SOUTH INDIA TOURS

Duration : 09 NIGHTS/10 DAYS

Cities Covered : MADRAS-MYSORE-COONOOR-TRICHY-TANJORE-MADURAI-MADRAS

Highlights : This tour takes you to the bastion of erstwhile British East India Company, the finest garden city of South India. Splendid Summer Palaces with its rich sandalwood carved architecture. Visit to the finest examples of South Indian stucco image filled temples.

DAY 01 : MADRAS / CHENNAI TOUR

Arrive Madras. Meeting and transfer to the hotel (Check-in time 12 noon). Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 02 : MADRAS / CHENNAI TOUR

Morning city tour visiting the Fort of St. George, High Court, Fort Museum, Marina Beach, Santhome Cathedral and Snake park and drive past the Flower and Fruit market. Afternoon excursion to Mahabalipuram, 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. Evening witness Bharatnatyam dance followed by Dinner at The Rain Tree Restaurant. Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 03 : MADRAS / BANGALORE / MYSORE TOUR

In time transfer to the Railway Station to board the Shatabdi Express train to Bangalore.
Arrive and transfer by car to Mysore. Enroute visit Srirangapatnam - 16 Kms before Mysore. Visit the Fort and Palaces of Tipu Sultan, Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, Daria Daulat and his Mausoleum. Thereafter, proceed to Mysore. Arrive and check-in at hotel. Afternoon city tour visiting Maharaja Palace, Art Gallery and drive to upto Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple and a panoramic view of Mysore. Visit the Nandi Bull. Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 04 : MYSORE / BELUR / HALEBID / MYSORE TOUR

Full day excursion by car to Belur and Halebid. In Belur visit Cheena Kesava Temple built in 1117 A.D. and in Halebid visit Chenningaraja Temple. Return to Mysore. Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 05 : MYSORE / COONOOR TOUR

Depart by car for Coonoor. Arrive and check in at hotel. Rest of the day relax amidst the picturesque surroundings. Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 06 : COONOOR / TRICHY TOUR

Morning depart by car for Trichy. Arrive and check-in at hotel. Late afternoon city tour visiting the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Ganapathi situated on a high rock. The ascent through 434 steps is climaxed by a magnificient view of the sacred Kaveri river. Visit Srirangam, a massive temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

DAY 07 : TRICHY / TANJORE TOUR

Morning depart by car for Madurai. On arrival traditional welcome with Sandal paste, rose water, flowers and relax with a soft drink. Check in at hotel. Later visit the famous Chola temple of Brihadeshwara. Also visit Art Gallery and Saraswati Mahal Library. Afternoon visit a South Indian village and Coconut Plantation on the banks of the River Cauvery. Return to Tanjore and enjoy a Bullock Cart ride through the town. Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 08 : TANJORE / MADURAI TOUR

Morning depart by car for Madurai. Arrive and check in at hotel. Afternoon city tour visiting the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva, with its towering Gopurams. Later, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace - a gracious building in the Indo-Saracenic style, famous for the Stucco work on its domes and arches. Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 09 : MADURAI / CHENNAI TOUR

Early morning transfer to the airport to board flight for Madras/Chennai. Arrive and transfer to hotel.

DAY 10 : DEPART MADRAS / CHENNAI TOUR

In time transfer to the airport to board flight for onward destination.

Note: Train schedule subject to change.