Tour Route: Bangalore (1) – Hassan (1) – Mysore (2) – Ooty (1) – Kochi (2) – Alleppey / Kumarakom Houseboat (1) – Periyar (2) – Madurai (1) –

Trichy / Tanjore (1) – Pondicherry (1) – Mahabalipuram (2) – Chennai

Tour Duration: 15 nights / 16 days

Day 1: Arrive Bangalore
Upon your arrival in the hi- tech Indian city of Bangalore, you will be greeted by our representative at the International Airport. After a warm welcome,
you will be escorted to your hotel for an overnight stay

Day 2: DRIVE Bangalore – Hassan [185 Kms / 4 Hrs]
After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Bangalore visiting the Government museum (one of the oldest museums of India), Vidhan Soudha (state legislative
chambers with magnificent amalgamation of modern and traditional Dravidian temple style architecture), the famous Bull Temple (which houses a huge
granite monolith of Nandi, the holy Bull), ruins of the fort of Tipu Sultan and Lal Bagh Gardens (regarded as one of the most richly diverse botanical
gardens in south Asia).
Later, drive to Hassan for overnight stay.

Day 3: DRIVE Hassan – Mysore [120 Kms / 3 Hrs)
This morning, visit Belur, famous for its magnificent Hoysala Temple Complex with intricate sculptures. This is the only Hoysala Temple still in active
worship. Also visit Halebidu, the erstwhile capital of the Hoysalas. The Hoysaleswara Temple here perched on a star-shaped base amidst lawns, is a
sculptural extravaganza.
This afternoon, embark on your drive to Mysore for 2 nights stay.

Day 4: Day in Mysore
This morning, enjoy a city tour of Mysore visiting the Maharaja's Palace, one of the biggest palaces in India; St Philomena's Church; Sri Jayachamarajendra
Art Gallery in the Jag Mohan Palace, which has a collection of exquisite paintings.
In the evening visit the Chamundi hill and Bull temple and see the daily prayers and rituals being performed by priests.

Day 5: DRIVE Mysore – Ooty [125 Kms / 4 Hrs]
This morning embark on a leisurely drive to Ooty. Known as the Queen of the Blue Mountains, Ooty is famous for its rolling hills covered in pine and
eucalyptus, sparkling waterfalls and its coffee and tea plantations.
Enroute to Ooty, enjoy a tea plantation and factory tour and learn the secrets to a perfect brew. Evening at leisure to relax and unwind in the serenity of
Ooty.

Day 6: DRIVE Ooty – Kochi (300 Kms / 7.5 Hrs)
This morning, drive to Kochi, the commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala. Starting from the Dutch, Portuguese and the British, Kochi
was the site of the first European colonial settlements in India.
Upon arrival, check into your hotel for 2 nights stay.

Day 7: Day in Kochi
After breakfast, take a guided walk through the historic Fort Kochi area. This morning we will visit the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church
and see the authentic Chinese fishing nets still in active use by the fishermen in Kerala.
This evening, watch a spectacular Kathakali performance. Kathakali is one of the oldest theatre forms in India. One of the most complex and highly
stylized Indian art forms, this performance is a spectacular combination of drama, dance, music and ritual. Characters with vividly painted faces and
elaborate costumes re-enact stories from the Hindu epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. Reach early for the unique opportunity to see the performers
dressing up in their very elaborate and colorful costumes and painting their faces with make up to create the special persona for the performance. Also
visit the onsite cultural museum to see sculptures of Kerala's unique dance forms, a large replica of an authentic Keralan wooden canoe and see how
Keralan handicrafts and saris are woven.

Day 8: DRIVE Kochi – Alleppey [65 Kms / 1.5 Hrs]
CRUISE Alleppey – Kumarakom

This morning, drive to Alleppey, a coastal town in the backwaters of Kerala. Upon arrival in Alleppey, board your houseboat to cruise through the
backwaters. Kerala backwaters consist of a complex network of lagoons, lakes, & canals and are best experienced while slowly rowing down the labyrinth
of canals in a traditional thatch-roofed houseboat, known as 'Kettuvallam'. See life on the banks, lush green rice fields, and coconut groves with occasional
temple or church as you cruise through the canals. Enjoy the special Kerala style meals prepared by your chef on board.
Overnight stay at houseboat.

