Southern Panorama
Day 01 ARRIVE MUMBAI
You will be met upon arrival by our representatives and transferredto the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02 MUMBAI – BANGALORE
Morning transfer to the Gateway of India to board a Catamaran Launchacross the harbour to the Glorious Rock Cut Caves at Elephanta (closedon Mondays), which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, built in the 7th century.The famous sculpture signifying the trinity of he creator, the preserverand the destroyer are located here.
Later departure transfer to airport to board 9W 447 at 1545/1720 hrsto Bangalore. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03 BANGALORE – HASSAN
Morning sightseeing tour of Bangalore city. Bangalore – the GardenCity of India visiting the Lal Bagh which has a variety of old Trees, Fountains,Lotus Pools, Terraces and an assortment of tropical herbs and sub tropicalherbs. Also see the Govt. buildings and the Maharajas Palace.
Afternoon leave by surface to Hassan en route visiting the Sravanabelgola.
Upon arrival check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 HASSAN – MYSORE
Morning excursion to Chennai Kesava Temple of Belur built 900 yearsago and the 12th century Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples at Halebid.
Afternoon drive to Mysore (approx. 115 kms/4 hrs). Upon arrival check-inat the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05 MYSORE – CHENNAI
Morning sightseeing tour of Mysore visiting the Palace of the Maharajabuilt in 1911-12. The Palace is of harmonious syntheses of the Hinduand saracenic style of architecture with archways, dome turrets, colonnadesand sculptures, which are magnificent. Visit the Art Gallery, driveup to Chamundi Hill to see the Chamundeshwari Temple and a panoramic viewof Mysore. On your way back, see the Nandi Bull.
Late afternoon departure transfer to airport to board Shatabdi Exp.to Chennai at 1420/2125 hrs. Upon arrival transfer to hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06 CHENNAI
Full day excursion to Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram. The temple towof Kanchipuram is famous for its silks and the magnificent Ekambareshwarand kailashnath Temples. Mahabalipuram is a quite seaside resort with aunique and glorious 7th century shore Temples and some of the most beautifulrock-cut caves in the world. Also visit the Krishna, Varaha and the MahishasuraMardhini Manapas.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 07 CHENNAI – TRICHY
Morning sightseeing tour of Chennai city visiting the museum to seethe Art and Bronze Gallery (closed on Fridays and public holidays). Drivethrough the flower and fruit market, high court, and fort museum, MarinaBeach, Santhome Cathedral and Snake Park.
Afternoon departure transfer to airport to board IC 967 at 1500/1550hrs (flight operates only on Monday/Wednesday/Friday according to presentschedule) to Trichy.
Day 08 TRICHY – TANJORE
Morning sightseeing tour of Trichy – visit the ancient temples dedicatedto Lord Ganesha – 434 steps cot out into the rock side and interspersedwith shrines, lead to the temple, yet another flight leads to the templeof lord Shiva and the Srirangam – a massive temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Later drive to Tanjore (approx 54 kms/2 hrs). Upon arrival check-inat the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 09 TANJORE – MADURAI
Morning sightseeing tour of Tanjore City - the capital of the powerfulChola dynasty. Visit the Brihadeeswara temple and the Saraswati MahalLibrary. It is also a major centre for Carnatic Music.
Later drive to Madurai (approx. 182 kms/ 04 ½ hrs). Upon arrivalcheck-in at the hotel.
Evening witness the night ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 MADURAI – PERIYAR
Morning sightseeing tour of Madurai, which includes visit to the greatMeenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its toweringgopurams (rising high above the surrounding country side). Later visitthe Tirumala Nayak Palace – a gracious building in the Indo Saracenic style,famous for the Stuccowork on its domes and arches. Also visit the AlagarHills and Tirupara Kundran Rock Temples.
Afternoon drive by surface to Periyar (147 kms/4 hours) and on arrivalcheck-in to your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 PERIYAR – KUMARAKOM
Morning take a game viewing boat ride on the Artificial Periyar Lake.
Later drive by surface to Kumarakom (130-kms/03 hours approx.)
Arrival at the Kavanatingara Boat Jetty board your boat to Coconut Lagoon- heritage resort on the eastern bank of Vembanad Lake, which is not accessibleby road. The resorts accommodation consists of individual cottagescalled tharawads, the traditional wooden house of Kerala.
