SOUTHERN GLAMOUR
Duration: 20 Nights/21 Days
Destinations Covered: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mamallapuram - Pondicherry - Tanjore - Trichy - Nartamalai - Sithannavasal - Chettinad Palace - Madurai - Periyar - Munnar - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Cochin - Ooty - Mysore - Hassan - Hampi - Badami - Goa - Departure
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Day 01-02: Chennai -Kanchipuram - Mamallapuram
Day 01 -On arrival, Passion to India tour manager would be greeting you and assisting with hotel check-in. A brief up on your tour plan would be provided. Chennai is popularly regarded as the "Gateway to the South". This city presents culture that is distinctly different from that of north. Visit Kapaleeshwara temple, Triplicane - Sri Parthasarathy temple, St.Thomas Cathedral, Fort, Museum. Overnight stay
Day 02 -Enjoy breakfast and check out to proceed to Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram was the historical capital of the Pallavas. Kanchipuram is also known centre of the finest silk sarees made in the country. On reaching some of the must Visit temples are Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple, Ekambareshwara temple, Kailasanatha temple, Vaigundha Perumal temples. Have delicious South Indian lunch at the local restaurant, visit to local silk weaving factory. After exploring the sacred city of Kanchipuram, proceed to Mamallapuram. Check-in at the property and overnight stay
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Day 03 - 04 : Mamallapuram - Pondicherry
Day 03 -Mahabalipuram is famous for the seven pagodas. Post breakfast; explore Arjuna penance, Sri Krishna butter ball, cave temples, five Rathas and famous sea shore temple. After touring this rich cultural heritage; remaining time is at leisure to enjoy the sprawling beach. Over night stay at hotel.
Day 04 -After breakfast, drive to Pondicherry which was the former French colony. On arrival, check into hotel. After some relaxation, by evening, proceed to the well known Sri Manakula Vinayagar temple, Aurobindo ashram and later drive to worship world peace Mandir – Auroville. After visiting these must see places in Pondicherry, time to head back to the hotel for Overnight stay.
Day 05 - 06: Pondicherry - Tanjore - Trichy
Day 05 -Today post breakfast drive to Tanjore, enroute visit Chidambaram – famous lord Shiva temple and continue drive to Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Dharasuram and after exploring continue drive to Tanjore, upon arrival check in to hotel. Rest hours free and night stay
Day 06 -Today visit Big temple - dedicated to lord Shiva and Big bull, visit Tanjore museum, art gallery, and palace and after drive to Trichy, upon arrival check in to hotel. Trichy witnessed the carnatic wars fought between the French and the English. Lord Robert Clive's house is still there to see and so is the Danish church. The rock-fort is the landmark of Trichy. A climb of 434 steps leads to the ancient temple of Ganesha on top and Shiva temple. Post lunch visit Amma Mandapam, Srirangam – Sri Ranganatha swami temple, rock fort – Sri Ganesha temple. Over night stay
Day 07: Trichy - Nartamalai - Sithannavasal - Chettinad Palace - Madurai
Day 07 - After breakfast drive to Nartamalai and visit to 9th Century Chola Temple then drive to Sithannavasal (8th Century Herbal Painting). Take a 40Kms drive to reach Chettinad Palace – witnessing ancient architectural house of Tamilnadu and have traditional lunch at palace later continue drive to Madurai. Over night stay in Madurai.
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Day 8 - 9: Madurai - Periyar
Day 08 -Post breakfast, visit Meenakshi Amman temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering Gopuram (rising high above the surrounding country side). Later, Visit the Thirumalai Naik Palace - a gracious building in the Indo Saracen style, famous for the stucco work on its domes & arches. Evening, visit Tiruparankundram rock temple, and try to catch a glimpse of white peacock in the evening time. Overnight stay
Day 09 -Post breakfast; take a 4hrs drive to Periyar. Check-in at the property and relax. In the evening, take a boat ride in the lake. Wild life can be seen while cruising on Periyar Lake. Amongst the animals which can be seen are elephants, wild boar, sambar, tiger, leopard, wild dog, languor monkeys. Overnight stay at hotel
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Day 10 -11: Periyar - Munnar
Day 10 -Post breakfast; take guided spice plantation tour to learn more about of spices. Rest hours free to relax with an ayurvedic massage (preferable). Over night stay.
