Varanasi Tourism

---

Duration: 16 Nights / 17 Days
Places Covered: Mumbai - Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Tirupati - Bangalore - Mysore - Kodai - Trichy - Tanjore - Madurai - Ramesharam - Trivandrum - Kanyakumari - Mumbai

---

Day 1 : Mumbai
Welcome to India. You will be received at International Airport and immediately transferred to your hotel for rest.

Overnight at Mumbai.

Day 2 : Mumbai - Chennai
Transfer to airport after breakfast for flight to Chennai.

Transfer to your hotel. Check in at hotel in Chennai.

In the afternoon, proceed for city tour of Chennai visiting Museum (Closed on Fridays and holidays). Drive through the flower and fruit market, High Court, Fort Museum, Marina Beach, San Thome Cathedral and Snake Park.

Relax in the evening. Overnight at Chennai.

Day 3 : Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Chennai Excursion
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for Mahabalipuram by surface.

Proceed for sight seeing of Mahabalipuram - 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.

Visit Kanchipuram, ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 temples that still has 124 shrines. Kanchipuram is also famous for silk.

Return to Chennai and relax at the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 : Chennai - Tirupati
Breakfast at hotel.

Transfer to Tirupati. Tirupati - A temple and pilgrim town. Located at the foot of the Tirumala Hills on which the ancient and beautiful temple of Lord Venkateshwara stands. Spread over seven hills, this township is the most picturesque pilgrimage centre in the south.

One must see the fervor with which the devotees stand in long queues for a glimpse of their Lord. Masses of coins, jewelry & hair are received as offerings.

On arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon proceed for Darshan of LORD BALAJI.

Overnight at Tirupati.

Day 5 : Tirupati - Bangalore
Start after breakfast and proceed for Bangalore.

Bangalore - where every season carries a holiday mood, a city called the Garden City of India, a city which has identified it self as the Manhattan of India, a city which keeps pace with the latest trends and fashion. Bangalore is fast emerging as one of the most industrialized city in India. The local Chieftain, KEMPE GOWDA, founded Bangalore in sixteenth century. But Bangalore never came up on the scene till Tipu Sultan converted it into the summer capital of Mysore. The Wodeyars also contributed in developing the city through gardens and palaces they built. To the British goes the credit of making it into an administrative center.

The pleasant climate of Bangalore has been an attraction for one and all. Capital of a state that is rich in Sandalwood, Rose wood and Silk, certainly has more to offer than a day or two of sight seeing. Bangalore has always tried to keep itself peppy and jazzy. The numerous pubs and nightclubs can compete with any modern city of America or Europe. It is a city that has adopted to the changing fashion trends in the world. The city is not only has large number of cinema halls but is also famous for its nightlife. The modern shopping malls full of brightly lit shops and showrooms not necessarily invite prospective buyers but are treat for the window shoppers too.

Overnight at Bangalore.

Day 6 : Bangalore - Mysore
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for city tour of Bangalore in the morning.

Drive to Mysore. En-route sight seeing of Srirangapatanam. Reach Mysore and transfer to hotel.

Sightseeing of PALACE and the temples. Overnight at Mysore.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 7 : Mysore - Kodaikanal
After breakfast visit The Palace, Chamundi Hill, Art Galleries & Devraj Urs market. Return to hotel. Proceed to Kodaikanal. Reach in the evening.

Kodaikanal is one of the most popular serene hill stations in India.With her wooded slopes, mighty rocks, enhancing waterfalls and a beautiful lake, Kodaikanal will mesmerize any visitor.

Kodaikanal, or Kodai is a serene hill station, set high in the Palani Hills at an altitude of over 2100 metres. Wooded hills. Pleasant walks, picturesque waterfalls and a magnificent lake, make Kodai one of the most beautiful hill stations in India. Kodaikanal is rich in flora and fauna. It has a unique plant - the Kurinji, which blossoms once in 12 years, making the hill slope a blaze of purple. The Kurinji last blossomed in 1992.

Kurinji andavar Temple (3.2 kms.) : The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Murugan. From this point, one can get a beautiful view of the northern plains and Plaani Hills.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8 : Kodaikanal - Trichy
Proceed to Trichy after breakfast. Reach and proceed for Full day excursion to the city of Trichy.

Visit the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Ganapathi, 434 steps cut out into the rock side and interspersed with shrines, lead to the temple. Visit SRIRANGAM, a massive temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu sprawled on a Island in CAUVERY RIVER which contains within its walls a Bazaar (TRADITIONAL MARKET OF INDIA) as well. Gaze up at the twenty-one magnificent towers of the temple surrounded by seven walls.

