Day 1: Mumbai or Delhi - Cochin (flight)
After breakfast, transfer to airport to catch flight to Cochin. The city is located on the western coast and is a major commercial and industrial hub of the Kerala state and is famous for its spices, silks, ivory and sandalwood. On arrival transfer to hotel followed by a boatride through Cochin's backwaters. Evening free for leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Cochin - Periyar (185 kms / 5 hrs)
After breakfast, a half-day guided tour of the city visiting Fort Kochi, with its European heritage, St. Francis' Church, Chinese fishing nets, Dutch palace and Jewish Synagogue. After lunch, drive on to Periyar. Evening free to shop at the handicraft and spice shops that stretch all the way from Kumily to Periyar (4 kms). Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Periyar
Take an early morning boat ride on the Periyar Lake. After breakfast, the day is free to opt from the many activities conducted by the Periyar Tiger Reserve: Nature Walk, Jungle Patrol, Bamboo Rafting, Border Hiking or a Bullock cart ride exploring rural Kerala. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Periyar - Madurai (137 kms / 4 hrs)
After breakfast, visit the Tribal Heritage Museum and then proceed to Madurai. The ancient temple town of Madurai is nowadays renowned for its textile mills, engineering industries and large university areas but its significance on the tourist map is mainly because of the Meenakshi temple. Afternoon visit the Temple which dominates the city skyline by its towering gopurams. End the evening with a visit to the Tirumalai Naik Palace, built in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. The Palace authorities also conduct a Sound and Light show, which add to the significance of the palace (optional). Overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Madurai - Trichy - Tanjore (198 kms)
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Trichy (142 kms / 4 hrs). A guided visit to the Rockfort temple and Srirangam Temple. Then proceed onto Tanjore (56 kms / 1 hr). Tanjore is one of the most green and enchanting districts and is the Rice Bowl of the state. On arrival, check into hotel. Evening free. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Tanjore - Pondicherry (177 kms / 3.5 hrs)
Breakfast at hotel. Half-day guided tour of the Brahadeeswara Temple, built in the 10th century AD and an outstanding example of the Chola (dynasty) architecture. Later visit the Palace, built by the Nayaks and renovated by the Maratha dynasty. It dates back to the 1550s and houses an art gallery, a library, a hall of music and the Schwartz Church. In the afternoon, drive to Pondicherry. On arrival check into hotel. Evening free to walk bustling market streets. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7: Pondicherry
After breakfast visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the museum. Then spend a day on the beach. In the evening visit Auroville the City of Dawn. It is a unique township, which started as an experiment for celebrating unity in diversity. Located a few kilometers from Pondicherry, at the center of the township stands Matrimandir built in the form of a globe. Visit the Matrimandir during the meditation time for a truly spiritual experience. Return to Pondicherry. Overnight at hotel.
Day 8: Pondicherry - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (175 kms)
After breakfast, drive to Kanchipuram - the erstwhile capital of the Pallavas and Cholas. Visit its numerous temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses. It is also home of weavers of the famed Kanchipuram silks. Lunch at Kanchipuram. Evening drive to Mahabalipuram. On arrival check into the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 9: Mahabalipuram - Chennai (60 kms / 1.5 hrs)
Breakfast at hotel. Mahabalipuam, declared a world heritage site, too was part of the Pallavas dynasty and exhibits some of the most outstanding examples of the Dravidian style of art and architecture. A full day guided tour of Arjuna's Penance, the rock cut caves, the Krishna Mandapam, the famous rathas and the Shore Temple. Evening drive to Chennai. On the way visit Dakshinchitra, a unique heritage village offering an insight into the lifestyles of diverse people of South India. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Chennai - Bangalore (flight)
After breakfast, a half-day guided tour of Chennai visiting The Fort Museum, Valluvar Kottam and Kalakshetra. Late afternoon catch a flight to Bangalore. On arrival check into hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Bangalore - Mysore (140 kms / 3 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Mysore via Srirangapatnam. Srirangapatnam was the capital of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, who later fought the British. Visit Tipu's summer palace, Daria Daulat, which has now been turned into a museum. On arrival at Mysore check into hotel. Evening drive to the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam and the Vrindavan Garden. The gardens are famous for its dancing musical fountains. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12: Mysore - Hassan (115 kms / 2 hrs)
After breakfast, a full day guided tour of Mysore - the legendary city of palaces and perfumes-sandalwood and jasmine. Visit the Mysore Palace, St. Philomena's Church, Shri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery and Chamundeshwari Temple. In the evening drive to Hassan. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13: Hassan
After breakfast, a guided tour of Belur and Halebid. Both were capitals of the Medeival Hoysala Kings who built the exquisitely carved temples in the 12th & 13th centuries. Visit the Channekeshava Temple in Belur and the Hoyasaleswara temple in Halebid. Return to Hassan. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14: Hassan - Bangalore (187 kms / 4 hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Bangalore via Sravanabelgola. The place is an important Jain pilgrimage center and is famous for the statue of Lord Bahubali (Gommateshwara). The 17-meter high statue of Bahubali is said to be the tallest monolithic structure in the world. On arrival at Bangalore check into hotel for wash-n-change and transfer to airport to catch connecting flight.
After breakfast, transfer to airport to catch flight to Cochin. The city is located on the western coast and is a major commercial and industrial hub of the Kerala state and is famous for its spices, silks, ivory and sandalwood. On arrival transfer to hotel followed by a boatride through Cochin's backwaters. Evening free for leisure. Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast, a full day guided tour of Mysore - the legendary city of palaces and perfumes-sandalwood and jasmine. Visit the Mysore Palace, St. Philomena's Church, Shri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery and Chamundeshwari Temple. In the evening drive to Hassan. Overnight at hotel.