Evening Sunset Cruise – there can be few better ways to adjust to thepace of backwater life than to spend the waning hours of the afternoonjust watching the sun go down.
Overnight at Coconut Lagoon.
Day 12 KUMARAKOM
Kumarakom an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emeraldgreen paddy fields, and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterwaysand canals adorned with white lilies. Situated on the Vembanad Lake, inthis small water world, you will come across plenty of traditional countrycrafts, boats and canoes. Located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake,is the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary – an ornithologist’s paradise, is a favoritehaunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter, heronand teal. Other common varieties like woodpecker, skylark, crane,water hen and parrots can also be spotted here.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 13 KUMARAKOM – COCHIN
Morning after breakfast proceed by surface to Kottayam Boat Jetty,from where take a most fascinating boat cruise on the backwaters of Keralato Alleppey, where your car will be waiting for you to take you to theHarbour city - Cochin. Upon arrival check-in at hotel Taj Malabar.
Afternoon half day sightseeing tour of Kochi (Cochin) – an importantport city with a famous Jewish settlement and Synagogue, the Dutch Palace,the Chinese Nets, the Church of St Francis and the Tomb of Vasco da Gama.
Evening witness Kathakali Dance Drama performance at one of the auditoriums.
Overnight at Taj Malabar.
Day 14 COCHIN – MUMBAI
Morning transfer to airport to board 9W 406 at 0830/1015 hrs to Mumbai.Upon arrival transfer to hotel Maratha Sheraton.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Mumbai City visiting the Hanging Gardens,The Princes of Wales Museum, The Flora Fountain and Mani Bhawan. Drive past some of the other major landmarks of Mumbai such as Mumbai Universitywith its Raja Bai Tower, The Victoria Terminus, the Race Course and MumbaiStock Exchange etc.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 15 DEPART MUMBAI
In time departure transfer to the airport to board your flight backhome.
Price per person in double:
1st class hotels (4-star): $1,960
Standard hotels (3-star): $1,530
** Prices are valid till 30 April 03.
Airfare on sector Mumbai-Bangalore + Chennai-Trichy + Cochin-MumbaiUS$ 405 per person in economy class (subject to change).
Rate includes:
* Accommodation on twin sharing bed and breakfast basis for 14 nights.
* Transfers and sightseeing tour using air-conditioned Ambassador car.
* Services of a local English-speaking guide for sightseeing tours.
* All currently applicable entrance fees to the monuments.
* Assistance on arrival/departure at airport/hotels.
* Porterage at airport/hotels.
* Boat ride from Kottayam to Alleppey.
* Boat Cruise on Lake Periyar by common boat.
* Motor launch tickets to Elephanta Caves.
* Tickets for Kathakali Dance Performance.
* Air-conditioned Chair Car train tickets on Mysore-Chennai sector.
Rate do not include:
* Airport departure tax.
* Airfare on domestic sectors.
* Meals other than breakfast.
* Medical & Travel insurance.
* Tips and gratuities.
* Expenses of a personal nature such as laundry, beverages, telephonecalls etc.
* Any other expenses not covered above.
Hotels foreseen are:
1st Class–Marine Plaza/Mumbai (2 night), Royal Orchid/Bangalore (1night), Ashok/Hassan (1 night), Lalita Mahal Palace/Mysore (1 night), TheRadisson/Chennai (2 nights), Sangam/Trichy (1 night), Sangam/Tanjore (1night), Madurai Park Inn/Madurai (1 night), Spice Village/Periyar(1 night),Coconut Lagoon/Kumarakom (2 nights),Casino Hotel/Cochin (1 night)
Standard - West End/Mumbai (2 nights), Ramanashree Comforts/Bangalore(1 night), Ashok/Hassan (1 night), Ramanashree/Mysore (1 night), RadhaPark Inn/Chennai (2 nights), Sangam/Trichy (1 night), Sangam/Tanjore(1night), Madurai Park Inn/Madurai (1 night), Spice Village/Periyar (1 night),Golden Waters/Kumarakom(2 nights), Renaissance/Cochin (1 night),
Brochure pages are available: