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Day
01:
Arrive Mumbai (Bombay)
Arrive tonight in Mumbai (formerly bombay), India's most
cosmopolitan city. You are greeted with a traditional
Indian welcome by Company representative and escorted to
your pre booked hotel.
Day 02:
Mumbai sightseeing
Guided city tour of Mumbai. Visit Elephanta Island
through Gateway of India (Gateway of India was conceived
as a triumphal arch to commemorate the visit of George V
and Queen Mary for the Delhi Darbar in 1911). Also visit
Hanging Gardens, Malabar Hill, Princes of Wales Museum,
Dhobi Ghat (Open air Indian Laundry) and take a drive
through beautiful Marine Drive.
Day 03:
Mumbai - Bangalore by flight
This morning fly to the “Garden city of India”
Bangalore, one of the most beautiful and well-planned
cities in India. Upon arrival assisted transfer to the
hotel, later guided city tour. Visit to Lal Bagh
Botanical Gardens – here you can find varieties of
species of flora. The Tipu's Palace, the Mysore Arts and
Crafts Center, the bull species of flora. The Tipu's
Palace, the Mysore Arts and Crafts Center, the bull
temple and the colorful and bustling markets are the
other attractions of the city.
Day 04:
Bangalore - Shravanabelagola - Chikmagalur (250 kms/05
hrs)
Drive to a calm, serene town full of scenic surprises.
Hills, valleys, streams and snow-white coffee blossoms
are all here to woo. In and around Chikmagalur there are
beautiful hill stations and places of picturesque
beauty. En route visiting Shravanbelagola one of the
most important Jain pilgrim centres of India. The 58
feet naked statue of Jain saint Gommateshwara (981 AD)
carved out of a mountain believed to be one of the
tallest and most graceful statues in the world. Upon
arrival assisted check in hotel..
Day 05:
Chikmagalur - Belur - Halebid - Mysore (200 Kms/04
hrs)
Today we will be going to Mysore, en route visiting
Belur & Halebid. Belur, situated on the banks of the
Yagachi River, is home to the Chennakesava Temple, which
basks in the glory of one of the greatest monuments of
medieval art in India. An outstanding example of Indian
temple architecture is Found in Halebid. Hoysaleshwara
Temple's entire surface is covered with a succession of
friezes running its entire length, featuring elephants,
lions, horsemen, and an incredible display of celestial
beasts and birds. Tonight, in Mysore, view the
illuminated City Palace.
Day 06:
Mysore sightseeing
Sightseeing of Mysore includes City Palace, Chamundi
Hill (where Nandi, a huge monolithic image of Shiva's
Bull, is always garlanded with flowers and held in high
esteem by Hindus), and the colorful and aromatic spice
markets. Your afternoon is at leisure. This evening
drive 10 miles from Mysore to enjoy the beautiful and
exquisitely illuminated Brindavan Gardens, which sprawl
amid gorgeous cascading fountains.
Day 07:
Bangalore -Cochin by flight
Drive to Bangalore, stopping en route at Srirangapatnam,
where the legendary warrior Tipu Sultan built his island
fortress and Summer Palace. Upon arrival in Bangalore,
connect with your flight to Cochin the capital of “God's
own country –Kerala”, known for its well-balanced
ecosystem.
Day 08:
Cochin - Kumarakom (50 Kms/01 hour 30 min)
This morning visit the Portuguese-built St. Francis
Church, the Jewish Synagogue, the This morning visit the
Portuguese-built St. Francis Church, the Jewish
Synagogue, the famed Mattancherry Palace, and see the
use of Chinese fishing nets—ingenious devices requiring
little human attention. Depart this afternoon for
Kumarakom, experiencing the rich culture and active
lifestyle that has evolved over the centuries in and
around the backwaters and waterways that thread this
region.
Day 09 :
Backwaters Cruise
This morning, enjoy a boat ride through the series of
canals and lagoons that snake their way through several
tiny villages and tropical vegetation. Not only do the
backwaters of Kerala link the state together, they are
an integral element in maintaining ecological balance
and creating harmony with nature. Your afternoon is at
leisure. You may want to experience an Ayurvedic
therapeutic massage, indigenous to this region, which is
both relaxing and healing, or perhaps take advantage of
the rich waters with a bit of fishing.
Day 10 :
Kumarakom - Thekkady (130 Kms/03hrs)
Your exploration of South India continues as you travel
to Thekkady, located on the Tamil Nadu / Kerala border.
This unique wildlife sanctuary is about 300 square miles
and centered on an artificial lake fed by the Periyar
River. Afternoon is at leisure.
Day 11:
Thekkady -Madurai (140 Kms/ 03 hrs 30 min)
This morning you will enjoy game viewing from boats that
carry you along convoluted waterways and afford you
sightings of elephants, bison, deer and occasionally
tigers. This tropical habitat makes it one of the
premiere reserves of southern India and home to all
manner of flora and fauna. Later in the afternoon, drive
to Madurai, a bustling city packed with pilgrims,
businessmen, bullock carts and legions of rickshaw
pullers. In the evening, visit Meenakshi Temple to
witness the evening prayer ceremony.
Day 12:
Madurai -Chennai (Madras) by flight
This morning, return to Meenakshi Temple, a riotously
baroque example of Dravidian architecture. Also visit
Thirumalai Nayak Palace and the Gandhi Museum. Continue
to Mariamman Teppakkulam Tank, site of the Teppam or
float festival in January each year. Later fly to
Chennai (formerly known as Madras), the fourth largest
city in India.
Day 13:
Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram Excursion
Today, enjoy an excursion to Kanchipuram, one of the
seven sacred cities of India, which served as a Capital
for several dynasties. Visit three of the best temples—Kailasanatha
and Ekambareshwara (dedicated to Lord Shiva) and
Vaikuntaperumal (dedicated to Lord Vishnu). Continue
your excursion to the ancient Vaikuntaperumal (dedicated
to Lord Vishnu). Continue your excursion to the ancient
7th century rock hewn monuments. The shore temple, the
last surviving of seven temples, is a unique example of
a temple built of rock quarried elsewhere and carried to
shore.
Day 14:
Chennai sightseeing – Departure
Your tour of Chennai takes you to Victoria Art Gallery,
the Bronze Gallery and Chennai Museum. Visits to Fort
St. George, San Thome Cathedral and Kapaleswarar Temple
unforgettable India and board your international flight
for home. |
