21 DAYS SPECIAL TOUR OF SOUTH INDIA

Day 01 : ARRIVAL TO CHENNAI

Arrival Madras, Meet assistance and transfer to Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 02: CHENNAI - MAHABALIPURAM

Drive to mahabalipuram, enroute visiting kanchipuram (76 kms/2 hrs).O/N at Hotel.

Day 03 : 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.

Day 04 : MAHABALIPURAM / KANCHIPURAM

Full day tour of Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram (64 kms from Chennai (Madras) 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 & has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks.

Day 05 : MAHABALIPURAM - TANJORE

Full day city tour and visit Chola Temple and Brihadeshwara is capped by a monolithic cupola made of a single granite block weighing 80 tons which was taken to the top with the help of a 6 km long ramp, an old technique used by the Egyptians for building pyramids. Its bronzes and handicrafts make Tanjore one of the highlights of a visit to South India. Overnight Thanjavur.

Day 06 : TANJORE - TRICHY

After Breakfast drive to Trichy and check in Hotel and in the evening Free and overnight at hotel.

Day 07 : TRICHY

Trichy was the citadel of the Chola dynasty in the medieval period. In the 18th century it witnessed the Carnatic wars fought between the French and the English. Lord Robert Clive's house is still there to see and so is the Danish Church. The Rock-Fort is the landmark of Trichy. A climb of 434 steps leads to the ancient temple of Ganapati on top and a further climb to a Shiva temple. Overnight Trichy.

Day 08 : TRICHY - MADURAI

Drive to Madurai check in Hotel in the afternoon, Evening visit to Bazaar and Overnight Madurai.

Day 09 : MADURAI

Morning 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. Also visit the Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple. Afternoon free. Overnight Madurai.

Day 10 : MADURAI - KOVALAM

Morning drive to Kovalam and in the afternoon check in Hotel and evening free. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 11 : KOVALAM - KANYAKUMARI - KOVALAM

Day excursion to Kanyakumari - meeting point of three oceans, the Bay of Bengal meets the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. Kanyakumari is famous for its beautiful views of sunrise, sunset and moonrise over the waters. Kanyakumari is also a popular pilgrimage destination and of great significance to Hindus

Day 12 : KOVALAM

One of India's most spectacular beach with the boundless blue of the Arabian Sea and the unwinding miles of fine - sanded beaches washed by the surf which roars and hisses at the feet of the stalwart palms. Located in idyllic surroundings, it's a beautiful getaway for relaxation & recuperation. Rest of the day at leisure for own activities and enjoy the facilities of the hotel or at the beach. Overnight at hotel

Day 13 : KOVALAM - BACKWATER - ALEPPEY

Morning Check out of the Hotel and Drive to Aleppey on the way from Changnashree take a Back water Cruise for 4 hours and in the evening reach Aleppey. Overnight at Aleppey.

Day 14 : ALEPPEY - COCHIN

Drive to cochin and overnight at Hotel.

Day 15 : COCHIN

Morning tour of Cochin. Cochin is the natural harbour created by the famed underwater Malabar mud-banks whose quality ensures that the rougher the seas are outside the calmer the waters are within the Harbour. Vasco-de-Gama placed it on the world map. It has a Jewish synagogue, Portuguese churches, mosques & Hindu temples. Watch the Chinese Fishing Nets. Afternoon free. Overnight Cochin.

Day 16 : COCHIN - OOTY

Drive from Ooty on of the best place in south India. Ootacamund, the queen of the hill stations of South India, One can see many profiles of nature, each with a distinctive orandeur Ooty is nited for its extraordinary scenic beauty and salubrious climate famous for Wildlife and Tea Garden.

Day 17 : OOTY - HASSAN - MYSORE

Drive to Mysore on the way visit Hassan Belur and Halebid , Sravanabelgola and Lunch and in the evening Arrive Mysore and Transfer to Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 18 : MYSORE

Morning 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 & a panoramic view of Mysore. On the way back, see the Nandi Bull. Afternoon free. Overnight Mysore.

Day 19 : MYSORE - BANGALORE

Morning check out of the Hotela nd Drive to Banglore and in the afternoon Arrive to Banglore and Day free, Overnight at Hotel.

Day 20 : BANGALORE - CHENNAI (MADRAS)

Full Day city tour and in the evening Transfer to Airport to catch flight to your country.

Day 21 : CHENNAI (MADRAS) - YOUR COUNTRY

Departure