Day 11 -Post breakfast, drive to Munnar. On the way, enjoy the wonderful Landscapes, Tea and Cardamom Plantation and check into hotel. Post lunch visit Rajamalai forest. Overnight stay
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Day 12 - 13: Munnar - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Cochin
Day 12 - Post breakfast, drive down to Kumarakom to embark your "Kettuvellam – House boat" and start your thrilling experience through the backwater beauty of Kerala. While on your journey you can view lush green paddy fields, coconut farms, small churches and you can observe the life orientation of villagers in the backwaters. On board your crew will serve you delicious food, prepared from fresh vegetables purchased from the floating market. Later in the evening the houseboat will anchor on the Vembanad Lake. Over night stay in your - air conditioned deluxe house boat
Day 13 - Post breakfast you will be disembarking from the house boat at Alleppey finishing point boat jetty, from there your car will pick you up and continue drive to Cochin. Check-in at hotel. Take a tour around fort Cochin, Mattancherry palace, Jewish synagogue, St. Francis church and view the operation of the Chinese fishing nets. In the evening, witness the Kerala traditional art Kathakali, performed by professional artist. Over night stay at Cochin.
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Day 14 - 15 -16 :Cochin - Ooty - Mysore
Day 14 - Post breakfast 7hrs drive to Coonoor for boarding on Hills Train to Ooty. Upon reaching your driver will pick you up and transfer to hotel - Check in to the property. Later walk around lake and local market. Overnight stay.
Day 15 - Post early breakfast, visit Botanical garden, enjoy boat ride at Lake and visit to View point. Drive down to Mysore. Check - in at the hotel and relax.
Day 16 - Post breakfast visit Srirangapatnam - Tipu's palace, fort, and Sri Ranganathaswami temple. In the evening, take a look at Mysore palace, Jaganmohana palace, art gallery, Chamundi hills, and Devraja market. After enjoying the best of this imperial city we drive back to hotel for night stay.
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Day 17 : Mysore - Shravanabelagola - Belur - Halebid - Hassan
Day 17 - Post breakfast drive to Hassan; enroute visit Shravanabelagola. See the splendour of the colossal monolithic Gomatheeswara temple. It is hewn out of a single rock and visible from a distance of 25kms. It is the statue of Lord Gomatheeswara which is bathed with milk and honey once every 12 years. Proceed to Hassan. Check into the property. After lunch visit to Belur (The 12th Century Hoysala Temple), drive to Halebid (The 12th Century Hoysaleswara Temple). Overnight stay at Hassan
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Day 18 - 19 - 20: Hampi - Aihole - Pattadakal - Badami
Day 18 - Drive to Hampi check into hotel. Overnight stay
Day 19 - After breakfast, visit to the ruins of Vijayanagara Empire at Hampi - one of the most fascinating historical places in South India. Witness some of the interesting ruins remaining are the Virupaksha, Vittala and Hazara Rama temples, huge Ganesha and Narsimaha images, the elephant stables, the queen's bath, carvings on the Ramachandra temple & Lotus Mahal. Overnight stay
Day 20 - Post breakfast take a drive to Aihole .Visit the temple complex (108 ancient temples prevails in this complex). Later, drive to Pattadakal and visit the 6th Century Temple. Proceed to Badami cave temple. Overnight stay at Badami
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Day 21: Goa
Day 21 Post breakfast, drive to Goa. Relax stay in the beach. Proceed with your onward journey as per your departure schedule for onward journey.

