Spectacular South Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Chennai
Upon your arrival in Chennai you will be met by our representative and taken to your hotel.
Overnight is in Chennai.

Day 2: Chennai
The day is free to spend as you wish. Overnight is in Chennai.

Day 3: Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram
After checking out of your hotel you will have a full day tour of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram.
Kanchipuram is the ancient capital of the Pallavas and famous for its 124 shrines. Kanchipuram is
also famous for its silks. The city of Mahabalipuram is famous for the seven pagodas on its grounds.
Here on the seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock temples which are some of the best
examples of Dravidian-style architecture. In the evening, you will be taken to the railway station to
board the night train to Trichy. The night is spent on board the train.

Day 4: Kanchipuram - Trichy
In the morning you will arrive in Trichy and immediately taken to your hotel by our representative.
An afternoon tour of Trichy, formerly the citadel of the Chola dynasty in the medieval period, is
scheduled. The Rock-Fort is the landmark of Trichy. A climb of 434 steps leads to an ancient
temple to Ganapati and a further climb takes you to a Shiva temple. Overnight is in Trichy.

Day 5: Trichy - Madurai
This morning you will be driven to Madurai en route visiting Tanjore. At Tanjore, the beautiful Chola
Temple of Brihadeshwara is capped by a monolithic cupola made of a single granite block weighing
80 tons. Its bronzes and handicrafts make Tanjore one of the highlights of a visit to South India.
Overnight is in Madurai.

Day 6: Madurai
Today, visits to the great Meenakshi Temple, Tirumala Nayak Palace, the Alagar Hills and the
Tirupara Kundran Rock temple are planned. Your afternoon is free to spend as you wish. Overnight
is in Madurai.

Day 07 : Madurai - Periyar National Park
From Madurai you will be driven to Periyar National Park. Set up in 1934, it encompasses 777
square km and forms part of the high mountain ranges called the Western Ghats. Wildlife can be
seen while cruising on Periyar Lake in a motor boat. Among the animals which can be seen are
elephants, wild boar, sambar, tiger, leopard, wild dogs, and langur monkeys. Overnight is in your
accommodation in Periyar.

Day 8: Periyar National Park - Cochin
After checking out of your accommodations in Periyar, you will be driven to Cochin. Overnight is in
Cochin.

Day 9: Cochin
Cochin spans the natural harbor created by the famed underwater Malabar mud banks which ensure
that the rougher the seas are outside, the calmer the waters are within the harbor. Vasco de Gama
placed it on the world map. Overnight is in Cochin.

Day 10: Cochin - Bangalore - Mysore
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your Bangalore flight. Immediately after
landing in Bangalore you will be driven directly to Mysore. Overnight is in Mysore.

Day 11: Mysore
A full day excursion to Belur and Halebid is an option. The Chenna Kesava temple of Belur, built
900 years ago, is an exquisite example of Hoysala art. Halebid's 12th century Hoysaleswara and
Kedareswara temples are masterpieces of Hindu art. On your return, if time permits, you can visit
Sravanbelgola. At Sravanbelgola, chiseled out of a single rock and visible from a distance of 25 km is
the statue of Lord Gomteshwara which is bathed with milk and honey once every 12 years.
Overnight is in Mysore.

Day 12: Mysore
After breakfast, a visit to the palace of the Maharaja of Mysore. Built in 1911 - 1912, the palace is a
harmonious syntheses of the Hindu and saracenic styles of architecture with magnificient archways,
domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures. Next, you might consider a visit to an art gallery, a drive
up to Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple and its panoramic views of Mysore. On the
way back, see the Nandi Bull. Your afternoon is free. Overnight is in Mysore.

Day 13 : Mysore - Chennai
You will be taken to the railway station in Mysore to board the train to Chennai. Upon arrival you
will be transferred to your hotel by our representative. Overnight is in Chennai.

Day 14: Chennai
Today you will check out from your hotel and transferred to the railway station or airport for your
onward journey. Tour ends.