Spice of South

Day 01. ARRIVE CHENNAI (MADRAS)
Arrive late evening in Chennai, where our representative will meet you outside the customs area and escort you to your hotel. He will then assist you in checking in.

Stay overnight in Chennai.

Day 02. IN CHENNAI
After an early breakfast proceed for the city tour of Madras, visiting National Art Gallery which houses 10th century paintings, religious statues and relics. This building was built in 1906 in the Indo-Sarcenic style of architecture. The bronze gallery has exhibits dating from the 10th till 13th century. Later visit St. Thomas Cathedral and then drive past the Marina beach.

Later in the afternoon take an excursion to Kanchipuram, a small town of 1000 temples dating back to 7th century. The famous shrines of Kailasanatha and Ekambareshwara are dedicated to Lord Shiva, and Vaikuntaperumal is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Stay overnight in Chennai.

Day 03 CHENNAI - MAHABALIPURAM - PONDICHERRY (105 MILES)
This morning after an early breakfast you will drive to Pondicherry enroute visiting Mahabalipuram, famous for the seven pagodas. Here on the seashore are the ancient rock hewn temples, which are examples of the Dravidian style of architecture.

Continue the journey to Pondicherry enroute visiting the Auroville ashram. Upon arrival check in and relax for the evening.

Stay overnight in Pondicherry.

Day 04 PONDICHERRY - CHIDAMBARAM (53 MILES) - GANGAIKONDACHOLAPURAM (38 MILES) - KUMBHAKONAM (25 MILES) - DARASURAM (3 MILES) - TANJORE (25 MILES)
After an early breakfast visit the city of Pondicherry, which was once a French colony and later proceed to Tanjore enroute visiting the temples at Chidambaram, Gangaikondacholapuram, Kumbhakonam and Darasuram. Arrive late evening in Tanjore and check into the hotel.

Stay overnight in Tanjore.

Day 05. TANJORE - TRICHY - TANJORE (75 MILES)
After an early breakfast proceed to Trichy, to visit the ancient temple of Lord Ganpati (Lord Ganesha), the most sacred of Indian deities who is worshipped before the starting of any new work. There are 434 steps cut out into the rock side that leads to the temple. One can also visit the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Return to Tanjore in the afternoon. Later in the afternoon visit the beautiful Chola temple of Brihadeshvara in Tanjore, which is capped by a monolithic cupola made of a single granite block weighing 80 tonnes.

Stay overnight in Tanjore.

Day 06 TANJORE - MADURAI (99 MILES)
This morning after breakfast drive on to Madurai. This city has been a center of learning and pilgrimage, for centuries. It is also known as the Temple City and is situated on the banks of the river Vaigai.

Upon arrival check in at the hotel and relax for sometime. Later in the evening visit the Meenakshi temple and witness the 'Aarti' ceremony. The priest worships the deities with oil lamps.

Stay overnight in Madurai.

Day 07. IN MADURAI
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then proceed for the city tour of Madurai. Start with the famous Meenakshi temple that boasts of excellent Dravidian architecture, with gopurams (Large gateways) and mandapams (Multi-pillared halls) covered from base to top with multi-colored images of Gods, Goddesses, animals and mythical figures. Later visit the Tirumalai Naik Palace, built in 1523 in Indo-Saracenic style of architecture.

Stay overnight in Madurai.

Day 08. MADURAI - THEKKADY (88 MILES)
This morning after breakfast drive on to Thekkady (Periyar). Upon arrival check in at the hotel and relax. Thekkady is known for its cool climate due to its location and the beautiful Periyar forest and wildlife sanctuary therein. The region is also famous for its spice plantations.

Enjoy the ever-famous Ayurvedic massage in the evening or just lie by the pool. You could also enjoy a short walk in one of the spice plantations.

Stay overnight in Thekkady.

Day 09. THEKKADY - COCHIN (125 MILES)
Enjoy an early morning boat ride on Lake Periyar, in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is spread over an area of 777 sq. km, of which 360 sq. km is thick evergreen forest.

Return to the hotel for breakfast and then drive on to Cochin, en route enjoying a backwater cruise from Kottayam till Allepey. On this cruise you will get an opportunity to see the life of a common man working and living on the banks of the canal. Disembark at Allepey and then continue to Cochin by road.

Arrive and check in to the hotel for next two nights.

Later in the evening visit the auditorium to witness a performance of the classical dance, 'Kathakali'. The best part is to see the make up being done on these artists. It's a very laborious process.

Stay overnight in Cochin.

Day 10. IN COCHIN
This morning after breakfast enjoy the city tour of Cochin. Visit the Dutch Palace, built originally by the Portuguese but modified by the Dutch in the 17th century and presented to the King of Kochi. Later visit the Jewish synagogue, decorated with Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. (It is closed on every Friday, Saturday and national holidays). After this, visit St. Francis Church, the oldest church built by the Europeans. Lastly proceed to view the one of its kind fishing nets, aptly called Chinese fishing nets, as it is believed that traders from the court of Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets.

Stay overnight in Cochin.

Day 11. COCHIN - BANGALORE BY FLIGHT AND THEN BY SURFACE TO MYSORE (94 MILES - SURFACE JOURNEY)
After an early breakfast, our representative will escort you to the airport to help you board the flight to Bangalore. Upon arrival our representative will assist you with your bags and you will proceed directly to Mysore, enroute stopping at Srirangapatnam, where the legendary warrior Tipu Sultan built his island fortress and Summer Palace.

Upon arrival check in to the hotel and relax for the evening.

Stay overnight in Mysore.

Day 12. IN MYSORE
Enjoy full day tour of Mysore city, visiting the City Palace; Chamundi Hills where a huge monolithic statue called Nandi (Lord Shiva's bull) is always garlanded and held in high esteem by Hindus; the colourful and aromatic spice markets.

In the evening enjoy a visit to the exquisitely illuminated Brindavan Garden, sprawling amid gorgeous cascading fountains.

Stay overnight in Mysore.

Day 13. MYSORE - HALEBID - BELUR - CHIKMAGALUR (88 MILES)
This morning proceed to Chikmagalur enroute visiting Belur and Halebid. Situated on the banks of river Yagachi, Belur basks in the glory of one of the greatest monuments of medieval art in India - Chennakesava Temple. An outstanding example of Indian temple architecture is found in Halebid. Housaleshwara Temple's entire surface is covered with a succession of celestial beasts and birds.

Upon arrival check in at the hotel in Chikmagalur and relax for the balance of the day.

Stay overnight in Chikmagalur.

Day 14. CHIKMAGALUR - BANGALORE (117 MILES)
This morning after breakfast proceed back to Bangalore enroute visiting Sravanabelagola.

Sravanabelagola is famous for the colossal statue of Gomateshwara, who is also referred to as the Lord Bahubali. Carved out of a monolithic stone, the imposing 17 meter high statue of Gomata stands in majestic splendor and is visible even from a distance of 13 miles. Starkly simple, the brilliantly chiseled features of the statue personify tranquility. His perfect lips are turned out at the corners with a hint of a smile, viewing the world with indifference. From the base, a flight of 614 steps, finely carved from the granite of the mountain, leads to the summit where this great statue stands.

Arrive early afternoon in Bangalore and check in to the hotel. Post lunch proceed for a short orientation tour of the city visiting Lal Bagh Botanical gardens and the bull temple. Spend some time shopping before proceeding to the international terminal at the airport to connect to the flight for the onward destination.

Day 15. LEAVE BANGALORE
Transfer to the airport in time to connect to the flight for onward destination.