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One can start the tour from Goa or Chennai,
the beaches of Goa, for relax & explore ancient ruins that were
constructed by the Chalukya kings in the ancient times, later we
proceed to the world heritage sites of Hampi, Halebid and Hassan on a
Karnataka tour with the Best of South India. Another site the Bay of
Bengal to the lush coconut groves and palm-fringed shores of the
Malabar Coast, South India is brimming with natural splendor of
startling variety. The spice trade lured mariners from Holland,
Portugal, France, and beyond across the Arabian Sea to India’s fragrant
harbors, and tradesmen from China to the Coromandel Coast. Their voices
joined the symphony of languages spoken here, and their unique blend of
faiths collectively inspired a profusion of stunning religious
architecture.....discover the traces of another era in the ancient
spice port of Cochin … relax among the cool breezes of the hill country
surrounding Munnar …and marvel at the stately palaces of Mysore.
**
Name of Program : Explore South India.
** Places
Visit : Arrival
Mumbai-Goa-Badami-Hampi-Chikmagalur-Halebid-Belur-Hassan-Sharavan
Belagola-Mysore-Banglore-Cochin-House Boat- Kumarakom-Munnar.
** Duration
: 22 Nights
** Best
Time : Oct-April.
Day 01:
Arrival Mumbai :
Upon arrival meet to our representative drive to introduce India and
your tour will start. Welcome to India, as our mythology say 'atithi
devo bhava' (the guest is an incarnation of God). Thank you for giving
us the opportunity to serve you!
Day
02 : Mumbai Sightseeing :
After breakfast visit the commercial capital of India, Gateway Of
India,Elephanta Caves,Victoria Terminus (Shivaji Terminus) Kamala Nehru
Park, Marin Drive and Juhu Beach.Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 :
Mumbai- Goa (Flight) :
Morning, after breakfast take flight to Goa, Variously known as "Pearl
of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise", the state of Goa is located on
the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan.The
magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendors of its
temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favorite
withtravelers around the world. But then, Goa is much more than just
beaches and sea. It has a soul, which goes deep into unique history,
rich culture and some of the prettiest natural scenerythat India has to
offer. Assistance on arrival at the Domestic Airport in Goa followed by
transfer to the resort or hotel. Overnight at hotel or Resort.
Day 04 Goa :
After breakfast drive to North Goa for full day city tour.North Goa
isknown and loved as a land of golden beaches,palm trees, paddy fields
and wooded hills. Its churches, temples, shrines and forts tell its
history. It is associated with music, the famous Goa cuisine and most
of all with a peace loving, smiling people. Return to the resort for
overnight.
Day 05 Goa :
Day free to enjoy the beaches & individual activities.
Overnight hotel or resort.
Day 06:
Goa- Badami:
Early morning drive to Badami. Upon arrival check into your Hotel.
after lunch follow a guided tour of Badami, which is well known for its
rich history and ancient architecture. It was the ancient capital of
the early Chalukya kingdom. A number of richly carved monuments and
caves belonging to Chalukyas, dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries
can be found here. The Chalukyas laid the foundation of a unique style
of architecture, which is a fine blend of North Indian Nagara style and
the South Indian Dravidian style of architecture. The architecture and
sculptures created in Badami during the time of the Chalukyas inspired
later-day architectural and sculpting traditions. A number of places of
historical importance are situated near Badami. Overnight at Hotel.
Day
07: Badami- Hampi :
After breakfast breakfast drive to Hampi. Upon arrival check into Hampi
Boulders. Nestled in the Yamani Hills on the banks of the majestic
river Tungabhadra and 7 km from Hampi lies this resort. Swift flowing
Tungabudra river crisis-crosses to create an awesome array of naturally
sculpted rock formations. This network of eroded boulders, make a
beautiful sight of the resort. A sight that leaves you gazed on in
wonder. From the vantage points of our luxury cottage, savour this
unique and unspoiled glimpse of nature's wonderment, the water and rock
formations that leave you spellbound. The closest you can get to
paradise on Earth.A world heritage center, Hampi- is the most beautiful
of all the ruins in Karnataka. Founded in the 14th Century, this was
the glorious capital city of a flourishing dynasty who were great
patrons of art and architecture. The remains can still be seen in the
vast ruins of Hampi, which historians have praised as 'greater than
Rome'. Hampi is famous for its ruins belonging to the erstwhile
medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagar and it has been declared a World
Heritage site. The temples of Hampi, its monolithic sculptures and
monuments, attract the traveler because of their excellent workmanship.
