India Tours & Travel Packages

Tourism in States & Cities of India

Day 01: Arrive Chennai

Assistance on arrival by our tour representative at International Airport, transfer to hotel. Time free to relax for some time. Later in the day take a sight seeing tour of Chennai including Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world. The St. George Fort, built in 1653, is currently used as the state government's secretariat. Santhome Cathedral was built around 14th/15th century and is another colonial structure worth visiting. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kapaleeswara Temple is the oldest temple in Chennai. Another important temple in the city dedicated to Lord Krishna is Parthasarthy Temple. The Snake Park has a large collection of snakes and many other reptiles. Evening free for individual activities, overnight at the hotel. (Check Inn and check out time is 1200 hrs) (Meals: No Meals)

Day 02: Chennai - Mahabalipuram (58 kms - 1 ½ hrs drive)

Morning checkout & drive to Mahabalipuram, on arrival transfer to beach resort. Later in the day tour of Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram Kanchipuram -Kanchipuram (64 kms from Madras) is the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks. Mahabalipuram The city of Mahabalipuram is famous for the seven pagodas. Here on the seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples which are the examples of Dravidian style of Architecture. Overnight in Mahabalipuram. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 03: Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (132 kms 3 ½ hrs drive)

Morning drive to Pondicherry Pondicherry the capital of French India before independence, Pondicherry traces its origin to Saint Agasthya, the revered sage of the south & excavations near-by reveal that a Roman settlement existed here 2000 years ago. It was the theatre of many a battle between the British. Overnight in Pondicherry. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 04: Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Kumbakonam - Tanjore (243 kms - 5 hrs drive)

Morning checkout and drive to Trichy, enroute visit Chidambaram which is one of the foremost Saivite shrines; the very name Kovil refers to Chidambaram, where Natarajan is enshrined in the Chit Sabha or the Hall of Consciousness, in the Ananda Tandavam (Dance of Bliss) pose. Chidambaram is one of the Panchabhoota Stalams signifying the 5 elements of wind (Kalahasti), water (Tiruvanaikka), fire (Tiruvannamalai), earth (Kanchipuram) and space (Chidambaram). The Moovar (Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar) as well as Manikkavacakar have sung praises of Chidambaram. Later proceed to Kumbakonam, on arrival enjoy bullock cart ride to explore the village of Kumbakonam. Later proceed to Tanjore, on arrival transfer to hotel. Day free to relax for some time, after freshen up take a sight seeing tour of Tanjore visiting Tanjore (Thanjavur) which was the ancient capital of Chola kings. Visit the Brihadeshwara temple which was built by Raja and is termed as the crowning glory of Chola temple architecture. This temple is one of the monuments in India with World Heritage listing. Also visit the Thanjavur Palace which was constructed in 1550 and has huge corridors, spacious halls, observation and arsenal towers. Evening free to relax, overnight in Tanjore. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 05: Tanjore - Trichy (50 kms - 1 hr)

Morning checkout & drive to Trichy, on arrival transfer to hotel. After freshen up take a sight seeing tour of Trichy the most famous landmark of this bustling town - the Rock Fort Temple, a spectacular monument perched on a massive rocky outcrop which rises abruptly from the plain to tower over the old city. It is reached by a flight of steep steps cut into the rock and from its summit you get a fantastic view of the town plus its other main landmark, the Sri Ranganathanswami Temple. This temple is one of the largest and most interesting temple complexes in India, built on an island in the middle of the Cauvery River and covering a staggering 2.5 sq km and Jambukeshwara Temples. Evening drive back to hotel or take a walk through old city particularly big bazaar street and China bazaar. Overnight in Trichy. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 06: Trichy - Madurai (142 kms - 4 hrs drive)

Morning checkout and drive to Madurai, on arrival transfer to hotel. After freshen up take a sightseeing tour of Madurai visiting visit the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering Gopurams (rising high above the surrounding country side). Later, visit the Tirumalai Nayak palace - A gracious building in the Indo Saracenic style, famous for the Stucco work on its domes & arches. Also visit the Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple. Evening free to relax or explore the market of Madurai, overnight at the hotel. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 07: Madurai - Periyar (160 kms - 4½ hrs drive)

