Day 01: Bangalore / Arrival

Arrive Bangalore. On arrival you will be greeted and escorted by the Indo Asia Staff to the hotel Central Park. (Rooms will be available from 12 noon)

(Breakfast)

Day 02: Bangalore / Hassan

After breakfast drive to Hassan. On arrival in Hassan drive for sightseeing tour of Halebid, the last capital of Hoysala rulers in 11th/12th. Hoysala temples are not huge like the usual temples in the south, but smaller by comparison and aptly perched on star-shaped foundations, every niche and corner studded with genius. The Hoysalesvara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva at Halebid is perched on a star-shaped base. Later also visit the temples in Belur. Overnight at hotel Hoysala Village.

(Breakfast)

Day 03: Hassan / Mysore

After breakfast drive to Mysore. On arrival check in at the hotel Sandesh.

(Breakfast)

Day 04: Mysore

After breakfast visit Maharaja Palace built in 1857 in Indo-Saracenic style and Chamundi Hill where there is a temple of Durga (Chamundeswari) celebrating her victory over the buffalo god. Afternoon an excursion to Somnathpur. This tiny village has one of the best preserved and the only complete magnificent Hoysala Temple (13th century) of approximately 80 Hoysala temples dedicated to God Kesha.

Overnight at the hotel Sandesh.

(Breakfast)

Day 05: Mysore / Coorg

After breakfast drive to Coorg. On arrival check in at the hotel Coorg International.

(Breakfast)

Day 06: Coorg / Calicut

After breakfast drive through the tropical rain forest to Calicut (Kozhikode). Kozhikode is a major commercial center for northern Kerala with a strong Arab connection. Its main export today is not spices but workers to the Gulf. It is also a center for Kerala's timber industry.

Overnight at the Cadavu Resort.

(Breakfast)

Day 07: Calicut / Cochin

After breakfast drive to Cochin, Venice of the Orient. On arrival check-in at the hotel.
In the evening you will watch Kathakali, an ancient religious pantomime dance drama handed down through generations for more than 300 years and performed by dedicated families of Kerela. Overnight at Le Meridien. (Breakfast)

Day 08: Cochin

After breakfast visit the beautiful city of Cochin. Visit St Francis Church built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars where Vasco da Gama was buried for 14 years before his remains were transferred to Lisbon.

Nearby is the Mattancherry Palace or “Dutch Palace”. The central hall on the Ist floor was the coronation hall of the rajas of Kochi. Other rooms depict scenes from the Ramayana and Puranic legends connected with Hindu Mythology.

It is interesting to see how these scenes depict the lifestyle of the people in the Epic era of India.
Overnight at Le Meridien.

(Breakfast)

Day 09: Cochin / Kumarakom

Drive on to Kumarakom which is famous for its backwaters. After reaching there check - in into your hotel. Explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters of Kumarakom. You will board private Motor Boat to explore the bounties of nature in the form of backwaters, as the boat will take you on an enthralling ride on the backwaters. The scenery surrounding the backwaters is enchanting.

Overnight at the Kumarakom Lake Resort.

(Breakfast)

Day 10: Kumarakom / Periyar

Breakfast at the hotel. Later drive to Periyar National Park which is a unique wildlife sanctuary and is about 780 sq. km centered around an artificial lake fed by the Periyar River. On arrival check in at the hotel Cardamum County.  In the afternoon enjoy game viewing by boats, which carry you through the jungle along convoluted waterways and afford sightings of elephant, bison, deer and occasionally tiger. There are trees more than 100 years old and over 50 m high.

(Breakfast)
 

Day 11: Periyar / Madurai

Breakfast at the hotel. Later drive to Madurai. Check in at the hotel. In the afternoon visit Thirumalai Nayak Palace, a palace in Indo-Saracenic style built in 1636.  Evening visit an interesting ceremony of taking lord Shiva in a procession with the musicians to the Goddess Parvati for the night haltOvernight at Madura Park Inn.

(Breakfast)

 

Day 12: Madurai

After breakfast visit Meenakashi Devi temple to admire the grand doors called Gopurams and also visit the museum inside the temple areas with its beautiful bronze pieces
Overnight at Madura Park Inn.

(Breakfast)

Day 13: Madurai / Palani / Dindugal

After breakfast drive to Palani and on to didugal for the overnight at the Dindugal Palace (the accommodation is very simple but there is no alternate). The festival Panguni Chariot festival - this  is a festival celebrated in the month of march - April for Lord Murga. All Lord Subramaniam based on Zodiac sign.  Aries which falls accordingly in that month.  Generally this auspicious day falls  on full moon day.  one of the prominent feature during this festival that marriages will held in Palani  as this being a auspicious day.

Day 14: Dindugal

Full day to enjoy Palani Festival. Overnight at Dindugal.

(Breakfast)

Day 15: Dindugal / Tanjore

After breakfast drive to Tanjore. On arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon visit famous Brihadeshwara temple at Tanjore constructed by the Chola Rajendra I in the 10th Century. The temple is considered to be the culmination of the classic architecture in South India.
Overnight at Ideal River View.

(Breakfast)

Day 16: Tanjore / Swamimalai

Breakfast at the hotel late drive to Swamimalai. Enroute visit the temples in Kumbakonam and Chidambaran. On arrival in Swamimalai check in at the hotel Sterling.

(Breakfast)

Day 17: Swamimalai / Mahabalipuram

After breakfast drive to Mahabalipuram. On arrival check in at the hotel Ideal Beach Resort.

(Breakfast)

 

Day 18: Mahabalipuram

Breakfast at the hotel. Later visit the group of Five Rathas temples, Shore temple and famous Bas-relief of Arjuna’s penance. Afternoon is free to relax on the beach.

Overnight at Ideal Beach Resort.

(Breakfast)

Day 19: Mahabalipuram / Chennai

After breakfast drive to Chennai. And transfer to airport to board the flight for onward journey.

(No hotel)

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