The Hindu style of architecture found at Hampi reflects the splendor of
the Vijayanagar Empire. The rugged landscape adds to the historic
ambiance of this site. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08: Hampi :
After leisurely breakfast, proceed on a guided tour of city. Hampi
holds many delightful surprises. The most famous is the King's Balance
where kings were weighed against gold or money which was then
distributed to the poor. Also worth a visit are the Queen's Bath with
its arched corridors, projecting balconies and lotus shaped fountains,
the two storeyed Lotus Mahal, the huge Elephant Stables, the splendid
Vitthal Temple with its musical pillars and the Stone Chariot, the
Virupaksha Temple, Ugra Narasimha, the 7 meters tall monolith, the
Pushkarini Tank, the Mahanavami Dibba, etc. Temples of this city are
noted for their large dimensions, florid ornamentation, bold and
delicate carvings, stately pillars, magnificent pavilions and a great
wealth of iconographic and traditional depictions, which include
subjects from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The Pampapati temple is
one of the largest temples at Hampi. The Vitthal temple is an excellent
example of Vijayanagar style. Also present are some monolithic statues
of Lakshmi, Narasimha and Ganesha, which are noted, for their
massiveness and grace. Other temples in the surroundings are the
Krishna temple, Pattabhirama temple, Hazara Ramachandra, Chandrasekhara
temple and the Jaina Temple. Overnight at Hampi.
Day 09: Hampi :
Chikmagalur : After breakfast drive to Chikmagalur, is a calm, serene
town full of scenic surprises hills, valleys, streams and snow-white
coffee blossoms. Chikmagalur is a trekker's delight, with its rugged
mountain trails. On arrival chek in hotel rest of the time leisusre.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 : Chikmagalur-
Halebid- Belur - Hassan :
After breakfast drive to Hassan en route visiting Belur and
Halebid,Belur and Halebid - temple towns slightly bigger than villages.
The temples in typical Dravidian style are excellent examples of
traditional Hindu architecture. These temples are the cream of what
remains the most artistically exuberant periods of Hindu cultural
development. The wealth of sculptural details on the temples make them
easily the most outstanding example of art and architecture. Every inch
of the outside wall and much of the interiors are covered with an
endless variety of Hindu deities, sages, scenes from wars, hunting,
agriculture, music and dance and some very sensual sculptures
explicitly portraying the amorous lifestyles of the dancing girls. The
life outside the temples is extremely busy and colourful. Pilgrims,
bare feet with horizontal or vertical sandalwood paste smearing on
their foreheads and wearing traditionally coloured saffron or black
pilgrim's costumes move in and out of the temple complex with flowers
and other offerings in their hands. The pavement flower shops, shops
selling religious Art facts, the fruit and tea stalls with pilgrims
flocking around, add colour and character to the place.Overnighthotel
At Hassan.
Day 11: Hassan - Sharavan Belagola - Mysore :
After breakfast drive to Shravan Belagola, which is one of the oldest
and the most important pilgrimage centres for the followers of Jain
religion. It is the site of the 17mtr monolithic statue of Lord
Bahubali - believed to be the world's tallest monolithic statue. Later
drive to Mysore. Upon arrival check into your hotel.Evening, we visit
the extremely colourful Devaraja Fruit and vegetable market where
tropical fruits and vegetables are arranged in fascinating heaps and
shapes. Watch out for the amazing patterns in which fruits and
vegetables are heaped upwards as hills. The adjoining local bazaar is
also a very popular spot with local Indian shoppers where all things
needed for daily use can be found. overnight at hotel.
Day 12 : Mysore :
After breakfast, full day local sightseeing, Mysore, which has been for
centuries an important center for South Indian culture and learning. It
is also the city of lingering aroma of Jasmine, Musk, rose, sandalwood,
etc. This is so because Mysore is one of the major manufacturers of
incense sticks through scores of family owned factories. The city is
also a crafts center. It is an extremely friendly and easygoing city
and at an altitude of 770 meters it has a wonderful climate. The
Maharaja's Palace (1907) is a huge building in Indo - Saracenic style
of architecture; it hosts an extravaganza of stained glass, mirrors,
gilt and gaudy colors, beautifully carved wooden doors, mosaic floors
and a series of historically important paintings. Of special mention
are the beautifully carved mahogany ceilings, solid silver doors, white
marble floors and superbly columned durbar hall (Hall Of Public
Audience). Next we visit the temple of Shri Chamundeshwari, set on top
of the Chamundi Hills (1602 meters.). Three quarters up the hill is the
famous Nandy (Lord Shiva's Bull - His vehicle) carved out of a single
solid piece of granite and 5 meters in height. The temple itself is a
huge building with a 40mtr high seven-storied Gopuram (tower).
