DAY
01 : CHENNAI –MAHABALIPURAM
Arrival at Chennai. You will be greeted and assisted
at the Airport by GITC representative and transferred
to Mahabalipuram. The little seaside town of Mahabalipuram
is famous for its rock – hewn temples, sculptures
and the world’s largest stone bas-relief. Among
the noteworthy sites are Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna
Mandapam, Varaha Mandapam, Mahishasurmardhini Caves,
Five Rathas and Shore temples. Check in at hotel for
01 night.
DAY
02 : MAHABALIPURAM – PONDICHERRY [100
kms/ 3 hrs]
Breakfast. Check out and sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram.
Afternoon, proceed to Pondicherry. A former French colony,
Pondicherry is a unique fusion of Indian and French
cultures. A 32 km long coastline along a charming French
Boulevard town makes it a much sought after gateway,
attracting tourists. Check in at hotel for 01 night.
Visit the township of Auroville & Aurobindo Ashram.
DAY
03 : PONDICHERRY – CHIDAMBARAM – KUMBAKONAM
[71 kms/ 2 hrs]
After breakfast check out and drive to Kumbakonam. En
route visit Chidambaram and Gangaikondacholapuram. Check
in at resort for 01 night. Dozens of temple are scattered
around the town and this is a good base to visit the
superb Chola temples nearby, or to head east to the
coastal towns of the Cavery Delta. Afternoon visit Darasuram,
a 12th century temple dedicated to Lord Siva.
DAY 04 : KUMBAKONAM – TANJAVUR –
TRICHY
[100 kms/ 3 hrs]
Breakfast. Check out and drive to Tanjavur - the
home of Carnatic music, musical instruments, dance
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&
traditional handicrafts. Visit Brahadeeswarar temple,
Palace & Tanjavur paintings. Afternoon, proceed
to Trichy. The famous landmark of this town is the Rockfort
Temple. Check in at hotel for 01 night. Sightseeing
of Trichy covering Rockfort & Srirangam.
DAY
05 : TRICHY – MADURAI
[184 kms/ 4 ½ hrs]
Breakfast. Check out and drive to Madurai. Situated
on the banks of river Vaigai, Madurai is one of India’s
most ancient cities with a history dating back to the
6th century. It was the capital of the Pandyan empire
in the 14th century. Main attraction here is the Meenakshi
Temple, with its towering gopurams and rare sculptures.
Check in at hotel for 02 nights. Rest of the day at
leisure.
DAY
06 : MADURAI
Breakfast. Half day city tour covering Meenakshi temple,
Thirumalai Naicker & Gandhi Museum. Rest of the
day at leisure.
DAY 07 : MADURAI – COIMBATORE
[216 kms/ 5 hrs]
After breakfast check out and drive to Coimbatore, one
of the most industrialised cities in the state. Coimbatore
serves as an entry and exit point to neighbouring Kerala
and the popular hill station of Ooty. Check in at hotel
for 01 night. Rest of the day at leisure.
DAY 08 : COIMBATORE – METTUPALAYAM ++
OOTY
[30 kms/ 1 hr + 3 hrs]
Morning (0600 hrs), drive to Mettupalayam Railway station
to catch Toy Train to Coonor. This smart little hill
train chugs up daily to Ooty from Mettupalayam covering
plantations, tea garden, lush forest and pretty little
stations on its four hour climb to Ooty. Check in at
hotel for 02 nights. Rest of the day at leisure.
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DAY
09 : OOTY
Breakfast. Ooty, popularly referred to as the ‘Queen
of Blue Mountains’ is the most famous hill station
in South India. Old summer palaces of former Maharajas,
now converted into hotels are set in the beautiful parks.
Morning, sightseeing of Ooty covering the Botanical
Garden, Doddabetta – the highest peak in the Nilgiris,
Ooty Lake & the local Market. Afternoon at leisure.
DAY
10 : OOTY – MYSORE
[164 kms/ 4 hrs]
Breakfast. Check out and proceed to Mysore. A city of
royal aura and rich heritage, Mysore, is known for its
silk, sandalwood and incense sticks. Mysore is a city
of palaces, gardens, shady avenues and sacred temples
and retains the charm of the old world with its many
institutions that propagate Carnatic Classical music
and dance. Check in at hotel for 01 night.
DAY
11 : MYSORE – HASSAN
[125 kms/ 3 hrs]
After breakfast take an early morning drive to Hassan.
En route, visit Srirangapatna, the erstwhile capital
of Tipu Sultan. Later, visit Shravanbelagola, famous
for the world’s tallest monolithic statue of the
Jain Monk Bahubali. Proceed to Hassan. Hassan in the
southwest
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portion
of Karnataka district and is the epicentre to see Belur
and Halebid. Check in at hotel for 02 nights.
DAY
12 : HASSAN – BELUR – HALEBID
Breakfast. Day trip to Belur & Halebid. Belur, 34
km from Hassan is known as the Dakshina Varanasi or
Southern Banaras. The serenity of Belur is attributed
to the celebrated temple of Chennakeshava. Halebid,
17 km from Belur has several strikingly beautiful Hoysala
temples and Jain shrines.
DAY
13 : HASSAN – BANGALORE
[194 kms/ 4 hrs]
Breakfast. Check out and drive to Bangalore. Often referred
to as the ‘Garden City’, Bangalore is known
for its beautifully laid out parks and gardens. The
main attractions are Vidhan Soudha and Lalbagh, Botanical
Garden, Tipu Sultan’s Palace and Bull Temple.
Check in at hotel for 01 night. Rest of the day at leisure
/ free to explore the city.
DAY
14 : BANGALORE
On time transfer to Bangalore Airport to connect flight
for onward destination.
Tour
Concludes!
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