TOUR ROUTE:

Bangalore – Hassan - Mysore – Chennai – Mamallapuram – Kanchipuram – Kumbakonam – Tanjore – Karaikudi – Madurai – Periyar – Munnar – Cochin – Alleppey/Backwaters – Kovalam – Trivandrum.

Trip Duration:

20 Nights & 21 Days

(A shorter tour based on the same itinerary can be tailor made to Clients requirement)

Accommodation is provided on twin sharing room with meals as specified in the itinerary. Accommodation at Camp will be luxury tents with en-suite bath room. We have used two categories of hotels. Standard hotels comprising of 2-3star properties and deluxe hotels with 4-5star properties. A hotel list is as follows:

Accommodations: 

12 Nights Hotels + 01 night Houseboat
Accommodation is provided on twin sharing room with breakfast in all hotels, except for houseboat on full board basis. We use two categories of hotels: Standard hotels comprising of 2-3star properties and Deluxe hotels with 4-5 star properties. A hotel list is as follows:

PLACE                    NIGHTS            HOTELS (Deluxe)                   HOTELS (Standard)
Bangalore                01 Night                       Taj Gateway                       Richmond
Hassan                    01 Night                       Hoysala Village                   Southern Star
Mysore                    02 Nights                    Lalithamahal Palace            Metropole                     
Chennai                   01 Night                      Taj Connemara                    Residency Towers
Mamallapuram       02 Nights                     GRT Temple Bay               Ideal Beach Resort
Kumbakonam         01 Night                       Paradise resort                    Paradise resort  
Karaikudi                01 Night                      CGH Vishalam                    Chettinad mansion
Madurai                  01 Night                      Taj Gateway                        GRT Regency
Periyar                    01 Night                      Spice Village                        Cardamom county
Munnar                   02 Nights                    Ambadi Estate                     Deshadan Mountain Resort
Cochin                    01 Night                       Brunton Boatyard               Old Harbour
Kumarakom            02 Nights                     Coconut Lagoon                  Cocobay Resort
Backwaters             01 Night                       Houseboat Deluxe              Houseboat standard
Kovalam                 03 Nights                      Leela kempinsky                Travancore Heritage

End of Services

Other tips to be noted & to be arranged by passengers pre hand for the Trekking tour in Munnar:

 

Trip Cost:

Provided based on number of passengers and dates of travel. Request details !

Included:

- Accommodation on double room with breakfast at listed hotels or equivalent
- One night on Houseboat with all meals onboard
- Transportation/Transfers by Air Conditioned Car for entire tour as per itinerary
- Sightseeing as per package details
- Entrance fee at all sight seeing spots as per itinerary
- Service of English speaking tourist guide at sightseeing spots
- Boat trip at Periyar national park
- Kathakali dance performance visit at Cochin
- Meet assistance on arrival & departure by our company representatives

Not Included:

- Meals other than those listed in inclusions
- Cameras Fee & activity charges other than those listed in the itinerary
- Expenses of personal nature such as tipping, porters, laundry, telephones, etc.
- Inland/international Flight ticket Charges
- All other than those listed in above inclusions

Itinerary in Details

Day 1: Arrive in Bangalore (B)

Arrive in Bangalore by flight, the capital of Karnataka. Upon arrival, you are met at the airport by our company representative and transferred to a hotel. Depending on the arrival time, if time permits, we will visit the Bull Temple, one of Bangalore’s oldest temples built in the 16th century in Dravidian-style, The Tippu's modest palace, A Walk through Lalbagh Gardens, View Vidhana Soudha - one of Banglore’s imposing buildings that functions as state legislative assembly.
Overnight at hotel in Bangalore.

 

Day 2: Bangalore to Hassan Via Sravanabelagola [190Kms/4.5hrs] (B)

After breakfast drive from Bangalore to Hassan, 190km/4.5 hrs. En-route, we stop to visit Sravanabelagola, one of the oldest and most important Jain pilgrim center in India, with its 17.5 l statue of Jain deity Gomateswara. The colossal monolithic statue is said to be the 2nd tallest sculpture in the world, after the Collosus Ramses II in Egypt. In Hassan, visit famous Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebid, known for its most beautiful sculptures, compared to any other temples in South India.
Overnight at hotel in Hassan.

