Grand South India Tour

21 Nights/ 22 Days

Private car round trip: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Periyar - Kumarakom - Cochin - Ooty- Mysore - Somnathpur - Mysore - Sravanabelgola - Hassan - Hospet - Hampi - Hospet - Pattadakal - Aihole - Badami - Belgaum - Goa - Mumbai

Day 1 - Arrival Chennai (Madras)

Arrival from your country to Chennai International airport. Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Chennai is the capital of State Tamilnadu and one of the four largest metropolises of India.

Day 2 - Chennai

After breakfast, go for city excursion. Madras is a pulsating metropolis with over 6 million inhabitants. Today many south Indian feature films are made here for the movie theater and therefore it is named "Hollywood of India". On the city excursion, you see the Kapaleshvara temple, which is dedicated to God Shiva and is a good example for the colorful south Indian temple architecture. After that, you visit the fort St. George, the trade post of 1639. Worthwhile also is 16 th century St. Thomas Church. In National museum, you see sculptures out of the Pallava, Pandava and Chola time. Your excursion also include visit to National Art Gallery and Marina Beach.

Day 3 - Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram

After breakfast, drive to 70 km far temple city Kanchipuram. It is among the "sevens holy cities of" India. After each other, Kanchipuram was the capital of the Pallava, the Chola and the Vijayanagar kings. Out of the excessive supply of temples, visit of the three most important, namely the Kailasanatha-temple, the Vaikunthaperumal temple, as well as the Ekambareshwara temple. Because Kanchipuram is also very well known for its hand woven silk materials, a visit is worthwhile on that based. Further drive to Mahabalipuram well known for its 7 th century Five Rathas. These are the world's largest stone relief. Arrival and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free at the beach.

Day 4 - Mahabalipuram

After breakfast start your sight seeing tour. You see the Shore temple, out of 7 th century, surrounded by gardens. 7 th century Five Rathas, which are the world's largest stone relief. Your tour also includes visit to Bhagiratha's Penance, a 27 x 9 meters of rock block and 6 th - 7 th century rock cut caves. In evening, you can have a walk in this small town, where you can also see the soap stone workers making designs and sculptures with chisel and hammer. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

Day 5 - Mahaballipuram - Pondicherry - Tanjore (Thanjavur)

After breakfast, drive to Tanjore. En route visit Pondicherry. Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the city Auroville, which is spread into more than 2000 acres and more famous amongst the westerners. Today also, you can see the influence of French rule in Pondicherry, because the Frenchmen strongly were represented here until 1954. Many speak next to Tamil yet today French. Further drive to Tanjore. Arrival and transfer to Hotel for overnight stay.

Day 6 - Tanjore - Trichy (Trichurapalli)

After breakfast visit 9 th century Brihadeshwara Temple because of which Tanjore is known as the "Jewel of South India". Temple tower is in the shape of pyramid and is around 66m high. It is crowned by a heavy cupola weighing 88 ton. The temple is dedicated to God Shiva. Also visit Raja Rajan Art Gallery to see bronze statues of 9 th -16 th centuries.

Further drive to Trichy. Arrival and transfer to hotel for refreshment and rest. Afternoon visit the famous Rock Fort Temple that is carved out 83 meters high rock. One has to climb 345 steps in order to see the temple on the top. From here above, you have a wonderful view of the city. Also, visit Srirangam, a large temple city with 21 temple towers, which lies on an island in the Kaveri River. The Ranganathasvami temple, dedicated to God Vishnu, is one of the largest temples in south India and famous for its beautiful sculptures. After that, you see the Jambukeshwara temple, dedicated to God Shiva, one of the oldest and largest in Tamil Nadu with 5 walls and seven Gopurams (soaring towers).

Day 7 - Trichy - Madurai

After breakfast, drive to Madurai. Arrival and transfer to hotel for refreshment and rest. Madurai is a city with crowd of Pilgrims, beggars, businesspersons, cow vehicles and many waiting Rickshaw drivers. It is one of the oldest cities of south India and a center for Pilgrimage. The main attraction is, built in the Dravidian style with many Gopurams (soaring temple towers), Sri Meenakshi Temple in the heart of the city in colorful pictures of God, Goddesses, animals and mystical figures. Religious ceremonies take place here from early morning to late night. Pilgrims from all over the world visit here and sometimes up to 10000 are persons. The Sri Meenakshi Temple was built in the 17 th century and is one of the largest temple complexes of India. Within this complex is a market that is the entire day full of life. Evenings you can pursue a temple ceremony. Also, visit 16 th century Thirumalai Nayak Palace.

