South India Intensive Tour

Day 01. Flight to India (Chennai)
Around Midnight arrival in Chennai (formerly Madras). The cosmopolitan City and capital of TamilNadu is the main gateway for travellers to South India. You are met by an Indo Vacations representative and transferred to your Hotel.

Day 02. Chennai - Covelong (about 50 km)
After a late breakfast we start the sightseeing of Chennai. We visit the Fort St. George near the harbour area of Chennai which was built by the British in the 17th century and also the St. Mary's church which was the first English church in India. In the afternoon we drive along the coast to Covelong. In Covelong we stay in a Beach Hotel at the Bay of Bengal.

Day 03. Covelong - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (about 150 km)
Today we drive through the coastal route to Mahabalipuram. In Mahabalipuram we visit some of the 14 cave temples and 9 monolithic rathas (temple chariots). Pallavamala was the ruler who made the port famous in the 7th century and was largely responsible for building the temples. After the visit of Mahabalipuram we proceed to Pondicherry. Pondicherry was retained as French colony until 1954. Pondicherry has even today the French atmosphere amidst the surrounding Tamil country. We visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, which is a world famous Yoga and philosophy center.

Day 06. Trichy - Madurai (about 140 km)
Today we leave Trichy and drive to Madurai. Madurai, situated on the bank of river Vaigai is also referred to as the Athens of the East. Madurai has the most outstanding examples of Vijayanagar temple architecture in the Minakshi Temple, a standing monument to the temple builders of the 16th and 17th century. We spend enough time in Minakshi Temple and afterwards have a walk through the bazaars of this 2500 years old town before we drive back to our hotel.

Day 07. Madurai - Periyar (about 140 km)
Today we visit at first Tirumalai Nayaka Palace which was built in the 1636 and represent the Indo-Mughal style. A visit to Gandhi Museum is also included in our programme today. In Gandhi Museum we get the information about the life of Gandhi and freedom movement during the presence of British in India. In the afternoon we drive to Periyar.

Day 08. Periyar - Kumarakom (about 120 km)
We start our day by having a Boat ride on the lake of Periyar. The lake of Periyar is the central point of the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 780 square km and was designated a part of project Tiger in 1973. After the Boat ride we drive through the Park and observe the elephants, bison, sambar, wild oxen, wild boar and spotted deer which are common here. In the afternoon we drive through the mountains which are full of Cardamom and pass through the tea and coffee plantations and proceed to Kumarakom. In Kumarakom we enjoy the Boat ride trip through the tropical vegetation on the backwaters.

Day 09. Kumarakom
The whole day is today at leisure. One can enjoy the Ayurveda massage in the hotel or have a nice walk in the nice tropical surroundings. The Swimming Pool of the hotel will be to happy to welcome you for swimming and relaxing.

Day 10. Kumarakom - Kottayam -  Alleppey - Cochin (about 80 km)
Today we enjoy a Boat trip for two hours through the narrow channels of famous backwaters of Kottayam and arrive in Alleppey from where we proceed further in a bus to Cochin. Cochin is the most interesting town in South India at Malabar Coast and is also known as Venice of south. In Cochin we visit St. Francis church, the oldest European church in India in which the grave of famous sailor Vasco da Gama can be visited. After the visit of St. Francis Church we have a walk through the Jewish area of Mattancherry.

Day 11. Cochin
Today the town of Cochin is divided into different parts namely, Fort Cochin, Willington Island, Ernakulam, Bolghatty Island and Vypeen Island. Most of the historic buildings are in Fort Cochin. We have whole day today at leisure so that we can explore Cochin on our own. In the late afternoon we visit a Kathakali dance school. Kathakali dances come from Kerala and in its traditional form relates stories from the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Day 12. Cochin - Ooty (about 280 km)
From the tropical coast of Kerala we drive on the serpent road and pass through the Tea plantation and eucalyptus forests of mountains of Nilgiri and arrive in the city Ooty (Udhagammandalam). Ooty which was developed as hill station by British, lies at an altitude of 2300 m. and still has British flair.

Day 13. Ooty - Mysore (about 170 km)
Ooty (also known as the queen of the blue mountains) is famous for its rolling hills covered in pine and eucalyptus forests and also for its coffee and tea plantations. We visit the famous and most beautiful botanical Garden of Ooty which covers an area over 20 hectares and is planted with more than a thousand varieties of plants, shrubs and trees including orchids, fern and alpine. In the afternoon we pass through the betel nut and pepper plantation and proceed to Mysore. In Mysore we drive to Chamundi Hill to see a giant Nandi (buffalo god) and enjoy the view of the surroundings form the hilltop.

Day 14. Mysore - Halebid - Belur (about 170 km)
Today we visit the most impressive and one of the largest city palaces in India. The City Palace of Mysore "Ambar Vilas" is built in the Indo-Saracenic style. Mysore is world famous for Silk and Sandalwood. Mysore is also a centre of producing saris which is a common dress of woman in India. After the sightseeing of Mysore we proceed through picturesque hilly landscape and arrive in Halebid which is the ancient capital of Hoysala empire. In Halebid we visit the Hoysalesvara Temple of 12th century where we see half life size statues of Hindu deities, with minute details of each, all around the temple. After the visit in Halebid we proceed to Belur. In Belur we visit the group of Chennakesava Temples which are famous for its architecture and sculptures.

Day 15. Belur - Sravanabelgola - Bangalore (about 160 km)
Today we proceed to Bangalore. On the way to Bangalore we make a stopover in Sravanabelgola where we visit the colossal monolithic statue, standing 18 meters high. This Jain sculpture represents the saintly prince Bahubali after he had gained enlightenment. After the visit of Sravanabelgola we proceed for Bangalore. Bangalore is the capital city of the Indian state Karnataka. This former "Garden city" Bangalore is known today as "computer city" of India. In Bangalore we visit the monolithic Nandi, Shiva's Bull and famous Gowda Fort which was built by Tipu Sultan.

About Hotels:
We provide you the accommodation as per your budget mentioned above in the table of hotels category for any of the booked tour. Hotels provided by us are from budget to luxury class hotels. Luxury hotels are all five stars or of above standard. Deluxe would be a combination of 3 and 4 star Hotels and standard would be a combination of 2 and 3 star or similar hotels. The criteria for selecting hotels by us remains the best value of your money. We also provide you wherever possible accommodation in heritage hotels. Heritage Hotels are old Palaces, Forts and Grand mansions of Maharajas which have been later renovated and converted into Hotels. Rooms are decorated all individually. Rooms are comfortable, romantic and present the flair of olden Maharaja days.