 

Day 3: Hassan to Mysore [140Kms/3.5Hrs] (B)

Checkout from hotel and drive to Mysore, the city of palatial buildings and tree-lined boulevards. It is naturally charismatic and the city is also famous for its silk, sandalwood, incense production, traditional paintings and Yoga gurus. Later this afternoon, visit famous Palace of Mysore or Maharaja’s Palace that exudes a grandeur that is unmatched. Then visit Jayachanarajendra Art Gallery housed in the Jaganmohan Palace, which was formerly the royal auditorium. It exhibits South India’s oldest assortment of kitsch memorabilia from Wodeyars. After some rest at the hotel, in the late afternoon visit the 5m high Nandi bull temple, along our way to Chamundi Hill. The 2000-year-old Chamundeswari temple is dedicated to Goddess Chamundi and is a seven-storey, 40m high tower, located on the summit of the hill. Return to the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Mysore.

 

Day 4: In Mysore /day excursion to Somnathpur & Srirengapatnam (B/D)

After breakfast, we set out for day excursion to Somnathpur and Srirengapatnam. Somnathpur is a tranquil village on the banks of Kaveri. At this everlasting rural stillness like a milestone to eternity, stands one of the last and the grandest of Hoysala monuments - the Kesava Temple. After visiting Kesava temple, drive to Srirengapatnam, an Island fortress town on the bank of Cauvery river. Visit the fort and the summer palace of Tippu Sultan. Also visit Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, which is a short distance away on one of the three islands in the Cauvery River. The sanctuary houses: storks, ibis, egrets, darters, spoonbills, cormorants and many other birds year-round. A small boat trip in the sanctuary makes it very comfortable for a watch of these birds at its closest proximity. Later return to hotel and in the evening for a cookery demo and hands-on cooking traditional Kodagu food. You will also enjoy “Kodagu Dinner” with the host family including one of the dishes you prepared.
Overnight at hotel in Mysore.

 

Day 5: Mysore to Chennai /by train (Shathabdi express) (B)

After breakfast, visit colorful Devaraja market in Mysore. It is worth seeing the real life and true Indian colors and definitely a feast for your camera. Later return to hotel, checkout and you will be transferred to Mysore railway station for a train to Chennai. Upon arrival in Chennai, meet a guide and transfer from to hotel of stay.
Overnight at hotel in Chennai.

Day 6: Chennai to Mamallapuram /via..Kanchipuram [150kms/4hrs] (B)

Breakfast at Residing hotel. Check out from hotel and drive to the temple town of Kanchipuram. Sightseeing of Kanchipuram: Varadaraja perumal temple (dedicated to god Vishnu), Ekambareshwar temple (houses the 3500yrs old mango tree) and Kailasanathar temple (dedicated to god Shiva). Later visit the silk weaving in place, which is considered as traditional family business for a long time. Kanchipuram silk sarees are very famous worldwide and especially in Indian weddings. Onward proceed to a laid-back beach town of Mamallapuram.
Overnight at hotel in Mamallapuram.

 

Day 7: In Mamallapuram / Sightseeing (B,D)

With a relaxed start of the day after breakfast at 09.30am for sightseeing tour of Mamallapuram visiting: ‘The Arjuna’s Penance’ (Bass Relief), ‘Five rathas’ (symbolises equality of men & women) and the famous ‘Shore temple’. In addition, we also visit many other cave temples. As a special activity, we will be visiting a sculpture studio to learn more about sculpturing. Afternoon at leisure on the beach. In the evening, dinner on the Roof top restaurant of Mamalla Heritage Hotel with cookery demo and hands-on cooking of the famous South Indian DOSA. Dosa is one of the world’s great culinary delicacies. Similar to a crepe, it is served with a variety of fillings that will offer you the most authentic and tantalizing flavors of South India. It is made from rice and lentils and is a very typical South Indian food eaten as breakfast or dinner. Overnight at hotel in Mamallapuram.

