Day 02: Chennai to Mahabalipuram to Kanchipuram
Have your breakfast and enjoy a day excursion to Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram (76km - 2hrs). These are the two famous temple towns of Tamil Nadu. Kanchipuram is the erstwhile capital and temple city of the Pallavas. It is the most famous city of 1000 temples out of which 124 temples survive today. Kanchipuram is famous for its silk. You will see the very beautiful temples of Kanchipuram that are famous for their splendid architecture. After the sightseeing tour of Kanchipuram, you will take a drive to Mahabalipuram, also called Mamallapuram.
Mahabalipuram is an anciently famous port town dating back to 7th century of South India. You will see here the famous rock cut and monolithic temple architectures. It is a UNESCO world Heritage Site and an exciting tourist destination. You will visit the famous the Shore Temple, Arjuna's Penance and the Pancha Rathas or Five Chariots. Come back to Chennai in the evening. Have your dinner and stay overnight at Chennai.
Day 03: Chennai to Pondicherry
ave your breakfast and take a drive to Pondicherry (170 km / 5 hrs). Pondicherry is an attractive city that takes you back on the ride to past as soon as you enter here. It was a former French colony and now a Union Territory of India near Tamil Nadu. Pondicherry still carries a strong trace of the French presence in India. Pondicherry is a holy place where St. Agasthaya and Shri Aurobindo used to live one time.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Pondicherry. You will make visit to the holy Aurobindo Ashram, made in the memory of Saint Aurobindo, located 10 kms in the north of Pondicherry. The ashram spreads over Saint Aurbindo's ideas to bring about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science. You will visit Auroville, the exclusive experiment in international living and new environment where people of all nationalities live together in great harmony. Have your dinner and stay overnight at Pondicherry.
Day 04: Pondicherry - Swamimalai
Have your breakfast and take a drive to Swamimalai (166 km/5 hrs). On the route, you will visit the memorable Chidambaram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram that date back to Chola period monuments.
Chidambaram, also called Thillai, is the most visited for the temple dedicated to Lord Nataraja. The sculptures of the temple draw the postures from the traditional dance of India, Bharatnatayam. You will reach the Swamimalai temple and check in the Sterling Ethnic Village Resort. Enjoy comfortable accommodation and the different theme dinners here. The concerts that take place here are well thought out and greatly enjoyable. The facilities for Yoga and Ayurveda can also be availed at the resort. Have your dinner and stay overnight at the resort.
Day 05: Swamimalai to Tanjore to Trichy
Post breakfast, you will take a drive to Trichy (91 km/2 hrs). On route, you will take a visit to Tanjore, the ancient and attractive capital once ruled by the Chola Kings. Tanjore is famous for the temples and paintings. You will also visit the Brihadeeswarar temple. Pay your reverence to a great Shiva lingam and the stone sculpture of Nandi bull, the lord's vehicle.
Move on to Trichy and check in the hotel. Trichy, also famous as Trichurapalli, is a modern city of Tamil Nadu. It is also one of the most religiously sacred towns of South India. Have your lunch. Take a sightseeing tour of Trichy. You will visit the two popular temples, Rock Fort temple and Sri Ranganathaswamy temple and one other, Sri Jambukeshwara Temple. Have your dinner and stay overnight at Trichy.
Day 06: Trichy to Madurai
Post breakfast, you will move on to Madurai by road (140 km - 4hrs). Madurai is the ancient capital city and still the most visited tourist city of Tamil Nadu, South India. Reach Madurai and check in the hotel.
In the afternoon, you will visit the holy Meenakshi Temple, hosting attractive architecture with multi color sculptures. Take a sightseeing tour of Madurai and visit Mariamman Teppakulam or Great Tank and the Palace of Tirumalai Nayak. Again, you will visit the Meenakshi Temple in the evening and attend the prayer ceremony. Stay overnight at Madurai.
Day 07: Madurai to Rameshwaram to Kodaikanal
After you have your breakfast, take one complete day at rest. Optionally, you can move on to enjoy a full day excursion to Rameshwaram or Kodaikanal. Rameshwaram is a holy pilgrimage destination for the Hindus. Located at the southern tip of India, near neighbor country Sri Lanka, Rameshwaram is connected to the great Indian epic Ramayana and derives its name from Lord Ram. You will worship at the eminent Ramanathaswamy Temple located close to sea. Return to Madurai in the evening. Stay overnight at Madurai.
Day 8: Madurai to Kanya Kumari to Kovalam
Take your breakfast and move on to Kovalam by surface (285km-7hrs) visiting Kanyakumari on the route. Kanyakumari is an important pilgrim centre of India, located the southern most point of India, near Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu. It is the place where Indian subcontinent meets the confluence of Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. You will visit the Kumari Amman Temple dedicated to the virgin Goddess and the Vivekananda Rock Memorial. In the evening, you will spend your time at the Kanyakumari beach and the breathtaking view of sunset sinking in the pristine sea.
Move on to Kovalam. Kovalam is one of the best beach destinations of South India popular for its picturesque and beautiful golden beaches surrounded by swaying coconut palms. Reach Kovalam and check in the hotel. Stay overnight at Kovalam.
Day 09: Kovalam
Have your breakfast at the hotel. Take rest of the day at leisure. Enjoy taking leisure and sunbath on the chilling beach of Kovalam. Stay overnight at Kovalam.