Return to hotel and relax.

Day 9 : Trichy - Tanjore
Breakfast at hotel.

In the morning drive to Tanjore also known as Thanjavur (The rice bowl of TAMIL NADU). Proceed for sight seeing of Tanjore. Visit the famous Chola Temple of Brihadeeshwara - A WORLD HERITAGE MONUMENT. Its bronze and handicrafts make Tanjore one of the highlights of the tour to South India. The majesty of the palaces and art gallery attached to the temple is really awe-inspiring. It is also famous for the silk.

Overnight at Tanjore.

Day 10 : Tanjore - Madurai
Breakfast at hotel. Later leave for Madurai by surface and en route visit Karaikudi (Chettinad).

Madurai is over 2500 years old and is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu - Ancient seat of learning. The city is planned in the shape of a lotus.

Check into the hotel by noon.

Freshen up and by afternoon visit the famous Madurai Meenakshi temple (dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering GOPURAMS) - There are four entrances to this amazing temple complex set in 6 hectares. Beat some of the stone pillars in the complex with any hard object and feel incredible on hearing sweet metal sounds. The total number of pillars in the temple is a staggering one Thousand.

If time permits enjoy a 'light & sound Panorama' in Thirumala Naik Temple (optional) or visit to Alagar hills & Thirupura Rock Temple.

Overnight at Madurai.

Day 11 : Madurai - Rameshwaram - Madurai excursion
Breakfast at hotel.

Full day excursion to Rameshwaram, a city of swell and gentle sand dunes, embellished with the delicacy of casurina trees and stark palms. This is a sacred place for Hindus since according to Ramayana, this where Lord Rama worshipped God Shiva to absolve himself of the sin of killing.

Return to Madurai by evening. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12 : Madurai - Trivandrum
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed to Kanyakumari - the southern tip where the Indian subcontinent meets the sea.

Proceed for the sunset view against the sea - AN UNFORGETTABLE VIEW. Leave for Trivandrum by surface and reach late evening.

Relax at hotel. Overnight at Trivandrum.

Day 13 : Trivandrum - Alleppey - Houseboat
Breakfast at hotel. Start tour in the morning visiting the Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple and Kanakakunnu Palace.

Proceed to the backwaters of Alleppey where you will board the Luxurious Traditional Houseboat, which is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters for a memorable day & night cruise. The boat will take you through the virgin villages of Kuttanad - the only location in Kerala situated below sea level. By evening the boat will be anchored at the middle of the water column. Enjoy a starry night stay in between blue waters & blue skies.

Overnight on board the houseboat.

Day 14 : Cochin
Proceed to Cochin through the heartland of South Kerala. Experience the backwater views and pass through the choir villages and the rice bowl of Kerala - Alleppey.

End the beautiful journey at Cochin. Check in at hotel.

The eventful history of this city began when a major flood in AD 1341 threw open the estuary at Kochi, till then a land locked region, turning it into one of the finest natural harbors in the world. Kochi thus became a haven for seafaring visitors from all over the world and became the first European town-ship in India when the Portuguese settled here in the 15th century.

A few interesting sites included in the tour are the Chinese fishing nets along the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow etc. Apart from these architectural splendors, an array of restaurants serving fresh seafood is also popular among tourists. The Chinese fishing nets erected on teak wood and bamboo poles work on the principle of balance. Records say they were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450. Vasco Da Gama Square, the narrow promenade that parallels the beach, is the best place to watch the nets being lowered and pulled out of the sea.

Proceed for a SUNSET HARBOR CRUISE in the evening. This will be the best way to end your religious tour of South India. Overnight at Cochin.

Day 15 : Cochin - Mumbai
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai. Reach and transfer to hotel.

For the day you'll be taking a sightseeing tour of Mumbai which has a very distinct and appealing culture of its own.

The places covered will be MAHALAKSHMI TEMPLE, HANGING GARDEN, TOWER OF SILENCE, CHOWPATTY AND PRINCE OF WALES MUSEUM.

Relax in the evening. Overnight at Mumbai.

Day 16 : Mumbai - Home
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to GATEWAY OF INDIA and proceed to harbor for ferry to ELEPHANTA CAVES. Sightseeing and return by afternoon.

Proceed to hotel and relax in the evening. Check out late and transfer to airport at 2200 hr.

Day 17 : Mumbai - Home
Early morning flight back home with sweet memories of India.