Overview
South India, an unforgettable panorama of unique places, warm and friendly people. A new dimension in sights and spectacles….exquisite temples, jungle habitats, joyous festivals, artistic crafts…. excitement of each linger forever. Historically the invasion of the states of South India was never completed and the Dravidian culture survived from ancient times without any real threat of extinction.
The kaleidoscope of South India includes some of the major highlights of the South, an area vibrating with its community life, bazaars, smells, color, music, dance and worship. Indo Asia invites you to feel the never-ending presence of a glorious civilization again. South India Tour will sure recall you.
Day 01 Europe - Chennai (earlier known as Madras)
Flight to Chennai. On arrival you will be greeted and escorted by Indo Asia Tour's staff to your hotel.
Day 02 Chennai – Mahablipuram (by surface: aprox 50 Kms / 01 ½ hrs) Breakfast.
In Chennai visit Kapaleshvara Temple dedicated to God Shiva and offers a good example of South Indian colourful temple architecture. Fort St. George & the 16th century Portuguese old Cathedral of St. Thomas Church in which the remnants of St. Thomas is buried who came to India in 52 AD.
Later drive to Mahabalipuram. On arrival visit the Shore temple and famous Bas-relief of Arjuna’s penance.
On arrival transfer to the hotel.
Day 03 Mahabalipuram – Trichy (by surface, 275 kms / 6 hrs)
Breakfast.
Morning leave for Trichy, enjoy the drive through panoramic landscape and villages, on arrival check-in at your Hotel.
Later in the afternoon visit the city, includes the Temple of Lord Ganesha on the Mountain. One has to climb 90 Mts by steps, to get a beautiful view of the city, later visit Srirangam to see the temple of Ranganatha Swamy –one of the biggest in south India.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 04 Trichy – Madurai (by surface –172 kms / 4 hrs
Breakfast at the hotel.
Leave for Tanjore to see the famous Brihadeshwara temple constructed by the Chola Rajendra I in the 10th Century and considered to be the culmination of the classic architecture in south India.
Continue to Madurai, on arrival check-in at your Hotel.
Today after early dinner visit the famous Meenakshi Devi Temple, to witness an interesting ceremony of taking lord shiva in a procession with the musicians to the Goddess Parvati for the night halt.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 05 Madurai - Bangalore (overnight train)
After breakfast visit the city, which offers a grand ceremonial tank of water, called Mariamma with its temple in the middle. Also visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, a palace in Indo-Saracenic style built in 1636.
Later in the evening transfer to the railway station to connect overnight train to Bangalore (1950 / 0655 hrs). Overnight on board train.
Day 06 Bangalore – Mysore (by surface 132 kms / 4 hrs)
Arrival Bangalore at 0655 hrs. and drive to Mysore. Mysore is a beautiful city of stately palaces, gardens, parks and museums. Sandalwood and a centre for the manufacture of incense sticks.
On arrival in Mysore, check in at the hotel. Rest of day free to relax.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 07 Mysore
Morning breakfast at the hotel. Later visit Maharaja Palace built in 1857 in Indo-Saracenic style and Chamundi Hill where there is a temple of Durga (Chamundeswari) celebrating her victory over the buffalo god.
Afternoon an excursion to Somnathpur. This tiny village has one of the best preserved and the only complete magnificent Hoysala Temple (13th century) of approximately 80 Hoysala temples dedicated to God Keshava.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 08 Mysore – Hassan (by surface – 120 kms / 3 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Hassan. After check in visit Halebid and Belur. The Hoysalesvara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva at Halebid is perched on a star-shaped base. Every centimeter of the outside wall of this temple and much of the interior is covered with an endless variety of Hindu deities, sages, animals and birds.
A few kilometers further we reach Belur. The religious capital of Hoysala. Visit the ornamental gopuram of the Chennakesava Temple dedicate to Lord Vishnu, which appears unexpectedly around a bend. It took 103 years to complete.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 09 Hasssan - Hampi (by surface 355 kms/8 hrs)
Morning breakfast at the hotel.
Later set on a day drive to Hospet. On arrival check in at hotel.
Hampi is famous for Vijaynagar Empire’s ruins.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 10 Hampi
A world heritage centre, Hampi is the most beautiful and evocative of all ruins in Karnataka. The erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagara kingdom, Hampi is full of delightful surprises like the King's Balance where Kings were weighed against grain, gold or money which was then distributed amongst the poor, the Queen's bath with its arched corridors projecting balconies and lotus-shaped fountains that once sprouted perfumed water, the two storied Lotus Mahal with recessed archways, the huge Elephant Stables, the
Splendid Vithala temple with its 'Musical pillars' and the stone chariot, the Vrupaksha Temple, still used for worship, Ugra Narasimha, the 6.7 m tall monolith and the Pushkarini the Mahanavami Dibba
Once-powerful Vijaynagara empire was compared to Rome by the Portuguese traveller Paes.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 11 Hampi / Badami (by surface 180 kms / 4 hrs)
Drive to Badami through typical South Deccan, a semi arid countryside, temples and Ruins.
Upon arrival check-in at a hotel. Badami once called Vatapi, magnificently Nestled in a canyon, was the Chalukyan capital from 543 - 757 A.D. The ancient city has Several Hindu and Jain temples, a Buddhist caves and remains peaceful and charming. The South Fort is famous for its cave temples, four of which are cut out of the hill-side in the second half of the 6th century.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 12 Badami
After breakfast visit Aihole and Pattadkal – the cradle of Hindu Temple architecture. Aihole was the first Chalukyan capital, but the sight was developed over a period of more than 600 years from the 6th century and includes important Rashtrakuta and late Chalukyan temples, dedicated to Hindu, Buddhist and Jain divinities.
After visiting the rock-cut temples and all other important buildings drive to the temples of Pattadakal, on the banks of the Malaprabha River, a World Heritage Site, the 2nd of the Chalukyan capitals between the 7th –8th centuries.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 13 Badami - Goa (By surface: Aprox 285 Kms / 06 hrs)
A After breakfast drive to Goa. On arrival check in at the hotel.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 14 Goa
Full day at leisure.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 15 Goa - Bombay (flight)
Transfer to the airport to connect flight to Bombay.
On arrival in Bombay transfer to the hotel.
Later embark on a short city tour, The tour includes visit to the 26 meters high British-built Arch “Gateway of India”, Mumbai’s landmark built to honour the visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Marine Drive dubbed, as the Queen’s Necklace is Mumbai’s most popular promenades and a favourite sunset watching spot. The Kamla Nehru Park from where you have a picturesque view of the city, Hanging Gardens are so named since they are located on top of a series of tanks that supply water to Mumbai. Pass by the `towers of silence’ the crematorium of the Parsis.
Later in the evening transfer to the airport to connect flight back home.
Day 16 Bombay - fly out.
On time transfer to the International airport to connect flight back home.