Morning checkout & drive to Periyar. The earliest sanctuary to be set up in 1934, it extends to 777 square kms & forms part of the high mountain ranges, the Western Ghats. Wild life can be seen while cruising on Periyar Lake in a motor boat. Amongst the animals which can be seen are elephants, wild boar, sambar, tiger, leopard, wild dog, langur monkeys, etc. Later in the day visit Spice Plantation, evening free to relax, overnight in Periyar. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 08: Periyar - Kumarakom (130 kms - 3/4 hrs drive) - Alleppey (By Houseboats - Kettuvalam)

Early morning take a boat ride again in the Periyar Lake, later checkout & drive to Kumarakom - back water country & the loveliest Village in Kerala, blessed with nature's rare gifts is on the Eastern side of the vast Vembanad Lake, on arrival transfer to houseboat cruise for Alleppey for an overnight journey, enjoys the cruise in Vembanad Lake. The journey will take us through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters of Alleppey to Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets, typical villages and regattas (snake boats) for which Kerala is very famous. The Golden Star Deluxe houseboats have Sitting Area, Dinning Area, Sun Deck to enjoy sunset and fishing, Bed room with double & twin bed with attached English toilets and running hot & cold water. Breakfast, Lunch & dinner will be served on board the houseboats, overnight cruising in the Vembanad Lake. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 10: Alleppey - Kovalam (175 kms - 3 hrs)

Morning checkout and drive to Kovalam, on arrival transfer to Beach Resort. Later in the day take a sight seeing tour of Trivandrum city visiting Padamanbhaswamy Temple & Palace, Chaitra Art Gallery & Napier Museum. Evening free to relax at the beach resort overnight in Kovalam. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 11: Kovalam - Kanya Kumari - Kovalam (90 kms - 2 hrs)

Morning day free to relax at the Beach Resort, later take an excursion tour to Cape Camorin - Kanya Kumarai, visit Kumari Amman Temple - The virgin Goddess Kanyakumari has watched over the phenomenon since the beginning of time, standing at the top of the country in, as if, an unending vigil, with the water of Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal drawing to her feet. A temple stands here today, dedicated to the virgin Goddess. Visit Swami Vivekananda Statue Island. Drive back to Kovalam for overnight. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 12: Kovalam - Cochin (175 kms - 4 hrs)

Morning checkout and drive to Cochin, on arrival transfer to hotel, day free to relax, early evening take a sight seeing tour of Cochin visiting Mantanacherrry Palace, Jewish Synagogue - one of the oldest in the country & Vypeen / Gundu Islands to see the Chinese Fishing Nets. Evening free to relax, overnight in Cochin. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 13: Cochin - Bangalore (By Air at 0830 /arr at 0945 hrs) - Mysore (143 kms - 4 ½ hrs drive)

Morning checkout & transfer to airport to board the flight for Bangalore, on arrival in Bangalore visit Government Museum, Bull Temple & Parliament House, later drive to Mysore enroute visiting Tomb of Tipu Sultan at Srirangapatnam, on arrival in Mysore, transfer to hotel. After freshen up visit the palace of the Maharaja built in 1911-12. The palace is of harmonious syntheses of the hindu and saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures which are magnificent. Visit the Art Gallery; drive upto Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple & a panoramic view of Mysore. On the way back, see the Nandi Bull, Evening visit the musical Gardens of Brindaban, overnight in Mysore. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 14: Mysore - Shravanbelgola - Hassan (139 kms - 3 hrs)

