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Southern Adventure

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Price from: NZ$ 6305 pp
Mumbai – Bangalore – Hassan – Mysore – Ooty – Cochin – Houseboat Cruise – Kovalam – Kumarakom – Periyar – Madurai – Trichy – Pondicherry – Chennai

This trip showcases the entire South of India – very different from North. You begin your tour from the financial capital, Mumbai before starting your exotic South India journey from the IT city of Bangalore and then onward, each day has a pleasant surprise you – from most amazing architectural wonders in palaces and temples to age-old monuments with statues and stone carvings, “God’s Own Country” of Kerala with its famous backwaters influencing the daily lives of people in the region – enjoy a relaxing Houseboat Cruise on the backwaters. Continue to visit the temple cities of Madurai, Trichy and Chennai.
This tour gives true picture of the southern half of India as you have diversified experiences of this mesmerizing land – this trip is highly recommended for first timers to India as well as to those, who have seen the North and have fallen in love with the country. South India is varied – languages spoken, food, dress, customs and traditions and weather as well.
 
Day 1: Mumbai
Arrive in Mumbai and transfer to the Hotel.
 
Day 2: Mumbai (B)
In the morning, proceed for sightseeing tour of Mumbai city. First we would visit “Prince of Wales Museum”; it was built in 1904 and designed in the Indo-Saracenic style. A mere five-minute walk from this prestigious museum stands – “Gateway of India”; Designed by George Wikket. It was built to commemorate the visit of King George V in 1911. It is a magnificent structure overlooking the Arabian Sea in South Mumbai, also the piers for short exciting harbour cruises across the Mumbai harbour. Later drive through “Marine Drive” an esplanade in a sweeping curve. It runs along the shoreline of the Arabian Sea from Nariman Point to the foot of Malabar Hill. It is also called the Queen’s Necklace, strung with glittering street lights like an enormous pearl necklace, and is at its most beautiful when lit up in the evening.
Afternoon at leisure to explore the city on your own.
 
Day 3: Mumbai - Bangalore (B)
Transfer to airport for a morning flight to Bangalore. This bustling capital city of Karnataka is also known as Garden City and Silicon Valley of India.
Afternoon sightseeing takes you to Vidhan Soudha, a magnificent building housing the State Legislature and Secretariat. It is built entirely of Bangalore granite in the Neo-Dravidian style.
 
Day 4: Bangalore - Hassan (B)
Leave Mysore and proceed to Hassan and visit Belur and Halebid today. The Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebid are the cream of what remains of one of the most artistically exuberant periods of Hindu cultural development.
The Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebid is the most outstanding example of Hoysala art. The walls and much of the interior are covered with Hindu deities, sages, animals and birds, and scenes depicting the life and times of Hoysala rulers. No two are alike. There are some very sensual sculptures explicitly portraying the activities of dancing girls. Also are two huge Nandis (Siva’s bull) and a monolithic Jain statue of Gomateshvara.
 
Day 5: Hassan - Mysore (B)
This morning drive to Mysore. Afternoon visit the Mysore Palace, built in 1912 in the Indo-Saracenic style. Evening we will drive to Chamundi Hills, towering over the city. These hills are 13kms away from Mysore, half way up is the Nandi Bull; a 4.8m monolith. Right on the top is the 2000-year-old Chamundeswari temple.
 
Day 6: Mysore - Ooty (B)
This morning, drive to Ooty. The verdant hills, the lush green valleys and the pristine natural beauty of the hill resort of Ooty offers the urban tired souls a chance to resume their affair with Nature, to whom they truly belong. The heavenly hill resort like a blushing bride peeks from behind the lofty Nilgiri hills. The unassuming beauty of this heavenly hill resort beckons you to come and embrace the tranquillity and solace that tours to Ooty India offer.
Afternoon at leisure to explore this hill station on your own.
 
Day 7: Ooty - Cochin (B)
This morning leave Ooty and drive to Cochin, ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, Cochin is the commercial capital of Kerala, with its wealth of historical associations and its magnificent setting on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas.
Rest of the afternoon at leisure.
 
Day 8: Cochin (B)
You will be taken this morning for a half day city tour of Cochin, first visiting the older parts of the Fort Cochin area. This part of the city reflects an unusual blend of medieval Portuguese, Dutch and English country life grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast. The 16th century ‘Mattancherry Palace’, also known as the Dutch Palace, is a fascinating fort with elegant buildings and interesting collections from the Royal traditions of the region. The unique feature of Cochin is the unexpected and isolated Jewish community, whose origins date back to AD 52. They are self-contained and have their own “Synagogue”. The area around the Synagogue, known as ‘Jew Town’ is one of the main centres of spice trade.
Rest of the afternoon at leisure.
 
Day 9: Cochin - Houseboat (B/L/D)
Drive this morning to pier t board a Houseboat. A houseboat cruise is the best way to explore the beauty of the backwaters; sit back and relax while the boat cruises through the narrow serene backwater canals that take you through nearby villages. Enjoy your evening on the sundeck away from polluted cities and maddening crowd. The only disturbance will be the twinkle of a shining star or the leap of a fish near you.
 