Day 9: DRIVE Kumarakom – Periyar [125 Kms / 4 Hrs]
This morning, enjoy breakfast on board. Alight your houseboat at Kumarakom. You may wish to visit the Kumarakom bird sanctuary on the banks of
Vembanad Lake. This sanctuary is spread over 100 acres and is home to thousands of resident and migratory birds. Some commonly found species include
egret, darter, waterfowl, heron, bittern, kites, marsh harries, kingfishers, woodpeckers and wild ducks.
Later, embark on a scenic drive to Periyar, the wildlife and spice plantation hub of Kerala. Upon arrival in Periyar, check in to your hotel for 2 nights stay.

Day 10: Day in Periyar
Today, take a spice plantation tour and learn about the mystery and history of Indian spices. The spice plantations in Periyar are captivating farms
growing different spices in different sections of the plantations. You will be intrigued to see the vast variety of spices ranging from cloves, cardamom,
ginger, pepper, chilli, turmeric etc.
Optional Martial Art Performance at Village Arena: This evening watch Kalaripayattu performance, one of the oldest form of martial arts and known as the
mother of all martial arts. Kalarippayattu consists of punches, leg moves, stretches, twists, and jumps performed in a particular sequence. In Periyar, you
get a unique opportunity to witness a performance of this ancient art along with the locals at the village arena (at extra charge).

Day 11: DRIVE Periyar – Madurai [175 Kms / 5 Hrs]
After an early breakfast, embark on your drive to the temple city of Madurai. This afternoon, visit the Gandhi museum, containing photos, paintings,
sculptures, manuscripts, quotations, and some original articles used by Mahatma Gandhi. Then visit the 17 th century Tirumalai Nayak Palace which is
famous for its rectangular dance courtyard.
Later, visit the famous Meenakshi temple and stay on to enjoy the evening Aarti (prayer ceremony) to see the rituals being performed by priests.

Day 12: DRIVE Madurai – Tanjore via Trichy [185 Kms / 5.5 Hrs]
After breakfast, embark on your drive to Tanjore. Enroute visit Trichy, famous for its rich cultural and splendid architectural heritage.
Upon arrival in Tanjore, check in to your hotel and freshen up. This afternoon visit the Brihadeshwara Temple, which is often referred as the crowning
glory of Chola Temple architecture.
Also, visit the Thanjavur Palace, which was constructed in the 16 th century and has huge corridors, spacious halls, observation and arsenal towers.

Day 13: DRIVE Tanjore – Pondicherry [165 / 4.5 Kms]
After breakfast, drive to Pondicherry. Ruled by the French for 300 years, today Pondicherry stands as a living epitome of French culture in India.
Enjoy the evening at leisure walking around the small town and exploring the mix of French and Tamil architecture and culture in the region.

Day 14: DRIVE Pondicherry – Mahabalipuram [100 Kms / 2 Hrs]
This morning, visit the community of Auroville, a unique experiment in human unity and international living.
Located approx 6 kms north of Pondicherry, the community at Auroville, a unique experiment in human unity and international living. Auroville was
founded in 1968 by a French national who was a follower of local spiritual visionary, Sri Aurobindo. Today Auroville is an international community, with a
population of some 50,000 people from 43 different countries. The city is centred around Matrimandir, ‘Temple of the Mother’, the geographical and
spiritual heart of the community. Take a walk to the Matrimandir, observing the eclectic mix of people here. [entry to Matrimandir is not allowed]

Day 15: Day in Mahabalipuram
Today, explore the coastal town of Mahabalipuram, visiting the Shore temple (one of the oldest temples in south India, belonging to the early 8th century
AD), Arjuna's penance (the world's largest bas-relief measuring 27m x 9m – this huge rock consists figures of Gods, men, beasts, birds and represents the
entire creation), Five Rathas (five monolithic temples, each having its own style – also known as the "Panch Pandav Rathas").
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Day 16: DRIVE Mahabalipuram – Chennai [50 Kms / 1.5 Hrs]
This morning, embark on a short drive to Chennai, en-route visiting Dakshina Chitra, an exciting cross cultural living museum of art, architecture, lifestyles,
crafts and performing arts of South India. Dakshina Chitra has a collection of 18 authentic historical houses, transported from different states of south
India, and reconstructed here with interesting contextual exhibitions of the region in each house.
Later, continue drive to Chennai, where you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight back home