 

Day 8: Mamallapuram to Kumbakonam [235kms / 5.5hrs] (B)

Check out from hotel after breakfast and drive to Kumbakonam – a lively small little developed village enroute to Tanjore. At Kumbakonam, visit temples of “Gangaikonda Cholapuram”(famous Shiva temple) with its beautiful high towers full with many small sculptures depicting stories of old epics and “Darasuram” temple (built in memory of the White elephant - AIRAVATH from the gods family), the temple has its original name as "Airavatheshwar temple". After visits of temples, you will be taken for an exclusive visit to the sculpture studio/workshop, where they make bronze statues. End the trip at a hotel of stay and rest.
Overnight at hotel in Kumbakonam.

 

Day 9: Kumbakonam to Karaikudi/Chettinad [135kms / 3.5hrs] / via..Tanjore (B,D)

Breakfast at residing hotel. Sightseeing of Tanjore visiting famous Brihadeshwara temple (dedicated to lord shiva in the form of Linga) and The Palace Museum. Onward drive to Karaikudi – the capital city of Chettinad. Chettinad is the homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars, a prosperous banking and business community, many of whose members migrated to South and Southeast Asia, particularly Ceylon and Burma, in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Chettinad is rich in cultural heritage, art and architecture and is well known for its houses embellished with marble, Burma teak, wide courtyards, spacious rooms and for its 18th century mansions. Upon arrival check into a hotel. In the evening we go to visit an antique street in the nearby area. Later for a cookery demo with hands-on cooking of the famous Chettinad cuisine. Chettinad is known for its culinary delicacies. Chettinad food, is one of the reasons how people get to know Chettinad.
Overnight at hotel in Karaikudi.

 

Day 10: Karaikudi to Madurai [90kms / 2.0hrs] (B)

Check out from hotel after breakfast and drive to Madurai. Madurai is known to be one of the oldest cities in south India. On arrival check-into a hotel and then go for sightseeing tour of Madurai visiting – the famous “Meenakshy temple,” where you experience the real south Indian temple, different people and way they worships. Later visit the Tirumalai Nayak palace. Return to hotel and after dinner once again visit Meenakshy temple for the ceremony with a fanfare, where God Shiva is lead to the bedroom of his wife, Meenakshi. Madurai is also a great place to look for bronze statues, carpets or other souvenirs.
Overnight at hotel in Madurai.

 

Day 11: Madurai to Periyar/Thekkady [170kms/3.5hrs] (B)

After early breakfast, checkout from the hotel and drive to through tranquil countryside, rich plantations and thick jungles to Thekkady/Periyar - home of one of world's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Tiger reserve. The sanctuary is centered on a large (24 sq km) artificial lake formed by a dam across Periyar River. In the evening, we take a boat trip on this lake to see wild animals. Generally sighted here are the large herds of wild elephants, bisons and wild boars that come along the shores of the lake just before sunrise and sunset. After the boat trip you will visit the traditional Kerala Marital Art “Kalari Payat,” which is believed to have originated in early 4th century. It is said to be one of the oldest form of Marital Arts.
Overnight at hotel in Periyar.

 

Day 12: Periyar to Munnar [130kms / 3.5hrs] (B)

Breakfast at residing hotel. Checkout and drive to Munnar – so called “The Nature Lovers’ Paradise”. Upon arrival, check into a hotel and rest for the evening to absorb the beauty of the hill town.
Overnight at hotel in Munnar.

 

Day 13 In Munnar / Sightseeing (B)

After breakfast you will be taken for a guided sightseeing tour of Munnar to the Tea Museum, which showcases some of the fascinating aspects on the evolution and growth of tea plantations in this part of Kerala. It houses photographs, curious and machineries. Each of them depicts a turning point in flourishing tea industry in the region. You can also see a complete processing of Tea. Onward visit Eravikulam National park, which is famous for its largest surviving population of the endangered species of “Thar goats”. Next visit abode of other little known fauna such as: Nilgiri marten, ruddy mongoose, small clawed otter and dusky striped squirrel. Later return to visit the public market area in Munnar. Return to hotel and a free choice.
Overnight at hotel in Munnar.