Day 10: Houseboat - Kovalam (B)
After a leisurely breakfast on board, drive to Trivandrum and check-in at a Hotel in Kovalam, the scenic coastal town popular worldwide for its rejuvenating Ayurvedic Message treatments and beautiful beaches.
Afternoon at leisure.
 
Day 11: Kovalam - Kumarakom (B)
After breakfast, drive to Kumarakom, the backwaters are called the jewels of Kerala. In this small water world you will come across plenty of traditional country craft boats and canoes which will take you into the heart of the scenic lake. In the afternoon, you will be taken for a visit of Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.
 
Day 12: Kumarakom (B)
Day at leisure to enjoy the beautiful lush surroundings or to explore nearby villages on your own.
 
Day 13: Kumarakom - Periyar (B)
This morning, drive to Periyar Wildlife Reserve (also known as Thekkady). Periyar was named after the Dam erected here by the English in 1895. On arrival at Periyar, check-in at the hotel. At noon, we leave for a guided plantation tour to the nearby garden. In the evening enjoy a nature walk through the spice plantation.
 
Day 14: Periyar - Madurai (B)
Depart from hotel after breakfast and drive to Madurai – the old city of Tamilnadu. “Madhuram” means “sweet” in Sanskrit.
On arrival check-in at hotel and proceed this afternoon for tour of Madurai visiting the famous Meenakshi Temple. People are blessed by the temple elephant. Visit also the Tirumalai Nayak Palace and Gandhi Museum. Later return to the hotel. Late evening visit Meenakshi temple for the Aarti ceremony with a fanfare during which God Shiva is led to the bedroom of his wife, Meenakshi.
 
Day 15: Madurai - Rameswaram - Madurai (B)
This morning, you will be taken for an excursion to Rameswaram. Rameshwaram is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage centres in India, second only to Varanasi itself. However, a pilgrimage to Varanasi too is not considered complete without a trip to the temple of Sri Ramanatha in the island of Rameshwaram, where Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva on his way back from his triumphant expedition to Lanka. Pilgrims flock over to the place to fulfil one of the most ancient injunctions of Hindus and which has long been a tradition of South Indian people, especially Tamils. Shaped like a conch, this colossal temple was originally built by Lord Rama himself. A magnificent railway bridge connects the island to the mainland. One can see Sethu here, the bridge said to be built by Lord Rama and his army to cross over to Lanka. 
 
Day 16: Madurai - Trichy (B)
After breakfast check-out from hotel and drive to Trichy. On arrival check-in and start the sightseeing of Trichy, a town situated on the banks of river Cauvery, visiting the famous “Sriranganathaswami temple” at Srirangam. It is surrounded by seven concentric walls and 21 towers called “Gopurams”. At the next site we visit the “Rock fort temple” at the main town, 437 rock-cut steps will take us to the Ganesh Shrine, commanding a breath-taking view of the entire town of Trichy.
 
Day 17: Trichy - Pondicherry (B)
Morning drive to Pondicherry, a charming coastal town that was formerly a French colony, still has a few touches of French culture. On arrival check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon go on a sightseeing tour to the French Tamil quarter and the world famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a spiritual centre founded on modern sciences and yoga.
 
Day 18: Pondicherry - Chennai (B)
After breakfast proceed to Kanchipuram– the ancient capital of the Pallavas, famous as a city of 1000 temples that still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th centuries and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. After visiting Kanchipuram, proceed to Mahabalipuram and visit the city of Mahabalipuram famous for the seven pagodas. After the sightseeing, continue on to Chennai.
 
Day 19: Chennai (B)
In the morning following breakfast, visit Kapaleeshwar temple. This ancient shrine dedicated to Shiva is centrally located and among the area’s most popular landmarks. Lord Shiva once pinched off one of the heads of Brahma to restrain his pride. A crestfallen Brahma came to this place, installed a Siva Lingam and did penance. The Lingam is known as Kapaleeswarar.
At noon, visit the “National Art Gallery and Government Museum”, which houses a fine collection of items in various sections of geology, archaeology, numismatics, anthropology, botany and zoology. Later, visit Marina Beach, which extends from Fort St. George all the way to Mahabalipuram.
 
Day 20: Chennai (B)
Transfer to airport to connect your onward flight.

 
Independent program, can be modified or operated in reverse. Please contact us for all inclusions and details.
Included: Accommodation in 4* Hotels, meals as shown above, transfers & sightseeing using air-conditioned private car, local English speaking guides, entrance fees at monuments, current taxes, 24-hours local contact number for emergencies.
Excludes: International & Domestic flights, Visa, insurance, airport taxes, meals not included above, beverages during meals included in program, gratuities and any expense of personal nature.
 
Prices quoted are valid till 30 September 2023.
Cost above is indicative, based on Low Season in NZ Dollars and subject to change due to fluctuation in exchange rates. Please read T&C before booking
Call 09 410 5060 or 0508 EXOTIC (0508 396 842) or email info@exoticholidays.co.nz for more information.