Best Of South India Tour

Chennai - Pondicherry - Tanjore-Trichy - Madurai - Periyar - Varkala - Alappuzha - Munnar - Cochin - Mumbai (19 Nights/20 Days)

Day 01/Arrive - Chennai
Welcome to India! Arrive Chennai International airport. On arrival, meet assist by our tour representative and check in to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02/Chennai
Madras - the sprawling and gracious city on the "Bay of Bengal" is the fourth largest city in India. Visit the Fort St. George once a stronghold of the British, San Thome Cathedral, Marina Beach and the beautiful Mylapore temple. Overnight at hotel

Day 03/Chennai - Pondicherry
After breakfast drive to Pondicherry (162 km), enroute visit Kancheepuram and Mahabalipuram. Continue drive to Pondicherry. Upon arrival in Pondicherry - check into the hotel. Overnight at hotel

Day 04/Pondicherry
Afternoon tour of Pondicherry - visiting Botanical garden, Eglise De Sacre Coeur De Jesus and Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Later visit township of Auroville or the city of Dawn. Designed by a French architect Roger Arger, it is an entirely new concept in education and urban living. Overnight at hotel

Day 05/Pondicherry - Tanjore
After breakfast drive to Tanjore (177 kms). Upon arrival in Tanjore - check into the hotel. Overnight at hotel

Day 06/Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai
After breakfast drive to Madurai (178 kms) enroute visit Trichy. Thereafter continue drive to Madurai. Upon arrival in Madurai - check into the hotel. Evening visit of the Meenakshi temple. Overnight at hotel

Day 07/Madurai
Morning, visit the Meenakshi temple. Also visit the palace of Tirumala Nayak. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel

Day 08/Madurai - Periyar
Morning drive to Periyar (177 kms) Upon arrival at Periyar - check into hotel. Afternoon boatcruise on the Lake of the famous Periyar wildlife sanctuary to see wild life. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09/Periyar - Varkala
Morning drive to Varkala (220 km). Upon arrival in Varkala - check into the hotel. Afternoon visit the Portugese church of Anjengo dated to the time of occupation, which maybe the Elanchoros of the geography of Ptomempee (2nd century A.D.). Also visit the English Fort constructed in 1695 A.D. by the English 'East India Company', which play an important role in the war of Mysore in 18th century. Overnight at hotel

Day 10/Varkala - Alappuzha
Morning drive to to be at Alappuzha in time to witness the famous boat race. Upon arrival to Alappuzha - check into the hotel. The Snake Boat Races of Kerala is a magnificent fiestas that brings alive the tranquil backwaters. Snake boat races are held in connection with Onam, the harvest festival in August/September. Scores of long snake boats and other smaller crafts participate in these events. It is the largest team sport in the world, a sport that signifies the excellent team spirit, integration and amity of the people of this backwater country. The snake boat races are preceded by colourful water parades. Overnight at hotel

Day 11/Alappuzha
Full day at The Snake Boat Race festival "Payippad Boat Race Payippad near Harippad Alappuzha District ". The Nehru Trophy Boat Race, the most colourful water sport in Kerala, is conducted at PUNNAMADA LAKE in Alleppey on the second saturday of every August/September each year. This trophy was named as NEHRU TROPHY was awarded to the winners of the boat race which is a unique feature of community life and is gift to the people of Alleppey. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12/Alappuzha
Full day sightseeing tour around Alappuzha area. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13/Alappuzha
Aranmula Boat Race Aranmula, Pathanamthitta. Overnight at hotel

Day 14/Alappuzha - Munnar
Morning drive to Munnar (180 km). Upon arrival in Munnar- check in to the hotel. Overnight at hotel

Day 15/Munnar
Morning, visit Ervikulam National Park (16 kms) - it is the home of the endangered Nigiri Tahr (a type of mountain goat) that roams on a stretch of grassland or is seen climbing the pinnacles of the undulating hills. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel

Day 16/Munnar - Cochin
Morning drive to Cochin (160 km) Upon arrival in Cochin - check into hotel. Evening witness the Kathakali dance performance - Kathakali is a unique dance which has a 2000 year old history with more than 100 different 'mudras' or gesture depicting deities, demons, heroes, heroines and kings - each based on episodes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, the two epic Indian myths. Overnight at hotel

Day 17/Cochin
Morning tour of Cochin or "Kochi"- the palm green, commercial captial of Kerala is known as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea". Visit the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, the Church of St. Francis, the Bolghatty Palace and the famous Chinese fishing nets. Afternoon free for a stroll in Jew town. Overnight at hotel.

Day 18/Cochin - Mumbai
Late morning transfer from hotel to the railway station for train to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai, the guests will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 19/Mumbai
Morning, one hour boat ride across Mumbai Harbour brings you to the lush green Elephanta Island. Here, visit some of the huge and intricately carved Elephanta Caves that date back to the 8th century. Afternoon, City tour of Mumbai - the great port city with its Victorian Gothic buildings from the British Raj Era mingling with the modern. The tour includes Gateway of India overlooking the Harbour, the Towers of Silence, Marine Drive and the Dhobi Ghat, the unique and colourful outdoor 'laundry'. Also visit Mani Bhawan, a small museum dedicated to the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi, and the bustling Crawford Market. Later in late evening transfer to the International airport for your flight back home.

Day 20/Abroad - Mumbai
Depart: Mumbai

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