 

Day 14: Munnar to Cochin [155kms / 4.0hrs] (B)

After breakfast, drive to Cochin – a cosmopolitan city in the federal state of Kerala. The drive down through plantations is very attractive and gives you many photo opportunities. On arrival at Cochin, check into a hotel. In the evening attend the Kathakaki performance. This dance can be characterized by grotesque gesticulations, amazing costumes and very extensive make-up. The stories are mostly taken from the epics of Mahabharatha and Ramayana.
Overnight at hotel in Cochin.

 

Day 15: Cochin to Kumarakom [90kms / 2.0hrs] (B)

Depart from hotel at 09.30am after breakfast. Proceed for sightseeing tour of Cochin visiting: The St. Francis Church,’ the oldest European Church in India, ‘The Santa Cruz Basilica’ originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese and the Cochin boast “Chinese fishing nets”. Later visit Mattancherry to see the ‘The Jewish Synagogue’ at the heart of what is locally know as the Jew Town, ‘The Dutch Palace & the Spice market at the narrow streets. After visiting Cochin, proceed to the world famous backwater destination Kumarakom. Upon arrival at Kumarakom, check into a hotel. Rest of the day to relax and rejuvenate.
Overnight at hotel in Kumarakom.

 

Day 16: In Kumarakom (B,L)

Relax morning by the backwater resort until 11:30a.m. Visit Philipkutty’s Farm House, which is situated on a small island on the kuttand region. It is one of the famous home stays in South India. We will visit there for a cookery demo and hands-on cooking the traditional Syrian Christian Kerala Food. The type of cooking that you will be exposed to is predominantly a Christian and backwater influence. It contains plenty of meat and fish preparations, as well as other vegetarian dishes. Later return to hotel of stay. Remaining day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel in Kumarakom.

 

Day 17: Embark Houseboat (Backwater Cruise to Alleppey) (B,L,D)

Morning after breakfast is a free choice. At noon you get onto a private Houseboat, which will take you on a tour through the backwaters Alleppey, a splendid area full of canals, lakes and coves. You get to see a unique lifestyle of people on the water. People here sail, fish, swim and bathe in the water. They do their washing and their washing-up. They are so adapted to the water that, you can see people talking for an hour, with water reaching up to their necks.
Overnight onboard Houseboat with all meals.

 

Day 18: Alleppey to Kovalam [190kms/4.0hrs] (B)

Disembark from the Houseboat in the morning around 9.30am and drive to Kovalam. Kovalam is known as paradise of South India. The scenic beauty of kovalam includes sandy beaches, palm-fringed lagoons and rocky coves. Tourist can indulge themselves with activities such as surfing, swimming and water snorkeling. Kovalam is one of the major destinations in India with Ayurveda treatment resorts. En-route to Kovalam, stop at Trivandrum and visit Napier museum, Art Gallery and Padmanabhaswamy temple.
Overnight at hotel in Kovalam.

 

Day 19: In Kovalam Beach (B)

While at Kovalam, we can arrange (or you can take a taxi), a day excursion to Kanyakumari, also known as Cape Comorin - the Land’s End of the Indian subcontinent, where the Bay of Bengal meets the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Nature is so spectacular at Kanniyakumari that several other Indian beaches pale by comparison. Watching the sun rise here is an age-old ritual that attracts pilgrims each morning, who gather to plunge in turbulent swell of tri-oceanic waters. Sunset is also equally spectacular.
Overnight at hotel in Kovalam.

 

Day 20: In Kovalam Beach (B/D)

Another free day at Kovalam to explore on your own.
This evening we will take the pleasure to host you a farewell “Candlelight Dinner” at one of the beach restaurants in Kovalam.

 

Day 20: Departure transfer

Check out from hotel according to flight timings and transfer to Trivandrum Airport for your onward journey