Overnight at hotel Mysore.
Day 14 Mysore-Ooty :
After breakfast drive to
Ooty,is situated in Nilgiri Mountains near Tri Junction of Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka and Kerala. Ooty is the only hill station in India which
attracts visitors during all seasons. It has built up a fame as the
`all-seasons -hill resort' and the `queen of hill stations'. It is one
of the most popular hill resorts in southern India at an elevation of
7216 ft. above sea-level, her moods change with every season, but each
of her moods is hospitable to the visitor.Nestling among the hills at a
point where the Eastern Ghats meets the Western Ghats, the district
headquarter town of Ooty sprawls along a beautiful plateau. The Eastern
Ghats are mighty and attractive while the Western ghats have wooded
loveliness. Nature unfolds itself in and around Ooty in a myriad of
profiles, each one with a distinctive grandeur and individuality.
Day 15 Ooty :
After breakfast commence full day local sightseeing visit, Botanical
Gardens, Established in 1848, by the Marquis of Twedale, the gardens
lie on the lower slopes of Dodabetta peak, the highest point in Ooty.
The gardens are formally laid out with lily ponds, and there are
clipped bushes in the form of elephants, with raised trunks. Here, a
thousand different species of plants including some thirty types of
eucalyptus are to be found. There is a fossil tree trunk 20 million
years old in the midst of the garden. The Roman Catholic Cathedral,
recently enlarged, can be seen on the road from Charing Cross to the
Botanical Gardens. The botanical gardens are the venue of an annual
Flower Show every May. Tiger Hill (16 kms) A scenic Viewpoint 16 Kms
away.Dodabetta Peak (10 kms)The highest peak (2623 metres) in the
Nilgiris, it lies at the junction of Western & Eastern Ghats
and offers beautiful vistas of the Nilgiri Hills ranges, Valley View
Lake (1 km)This artificial lake was constructed in 1824 by Mr. John
Sullivan the then Collector of Coimbatore. The lake covers an area of
one and a half square miles, with a railway running along one bank. The
large graveyard of St. Thomas's church, built in 1870, overlooks the
lake. It has the tallest memorial of Ooty, a huge pillar surmounted by
a cross, over the grave of William Patrick Adam, the Governor of Madras
Presidency,Overnight at hotel.
Day 16
: Ooty-Cochin :
Morning drive to Cochin
en route visit local villages and explore the un forgettable landscape.
Undoubtedly the commercial hub of Kerala, the city of Cochin is where
ancient civilization gracefully mingles with modern life. Right from
the early years, Cochin has had cultural and trade relations with the
outside world. She had also experienced pulsating episodes of European
colonial rivalry. An interesting point to note is that Cochin is
probably the only city in India formed from parts of three different
states, viz. the two princely states of Travancore and Cochin, and the
British Malabar. In 1976, the village panchayats of Edappally, Vennala,
Vyttila, and Palluruthy were merged with the municipalities of
Ernakulam and Mattancherry to form the Corporation of Cochin. Today
with a natural, all-weather harbour, an international airport, and
replete with serene backwaters, beautiful lagoons, wooded isles, and a
magnificent seascape, Cochin is indeed the Queen of the Arabian Sea. On
arrival check in hotel rest of the time leisure.
Day 17
: Cochin :
Morning sightseeing of Cochin, This morning we proceed on a guided tour
of the City. The true character of the city is to be found in the older
parts of the Fort Cochin area. It more or less exists as it used to be
a 1000 years back, when it was first built. The roads have not been
widened because the old haggard buildings, through patchwork repairs
over the centuries, still stand on the edges. This part of the city
reflects an unusual blend of medieval Portugal, Dutch and English
country life grafted on to the tropical Malabar Coast. The fishing
community of Cochin is also very interesting. They ancient cantilevered
fishing nets called Chinese Fishing Nets. The net is fixed to a pole on
the shore. While fishing, the entire net is lowered by a primitive
fulcrum mechanism using long bamboo poles. By the same mechanism the
pole is lifted along with the catch. We will explore the sights of
Photographic as well as cultural interest. We would also visit the 16th
century Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace since the
Dutch substantially renovated the palace in the 17th century. The
double storied quadrangular building surrounds a courtyard containing a
Hindu temple. The Central Hall on the first floor was the coronation
hall of the Rajas of Cochin; on display are their dresses, turbans and
palanquins. The most important feature of this palace, however, is the
astonishing murals in the bedchambers and other rooms, which depict
scenes from the Ramayana and other religious legends. These murals are
undoubtedly some of the most beautiful and extensive anywhere to be
seen in India. The unique feature here is the unexpected and isolated
Jewish community, whose origins date back to AD 52. They are
self-contained and have there own Synagogue.
