PROGRAMME NO. 5
11 Nights and 15 Days

The Best Of South India

Mumbai(1) - Bangalore(1) - HASSAN(1) - MYSORE(2) - COONOOR(1) - MADURAI(2) - PERIYAR(2) - KUMARAKOM(1) - HOUSEBOAT(1) - KOCHI(1) - MUMBAI(1)

Day 01     Arrive Mumbai (Bombay)

• Arrive Mumbai by international flight.

• Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.  

• Afternoon city sightseeing tour of Mumbai.

  • City tour of Mumbai, visiting Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum (Museum is closed on Mondays) Fish Aquarium, Jain Temple, Hanging Gardens on the slopes of Malabar Hills offering nice view of Marine Lines & Chowpatty Beach, Kamla Nehru Park, Mani Bhawan (Where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay) then to Dhobi Ghat. Also drive past Afghan Church, Flora Fountain, colourful Crawford Market and Marine Drive. 

• Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 02     Mumbai - Bangalore

• Buffet breakfast at hotel.

• Morning excursion to Elephanta Caves.

  • Elephanta Caves - Across the harbour to the world famous, 1200 years old Elephanta Caves, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The famous TRIMURTI sculpture signifying the trinity of the Creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer is located here. (Subject to weather conditions)

• Afternoon transfer to airport to connect flight for Bangalore.

• Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.

• Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03     Bangalore - Hassan

• Buffet breakfast at hotel.

• Morning city sightseeing tour of Bangalore.

  • City tour of Bangalore, visiting the Lal Bagh which has a variety of old Trees, Fountains, Lotus Pools, Terraces and an assortment of Tropical Herbs and Sub-Tropical Herbs. Also see the Government Buildings and the Maharaja's Palace.

• Afternoon leave Bangalore by car for Hassan en route visiting Sravanbelagola.

  • The 1000-year-old colossus 17-metre high monolithic statue of Gomteshwara, the famous Jain saint, attracts pilgrims from all over India especially during festival times.

• On arrival at Hassan, check-in at the hotel. 

• Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 04     Hassan - Mysore

• Buffet breakfast at hotel.

• Morning city sightseeing tour of Hassan.

  • City tour of Hassan, visiting Belur famous for it Hoysala architecture. Its Temple of Lord Channakeshava is embellished with carving which has few equals in the world. Halebid - The seat of Hoysala Kingdom, its great Hoyaleswara Temple was built in the typical Hoysala style architecture. A stellar base with the emblem of the lion and elephants seemingly supporting the temple, signify stability.

• Afternoon leave Hassan by car for Mysore. 

• On arrival at Mysore, check-in at the hotel.

• Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 05     Mysore

• Buffet breakfast at hotel.

• Morning city sightseeing tour of Mysore visiting Srirangapatnam.

  • Srirangapatnam - 16 kms from Mysore, this fort was the stronghold of Tipu Sultan, son of Haider Ali. Tipu made a last minute ditch against the British in 1799 before surrendering his kingdom. Among the many fort buildings still intact, are Tipu's airy Summer Palace and his tomb at the Darya Daulat Bagh (garden). Here, is also the celebrated Sri Ranganatha Temple.

• Afternoon excursion to Somnathpur. 

• Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 06     Mysore - Ooty - Coonoor

• Buffet breakfast at hotel.

• Morning leave Mysore by car for Coonoor en route visiting Ooty. 

• On arrival at Coonoor, check-in at the hotel. 

• Rest of the day at leisure or you may explore the area own your own.

• Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 07     Coonoor - Madurai

• Buffet breakfast at hotel.

• Morning leave Coonoor by car for Madurai. 

• On arrival at Madurai, check-in at the hotel.

• Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 08     Madurai

• Buffet breakfast at hotel.

• Morning city sightseeing tour of Madurai.

  • City tour of Madurai, visiting the  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 saracenic style, famous for the Stucco work on its domes and arches.great

• Evening visit Meenakashi Temple during Aarti ceremony. 

• Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 09     Madurai - Periyar

• Buffet breakfast at hotel.

• Morning leave Madurai by car for Periyar en route visiting tea plantation.

• On arrival at Periyar, check-in at the hotel.

• Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 10     Periyar

• Buffet breakfast at hotel.

• Morning and evening boat cruise on Lake Periyar to watch animals in their natural habitat. The earliest sanctuary, it was set up in 1934 and forms part of the mountain ranges, the Western Ghats. Cruising on Lake Periyar, you are likely to see animals like wild boars, sambars, wild dogs, langur monkeys and wild elephants.

• Rest of the day at leisure.

• Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 11     Periyar - Kumarakom

• Buffet breakfast at hotel.

• Morning leave Periyar by car for Kumarakom.

• On arrival at Kumarakom, check-in at the hotel. 

• Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 12     Kumarakom - Houseboat

• Buffet breakfast at hotel.

• After breakfast move from hotel to the houseboat. You will enjoy backwater cruise crossing the narrow canals of Kerala.

• Overnight stay at houseboat. 

Day 13     Houseboat - Kochi (Cochin)

• Buffet breakfast at hotel.

• After breakfast, houseboat will drop you at the Jetty. Proceed by car to Kochi.

• On arrival at Kochi, check-in at the hotel. 

• Afternoon city sightseeing tour of Kochi.

  • City tour of Kochi, visiting the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Chinese fishing Nets, St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Church.

• Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 14     Kochi - Mumbai

• Buffet breakfast at hotel.

• In time transfer to airport to connect flight for Mumbai.

• Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. 

• Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 15     Leave Mumbai

• Transfer to the international airport to connect flight for onward destination.

For further information and reservation please contact