DAY
01:
On arrival at Madras international airport, welcome and transfer
to hotel for overnight stay.
DAY
02:
After breakfast leave for city tour of Madras. Later drive to Kanchipuram.
Visit Kanchipuram, the golden city was one of the seven sacred cities
of India and once had 1000 temples. Now only 200 remain. It is also
famed for its hand woven cottons & Kanjivaram silk. Proceed
to Mahabalipuram. On arrival check-in hotel for overnight stay.
DAY
03:
After breakfast visit Mahabalipuram, also known as the
seven Pagodas. This is a pleasant seaside resort. Visit the Pallava
monuments which are spread over a wide area, some bordering the
sea. The important monuments to be seen are the five Rathas, the
bas-relief on a huge rock popularly known as the Arjuna's penance,
the mahishasura Mandapam, the Krishna Mandapam and the shore temple.
Evening free to relax on the beach. Overnight in hotel.
DAY 04:
After breakfast drive to Pondicherry (168 kms / 4 hrs approx). On
arrival check-in hotel. Later sight-seeing of Pondicherry. Overnight
in hotel.
DAY 05:
After breakfast drive to Tanjore (177 kms / 5 hrs approx). Afternoon
visit the famous 11th century Brihadeswara temple and the saraswati
library which has some rare collection of books and manuscripts.
DAY
06:
After breakfast leave for Trichy which was the citadel
of the Chola dynasty in the medieval period. In the 18th century
it witnessed the carnatic wars fought between the French & the
English, Lord Robert Clive's house is still there to see and so
is the Danish church. The rock fort is the landmark of Trichy. A
climb of 434 steps leads to the ancient temple of Ganapati on top
and a further climb to a Shiva temple. Proceed to Madurai (182 kms
/ 6 hrs approx). On arrival in Madurai check-in hotel for overnight
stay.
DAY
07:
After breakfast city tour visiting the great Meenakshi temple dedicated
to the consort of lord Shiva with its towering Gopurams (rising
high above the surrounding country side). Later, visit the Tirumala
Nayak Palace - a gracious building in the Indo Sarracenia style,
famous for the stucco work on its domes and arches. Afternoon free
at leisure.
DAY
08:
After breakfast drive to Periyar (137 kms / 4 hrs aprox).
Afternoon enjoy boat ride on lake Periyar to see wildlife. Evening
free. Overnight in hotel.
DAY
09:
After breakfast drive to Kottayam, start backwater boat cruise crossing
Vembanad lake into the backwaters of Kerala till Alleppey. From
here drive to Cochin. Afternoon free at leisure. Overnight in hotel.
DAY
10:
After breakfast city tour visiting the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue,
Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church & the Santa Cruz church.
Afternoon free. Overnight in hotel.
DAY
11:
Morning transfer to airport for Bangalore flight. Arrive
and drive directly to Mysore (139 kms / 3 hrs approx), enroute visit
Srirangapatna. Overnight in hotel.
DAY
12:
After breakfast visit the palace of the Maharaja built
in 1911-12. The palace is architecture with archways, domes, turrets,
colonnades, sculptures which are magnificent. Visit the art gallery,
drive upto Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari temple and a panoramic
view of Mysore. On your way back, see the Nandi bull. Overnight
in hotel.
DAY
13:
After breakfast drive to Hassan (158 kms / 4 hrs approx).
Full day excursion of Belur & Halebid. The chenna Kesava temple
of Belur built 900 years ago is an exquisite example of hoysala
art. Halebid's 12th century Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temple
are masterpieces of Hindu art. Overnight in hotel.
DAY
14:
After breakfast drive to Hospet. Afternoon visit Hampi.
Hampi the once beautiful capital city of Vijayanagar empire and
the greater than Rome, had palaces, temple and sculptures, spread
all over. The city was razed to the ground by the sultanates of
south in year 1565. Some of the interesting ruins remaining are
the Virupaksha, Vittala and Hazara Rama temples huge Ganesha &
Narasimha images, the elephant stables, the Queen's bath, carvings
on the Ramachandra temple, lotus Mahal. Overnight in hotel.
DAY
15:
After breakfast drive to Badami via Aihole and Pattadakal.
Aihole is the cradle of stone temple architecture of the southern
Dravida school. The oldest temple, lad khan goes back to the 5th
century A.D. there are 70 temples in this group. The Durga temple
is noted for its sculptures. the Meguti temple is built of 630 small
stone blocks. The Ravanaphadi cave has some beautiful carvings.
Pattadakal, referred to as Petrigal, reached its pinnacle of glory
under the Chalukya kings from 7th to 9th centuries. The oldest in
this group is the Sanghameshwara temple. the Mallikarjuna temple
has pillars depicting life of Krishna. Virpaksha temple has sculptures
and panels scenes from the epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata the
Pananatha temple has impressive carvings. Overnight in hotel.
DAY
16:
After breakfast visit the Badami caves. Badami also known
as Vatapi rich with Hindu and Jain temples carved out of sand stone
hills. The carved temples date back to the 6th century. Of these
three are Hindus and one Jain. Sculptured out of solid rock they
are adorned with carvings. Fort, on top of a hill encloses large
galleries, treasury & a watch tower. The famed Malegitti Shivalaya
temple set on the summit of a hill is built of stones joined without
mortar. Overnight in hotel.
DAY
17:
After breakfast drive to Goa. On arrival check-in hotel.
Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight in hotel.
DAY
18:
After breakfast leave for half day tour of North Goa. Afternoon
free at leisure to enjoy the beaches. Overnight in hotel.
DAY
19:
Morning free. Later transfer to airport for Bombay flight.
Arrive and transfer to city hotel. Free time. Overnight in hotel
DAY
20:
After breakfast leave for excursion to Elephanta caves
by motor boat. Afternoon city tour. Later transfer to international
airport for flight to onward destination.
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