Day
01 : Depart North
America
Day 02 : Arrival Chennai
Day 03 : Chennai
Day 04 : Chennai / Mahabalipuram / Kanchipuram / Chennai
Day 05 : Chennai / Trichy
Day 06 : Trichy / Tanjore
Day 07 : Tanjore / Madurai
Day 08 : Madurai
Day 09 : Madurai / Periyar
Day 10 : Periyar
Day 11 : Periyar / Kochi
Day 12 : Kochi
Day 13 : Kochi / Goa
Day 14 : Goa
Day 15 : Goa / Mumbai
Day 16 : Mumbai
Day 17 : Mumbai / Final
Departure
Highlights
The
Impressive Meenakshi Temple of
Madurai
Spice
and Tea Plantation visit in Periyar
Backwater Cruise in
Kerala
Kathakali
Dance in Kochin
Cooking Demonstration
at Periyar
17 Days Tour
Qualified English / any other
language speaking guides
Accommodation on full Board Basis
AC transportation throughout
Land Cost
Cost
of the tour
per person $00,000/-
Glimpses
Of South India
17 Days - 15
Nights
South India's magnificent architecture, beautiful
beaches and diverse culture are the best the country
has to offer. This exceptional tour includes a visit
to Madras, the gateway to the ancient temple-studded
state of Tamil Nadu, impressive Meenakshi temple
of Madurai, the Rock Fort temple at Tiruchirapalliu,
the peaceful backwaters between Kottayam and Alleppey,
the spice and tea plantations in the Nilgiri Hills
and the beautiful beaches of Goa. The peace and
tranquility of the small villages and towns that
dot the southern states provide a welcome relief
from the hustle and bustle of the large cities.
And the rich cultural heritage is evident in the
colourful and dramatic dance techniques and superb
bronze sculptures of dancing Shivas, Durgas and
Ganeshes that originated in this part of the country.
ITINERARY IN DETAIL
Day 01 : Depart
North America
Day
02 : Arrive Chennai (MADRAS)
On arrival at Chennai airport, transfer to your
hotel.
Day
03 : Chennai
In the morning, you will have a tour of Chennai
to see some of the highlights of India's fourth
largest city. Visit the National Art Gallery and
Museum, which houses temple friezes and South Indian
bronze, the San Thomas Cathedral, the Mylapore Temple
and St. Mary's Church. In the evening you will have
a special welcome dinner.
Day
04 : Chennai / Mahabalipuram / Kanchipuram / Chennai
ToDay, full Day excursion to Mahabalipuram, the
city of seven pagodas formerly known as 'Mamallapuram',
was the main harbour and naval base of the Pallava
Empire. Observe the finest temples, from Spartan
unadorned beginnings at Mahabalipuram, to the elaborate
towering Chola and Vijaya Nagar examples at Kanchipuram,
which is also famous for its silk.
Day
05 : Chennai / Trichy
Transfer to airport / station for flight / train
to Trichy. On arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Day 06 : Trichy
/ Tanjore
Morning, visit Rock Fort Temple, a spectacular monument
perched on a massive outcrop of rock. Afternoon,
proceed by road to Tanjore. Enroute visit Srirangam,
well known for its Ranganathaswamy temple. This
13th Century temple is situated on a 250 Cauvery
River and is connected to the mainland by a bridge.
On arrival in Tanjore, transfer to hotel.
Day 07 : Tanjore /
Madurai
In Tanjore, the ancient capital of the Chola Kings,
you will visit the Sri Brihadeshwara temple, built
by the great Chola King - Raja Raja, in the 10th
century AD, which is an outstanding example of Chola
architecture. The palace, located near the temple,
has huge corridors, spacious halls and an art gallery,
that contains several granite and bronze statues
of the Chola period. Afternoon, drive to Madurai.
Day 08
: Madurai
Morning, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace with its
musical pillars. Afternoon, tour the Meenakshi Temple
to view fine examples of Dravidian temple architecture
and also to see worshippers throng the Hall of a
Thousand Pillars to offer prayers to the many deities.
Late evening, optional tour to witness the closing
ceremony of the temple.
Day
09 : Madurai / Periyar Morning drive to Periyar. Late afternoon,
visit Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the
Cook hills, an area of winding roads, tea plantations,
rubber estates and pepper and coffee gardens.
Day 10 : Periyar
In the morning you will visit to a tea plantation,
a spice market and local villages. Afternoon will
be at leisure.
Day
11 : Periyar / Kochi
After breakfast, drive to Kottayam, for lunch at
Vembanad lake resort, followed by backwater cruise
to Alleppey. This leisurely journey provides a glimpse
into the tranquil lifestyle of the people that live
along the lagoons and waterways of the region. After
the cruise, you will be driven to Cochin.
Day 12 : Kochi
Tour of Kochi will include St. Francis Church and
a 400-year-old Jewish synagogue. A trip through
the Dutch Palace provides a view of 17th century
frescoes, court attire and other artifacts. Evening
special Kathakali dance performance followed by
seafood dinner.
Day
13 : Kochi / Goa
In the morning you will be transferred to the airport
for flight to Goa.
Day
14 : Goa
Morning at leisure. Afternoon drive to Old Goa,
to the Church of St. Francis of Assisi and the St
Cathedral, ostensibly the largest of its type in
the East, which comprises twenty four exquisite
altars.
Day 15 : Goa / Mumbai
Morning at leisure. Afternoon, flight to Mumbai.
On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight Mumbai.
Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 16 MUMBAI Morning
boat across Mumbai Harbour to Elephanta Island and
the cave temples that date back to the 8th century
BC, which are dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva.
Afternoon tour the Prince of Wales Museum, the Gateway
of India and the bustling Crawford Market. Late
evening buggy ride along Marine Drive, overlooking
the Arabian Sea.
Day
17 : Mumbai / Final Departure
Early morning transfer to International airport
for flight back home.
Highlights 
