Day 01 : Arrive
Chennai
Meet and assist at the airport then transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 02 : Chennai – Excursion to Kanchipuram &
Mahabalipuram
After breakfast drive to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram. Kanchipuram (64
kms from Chennai) is the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of
1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. Temples of Ekambaswara,
Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram
is also famous for its silks. The city of Mahabalipuram (58 kms / 1 hr drive
from Kanchipuram) is famous for the seven pagodas. Here on the seashore is
an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples which are the examples of
Dravidian style of Architecture. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 03 : Chennai – Mysore (by train)
After breakfast, leave for city tour of Chennai. Visit the Museum to see
the Art and Bronze Gallery. Drive through the Flower and Fruit market, High
court, Fort museum, Marina Beach, Kapaleeswar Temple, Cathedral, and Snake
Park. In the evening transfer to railway station to board train no 16222
Mysore Express dep. 21:30 hrs. Overnight on train.
Day 04 : Mysore
Arrive Mysore at 08:00 hrs, transfer to hotel. Later leave for city tour of
Mysore visiting the Maharaja’s Palace built in 1911 - 1912. The palace
is of harmonious syntheses of the Hindu and saracenic styles of architecture
with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures which are
magnificent. Visit the Art Gallery; drive upto Chamundi hill to see
Chamundeshwari Temple and a panoramic view of Mysore. On the way back, see
the Nandi Bull. Afternoon visit St. Philomina's Church and Brindavan
Gardens. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 05 : Mysore - Bangalore - Cochin
Morning drive to Bangalore (143 kms /3 hrs), upon arrival check into the
hotel. Later leave for full day sightseeing of Bangalore visiting Vidhan
Saudha, The bull temple and museum, Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, Cubbon park,
Bengaluru Palace. In the evening transfer to railway station to board train
no.16321 Trivandrum Express from Bangalore dep. at 18:50 hrs. Overnight on
train.
Day 06 : Cochin
Arrive Cochin at 6:20 hrs and transfer to hotel. Visit Mattancherry Palace,
Jewish Synagogue, Vypeen and Gundu islands. In the evening watch Kathakali
dance performance. Overnight at hotel
Day 07 : Cochin – Alleppey and board Houseboat
After breakfast, drive to Alleppey which is 64 kms/1½ hrs drive. Board
houseboat from the Jetty. The moving vessal will take you through the narrow
canals of Vembanadu lake. You will get the spectacular view of the day to
day activities of the local people. Enjoy the sunset from the deck of the
houseboats, moving towards Kumarakom. Dinner and overnight at the houseboat.
Day 08 : Kumarakom
Disembark at Kumarakom Jetty in the morning and check into your hotel.
Visit the bird Sanctuary, located on the banks of Vembanad lake to see
different species of birds. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 09 : Kovalam
Morning drive to Kovalam (200kms 4 hr) . Evening free to enjoy on the
beach. Overnight at hotel
Day 10 : Kovalam – Excursion to Trivandrum
Full day excursion to Trivandrum. Visit Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Napier
museum, Sri Chitra Art Gallery & Museum etc. Check into your hotel.
Day 11 : Kovalam - Kanyakumari
Drive Kovalam to kanyakumari which is (68 kms /1 ½ hr ) in route visit
Padmanabhapuram palace. Upon arrival check in the hotel. Afternoon visit
Kanyakumari temple, The Gandhi Memorial, Vivekananda Rock Memorial. Evening
watch sunset from the beach. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 : Kanyakumari – Madurai
Morning watch sunrise from the hotel or beach. Later drive to Madurai
(approx 250 kms / 5 hrs). Check into the hotel. In the evening visit the
famous Madurai Meenakshi Temple, a splendid example of Dravidian
architecture.
Day 13 :Madurai
Visit the Tirmula Nayak Palace – A gracious building in the Indo
saracenic style, famous for the Stucco work on its domes & arches. Also
visit the Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 : Madurai – Trichy and board overnight
train
Morning drive to Trichy. Later leave full day for sightseeing visiting Rock
fort temple, Christ Church, Oomaiyan Kottal, Chowk Maidan Masjid, Erakudi-
Sirunavallur Granary. In the evening transfer to railway station to board
train no 16108 Maq Chennai exp departing at 22:00 hrs, overnight on board.
Day 15 :Chennai / Out
Arrive Chennai at 05:05 hrs. Later transfer to airport to connect flight for
onward destination.
(Taj Mahal closed on every Friday).