The area around the Synagogue, known, as 'Jew Town' is one of the main
centres of spice trade. Scores of small firms huddle together in old
dilapidated buildings and the air is filled with the aroma of ginger,
cardamom, cumin, turmeric and cloves. The area is very busy. The
potters are loading gunny bags of spices on to carts, which keep
running up and down the narrow lanes. We would visit Jew Town, in the
Mattancherry section and a short walk from the ferry is one street
long. Jews used to occupy virtually all the houses on Jew Town Road,
where they sold fruits, vegetables and spices or worked as oil pressers
or carpenters. The spice markets are still located on the narrow
street. Evening witness the Kathakali Dance,
Kathakali Dance:
A special treat awaits us this evening as we proceed to witness the
strength and vigor of Kathakali dance drama, as it enacts episodes from
great Indian epics. The extremely stylized gestures, the elaborate
make-up, the masks and the splendid costumes of these all-male dancers,
recreate an incomparable sense of pageantry. Overnight At Hotel
Day 18:
Cochin- Kumarakom :
Early breakfast, ride 45 kms to Kumarakom to experience Kerala's famous
backwaters that comprise of vast lakes and a system of narrow canals
and waterways linking them to one another. Not so long ago, these
waterways served as the backbone of Kerala's transportation. Kumarakom
is the ideal place to experience the fascinating lifestyles of the
backwaters. Upon arrival check into Coconut Lagoon, which has rightly
carved its place among the top 10 heritage resorts of the world. The
resort is on a small island and can be reached only by boat. Overnight
at Coconut Lagoon.
Day 19: Kumarakom :
Day is at leisure for independent activities. You can also enjoy the
optional ayurvedic body massage at the resort. You could also choose to
explore the surrounding tribal villages, visit the nearby water bird
sanctuary or ride through the narrow backwater channels through back of
beyond Kerala. Overnight at Coconut Lagoon.
Day 20: Kumarakom - Periyar (Thekkady) :
Morning, breakfast at hotel later drive to Periyar, en route visit the
coco, banana, and annas plantation, on arrival check in hotel rest of
the time visit the spice garden, rest of the time leisure for
individual activities. Overngiht at hotel.
Day 21
: Periyar-Munnar :
Very early morning boat ride at the Periyar Lake, to see the wild
animals, later drive to hotel for breakast, check out, drive to Munnar,
On arrival check in hotel.
Munnar is a picturesque chunk of the lofty Western Ghats in the
backwater country of Kerala in South India. The town of Munnar stands
at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni
and Kundala. Munnar is the most ideal place for the tourists looking
for trekking, boating, riding, angling and much more all at the same
time. The balmy climate of the Munnar will prompt you to laze about and
fill your soul with peace and delight. A haven of peace and
tranquillity, Munnar is amazingly beautiful, an idyllic tourist
destination in God's own country. At an altitude of 6000 ft, Munnar has
been the favoured summer resort since the time of the erstwhile British
rulers in the colonial days.
Day 22
: Munnar :
After breakfast full day local sightseeing, Mattupetty is about 13 km
from Munnar in the state of Kerala. Situated at a height of 1700 m,
Mattupetty is known for its highly specialised dairy farm, the
Indo-Swiss live stock project. Over 100 varieties of high yielding
cattle are reared here. The Mattupetty lake and dam, just a short
distance from the farm, is an amazing beautiful picnic spot. The
sprawling Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala lake are other
attractions in the vicinity. You can also try boating at the Mattupetty
Dam,Devikulam at a distance of 7 km from Munnar, Devikulam is an
idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and
the cool mountain air is a rare experience you can feel here. The Sita
Devi Lake with its mineral waters and picturesque surroundings is a
good picnic spot. The lake is also ideal for trout fishing. Rest of the
time a short hiking through the tea plantation, Overnight at hotel.
Day 23 :
Munnar-Cochin Dep. : Early morning drive to Munnar, after dinner in
time dep. transfer to airport.
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