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About South India :
The South India's coastal plains are backed by the mountains
rimming the wedge of the Deccan plateau. On these plains lie
the best beaches in South India. On the rimming mountains,
the western and eastern ghats are the tea, coffee and spice
lands. Beyond these mountains, in the wedge shaped plateau,
are great old cities supported by rich farm lands and a
culture that has its roots in the almost historical Kumari
Continent from where, they claim, civilization spread across
the world. The south is gracious, graceful, Old India.
South India is made up of the 4 states of Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They all lie in the
southern part of the Indian Peninsula and famous for its
natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage thus providing
visitors a stimulating experience.
Detailed Itinerary for Best of South India Tour :
Best of South India:: Day 01. Flight to India
Arrival in Chennai (formerly called Madras). The
cosmopolitan City and capital of Tamilnadu is the main
gateway for travellers to South India. There you'll met an
Virtual Tours representative and transferred to your Hotel.
Best of South India:: Day 02. Chennai Excursion (about 64 km)
Today we drive through the coastal route to Mahabalipuram.
In Mahabalipuram we visit some of the 14 cave temples and 9
monolithic rathas (temple chariots) Pallavamala was the
ruler who made the port famous in the 7th century and was
largely responsible for building the temples. In the
afternoon we visit the St. George Fort which is near the harbour area of Chennai. This fort was built by British
during their presence in 17th century.
Best of South India:: : Day 03. Chennai - Chidambaram - Trichy Visit (about 320 km)
Today we drive to Trichy (Tiruchirappali). Trichy is the
heart of Tamilnadu, laying in the delta of kaveri river. On
the way to Trichy we visit chidambaram. Chidambaram is
regarded as holy town of great importance among Hindus. We
visit here the famous Natraja Temple which is dedicated to
the dancing Lord Shiva, a favourite deity of the chola
kings.
Best of South India:: Day 04. Trichy - Srirangam - Tanjore
- Madurai Tour (130 km)
Trichy the land near the delta is very fertile and
productive. This town Trichy is so ancient that it was
mentioned by Ptolemy in the 2nd century BC by Alexandrian
geographer. We climb the stairs to the famous Rock Fort
which was built on 84 m high rock in the centre of town in
about 1660. After the visit of Rock Fort we drive to
Srirangam and visit the Ranganathasvami Temple which is one
of the largest temples in India dedicated to god Vishnu.
After the visit of Ranganathasvami Temple we proceed to
Tanjore (Thanjavur). We visit here one of the world heritage
monument, Brihasdisvara Temple (11th century), which is also
known as big temple. After the visit of Brihadeeswara Temple
we proceed to Madurai.
Best of South India:: Day 05. Madurai - Periyar Tour (about
140 km)
Madurai, situated on the bank of river Vaigai is also
referred to as the Athens of the East. Madurai has the most
outstanding examples of Vijayanagar temple architecture in
the Minakshi Temple. After the visit of Minakshi Temple we
visit Tirumalai Nayaka Palace which was built in the 1636 in
the Indo-Mughal style. After the visit we proceed to Periyar.
Best of South India:: Day 06. Periyar - Kumarakom
(about 120 km)
We start our day by having a Boat ride on the lake of
Periyar. The lake of Periyar is the central point of the
famous 780 sq.2 Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary which was
designated as a part of project Tiger in 1973. After the
Boat ride we drive through the Park and observe the
elephants, bison, sambar, wild oxen, wild boar and spotted
deer which are common here. In the afternoon we drive
through the mountains which are full of Cardamom and pass
through the tea and coffee plantations and proceed to
Kumarakom. In Kumarakom we enjoy the Boat ride trip through
the tropical vegetation on the backwaters.
Best of South India:: Day 07. Kumarakom Tour
The whole day is today at leisure. One can enjoy the
Ayurveda massage in the hotel or have a walk in the nice
tropical surroundings. Swimming Pool of the hotel will be
happy to welcome you for swimming and relaxing.
Best of South India:: Day 08. Kumarakom - Kottayam -
Alleppey - Cochin Tour (about 80 km)
Today we enjoy a Boat trip for two hours through the narrow
channels of famous backwaters of Kottayam and arrive in
Alleppey from where we proceed further in a bus to Cochin.
Cochin is the most interesting town in South India at
Malabar Coast and is also known as Venice of south. In
Cochin we visit St. Francis church, the oldest European
church in India in which the grave of famous sailor Vasco da
gama can be visited. After the visit of St. Francis Church
we have a walk through the Jewish area of mattancherry.
Best of South India:: Day 09. Cochin - Ooty Tour (about 280
km)
From the tropical coast of Kerala we drive on the serpent
road and pass through the Tea plantation and eucalyptus
forests of mountains of Nilgiri and arrive in the city Ooty
(Vdhagammandulam). Ooty which was developed as hill station
by British, lies at an altitude of 2300 m. and still has
British flair.
Best of South India:: Day 10. Ooty - Mysore Tour (about 160
km)
Ooty (also known as the queen of the blue mountains) is
famous for its rolling hills covered in pine and eucalyptus
forests. Ooty has also a penalty of coffee and tea
plantations. We visit the famous and most beautiful
botanical Garden of Ooty which covers an area over 20
hectares and is planted with more than a thousand varieties
of plants, shrubs and trees including orchids, fern and
alpine. In the afternoon we pass through the betel nut and
pepper plantation and proceed to Mysore.
Best of South India:: Day 11. Mysore - Chennai Tour (about
470 km)
Today we visit the most impressive and one of the largest
city palaces in India. The City Palace of Mysore "Ambar
Vilas" is built in the Indo-Saracenic style. Mysore is
famous for its Silk and Sandalwood. We have an opportunity
to see how incense is made and how silk saris are woven by
the local weavers. In the afternoon we leave Mysore by train
for Chennai.
Best of South India:: Day 12. Flight to Home
Transfer to the airport for onward destination.
Tour Ends |
