Itinerary

Day 1

Flight to India (Chennai)
Around Midnight arrival in Chennai (formerly known as Madras). The cosmopolitan city and capital of Tamil Nadu is the main gateway for travellers to South India. Upon arrival, you will be met by an Indo Vacations representative and transferred to the hotel.

Day 2

Chennai
After having the breakfast we start the sightseeing of Chennai. We visit the Fort St. George near the harbour area of Chennai. The British built this fort in the 17th century. We will also visit the St. Mary's Church. This church was the first English church in India.

Day 3

Chennai - Mysore
In the morning we drive through the betel nut and pepper plantation and proceed to Mysore. Mysore is world famous for Silk and Sandalwood. Mysore is also a centre of producing saris. Saree is a common dress of woman in India. In Mysore we drive to Chamundi Hill to see a giant Nandi (buffalo god) and enjoy the view of the surroundings form the hilltop. In the evening we will visit the beautiful Brindavan garden.

Day 4

Mysore - Halebid - Belur (about 170 km)
Today we visit the most impressive and one of the largest city palaces in India. The City Palace of Mysore "Ambar Vilas" is built in the Indo-Saracenic style. After the sightseeing of Mysore we proceed through picturesque hilly landscape and arrive in Halebid. Halebid was the ancient capital of Hoysala Empire. In Halebid we visit the Hoysalesvara Temple of 12th century where we see half-life size statues of Hindu deities, with minute details of each, all around the temple. After the visit in Halebid we proceed to Belur. In Belur we visit the group of Chennakesava Temples. These temples are famous for their architecture and sculptures. Belur and Halebid are the apex of the cultural heritage of Karnataka.

Day 5

Belur - Sravanbelgola - Bangalore (about 160 km)
In the morning after having breakfast we drive to Bangalore. On the way to Bangalore we make a stopover in Sravanbelgola where we visit the colossal monolithic statue of Gomatesvara, standing 18 meters high of 1980 AD. This Jain sculpture represents the saintly prince Bahubali after he had gained enlightenment. After the visit of Sravanbelgola we proceed for Bangalore. Bangalore is the capital city of the Indian state Karnataka. This former "Garden city" Bangalore is known today as "computer city" of India. In Bangalore we visit the monolithic Nandi, Shiva's Bull and famous Gowda Fort. The Gowda Fort was built by the Tipu Sultan.

Day 6

Bangalore - Hassan
In the morning we drive through the garden city with its numerous avenues of Jacaranda, gulmohar and cassia. Today we visit Tipu's summer palace. Drive past numerous parks, the Vidhan Sauda and downtown commercial centre. Today we also visit Protima Bedi`s Dance Village. Overnight Hassan.

Day 7

Hassan - Mahabalipuram
Today after having breakfast we drive through the coastal route to Mahabalipuram. In Mahabalipuram we visit some of the 14 cave temples and 9 monolithic rathas (temple chariots). Pallavamala was the ruler who made the port famous in the 7th century and was largely responsible for building the temples.

Day 8

Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Chidambaram
In the morning after having breakfast we drive to Pondicherry. Pondicherry was retained as French colony until 1954. Pondicherry has even today French atmosphere amidst the surrounding Tamil country. We visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, which is a world famous Yoga and philosophy center. Then we drive through the tropical mountains to Chidambaram. Chidambaram lies on the north edge of the Coleroon River. In Chidambaram we visit the Natraja Temple. This temple is dedicated to the dancing Lord Shiva, a famous Hindu deity of the Chola Kings.

Day 9

Chidambaram - Kumbakonam - Tanjore
Today after having breakfast we drive to Tanjore. On the way to Tanjore we have a stop over in Kumbakonam. Kumbakonam is famous for its 18 temples in the town centre. Tanjore was the capital of great Chola King who built more than 70 temples between 10th and 14th century. We visit here one of the world heritage monument, Brihasdisvara Temple (11th century), which is also known as big temple.

Day 10

Tanjore - Srirangam - Trichy (about 60 km)
Today we drive to Srirangam and visit the Ranganathasvami Temple. This temple is one of the largest temples in India dedicated to god Vishnu. After the visit of Srirangam we proceed to Trichy. Trichy, the land near the delta is very fertile and productive. This town Trichy is so ancient that Ptolemy mentioned it in the 2nd century BC by Alexandrian geographer. We have to climb stairs for the famous Rock Fort. This fort was built on 84 m high rock in the centre of town in about 1660. We also visit a Shiva and Ganesha temple and enjoy a wonderful view of the surroundings from the top.

Day 11

Trichy - Madurai (about 140 km)
Today we leave Trichy and drive to Madurai. Madurai is situated on the bank of river Vaigai and is also referred to as the Athens of the East. Madurai has the most outstanding examples of Vijayanagar temple architecture in the Minakshi Temple, a standing monument to the temple builders of the 16th and 17th century. We spend enough time in Minakshi Temple and afterwards have a walk through the bazaars of this 2500 years old town before we drive back to the hotel.

Day 12

Madurai
Today we first visit Tirumalai Nayaka Palace. This palace was built in the 1636 and represents the Indo-Mughal style. Today we will also visit Gandhi Museum. In Gandhi Museum we get the information about the life of Gandhi and freedom movement during the presence of British in India.

Day 13

Madurai - Chennai
Today after having breakfast we drive to Chennai. After arrival in Chennai we will get refresh and have dinner before we depart to the airport with the Indo Vacations representative.

Day 14

Chennai
Around midnight flight to home destination.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Rooms on the departure day.

Exclusions -

Unspecified Meals etc.

Extras -

Given cost if on per person basis on minimum two travelers. There is discount available between April and September. Please write us to receive more details !