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Group Tour - The Best of Southern India"

Description

This 15 day / 14 night tour starting in Chennai (Madras) or Goa, covers 4 states (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa) and offers magnificent  temples, palaces, 2 wildlife sanctuary’s, famous cities, a backwater cruise and a view of the typical life of the countryside.

This journey is designed for customers whatever nationality who are budget-aware and enjoy travelling in a international group.

We have carefully chosen clean and economic guesthouses and hotels which are the  best of the category.

Itinerary

Day 01    - Arrival Madras – 2 Hour transfer to Mamallapuram-overnight 

Mahabalipuram is one of South India’s most visited historic sights, (One of the 3 World Heritage Sites in South India. The other 2 are Tanjore and Hampi).

A wonderful combination of Heritage Monuments, empty stretches of sandy beaches with excellent sea food, set into a small town. Mahabalipuram is the place where you can enjoy daily Indian life. You can admire stone temples and relief’s from the 7th century and enjoy the beach that is washed by warm seawater.  Mahabalipuram is a centre for traditional stone carving  and one of the best places in South India for handicrafts.

Day 02    - Mamallapuram –Overnight Mamallapuram.

 Morning sightseeing  afternoon free for the beach or/and shopping.

Day 03    - Mamallapuram to Tanjore via Chidambaram  - Overnight Tanjore

Tanjore was the ancient capital of the Chola Kings between the 10th and 14th century and became a centre of learning and culture. This place is also known as the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu state as a major part of the rice is cultivated here. It is also well known for its exquisite handicrafts, bronzes and south Indian musical Instruments. Sri Brihadeshwara Temple built by the great Chola king Raja in the 10th century AD is an outstanding example of the Chola Architecture.

Day 04    - Tanjore to Trichy -Overnight Trichy

Trichy is situated on the banks of river Cauvery Trichy (also known as Thiruchirapally). The rock fort temple here has a Ganesh shrine on the top of the rock and a Shiva shrine at the bottom. The Nayak King of Madurai built this fort. After a climb a 432 steps cut through the rock, tfrom  top you will have an outstanding view of the entire city and the river Cauvery. The Srirangam Temple, which is an important worship place for Lord Vishnu . Here the main shrine has a statue of Vishnu Laying on a five headed serpent. A complete town is encompassed within the walls of the temple and  has one among the biggest towers (called gopuras) in Asia.

Day 05    - Trichy to Madurai - Overnight Madurai

Madurai, known as the Nectar city of Tamil Nadu, is the oldest city in Tamil Nadu. This city has a lotus shape and was created by the Pandya king Kulashekara. The Meenakshi Amman Temple dominates the city, which evolved around it. The temple is mainly dedicated to the Goddess Meenakshi and also to Lord Shiva. The Thousand Pillar Hall with in the temple campus (actually has only 985 pillars) displays the prowess of the artisans during the Dravidian period The palace of King Thirumalai Nayak who had his glorious rule in Madurai is a gracious edifice built in the Indo -Saracen style famous for the stucco work on its domes and arches. We will attend the evening Temple ceremony.

Day 06    - Madurai to Periyar/Thekkady  - Overnight Thekkady

Periyar / Thekkady -  This place is also known by the name of Periyar and this name comes after the dam built here by the English in 1895 .  A wild life reserve is a ideal place to track down animals such as elephants, bison, deer and numerous species of  birds. The landscape here is very tropical  and you will be surrounded by tea, coffee and  spices. A small walk in to the forest early morning and the boat ride in the evening through the lake in to the wild life sanctuary are not to be missed.

Day 07    - Periyar/Thekkady - Overnight Thekkady

Day 08    - Periyar to Cochin - Overnight Cochin  (Enroute Backwater Trip)

Backwaters -  This belt between Quilon and Cochin, being a coastal belt, is crisscrossed by canals and beautiful  palms. Canoes  with huge sails still transport people and you can find vegetable sellers,  fisherman  and other household materials being  brought door to door by small wooden boats. This whole area surrounded with coconut palms and lush green rice fields. The major cropping here is of coconut and it is said that the name for this place KERALA was from the old name of coconut as KERALA.

