Best of South India Tour
Duration:
16 Nights / 17 Days
Destinations:
Mumbai - Bangalore - Sravangola - Hassan - Mysore - Nagarhole - Cochin - Munnar
- Allepy - Kumarakom - Mumbai
ay
1 : Arrive Bombay (Mumbai)
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2 : Bombay / Bangalore
In the morning you will have a guided city tour of Bombay, which is noticeably
tropical. Its weathered Victorian mansions, some still privately owned and
grand public buildings, many beautifully lit at night, stand as a reminder
of the days of the British Raj. You visit the Gateway of India, hastily created
as a symbol of welcome to Queen Mary and King George V of England on their
trip to India in 1911. Afterwards, visit the Hanging Gardens, perched at the
top of Malabar Hill and providing lovely views over the Arabian Sea. In the
afternoon, take a short flight to Bangalore, a city full of well laid out
gardens, wide tree lined avenues, impressive buildings and lively bazaars.
Overnight at a centrally located hotel.
Day 3 : Bangalore / sravangola / Hassan
After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Bangalore visiting sights such as
the Lal Bagh, which has a variety of old trees, fountains, lotus pools, terraces
and an assortment of tropical and sub-tropical herbs. You also visit the 300-year-old
Venkataramanaswamy Temple, built by the Waidiyars in the Dravidian style.
In the afternoon, depart for Hassan via Sravarnabelgola for an afternoon of
guided sightseeing to the famous temples of Belur and Halebid. The temples
at Belur and Halebid, which remained incomplete despite 80 years of labor,
are offerings of the finest workmanship in stone to the gods. The Temple at
Halebid is still used for worship today. Overnight at a centrally located
hotel in Hassan.
Day
4 : Hassan / Mysore
In the morning, visit Belur and Halebid. Belur is situated on the banks of
the Yagachi River, and was the first capital of the Hoysala dynasty. The Channekeshava
Temple here is one of the three major Hoysala sites still in daily use. One
of the earliest structures of its type, the construction of the temple was
started in 1116 and took almost a century to complete. The temple, which is
dedicated to Lord Krishna, is built on a star-shaped platform and stands in
a courtyard surrounded by a rectangular wall. Halebid, an ancient capital
of the Hoysala Empire, was founded in the early 11th century as Dvarasamudra,
but later named as Halebid. It’s famous temple, Hoysaleswara, dates
back to around 1121 AD and was never completed. This temple is similar to
the one at Belur and is set among a well-tended garden. The Jain Temples nearby
form another major attraction in Halebid. These 12th century temples stand
in a garden enclosure where you can walk around and have a look at the dark
interiors with carved ceilings. Arrive in Mysore and transfer to your centrally
located hotel. (B)
Day 5 : Mysore
Today you visit Sri Rangapatnam, a fort that was the stronghold of Tipu Sultan,
son of Hyder Ali Among the many Fort buildings still in tact are Tippu’s
airy Summer Palace and his tomb at the Darya Daulat Bagh (Garden) as well
as the celebrated Sri Ranganatha Temple. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided
tour to the sites of Mysore beginning with a visit to the palace of the Maharaja,
built in 1911-12. This palace is built in Hindu and Saracenic styles of architecture
with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures that are magnificent.
You also visit the Art Gallery, followed by a drive up to Chamundi Hill to
see Chamundeshwari Temple and enjoy a panoramic view of Mysore. On your return
to your hotel, stop at the Nandi Bull, one of the largest solid rock carvings
in India. Overnight at a centrally located hotel in Mysore. (B).
Day06:
Mysore / Nagarhole
check in at Kabini River Lodge. After lunch depart on a jeep safari into the
park which was established in 1955 and extended to its present size of 573 sq.
km in 1975. Dinner and overnight at Kabini River Lodge
Day 07: Nagarhole
Morning and Afternoon Wild life viewing. The Kabini river has been dammed to
form a large and attractive reservoir which separates the park from the Bandipur
National Park to the southeast. Large herds of gaur (the largest of wild oxen),
elephants, sambar, cheetal (spotted deer) are among the game found. Leopard
and tiger are also occasionally sighted. The park has over 250 species of birds
recorded. Dinner and overnight at Kabini River Lodge.
