Duration : 18 Night /19 Days
Destination : Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondichery - Tanjore - Trichy - Ooty - Mysore - Hassan - Hospet - Badami - Hubli - Goa .

cheenai

Day 1: Europe / Chennai
Leave for Chennai. Arrive Chennai in the night. Transfer to hotel & Overnight.

Day 2: Chennai / Mahabalipuram
Morning breakfast. Visit the Kaplaeeswarar temple, dedicated to Lord Siva. Later visit the Fort St. George, and the Museum, which has an astounding collection of early Chennai. Afternoon continue towards the wonderful ethnic beach resort at Mahabalipuram. Arrive and check-in at the hotel. Visit the Group of five Rathas Temples, rock-cut monoliths named after the heroes of the Epic - Mahabharata. The rock carving depicting the penance of Shiva is one of the finest pieces of stone carving and at the end visit the Shore Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Later in the evening stroll in the beach. Return to hotel. Overnight.

Day 3: Mahabalipuram / Kanchipuram / Pondicherry
Morning breakfast. Leave for Kanchipuram which has over 150 active temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses. The various temples we can visit are Kailashnatha, Vaikun Thaperumal, Vishnu Temple, Shiva Natraja, Vardaraja Vishnu Temple, Ekambeshwara Shiva Temple and Ekambeshwara Shiva temple. Continue towards Pondichery. Arrive & check-in at hotel. Afternoon visit to Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Maitri Mandir in Auroville. Auroville is the newer ashram initiated by the Mother, where the largest cut crystal in the world is on display in their magnificent domed hall. Return to hotel. Overnight.

Day 4: Pondicherry / Chidambaram / Tanjore
Morning breakfast. Drive to Tanjore via Gangai konda Cholapuram and Darasuram. Enroute stop at Chidambaram to visit the beautiful temple, dedicated to Lord Nataraja- God Siva in the form of a Cosmic Dancer. Later stop at Gangakondacholapuram, to visit the temple. The Airavatesvara Temple built mainly of granite, has pillars with beautifully carved apsaras and friezes of lively dancing figures and musicians. Each of the pillars within the temple illustrates mythological stories showing the penance of Parvati, Shiva's consort. Continue towards Tanjore. Arrive & check-in at hotel. Overnight.

Day 5: Tanjore / Trichy
Morning breakfast. Visit the Brihadisvara Temple, built mainly of granite; it has s a magnificent structure with a 14 storey high vimana, a towered sanctuary that houses the main deity. Afternoon leave for Trichy to visit the Sri Ranganathasvami Temple, famous for its superb sculpture, the 21 impressive gopurams and its rich collection of temple jewelry. The Rock-Fort is the landmark of Trichy. A climb of 434 steps leads to the ancient temple of Ganapati on top and a further climb to a Shiva temple. Transfer to hotel and check-in. Overnight.

Day 6: Trichy /Erode (Train)/ Ooty
Morning breakfast. Transfer to Railway Station to board on the train for Erode. Arrive Erode and continue vers Ooty. Arrive and check-in at hotel. Snuggling in the Nilgiri Hills, enveloped in the blue mist that the name implies (nil=blue, giri=mountain), Ooty continues to exude the charm of a laidback beautiful little town that it is. Time free for the visit of plantations of cardamom and tea, and eucalyptus forests take over the landscape. Return back to hotel and overnight.

Day 7: Ooty / Bandipur
Morning breakfast. Leave for the visit of Nagarhole National Park, the view of which is simply breathtaking. Arrive and check-in at the Jungle Lodges. Afternoon enjoy the jeep safari trip. In the evening enjoy the elephant safari. The reserve houses over 200 species of birds and rare animals like four-horned antelope, Golden Jackal, Leopard Cat and Sloth Bear. Reptiles like Bamboo Pit Snake, Vine Snake, Russell’s viper and Monitor Lizard are found here. Overnight.

Day 8: Bandipur / Mysore
Early morning after Tea / Coffee enjoy the boat ride on the River Kabini. Early in the morning to enjoy the mesmerizing view of seeing wild animals and birds in their natural habitat. Breakfast in forest. Return back to hotel. Time free for relax. After wash & change leave for Mysore. Arrive and check-in at the hotel. Afternoon excursion to Chamudi hills. Visit the Sri Chamundeswari Temple, a huge in structure with a seven story Gopuram 40 meters high. On the way up to the hill we see the famous Nandi (Shiva`s Bull) carved out of solid rock and, at five meters high, perhaps the largest. Return to hotel and overnight

Day 9: Mysore
Morning breakfast. Leave for the visit the the Mysore Palace, the principal residence of the former royal family deigned by Henry Irwin. There are beautiful carved wooden doors and mosaic floors, as well as a whole series of mediocre. Return back to hotel. Afternoon, visit the Somnathpur Temple built in the 13th century during the heyday of Hoysala kings. Later in the evening walk in the colourful Devraj Market.ime free for shopping. Overnight.

Day 10: Mysore / Sriranganpatam / Hassan
Morning breakfast. Drive towards Hassan. Enroute visit Srirangapatnam, the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan built in 1784 AD. Continue towards Hassan. Arrive and check-in at the hotel. Afternoon visit Belur and Halebid temple complexes (12th-14th centuries). Built by the Hoysala kings, the temples at Belur and Halebid are the cream of what remains of one of the most artistically exuberant periods of Hindu Cultural development. Return back to hotel and overnight.

