South India Vacations

Overview
The best of South India is here. It covers all the major cities and spots which are worth visiting forts, Palaces, Beaches, Backwaters, Temples and Wildlife, every thing its covers.

Inclusions
Accommodation, Meal, Transport, Local guides / Naturalist for city tours, Meet and greet services, Entrances fee to monuments.

Exclusions
Shopping and other meals apart from breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 01 : Arrive Mumbai
A Magical India Tours representative will meet you at the airport and facilitate your transfer to the hotel. Enjoy an afternoon tour of Mumbai and visit some of its attractions like Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Rajabhai Tower and Flora Fountain. Return for an overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 02 : Mumbai - Bangalore
As part of the Grand South India, enjoy a morning excursion to the famous Elephanta Caves. Come evening, transfer to airport to board a flight to Bangalore. Check into a hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 03 : Bangalore - Hassan
Tour the IT hub of Bangalore in the morning. Some of its attractions are the Vidhan Soudha (one of the most impressive buildings in India), Lalbagh Gardens, Tipu Sultan's Palace and the Bull Temple.
Later, travel to Hassan by coach (190 km / 5 hrs). Stop at a small village named Shravanbelgola enroute. One of its major attractions is the Statue of Gomteshwara built in 183 AD. Check into a hotel on arrival at Hassan.

Day 04 : Hassan - Belur - Halebid - Hassan
Travel to Belur that is located at a distance of 38 kms away. Situated on the banks of river Yagachi, it was the capital of the Hoysala Empire before it was shifted to Dwarasamudram (Halebid) some 800 years ago. One of Belur's famous attractions is the12th century Chennakesava Temple.
Then proceed to Halebid that is at a distance of 16 kms away. Founded in the early 11th century AD, Belur is home to some famous monuments like Hoysaleswara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Return to Hassan for an overnight stay.

Day 05 : Hassan - Mysore
As part of the Grand South India tour, drive to Mysore that is located some 120 kms away. Visit Srirangapattna, the summer Palace of Tipu Sultan before checking in at the hotel.
Enjoy an afternoon sightseeing tour of Mysore and visit some interesting sites like the grand Maharaja's palace. Drive to the famed Brindavan gardens with its dancing fountains in the evening. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 06 : Mysore - Ooty
Drive to Ooty (160 km / 6 hrs), a beautiful hill town situated at a height of 2286 meters above sea level. With many scenic delights to boast of, Ooty is the experience of a lifetime. Check in at a hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 07 : Ooty
On day 7 of the Grand South India, indulge in a morning sightseeing tour around Ooty. Visit the famous botanical Gardens laid out by the Marquis of Tweeddale in 1847. The garden also boasts of a fossil tree trunk that is some 20 million years old. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay would be at Ooty.

Day 08 : Ooty - Cochin
Drive to Cochin located at a distance of 285 kms away. Check in at a hotel for an overnight stay. Enjoy an interesting cultural performance in the evening.
Day 09 : Cochin - Kumarakom
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Cochin also referred to as Kochi. It is famous for its placid back-waters, golden sunsets and beautiful lagoons. Some of its attractions are picturesque Islands of Vypeen, Willingdon, Ramanthuruth, Vallarpadam and Bolghatty, the Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace of the former maharajas, also known as the Dutch palace, old British churches and the Bolghatty Palace. Travel to Kumarakom later in the day and check in at a hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 10 : Kumarakom - Periyar
Drive to the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the morning. A haven for wildlife lovers, Periyar is home to many varieties of animals like the elephant, deer, wild boar, Nilgiri Langur, Gaur and a number of water birds. Check into a hotel on arrival and set out on a boating tour in the Periyar Lake. Stay overnight at Periyar.

Day 11 : Periyar - Madurai
Travel to Madurai (160 km / 5 hrs), the ancient capital of Pandyan kings. Check in at a hotel on arrival. Rest awhile before setting out on a sightseeing tour of Madurai. The Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Tirumalai Nayak Temple and Vandiyur Mariamman Tank are the most famous attractions of the city.

Day 12 : Madurai - Tiruchirapalli
On day 12 of the Grand South India tour, drive to Tiruchirapalli (128 km / 3 hrs). Check into a hotel and set out to explore the attractions of Tiruchirapalli in the afternoon. The Rock Fort Temple, Srirangam ( a picturesque island between the Cauvery river and its tributary Kollidam) and the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple are the most famous attractions of Tiruchirapalli. Stay overnight at Tiruchirapalli.

Day 13 : Tiruchirapalli - Thanjavur
Drive to Thanjavur (54 kms / 2 hrs) and check into a hotel on arrival. Later, visit some interesting sites like the Brihadeeswara or the Big Temple of God, and the 16th century palace located near the temple. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 : Thanjavur - Chidambaram - Pondicherry
Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast before driving to Pondicherry, (210 km / 7 hrs). Visit the small town of Chidambaram enroute. It is home to the famous Natraja Temple that is sprawled over an area of 40 acres. Check into a hotel on arrival and visit the world famous Aurobindo Ashram in the evening. Stay overnight at your hotel in Pondicherry.
Day 15 : Pondicherry - Mamallapuram
Enjoy a relaxed morning before driving towards Mamallapuram (74 km / 2 hrs) on day 15 of the Grand South India tour. Check into a hotel on arrival and enjoy a sightseeing tour in the afternoon. Visit The Shore Temple, the Five Rathas and Arjuna's Penance, the world's largest bas-relief measuring 27m x 9m. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 16 : Mamallapuram - Kanchipuram - Chennai
Drive to Kanchipuram (74 km / 2 hrs), one of India's seven sacred cities. An important center of Tamil learning and culture for centuries, Kanchi is also famous for its silk saris. Visit the Vardaraja Temple and other important temples like the Kamakshi Amman Temple. Continue towards Chennai (72 km / 2 hrs and check into a hotel on arrival.

Day 17 : Chennai - Mumbai - Flight Back Home
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour around Chennai and visit some important attractions like the Kapaleeswarar temple, the Parthsarthy Temple, Fort of St. George and St. Thomas Mount where the Apostle St. Thomas was martyred in 72 AD. Transfer to the airport somewhere in the afternoon to board a flight back to Mumbai. On arrival, transfer to the international airport to board your return flight.