Morning, checkout and drive to Hassan enroute visit Shravanbelgola a climb of 630 steps you can view the 17m high monolithic statue of Lord Gomateswara. On arrival in Hassan transfer to hotel. After freshen up take a sight seeing tour of Hassan: Belur and Halebid. Belur situated on the banks of Yagachi River, Belur was the capital of the dynasty before it was moved to Halebid. Visit the Chennakesava Temple and Viranarayana Temple. Halebid the ancient town of the Hoysala empire. Visit the Jain Basti and the famous Hoyasaleswara temple, which is the largest Hoysala temple, it was started in 1121 and remained unfinished 85 years later. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 15: Hassan - Hospet (Hampi) (380 Kms - 7 hrs drive)

Morning checkout and drive to Hampi enroute visiting Chitradurga visit the famous fort and Ganesha Temple in Chitradurga. The city of Chitradurga itself is said to be named after the Fort of Seven Rounds (of walls). On arrival transfer to hotel early evening, rest of the day is kept for relaxing after this long drive, overnight at the hotel.  (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 16: Hampi

Morning take sight seeing tour of Hampi Ruins visit Virupaksha temple this temple is located at the base of Hemakuta hill and has been a place of worship since the 7th century. It began as a small shrine but was enlarged by the Vijayanagara kings, Hemakuta hill temples, Bal Krishna temples, Narsimha statue, Zenana enclosures, elephant stables, stepped tanks and kings' palace. Evening free for individual activities, overnight at the hotel. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 17: Hampi - Badami (214 kms - 5 ½ hrs drive)

Morning checkout & drive to Badami stopping at Aihole & Pattadakal on the way. Aihole is the cradle of stone temple architecture of the southern Dravida School. The oldest temple, Lad Khan goes back to the 5th century A.D. There are 70 temples in this group. The Durga temple is noted for its sculptures. The Meguti temple is built of 630 small stone blocks. The Ravanaphadi Cave has some beautiful carvings. Pattadakal, referred to as Petrigal, reached its pinnacle of glory under the Chalukya kings from 7th to 9th centuries. The oldest in this group is the Sanghameswara Temple. The Mallikarjuna Temple has pillars depicting life of Krishna. Virupaksha temple has sculptures and panel scenes from the epics, the Ramayana & Mahabharata.The Papanatha Temple has impressive carvings on pillars and ceiling. Overnight Badami. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 18: Badami

Morning take a sight seeing tour of Badami, the one time capital of the Chalukyas, is noted several temples, some structural & other rock-cut, of the 6th & 7th Centuries. The foundations of Badami, or Vatapi as it was called, were laid by Pulakeshi I (535 - 566 AD) his son Kirtivarman, the 1st (567 - 598 AD), beautified the town with temples & other buildings. Visit Badami Caves: this group of 4 cave temples have been carved out of the hill opposite Badami fort. The Chalukyan king, Mangalesha (598-610)AD) was responsible for the completion of these cave temples. Of the four, three are Brahmanical, while the fourth is Jain. Nearly 2000 steps have to be climbed to reach the cave. Later visit Badami Fort strategically situated on top of the hill, the fort encloses large granaries, treasury impressive temples on top of the northern end of the hill. Malegitti Shivalaya, perhaps the oldest temple of the lot, is dedicated to the benign aspect of Shiva as the garland maker. Placed on the summit of a rocky hill, the temple is built of stone, finely joined without mortar, & with Dravidian tower. The lower Shivalaya has a Dravidian tower of which only the sanctum remains now. Evening free for individual activities, overnight at the hotel.(Meals: Breakfast)

Day 19: Badami - Goa (250 kms - 5 to 6 hrs)

Morning checkout & drive to Goa, on arrival transfer to beach resort, overnight in Goa. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 20: Goa

Full day free to relax at the beach resort. Overnight in Goa. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 21: Goa - Chennai / Mumbai  (By air at 1330 hrs / arr at 1720 hrs) - Back home.

Morning checkout & transfer to airport to board the flight for Chennai or Mumbai to take international connection available from both the cities at 1330 hrs, assistance on arrival in Chennai / Mumbai at 1720 hrs, transfer to International airport to board the flight back home. (Meals: Breakfast)

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