Day 08: Nagarhole / Bangalore
Early morning game viewing is by jeep or coracle - excellent for bird watching
as well as viewing animals on the banks of the river. There are also several
watchtowers where one can spend long interesting hours viewing elephants and
other game.
Afternoon 4 hours drives takes you back to Bangalore. Upon arrival proceed to
the Hotel for overnight stay.
Day 09: Bangalore / Cochin
This morning after break fast you will be transferred to the airport in time
to board 9W3511 departing at 1015 hours and arrives in Kochi ( Cochin) at 1135
hours.Met upon arrival and transferred to the Hotel On arrival check in at Hotel
Taj Malabar. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day
10 : Cochin
After breakfast explore Cochin, which comprises of a cluster of islands and
towns. Fort Cochin is believed to be the oldest European settlement in India,
with the Portuguese flag first hoisted here in 1500. St. Francis Church, built
in 1510 by friars brought to India by Vasco da Gama, is the first European church
built in India and is the site where da Gama was buried. While the remains were
later taken back to Lisbon, the gravestone can still be seen here. The Jewish
Synagogue was built in 1568 and considerably embellished in the mid 18th century
by Ezekiel Rahabi, who built a clock tower and paved the floor of the synagogue
with hand-painted tiles brought all the way from Canton in China. The "Dutch
Palace" was built in the 1550s by the Portuguese and taken over by the
Dutch, who later presented it to the Rajas of Cochin. The palace contains excellent
mythological murals and a rare example of traditional Keralite flooring - a
subtle mix of burnt coconut shells, lime, plant juices and eggwhites - which
gives the effect of polished marble.
In the afternoon take a leisurely cruise on the beautiful backwaters of Cochin.
In the evening witness a Kathakali dance performance. This is the most developed
dance drama art of India. Drums beckon an audience to a performance most magnificent
- actors depict characters from the Puranas and the Mahabharata, the great
Indian epics - demons, superhuman beings and ordinary men and women. The dancers,
all male, adorn themselves in huge skirts and elaborate headdress, wearing
what must surely be the most intricate make up known to any dance style in
the world. Dialogue is combined with dance to bring myth and legend to life
in the temple courtyards of Kerala. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Taj Malabar.
Day11: Cochin / Munnar
After breakfast this morning you are driven about 132Kms to Munnar. One of the
most popular hill stations in India, Munnar is situated at the confluence of
three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Located at 5,250
feet above sea level, this was once the summer resort of the British Government
in South India. There are sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding
lanes, and good hiking possibilities. Overnight at Hotel Windermere or similar.
Day
12 : Munnar
You can spend the day today walking in and around the various tea plantations.
Hikes are of varying difficulty. It may be possible (subject to permission)
to visit one or some of the tea factories, where you can see the tea being processed.
Overnight at Hotel Windermere or similar.
Day 13 : Munnar / Allepy and Board House Boat
This morning you will be driving about 198 KMs will take about six hours to
reach Allepy, Upon arrival proceed to the jetty to board House boat for overnight
trip.
Day 14 : House Boat
Board the Rice Boats to begin a fascinating journey through forests, palm-shaded
backwaters and canals. The leisurely cruise on the beautiful backwaters offers
magnificent scenery along the waterways and an unique insight into the history,
lifestyle, culture and religion of the region. Dinner and overnight on the House
Boat:
Day 15 : Houseboat / Kumarakom
This morning, disembark from the houseboat at your hotel in Kumarakom. Located
on the coast, Kumarakom enjoys a well-balanced tropical climate. It’s
a magical place where verdant coconut palms line the river banks. You may lose
yourself in the
perfumes
of flowers, in the riot of colors of multi-hued birds, in the flavors of local
cuisine.
Afternoon explore the 45-acre working farm of mango, nutmeg and coconut trees,
and their bean, pepper and banana plantations. It has an interesting mix of
inter crop cultivations. The farm is located on a small island (approx-750
acres) in the backwaters by Vembanad Lake, next to Kumarakom within the Vechoor
village limits.
Overnight at Kumarkom Lake Resort or similar.
Day16 : Kumarkom / Cochin / Cochin Fly to Mumbai
This morning take a ferry Muhmma boat Jeety and drive to 85 kms to Cochin in
time to board 9W 404 departing at 1515 hours and arriving in Mumbai at 1700
hours. You will be met and transferred to the Hotel For overnight stay.
Day17 : Departure
This morning you will be transferred to board homeward flight.
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