Day 01: Arrive Bangalore by flight

You will be meet by our representative outside the custom lounge and escorted till you check in at hotel. Check in at 1200 Noon.

Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka. A city of gardens founded in 1537 by Kempe Gowda, a chieftain who constructed a mud fort at this site, later rebuilt in stone in the 18th century by Hyder Ali, it is in ruins today and is situated at an altitude of 1914 m, and it has a salubrious clime throughout the year. It is one of India’s main commercial and industrial centers.

Day 02: Bangalore / Mysore by surface

Morning after breakfast city tour of Bangalore.

Visit the Bull Temple, the monolithic deity being the Nandi or celestial bull, a marvellous work on granite. The Mysore Arts & Crafts Centre, and drive through Commercial Street past the magnificent Neo-Dravidian structure, Vidhana Soudha, the government secretariat. Time & interest permitting, visit the Lal Bagh gardens developed with lavish care since the Muslim era and which now offer a variety of century-old trees, fountains, lotus pools, terraces and an assortment of herbs and plants spread out over several acres. In the centre of the park is the Glass House where thousands of colourful fragrant flowers go on show ever year in January and August.

Later proceed for Mysore. On arrival check in at hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03: Mysore / Coonoor by surface

Morning after breakfast city tour of Mysore.

Visit the ruins of Tipu’s fort, the summer pleasure palace and the Gumbaz, his mausoleum. The inside of the Palace is handsomely carved with ornate arches and ceilings, liberally gilded wall panels and charming frescoes. The cream-coloured Gumbaz standing on its black marble pillars in the centre of a garden is an unforgettable sight. The interior is lacquered with Tipu’s tiger stripe emblem and the doors are of ebony inlaid with ivory.

The Maharajas’s Palace - a synthesis of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles. Gateways, domes, arches, turrets, colonnades, sculpture - all are here in great profusion. Visit Chamundi Hill named after the Royal Family’s patron goddess and the site of summer palaces, an ancient temple and the 16-foot Nandi (Siva’s bull) carved out of a single huge boulder. The view from the hill offers a beautiful panorama of not only all Mysore, but also ranges of hills, lakes and the turrets of temples and churches.

Later Proceed for Coonoor. On arrival check in at hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04: In Coonoor

Breakfast in the hotel.

Coonoor is the first of the three hill stations of the Nilgiris. Situated at an altitude of 2000 ft and only 17kms from Udhagamandalam is the first of these hill stations. Coonor is not very commercialized and retains a certain amount of untouched charm. It is a small town with an equable climate that has made it popular as a hill resort in its own right. The main attraction is the Sim's Park, a small well maintained botanical garden that has several varieties of plants not to be found in other hill stations. Viewpoints and picnic spots around Coonoor include Lambs Rock, Lady Canning's Seat, Dolphin's Nose, St Catherine Falls, Law's Falls, Ralliah Dam and Droog.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05: Coonoor / Cochin by surface

Morning after breakfast leave Coonoor for Cochin. On arrival check in at hotel.

Kerala’s network of canals, rivers and little lakes, is unique to this green and silver state. Some of them grew when the silt-laden waters of Kerala’s rivers deposited their suspended soil in banks, parallel to the coast. A boat through the timeless, palm-shaded backwaters of Cochin reveals magnificent scenery all along the leafy waterways that meander from town to town, and admire what history and religion have left in towns and villages along the way.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06: In Cochin

Morning after breakfast city tour of Cochin.

Visit the Mattancherry Dutch Palace - open from 10.00 to 15.00 hrs. (Closed on Fridays and public holidays), which was built by the Portuguese in 1555 and renovated by the Dutch in 1663. In the ancient rooms are 17th century murals that relate in vibrant color the story of the epic Ramayana. Visit a Jewish Synagogue - open 10.00 to 12.00 hrs. & 15.00 to 17.00 hrs. (Closed on all Fridays and Saturdays and Jewish holidays) in Jew Town and Fort Cochin Area - Legend dates Jewish trade with Kerala from the times of King Solomon. There are a couple of streets of picture-postcard houses out of another age, in 17th century Dutch and traditional Kerala styles. Visit St. Francis Church - open from 09.00 to 13.00 hrs. And 14.30 to 17.30 hrs. (Closed for visitors on Sundays from 08.00 to 11.00 hrs.) the oldest European Church in India. It has several antiquities including a wealth of records. These include a palm-leaf title deed the local Raja gave the Portuguese in 1503. See the Chinese Fishing Nets, along the tip of Fort Cochin unique to this part of Kerala and living symbols of a centuries-old Chinese influence on this coast.

Evening witness the Kathakali dance at the Auditorium.

Kathakali performances, a dance-drama based on the ancient epics forming among the most colourful of the country’s stage tradition. Male actors in makeup that takes as much as two to three hours to apply cavort on the stage in a

spellbinding display of morality-theatre. The women perform the more graceful dance form, the Mohiniattam.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Cochin / Alleppey – House Boat

Morning after breakfast leave Cochin for Alleppey to House Boat.

Kettuvallam or House Boats (Rice Boats) are country boats that were used in the early days for the transport of goods from the isolated interior villages to the towns. A ride on Kettuvallam is a faboulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters which give glimpse of Paddy fields., toddy tapping. Also you can indulge in fishing.

A House Boat is about 70 feet in length and has a width of around 13 feet in the middle. The material that go into the making are all local and Eco friendly bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, coir carpets etc. The House Boats have fully furnished single and double rooms with Sundeck, comfortable chairs, Kitchen and toilet with A/C. In addition there is also separate rest room for the crew. Traditional lanterns are used as lights. The crew includes a chef and two oarsmen. The houseboat takes you through the scenic backwaters of Kerala. The Traditional Kerala cuisine will be served on the board.

Overnight on board.

Day 08: Alleppey / Periyar

Morning after breakfast disembark from House Boat and drive to Periyar. On arrival check in at hotel.

Periyar Park encompasses 26 sq. km. artificial lake. Take a boat ride on the lake to view wild life and water birds. Herds of elephants and bison come to the lake. Spotted deer and sambhar are also found here.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09: Periyar / Madurai by surface

Morning after breakfast leave Periyar for Madurai.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: In Madurai

Morning after breakfast city tour of Madurai.

The `Temple City’ was the capital of the Pandya kingdom but it was during the reign of the Nayaks (10th to the 18th century) that the magnificent Meenakshi Temple Visit the Palace of Thirumalai Nayak, the most famous king of the Nayak dynasty. It has a great audience hall, a three-sided pavilion and a courtyard.

The evening “Aarti” is a must see for all visitors. The Consort of Goddess Durga - Shiva, is brought to her chamber in procession. This procession goes around the temple, and has various short ceremonies at different shrines, before the final prayer at the entrance of her chamber. The entire procession takes 45 mins.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Madurai / Chennai by flight

Breakfast in the hotel.

In time transfer to airport to board flight for Chennai. On arrival in Chennai meet by assistance and transfer to hotel (Day Use room). Later in time transfer to board flight for onward journey.

End of Programme / Services