A delightful journey through tranquil South; temples and ancient architecture, abundant natural beauty, delicacies spiced up with local produce, wildlife and birds, friendly people, colonial towns, a cruise on the backwaters, a ride on the Nilgiris toy train, a walk through the forest, a traditional meal on banana leaves; the journey ends with a relaxing beach stay. We stay in some beautiful hotels, many of them boutique or heritage properties – truly the holiday of a lifetime.
Days 1 & 2 - Mysore
Early arrival at Bengaluru Airport; transfer straight to Mysore (3-4 hours), stay two nights at the Radisson Blu or Metropole Hotel; visit the Mysore Palace, Srirangapattinam, Chamundi Hill, Nandi Bull and the colourful Devaraja Market.
Day 3 - Coonoor
Drive to Ooty through the Bandipur and Mudumalai sanctuaries; board the Nilgiris 'toy train' for a short ride to Coonoor; stay at the colonial Taj Gateway or Wallwood Garden; at leisure to enjoy the tea country, Sims Park is a short walk away.
Days 4 & 5 - Cochin
A long drive through lush green paddy fields to Cochin for two nights at the Tower House or Spice Fort; we stop en route for a traditional meal on banana leaves; visit the Dutch Palace, St Francis Church, Synagogue and the Chinese fishing nets; evening Kathakali performance.
Day 6 - Riceboat / Backwaters Resort
Proceed to Alleppey to spend a night on a riceboat, cruising along the backwaters, observing local life along the banks of the Vembanad Lake.
Day 7 - Periyar
Drive through the rubber, cardamom, pepper and coconut plantations of the Western Ghats to Periyar for a night at the Cardamom County; visit spice plantations, enjoy boat ride on Lake Periyar to spot wild elephants.
Days 8 & 9 - Madurai
To Madurai, descending the ghats, through the plains of Tamil Nadu with vineyards, paddy fields and busy market towns; stay at the Heritage, a charming hotel in ethnic style or the Gateway, a colonial property; visit the famous Meenakshi Temple, a grand spectacle of Dravidian architecture; visit the local handloom weaving units, walk in the bazaars.
Day 10 - Thanjavur
Drive to Thanjavur, visiting Chettinadu en route; stay at the Ideal River View for the night; visit the World Heritage Brihadeeshwara Temple.
Day 11 - Pondicherry
Drive to Pondicherry visiting the Swamimalai bronze works and the temples at Gangakondaicholapuram and Chidambaram; stay at the colonial Hotel De L'Orient; visit the Aurobindo Ashram and explore the French quarters.
Days 12 & 13 - Mamallapuram
Drive to Mamallapuram; stay at the luxury Radisson Temple Bay Beach Resort for two nights. Visit the 7th century Chola dynasty World Heritage Site including the Shore Temple and Arjuna's Penance; leisure time.
Day 14 - Chennai
Free morning; drive in the afternoon to Chennai for an orientation tour, stay at an airport hotel for the night.
Day 15 - Flight
Transfer to Chennai airport for the return flight.
Mysore Palace
Coonoor
Svatma Tanjore
The India Travel Company London Ltd
138, The Bramblings, Little Chalfont,
Amersham, HP6 6FP (LONDON- U.K.)
Tel: +44 20 7096 1211
Email: info@titclondon.co.uk
Registered in England Number - 08949864
VAT Registration Number - 222 1225 68
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Small Group Tours