Day 8 - Madurai - Periyar (Thekaddy)

After breakfast, drive to Thekaddy. This trip through the mountains with the spice plantations and tea plantations will definitely reenergize your senses. After arrival, transfer to hotel for rest and refreshment. Late afternoon enjoy boat trip in Periyar Wildlife National Park. This park is one of the world's best to see elephants in their natural surroundings. Before the sun, proceeds to set you can see with some good fortune not only elephant, but rather also other wild animals at the bank of Periyar Lake. You can also have a pleasant walk in the markets. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 9 - Periyar - Kumarakom (Backwaters) - Cochin

After breakfast, drive to Cochin. On the way, visit a Spice Farm (optional), where you can see various spice plantations such as c ardamom, cinnamon, pepper, peppermint, clove, vanilla, ginger, chili, tea and coffee plantations. Further drive to Kovalam where you enjoy a boat ride in Backwaters. Along the bank, you can see coconut and palm trees and also the daily traditional life of the people living on the banks. After the boat trip, continue your drive to Cochin. After arrival, transfer to hotel for a short break. Evening you visit a Kathakali Dance Show, a typical dance drama old over 400 years that is based on old legends. The dancers wearing painted fantastic costumes colour their faces with red, green and black colors. Each gesture and movement has entirely special meaning. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 10 - Cochin -Ooty

After breakfast, go for Cochin excursion. Visit St. Francis Church, built in 1503 by the Portuguese. Mattancherry Palace or " Dutch Palace " built by the Dutch and later on handed over to the local king. At the harbor, you can see unique Chinese fishing nets, which marks the visit of Chinese people in Cochin. Also visit the Jewish Synagogue, built in 1558. Around the Synagogue, you can buy many antique things. Further drive to Ooty, which is a very beautiful hill station of Tamilnadu. Arrival and transfer to hotel.

Day 11 - Ooty

Mornings visit the botanical garden, where you will see 1000 different plant species. The garden was established in 1847 by Marquis of tweed. After that, you see the cottages of the Toda tribe, the descendants of the army of Alexander the Great. Toda Tribe speaks their own language. In the afternoon free time, that you can spend for example with a walk to the Ooty lake. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 12 - Ooty - Mysore

After breakfast, drive to Mysore. On the way, you can visit a tea factory. Arrival and transfer to hotel for rest and refreshment. After a short break go for city excursion. Mysore was a former capital and now the second largest city in Karnataka. It is a beautiful city with palaces, gardens, parks and museum. Sandalwood incense sticks are made here. In the spring, jasmine flowers bloom here. Visit the Mysore palace (1857) where once the Wodeyars resided. It is the largest palace in the country. After go further to the Chamundi Hills where the temple of Durga (Chamundeswari) celebrates the victory over the buffalo God. On the way, there is a Nandi monolith of 1659, a large Bull Statue. Also, visit wonderful Brindavan Gardens. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 13 - Excursion to Somnathpur

After breakfast, you can visit a incense factory and a center of crafts, where you can see beautiful objects of sandalwood, rosewood and teak carvings, for which Mysore is famous.

Afternoon excursion to Somnathpur, 45 km east of Msyore. This small village has the best stop and only completed Hoysala temple out of the 13 th century of formerly 80 temples out of this time.

Day 14 - Mysore - Sravanabelgola - Hassan

After breakfast, drive to Hassan. On the way visit Sravanbelagola, which is one of the universally known Jain Pilgrimage center. See here 17 meters high Gommatheswara statue, erected between 980 and 983 BC of granite. It is the largest monolith of the world.

After visit, continue your drive to Hassan. Arrival and transfer to hotel for rest and refreshment. Afterwards visit of Belur and Halebid. Here we find probably the most beautiful temples of south India, built in 12 th and 13 th centuries. Return to Hassan for overnight stay.

Day 15 - Hassan - Hospet

After breakfast a long trip to Hospet. Arrival and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free.

Day 16 - Excursion to Hampi

After breakfast excursion to Hampi. This gigantic city emerged in 1336, which was for 200 years the capital of the Vijayanagar. In 1565 conquered the Moguls this city and plundered it. Yet today one can recognize the size of the city. Hampi is world heritage site. Return to Hospet for overnight stay.

Day 17 - Hospet - Pattadakal - Aihole - Badami

After breakfast, drive to Badami. On the way, make excursions to Aihole and Pattadakal. Aihole was the capital of the Chalukyas from 4 th to 7 th century. Today this small village has more temple than houses. Around 70 temples are master works of the Hindu Temple art and architecture. Also, visit Pattadakal, a world heritage site because of its temples on the bank of river Malaprabha. Further drive to Badami, a picturesque town between two rock spurs and an artificial lake. The caves lying here in the vicinity out of 5 th and 6 th century show Gods of the Hindus, Jains and the Buddhists. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 18 - Badami - Belgaum - Goa

After breakfast, drive to Goa. On the way, visit Belgaum, a beautiful picturesque town. Further drive to Goa. Arrival and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free for relaxing on the beach.

Day 19 - Goa

After breakfast, proceed on a half day sightseeing tour of Goa, visiting Miramar Beach, Basilica of Bom Jesus and the city of Panjim- bustling with shops and tourists. The afternoon is at leisure to relax on the beach. Overnight stay in Goa.

Day 20 - Goa

Day at leisure. Enjoy the water sports at the beach, go for swim, and explore the shops for cashew nuts. Overnight stay in Goa.

Day 21 - Goa

Day at leisure. Enjoy the sun, sand and beach.

Day 22 - Goa - Mumbai (By Flight)

After breakfast, transfer to Goa airport for the flight to Mumbai. After arrival, the day is free for excursion of Mumbai and personal activities. Late evening transfer to Mumbai International airport for onward journey.

Note: You can extend your tour by 2 more days for sight seeing tour of Mumbai and also to visit Ajanta and Ellora caves (Unesco world heritage sites) nearby Mumbai. You can also increase or decrease the number of days in Goa as per your requirement.