An Exotic Journey Down South

Day 01: Arrive Chennai
Arrive Chennai. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Chennai.

Day 02: Chennai - Trichy
Full day tour of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. The former was the main port of Pallava dynasty & has exquisite rock-cut monuments, monolithic structures and bas-reliefs. It is also a beach resort. Kanchipuram, the golden city was one of the seven sacred cities of India and once had 1000 temples. It is also famed for its hand to woven cottons and Kanjivaram silk. Evening transfer to railway station for Trichy night train. Overnight on board.

Day 03: Arrive Trichy
Arrive at Trichy & transfer to Hotel. Afternoon tour of Trichy visiting the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Ganapati to 434 steps cut out into the rock side and interspersed with shrines, lead to the temple, yet another flight leads to the temple of Lord Shiva. The ascend is climaxed by a magnificent view of the sacred Kavery river. Visit Srirangam a massive temple dedicated to lord Vishnu, which contains within its walls a bazaar. Overnight in Trichy.

Day 04: Trichy - Madurai
Morning drive to Madurai enroute visiting the famous 9th century Chola Temple Brihadeshwara at Tanjore. Overnight in Madurai.

Day 05: Madurai
Morning half day sightseeing tour to visit the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering Gopurams (rising high above the surrounding country side), Tirumala Nayak Palace to a gracious building in the Indo Sarcenic style famous for the stucco work on its domes and arches. Afternoon free. Overnight in Madurai.

Day 06: Madurai - Periyar
Morning drive to Periyar National Park. Check in at hotel. Overnight in Periyar.

Day 07: Periyar - Cochin
Morning drive to Cochin. Check in at hotel. Overnight in Cochin.

Day 08: Cochin
Morning half day tour to visit the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church and & the Santa Cruz Church. Afternoon free. Overnight in Cochin.

Day 09: Cochin - Bangalore - Mysore
Morning transfer to airport for Bangalore Flight. Arrive and drive directly to Mysore. Overnight in Mysore.

Day 10: Mysore - Bangalore
Morning tour of Mysore. Afternoon drive to Bangalore. Overnight in Bangalore.

Day 11: Bangalore
Morning full day excursion of Belur and Halebid. The Chenna Kesava Temple of Belur, Halebid's 12th century Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temple are masterpieces of Hindu art. Overnight in Bangalore.

Day 12: Bangalore - Hospet
Drive to Hospet. Check in at hotel. Overnight in Hospet.

Day 13: Hospet
Morning visit Hampi. Hampi the once beautiful capital city of Vijaynagar Empire was greater than Rome and had palaces; temple and sculptures spread all over. The Sultanates of South razed the city to the ground in the year 1565 AD. 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, and carvings on the Ramachandra Temple & Lotus Mahal. Overnight in Hospet.

Day 14: Hospet - Badami
Morning drive to Badami visiting the famous Aihole and Pattadakal Temples enroute. Overnight in Badami.

Day 15: Badami
Morning visit the Badami Caves. Badami also known, as Vatapi is rich with Hindu and Jain temples carved out of sand stone hills. The carved temples date back to the 6th century. Afternoon free. Overnight in Badami.

Day 16: Badami - Goa
Drive to Goa. On arrival transfer to the hotel. You can spend this day relaxing at the beaches around. Overnight in Goa Hotel.

Day 17: Goa - Mumbai
From Goa you will be transferred to the airport to catch a flight for Mumbai. Arrive at Mumbai and catch a flight for onward destination.

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