20 Days South India Tours

Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Tanjore - Madurai - Periyar - Cochin - Bangalore - Mysore - Hassan - Hospet - Badami - Goa - Mumbai

Tours Highlights

Day 01 :: Madras (Chennai)
On arrival at Madras international airport, welcome and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 02 :: Madras / Mahabalipuram
After breakfast leave for city tour of Madras. Later drive to Kanchipuram. Visit Kanchipuram, the golden city was one of the seven sacred cities of India and once had 1000 temples. Now only 200 remain. It is also famed for its hand woven cottons & Kanjivaram silk. Proceed to Mahabalipuram. On arrival check-in hotel for overnight stay.

Day 03 :: Mahabalipuram
After breakfast visit Mahabalipuram, also known as the seven Pagodas. This is a pleasant seaside resort. Visit the Pallava monuments which are spread over a wide area, some bordering the sea. The important monuments to be seen are the five Rathas, the bas-relief on a huge rock popularly known as the Arjuna's penance, the mahishasura Mandapam, the Krishna Mandapam and the shore temple. Evening free to relax on the beach. Overnight in hotel.

Day 04 :: Mahabalipuram / Pondicherry
After breakfast drive to Pondicherry (168 kms / 4 hrs approx). On arrival check-in hotel. Later sight-seeing of Pondicherry. Overnight in hotel.

Day 05 :: Pondicherry / Tanjore
After breakfast drive to Tanjore (177 kms / 5 hrs approx). Afternoon visit the famous 11th century Brihadeswara temple and the saraswati library which has some rare collection of books and manuscripts.

Day 06 :: Tanjore / Madurai
After breakfast leave for Trichy which was the citadel of the Chola dynasty in the medieval period. In the 18th century it witnessed the carnatic wars fought between the French & the English, Lord Robert Clive's house is still there to see and so is the Danish church. 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. Proceed to Madurai (182 kms / 6 hrs approx). On arrival in Madurai check-in hotel for overnight stay.

Day 07 :: Madurai
After breakfast city tour visiting the great Meenakshi temple dedicated to the consort of lord Shiva with its towering Gopurams (rising high above the surrounding country side). Later, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace - a gracious building in the Indo Sarracenia style, famous for the stucco work on its domes and arches. Afternoon free at leisure.

Day 08 :: Madurai / Periyar
After breakfast drive to Periyar (137 kms / 4 hrs aprox). Afternoon enjoy boat ride on lake Periyar to see wildlife. Evening free. Overnight in hotel.

Day 09 :: Periyar / Cochin
After breakfast drive to Kottayam, start backwater boat cruise crossing Vembanad lake into the backwaters of Kerala till Alleppey. From here drive to Cochin. Afternoon free at leisure. Overnight in hotel.

Day 10 :: Cochin
After breakfast city tour visiting the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church & the Santa Cruz church. Afternoon free. Overnight in hotel.

Day 11 :: Cochin / Bangalore / Mysore
Morning transfer to airport for Bangalore flight. Arrive and drive directly to Mysore (139 kms / 3 hrs approx), enroute visit Srirangapatna. Overnight in hotel.

Day 12 :: Mysore
After breakfast visit the palace of the Maharaja built in 1911-12. The palace is architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades, sculptures which are magnificent. Visit the art gallery, drive upto Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari temple and a panoramic view of Mysore. On your way back, see the Nandi bull. Overnight in hotel.

Day 13 :: Mysore / Hassan
After breakfast drive to Hassan (158 kms / 4 hrs approx). Full day excursion of Belur & Halebid. The chenna Kesava temple of Belur built 900 years ago is an exquisite example of hoysala art. Halebid's 12th century Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temple are masterpieces of Hindu art. Overnight in hotel.

Day 14 :: Hassan / Hospet
After breakfast drive to Hospet. Afternoon visit Hampi. Hampi the once beautiful capital city of Vijayanagar empire and the greater than Rome, had palaces, temple and sculptures, spread all over. The city was razed to the ground by the sultanates of south in year 1565. Some of the interesting ruins remaining are the Virupaksha, Vittala and Hazara Rama temples huge Ganesha & Narasimha images, the elephant stables, the Queen's bath, carvings on the Ramachandra temple, lotus Mahal. Overnight in hotel.

Day 15 :: Hospet / Badami
After breakfast drive to Badami via Aihole and Pattadakal. Aihole is the cradle of stone temple architecture of the southern Dravida school. The oldest temple, lad khan goes back to the 5th century A.D. there are 70 temples in this group. The Durga temple is noted for its sculptures. the Meguti temple is built of 630 small stone blocks. The Ravanaphadi cave has some beautiful carvings. Pattadakal, referred to as Petrigal, reached its pinnacle of glory under the Chalukya kings from 7th to 9th centuries. The oldest in this group is the Sanghameshwara temple. the Mallikarjuna temple has pillars depicting life of Krishna. Virpaksha temple has sculptures and panels scenes from the epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata the Pananatha temple has impressive carvings. Overnight in hotel.

Day 16 :: Badami
After breakfast visit the Badami caves. Badami also known as Vatapi rich with Hindu and Jain temples carved out of sand stone hills. The carved temples date back to the 6th century. Of these three are Hindus and one Jain. Sculptured out of solid rock they are adorned with carvings. Fort, on top of a hill encloses large galleries, treasury & a watch tower. The famed Malegitti Shivalaya temple set on the summit of a hill is built of stones joined without mortar. Overnight in hotel.

Day 17 :: Badami / Goa
After breakfast drive to Goa. On arrival check-in hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight in hotel.

Day 18 :: Goa
After breakfast leave for half day tour of North Goa. Afternoon free at leisure to enjoy the beaches. Overnight in hotel.

Day 19 :: Goa / Bombay
Morning free. Later transfer to airport for Bombay flight. Arrive and transfer to city hotel. Free time. Overnight in hotel.

Day 20 :: Bombay / Onward destination
After breakfast leave for excursion to Elephanta caves by motor boat. Afternoon city tour. Later transfer to international airport for flight to onward destination.

Hotels Used

Hotels (Depending on availability and choice)

Cost and inclusion
Single Occupancy
Double Occupancy
P.S. :: Package is specially designed for a Single Traveler or a Couple. It could be customised as per need of a Group.

Includes

:: Stay at all above Hotels as per itinerary taking a Deluxe A/C Room on double occupancy.
:: Breakfast on all days.
:: Jaipur - Jodhpur by Car
:: PRIVATE A/C Car to and for Transport.
:: Local Sightseeing by A/C Car
:: Guide services for 1 day in each destination.
:: Driver's allowance , toll taxes etc.
:: All applicable taxes