Day 11: Hassan / Hospet
Drive to Hospet. Enroute visit Chitradurga which lies on the foot of a group of granite hills. The fort here was built in the 17th century by the Nayakas which was subsequently destroyed by Haider Ali who replaced the mud fort with one built of stone.Next stop at Tumkur where one can visit the small Dravidian style Kaidala Keshava temple which contains some striking stone images. Hiriyur - Built on the bank of the river Vedavati, the Teru-Malleshwara Temple has a 14m- high lamp pillar which holds enough oil for the lamp to be relit only once a year. Arrive and check-in at the hotel. Overnight

Day 12: Hospet / Hampi / Hospet
Morning breakfast. Excursion to Hampi, which was once the seat of the great Vijayanagara Empire. Visit the Vijayanagar city ruins near the village of Hampi are one of the most fascinating historical sites in south India. The superb ruins are set in a beautiful landscape--a hill country with enormous boulders. These ruins are so majestic and imposing that they leave the visitor totally dumbfounded, awestruck and humbled. Most of the sites are 16th century and built during the 20 year reign of Krishna deva Raya. Return to hotel and overnight.

Day 13: Hospet / Pattadakal / Aihole / Badami
Morning breakfast. Leave for Pattadkal, the second capital of the Chalukyan kings between 7th and 8th century. Visit the cluster of temples built at the foot of the hill which displays a succession of styles of the southern Dravidian temple architecture as well as North Indian Nagara style. Visit the Viruprakasha Temple whose massive columns are covered with intricate carvings depicting episodes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, showing battle scenes, lovers and decorative motifs. Continue towards Aihole, the first Chalukyan capital. Known as the ‘Cradle of Indian Temple Architecture. Aihole has over 100 temples scattered around the village dedicated to Vishnu, though some were later converted into Shaivite shrines. Drive towards Badami, the capital of early Chalukyas. Arrive and check-in at the hotel. Overnight

Day 14: Badami / Hubli
Morning breakfast. Leave for the visit of the Cave temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva which were cut into the hillside in the early 6th century. The first cave has Shiva in his manifestation as Nataraja with 18 arms and seen in 81 dance poses. The second Cave is on a higher level and is decorated with the images of dwarfs in various poses. The largest and most ornamental is the third cave temple dedicated to Vishnu. Here are some splendid carvings of the Hindu pantheon. Overlooking the cave temples is a reservoir and also visits the Bhootha Natha temples that lend their name to the lake just beneath the cave temples. Later continue towards Hubli. Arrive and check-in at the hotel. Overnight

goa

Day 15: Hubli / Goa
Morning breakfast. Leave for Goa. Situated on the western coastline of India, Goa is often referred to as ”Goa Dourada,” (meaning ”Golden Goa”) because of its beaches, forts, churches, waterfalls, seminaries, and caves. The beaches such as Dona Paula, Calangute, Anjuna, Colva, Miramar, and Vagator can be compared with the best beaches around the world. Churches and forts in Old Goa take the visitor to an era far back in time. Goa is rich not only in culture or entertainment, but it also has a rich floral and faunal heritage making it a complete destination. Arrive and check-in at hotel. Overnight.

Day 16: Goa
Morning breakfast. Visit the St. Francis Church where Vasco-da-Gama was originally buried. This Protestant church was built originally by Portuguese in 1510 AD and is believed to be the first church built by the Europeans in India. Visit Santa Cruz Cathedral - Roman Catholic church, situated close to St. Francis Church, built by the Portuguese in 16th century. Return to hotel. Rest of the day time free for independent activities or relax in the beach. Overnight.

Day 17: Goa
Morning breakfast. Visit to Old Goa driving by the seashore. Here the ensemble of monasteries, convents and chapels will take you back to the days when the Apostle of the Indies, St. Francis Xavier, preached the Gospel of Christ. Visit the Basilica of Bombay where mortal remains of the Saint lie preserved in a silver ornate casket. Also visit St. Thomas Cathedral and the Church of St. Cajetan-- modeled on the original.Return to hotel. In the afternoon, if you are lucky to be there on Wednesday visit the Anjuna Flea Market which is a major attraction for tourist from all Goan beaches. This is a place where people could catch up on gossip, trade wares such as home made cakes, jewelries and offer their services such as massage and body piercing. Later in the evening return to hotel. Overnight.

Day 18: Goa / Bombay (Flight)
Morning breakfast. Time free fir independent activities. Later in the afternoon transfer to airport to connect flight for Bombay. Arrive and leave for brief sightseeing of Mumbai. Visit the Gateway of India, a 262 feet high gateway overlooking the sea, built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Drive past the Victorian Railway Station to the Flora Fountain. Known by the natives as Hutatma Chowk, this spot is the center of Bombay's life. Also visit the Hanging gardens, Prince of Wales Museum and the Gandhi Museum. Later in the evening transfer to International airport

Day 19: Mumbai / Europe
Board on you flight to connect for onward destination.