Day 09    - Cochin - Overnight Cochin

Cochin - built around a cluster of  many small islands, has  a  European spirit and the architecture has influences from the Portuguese, Dutch and English. One of  India’s oldest church  St. Francis is situated here and it is here that Vasco da Gama was buried at this place in 1524.. The oldest church of South India used by the Dutch protestants is also here and there is a marriage register Close by the church there is a basilica of Santa Cruse which was made in 1902. In the south east of Fort Cochin is Mattanchery which used to be the Dutch palace. In the south of Fort Cochin is the Jewish Synagogue of 16th century. There is an island called Bloats and here was the palace of the Dutch Governor. Kathakali  is the traditional dance of Kerala and is taken from the old epics . The extremely beautiful makeup & facial expressions from the great epics of Ramayana and Mahabaratha keep every traveller spell bound. We will attend a performance in the evening.

Day 10    - Cochin to Ooty - Overnight Ooty

Ooty, the famous hill station (2,285 meters) in the Nilgiri hills (Blue mountain) is spread amongst rolling hills and valleys was found by the British in the early 19th century.  Earlier this place was inhabited by tribal people named Todas. Its green landscape, gardens and tall eucalyptus trees adds beauty. Its famous for its outdoor activities like trekking, horse riding, boating. The botanical garden here is a major attraction. The miniature railway is also well known. There are many long walks which lead you to places with superb views.

Day 11    - Ooty - Mysore(Via-Mudumalai] - Overnight Mysore

Situated in the foothills of Nilgiris, this large reserve (3000 sq. km) ranges in vegetation from Semi-evergreen forests to swamps and grass lands. In Mudhumalai the mostly dense forest is home  to spotted deer, indian bison, tiger, panther, wild boars and the sloth bear. Otters & crocodiles inhabit the Moyar river. The wild life elephant population estimated around 600 is one of the largest in the country.

Day 12    - Mysore - Overnight Mysore

Its famous for its silk and is also thriving sandal wood incense centre. The beautiful Palace of Mysore  occupies the entire south eastern sector of the city centre. Inside it’s a kaleidoscope of stained glass, mirror, gilt and bright colours, beautifully carved wooden doors, decorations with ivory, historical 3D paintings etc. The temple of  Chamundeshwari is a major place of worship for the pilgrims. The famous five meter NANDI (Shivas Bull) carved out of solid rock in 1659 and is one of the largest in India. 

Day 13    - Mysore to Hassan -  via Saravanbelagola Overnight Hassan

Situated on a rocky hilltop Indragiri on the way from Mysore to Hassan Saravanbelagola is one of the major and world famous Jain Pilgrimage centre. The huge 17m monolithic naked statue is the said to be the tallest in the world. The monolithic statue of granite was sculptured by Aristenemi in 981 AD which displays the reality of long time meditation.

Hassan – Halebid / Belur

The 12th century temples of Belur and Halebid are amongst the most beautiful temples because of the beautiful sculptures when compared to any other temples in southern India. Its  outstanding  sculptures all over the walls and pillars recite the stories from the old epics of Ramayana

Day 14    - Hassan to Udupi - Overnight Udupi

The Sri Krishna Temple here is the major attraction for the tourist,  there are 14 acts of worship everyday by the temple priest.  In the morning we visit the busy fishing port.

Day 15    - Udupi to Goa  arrive late afternoon drop to the Airport or to the booked Hotel for extension.

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Dates

The group tours will start as follow:

15th September, 15th October, 15th November, 9th December, 15th January, 15th   February, 15th March.

We are pleased to offer all out tours according to your requirements. For example we can offer cheaper hotels or more luxury hotels. We are also able to change the tour itenary.

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Hotels

Hotel accommodation in twin sharing rooms including continental breakfast. We will use similar category of hotels if these hotels are not available. Most of the rooms are not air-conditioned but have attached bath rooms.

Prices

The minimum group size is 6 persons.

Surcharges

• Christmas US$ 120.
• Music and dance festival in January/February US$ 50.

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Conditions

Our prices include:

• All transfers from and to airport and land transportation, as per the program by non air-conditioned Ambassador Car / Tata Sumo (jeep) or Tempo Traveler (minibus), depending upon the group size, throughout the tour.
• Non air-conditioned  room.
• Continental breakfast.
• Entrance fee at the monuments.
• Services of local english - speaking guide for sightseeing tours at all places.
• Services of an english-speaking tour escort above 6 persons throughout the tour.
• All currently prevailing taxes on hotel and transport.

• collection from the airport or hotel in Mahabalipuram
• boat ride at Periyar.

Our prices do not include:

• Airport tax on departure from India (500 rupees/person)
• Any personal expenses like telephone call, laundry shopping, table drinks, camera fees at the monuments.
• Any additional expenses caused by disturbances in the trip due to circumstances beyond our control such as airline and railway delays, road blocks, natural disaster, wars, etc.
• Liability for or insurance against injury, loss of life, accidents, damage or loss of property

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