| |
|
|
India Tours >>
Best Sellers
>>
Kerala Tours
>>
South India Tours >>
Temples & Back Waters of South India
|
Temples & Back Waters of South India
Mumbai - Madurai - Periyar -
Kumarakom - Cochin - Mysore - Hassan - Bangalore - Mumbai Duration : 13 days. |
 |
| Day 1- Home / Mumbai |
| Depart for Bombay. Night in the plane. |
| Day 2- Mumbai |
Arrive Bombay in the morning...! Welcome and transfer to the hotel.
Bombay now called Mumbai is the Gateway to India & Capital of Maharashtra . It is country’s foremost sea port, commercial centre and centre of worlds largest film industry commonly called the Bollywood. Afternoon, depart for the visit of the city: visiting Gateway of India – The imposing stone archway in Indo-Saracenic architecture built in 1911 , Hanging Gardens, the Aquarium and Marine Drive (also known) as "Queens Necklace". The street lights shinning like jewels at night Then visit the museum of Wales, then walk towards the Victoria station and the market of Colaba. Overnight |
| Day 3- Mumbai |
| In the morning take a cruise in the Arabian Sea to see the famous Elephanta Caves- Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD, The cave complex is a collection of shrines, courtyards, inner cells, grand halls and porticos arranged in the splendid symmetry of Indian rock-cut architecture, and filled with exquisite stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses represented in many reincarnations. Afternoon free for independent activities or rest. Overnight. |
| Day 4- BOMBAY / MADURAI (flight) |
| Depart for Madurai- One of south India's oldest
cities, it is also the the cultural capital of South India. It has been a centre of learning and pilgrimage, for centuries. Arrive and proceed to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit of the city: Tirumalai Nayak Palace, which was built in 1636 whose architecture has a mix of Indo-Muslim with
Italian influence . Thereafter walk in its colourful bazaars famous for its Silk Sarees and materials. Return to the hotel.
Overnight in Madurai. |
| Day 5- Madurai |
| In the morning, visit the Meenakshi -Sundareswarar temple temple which is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture, with
Gopurams covered from top to bottom, in a profusion of multi coloured images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical figures. It has many beautiful mandapms, the most outstanding being the hall of thousand pillars with images of gods, goddesses and men represented in this exuberant display of Dravidian sculpture. It is the most alive temple of India. In the evening, we will attend a special ceremony with melodious music when lord Sundarasvehvara, goes to rest beside goddess Meenakshi. Overnight |
| Day 6- MADURAI / MUNNAR |
| Morning drive to Munnar. Munnar, situated at the confluence of three streams surrounded by the Annamalai hills. It offers a spectacular views of the craggy peaks , manicured tea estates and pictureseque landscape. Munnar was also the summer resort of the Raj in South India. The winding lanes of the colonial town are filled with fragrance of fresh tea wafting out of the innumerable tea processing plants and has its own charm. In the afternoon we walk in the plantation of tea,pepper and cardomom and wathc ladies plucking the tea leaves. Overnight
in Munnar. |
| Day 7- MUNNAR / PERIYAR |
| In the morning, we take scenic route through the Western
Ghats for Periyar Park, set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats with a beautiful lake at the heart of the sanctuary, formed with the building of a dam in 1895 in Kerala. Arrive and check in to the hotel. In the afternoon we set out to discover the park. Animals found here
include elephant, sambar, gaur and wild boars and birds like ibis and grey heron. The visit is done in a boat to view animals. With a bit of extra luck, we may be able to see the rare tiger, as well. Overnight . |
| Day 8- PERIYAR / Kumarakom Houseboats Cruise |
| In the morning, walk in the spice market before
departing for Kumarakom, on arrival board the houseboat cruise for
Alleppey, This trip will take us through the tropical countryside
enchanting backwaters to Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the
vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets, typical villages
and regattas (boats snakes) for which Kerala is very famous. Arrive
Alleppey, and proceed to Cochin. This city, with a fine natural harbour,
has been Kerala’s center of trade for innumerable centuries. |
| Day 9- Alleppey / COCHIN |
| Arrive Alleppey Jetty, on arrival drive to Cochin
on arrival in Cochin check in at the hotel. Afternoon sight seeing tour
of Cochin which has one of the oldest churches in India, 500 years old Portuguese houses, cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, the historical Palace built by the Portuguese,
Jew town, complete with an immaculately preserved synagogues. Witness Spectacle of the Kathakali dances. Overnight. |
| Day 10- COCHIN / BANGALORE (Flight) / MYSORE |
| In the morning, we take a flight to Bangalore. Arrive and continue by road towards Mysore, the capital of the erstwhile princely state, this quaint charming city of Mysore has a profusion of palaces and museums. around which the boulevards of the city radiate. Enroute, we stop at Srirangapattanam the summer Palace of Tipu Sultan, located on an island of Cauvery. In the South India under the British Rule TIPU SULTAN was a unique hero because he was the first one to dare take up arms against the British. In the afternoon, we visit the Mysore Palace one of the grand and magnificient palaces in India . It's a kaleidoscope of stained glass, beautiful carved wooden doors, mosaic floors, exquisite paintings . Mysore is famous for its silk, sandalwood and incense sticks. Overnight |
| Day 11- MYSORE / HASSAN |
| In the morning depart for picturesque town of Hassan, to see the centuries old temples of
Sravanabelgola, Belur and Halebid. Sravanabelgola is an important pilgrim centre for Jains. It has a huge
monolithic stone statue - 17 meters high of Gomateswara believed to be the world’s tallest. Continue towards Hassan. In the afternoon excursion to the temples of of Belur and Halebid a perfect example of the Hoysala style of Architecture. Squat temples, built on high platforms decorated with horizontal bands of exuberant sculptures - an endless variety on animals, birds, Gods, Goddesses, heavenly beings, all perfectly sculpted with a variety of Intricate details. Return to the hotel. Overnight |
| Day 12- Hassan / BANGALORE / BOMBAY (FLIGHT) |
| In the morning depart for Bangalore, the capital of the state of Karnataka. Panoramic tour of the city: The majestic Vidhan Sabha – The state Administrative Head Quarters was built in Neo-Dravidien style. This city is also called Silicon Valley of India famous for its aeronautics and computers industry. Thereafter proceed to airport to take the flight for Bombay. Arrive and proceed to the hotel. Overnight |
| Day 13- BOMBAY / Home |
| Transfer to airport to take the flight to your next destination. |
|
