vantage points for stunning views include Lamb’s Rock, Lady Canning’s Seat and Dolphin’s nose (from where the Catherine Falls are visible). Sim’s Park, a mid 19th century botanical garden developed partly in Japanese style, has over 1000 plant species including 330 varieties of roses. Also visit the Pasteur Institute, the only place for making rabies vaccines in India. Dinner & Overnight in Coonor

• Day 7

  COONOR / OOTY – TOY TRAIN (1040 / 1200 HRS)

  After breakfast on time transfer to Coonor station to board train for Ooty. Meeting & assistance upon arrival and transfer to hotel in Ooty. Ooty, “The queen of the Blue Mountains”, lies in the Nilgiri mountain ranges in Tamil Nadu. Set at a height of 2268 meters, Ooty is a town of salubrious climate and scenic beauty. It was developed as a hill station by the British in the 19th century, and is famous for its rolling hills and valleys covered with pine and eucalyptus forests, and its tea and coffee plantations. Lunch, Dinner & Overnight in Ooty

• Day 8

  OOTY

  After breakfast proceed for half day city tour of Ooty visiting the Botanical gardens established in 1848.There are over 1000 varieties of plants, shrubs and trees among beautiful lawns and glass houses. There is also a 200 million year old fossilized tree trunk. See the Ooty Lake, where boating is a popular pastime, and the Doddabatta Peak which at 2623 m is the highest in the Nilgiri hills. Dinner & Overnight in Ooty.

• Day 9

  OOTY / CALICUT (158 KMS, 05 HRS)

  After breakfast drive to Calicut. Upon arrival check in at hotel in Calicut. Calicut (now also known as Kozhikode) was the capital of the Zamorin Rajas.During different phases of its history it was ruled by Vijayanagar kings, the Portuguese and the British. Today it is a pleasant town and an important commercial center for North Kerala. Rest of the day free for independent activities Lunch, Dinner & Overnight in Calicut.

• Day 10

  CALICUT / MYSORE (212 KMS, 05 HRS)

  After breakfast proceed for city tour of Calicut visiting Mananchira square, Tali temple, Kuttichira mosque, Church of South India and Pazhassirajah museum.16 km to the north is Kappad beach, where Vasco da Gama landed in 1498. Later drive to Mysore. Upon arrival check in at hotel in Mysore. Mysore, once the capital of the Wodeyar kingdom, is today the second largest city in Karnataka and one of the finest in southern India. Small, easygoing, famous for its silks and sandalwood, it is a city of fine gardens, tree-lined boulevards, art galleries and an intriguing palace. Mysore’s ten day Dasara festival in September-October is still celebrated with medieval pageantry. Lunch, Dinner & Overnight in Mysore

• Day 11

  MYSORE / BANGALORE (145 KMS, 03 HRS)

  After breakfast proceed for half day city tour of Mysore visiting the Maharaja’s palace built in 1911-12. The palace harmoniously synthesizes the Hindu and the Saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures, which are truly magnificent. Visit the art gallery and drive up to the 1062 m high Chamundi hill to see the Chamundeshwari temple with a panoramic view of Mysore. On your way back, see the 5 m high Nandi Bull carved out of solid rock in 1659. After visit drive to Bangalore. Upon arrival check in at hotel in Bangalore. Bangalore, India’s sixth largest city, is known as the Garden City because of its countless parks and tree-lined avenues. It was founded in 1537 by a local chieftain called Kempe Gowda, and later extended by Tipu Sultan, the Wodeyars of Mysore and the British. Set at an altitude of over 1000 m, the climate adds to the attractions of this city, now famous as the Silicon Valley of India. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Bangalore visiting the Lal Bagh which has a variety of old trees, fountains, lotus pools, terraces and an assortment of tropical and sub-tropical herbs. Also, see the Peninsular Gneissic Complex that is home to a 2500-2600 year old rock. You will also visit the brilliantly painted and carved summer palace of Tipu Sultan, the Bull Temple with its monolithic bull statue and drive past the government buildings. Lunch, Dinner & Overnight in Bangalore

• Day 12

  DEPART BANGALORE

  On time transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.