Day 10: Kovalam to Periyar
Have your breakfast at hotel. You will take a drive straight to the heart of wildlife, at the Periyar National Park (276 km/7hr). Reach Periyar and check in the Forest Lodge or Resort and relax. In the afternoon, you will enjoy the memorable and fun filled boat cruise on the Periyar Lake to view the wildlife and natural splendor. Stay overnight at the Forest Lodge or Resort.
Day 11: Periyar to Kottayam to Alleppey
Post breakfast at Lodge or Resort. You will take a drive to Kottayam (115 km - 4 hrs). Reach Kottayam and board Kettuvallom, the luxury Houseboat. You will enjoy sailing through the day on the serene and paradise backwaters of Kerala. Have your dinner and stay overnight on the Houseboat.
Day 12: Alleppey to Cochin
Reach Alleppey in the morning and set down the Houseboat. In the afternoon, you will move on to Cochin (56 km-1 hr) by surface. Kochi or Cochin is the port city that once used to be the most famous historical cities of Kerala. Enjoy the exceptionally gorgeous backwaters and beaches of Cochin. Reach Cochin and check in the hotel. Your evening time will be at leisure. Take your dinner and stay overnight at Cochin.
Day 13: Cochin
Have your breakfast at the hotel and enjoy your sightseeing tour to Cochin. Visit the popular Mattancherry Palace or Dutch Palace. Also visit and note the remarkable architecture of St. Francis Church and Jewish Synagogue. See the big and spectacular Chinese Fishing Nets at the popular Vasco Da Gama Square. In the evening, you will enjoy a Kathakali Dance Show in the Theatre. Stay overnight at Cochin.
Day 14: Cochin to Ooty
Have your breakfast at the hotel. Take a drive to Ooty (280 km/7 hrs). Reach Ooty and check in the hotel. Also known as Udhagamandalam, Ooty is considered to be the "Queen of southern hill resorts". It is located at the altitude of 7,350 ft. above the sea level amongst the scenic environs of Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu. Ooty is one of the most beautiful and delighting hill stations of South India. Ooty is known for its cool and pleasant weather and environs. Enjoy the breathtaking scenic beauty of Ooty Botanical Garden, Ooty Lake and valleys. Stay overnight at Ooty.
Day 15: Ooty to Coonoor
Have your breakfast and your full day at leisure. Discover and enjoy the bewitching natural beauty of Ooty that never ever fails to attract. Ride on a horseback, enjoy the scenic points and visit the sprawling tea plantations. The velvety hayfields of Ooty will win your heart.
In the afternoon, take an excursion to Coonoor. You will make a visit to Sims Park and enjoy walking through the tea estates. Take a drive to the Lambs' Rock and enjoy the spectacular view of the plains. In the evening, you will return to Ooty. Stay overnight at Ooty.
Day 16: Ooty to Mysore
After breakfast, you will take a drive to Mysore (155 km). Arrive at Mysore and check in the hotel and relax. Mysore is known as the city of palaces and a combination of traditional brilliance with modernity. It is the city that emerges as one of the most beautiful and best planned cities in India. In the afternoon, you will take a half day sightseeing tour of Mysore. Enjoy your visit the famous Mysore Palace, beautiful Brindavan Gardens, Krishnaraja Sagar Dam, St. Philomena's Church, the Jaganmohan Palace and the Chamundi Hills. Stay overnight at Mysore.
Day 17: Mysore to Srirangapatnam
Have your breakfast and take a visit to sacred Somnathpur Temple. In the afternoon, you will enjoy an sightseeing tour to Srirangapatnam. Located at 15 kms from Mysore, Srirangapatnam is most visited for island fortress that once belonged to Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. You will also pay your worship to Ranganathaswamy Temple. Stay overnight at Mysore.
Day 18: Mysore to Hassan
Post breakfast and take a drive to Hassan (150 km). Reach Hassan and check in the hotel. In the afternoon, you will visit the Hoysala Temples of Belur and Halebid. Stay overnight at Hassan.
Day 19: Hassan to Sravanbelgola to Bangalore
Post breakfast, you will take a drive to Bangalore (186 km). You will visit Sravanbelgola on the route. Sravanbelgola is a pious Jain site, located about 49km southwest of Hassan. It consists two hills and a huge tank. On one of the two hills is Indragiri that houses a strange 18 meter high monumental statue of the naked male figure of Gomateshvara. It is the largest independent sculpture in India.
Reach Bangalore and check in the hotel. After some rest, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bangalore in the afternoon. You will visit the major attraction of Bangalore such as Vidhan Soudha, Lal Bagh, Cubbon Park, Tipu's Fort and Palace. Enjoy the shopping expedition on M.G Road for shopping. Stay overnight at Bangalore.
Day 20: Bangalore
You will get an on time transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai. You will reach at Mumbai. You will check in the hotel and relax. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Mumbai. You will visit the popular tourist attractions of Mumbai, such as Gateway of India, Marine Drive and many others. Stay overnight at Mumbai.
Day 21: Mumbai / Departure
Have your breakfast at the hotel and get an on time transfer to international airport. You will board a flight to onward destination or way back home with unforgettable memories of India.
Note: You have an option here to extend your stay in Goa.
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