13 Days |
IOYO - 55
If you are looking out for a destination where you can have refreshing vacations, you must head towards South India. South India is a hub of ancient temples, which boast of Dravidian style architecture. The temples feature stone and wood carvings and beautiful motifs, which exemplify the diversity of the culture and unique traditions of the region. The temples are also centers of religious teaching and therefore perfect to connect with the Almighty.
You can opt for the South India Temple Tour even if you are not religious at heart. This is because, in addition to the temples, this 13-day tour takes you to some of the most iconic tourist destinations of South India. These are Alappuzha, Cochin, Bangalore, Mysore, Chennai, Periyar, etc., where you can visit many museums, palaces, and art galleries. You will also enjoy spotting a variety of flora and fauna in Periyar National Park while riding a boat.
Moreover, all your needs will be taken care of during this tour. So, you can take up the tour and enjoy with your near and dear ones in South India. This will certainly be an unforgettable experience for you.
On day 1, you will arrive in Bengaluru or Bangalore. Our representatives will be there to greet you and then will transfer you to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. The South India Temple Tour covers the best tourist destinations. Bangalore or Bengaluru evolved from the ‘Garden City’ to the ‘Silicon Valley of India’, it is the third largest as well as the most livable cities in India. This magical city is also considered one of the top locations where entrepreneurs love to explore their business venture. In the 12th century, a king named the place "benda-kaal-uru" that means a town of boiled beans. During March or April of every year, a nine days festival, called the Karaga Shaktyotsava is celebrated and is dedicated to Goddess Draupadi. Being a cultural hub, it is also a land of classical music and dance. Spend the night here.
Today, you will enjoy a tour to Bengaluru. First, you will be driven to Lal Bagh, nationally as well as internationally renowned center for the botanical artwork, conservation of plants and scientific study of plants. Spread across 240 acres and a home to 1,854 species of plants, it is a haven for nature lovers. Commissioned by Hyder Ali, completed by his son Tipu Sultan; this garden features the rare plants of French, Afghani, and Persian origin and has attained the status of a Government Botanical Garden. Next, you will be taken to the Maharaja's Palace, an epitome of architecture and beauty. Built in the year 1878, now, it is the chief attraction in Bangalore. Spread across 45,000 square feet this palace represents a mixture of Tudor and Scottish Gothic architecture and looks like the magnificent Windsor Castle in England. You will also visit the Government buildings and then drive to Mysore. Overnight is in Mysore.
Highlights: Appuram - Visit the Shore Temple, The bas relief Arjuna's Penance, The five chariots, etc.
Today, you will explore Mysore, one of the most flamboyant places that represent history with its intricate architecture, dazzling royal heritage, famous silk sarees and many more. First, you will be taken to the Mysore palace. Orchestrated by the Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV and expanded by his son; it is a beautiful edifice that will awestruck you. Here, you will find a blend of Hindu and Saracenic styles of architecture. Then you will visit the art gallery and drive to the Chamundi hill to have a look at the Chamundeshwari Temple. You will see the ‘city of palaces’ from the hill. On your way back, you will visit the Nandi Bull and spend the afternoon visiting places like Krishnarajasagar dam and the Brindavan Gardens. Spend the night in the hotel.
Highlights: Mysore - Visit the Mysore palace, art gallery, Chamundi hill, Nandi bull, etc.
On day 4, you will be driven from Kochi to Ooty, also familiar as Udhagamandalam or Ootacamund. Titled as the ‘Queen of Nilgiris’, it is a city in the Nilgiri hills- the Blue Mountains. The blue smoky haze given off by the eucalyptus trees as well as from the kurinji flower that blooms once in twelve years offers the slopes a bluish color and thus, it is called the Blue Mountains. Developed by one of the British Governors of Coimbatore Lord John Sullivan, Ooty offers a scenic view.
Spend the leisure hours of tranquil afternoon to explore the city of mountains, forests, lakes, miles of tea gardens, grasslands, as well as eucalyptus trees. Would you like to witness a large number of different types of roses? Come to the Government Rose Garden. The Ooty Botanical Gardens features a thousand species of shrubs, plants, trees and also a 20-million year fossilized tree. Set among groves of Eucalyptus trees, the Ooty Lake offers a memorable boating experience. You will also visit St. Stephen's Church, one of the oldest churches of this area. Other places of interest to witness are the Tribal Museum, Wax Museum, and Deer park. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is an extension to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Overnight is in Ooty.
Highlights: Visit Ooty.
Today morning, you will be taken from Ooty to Kochi. It is a vibrant city where ancient meets contemporary. Titled as the ‘Queen of Arabian Sea’, Kochi was a popular center across the world for trading spices for a number of centuries. Derives from the Malayalam term Kochazhi, the name of the city means a small lagoon. Vasco-da-Gama put the city on the World map. Enriched with the impression of the Arabs, Portuguese, British, and Dutch; now, it is the second most important city in the West Coast of India. You can also experience Kathakali dance here. Spend the night in Kochi.
On day 6, you will drive to Alappuzha, famous for the silvery waves of the Arabian Sea. Termed as the ‘Venice of the East’, this pictorial town offers rustic backwaters, lagoons, beaches and is crisscrossed with canals. Travelers from all over the world come here to experience a cruise in the backwaters. It is something that you would also like to enjoy during your tour. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is organized on the Punnamada Lake. To witness this, you need to come on the second Saturday of August. Referred to as the ‘rice bowl of Kerala’, Kuttanad is one of the popular places in the world where rice is cultivated below sea level. The most important commodity that is manufactured here is coir.
Embarking on a rice houseboat is a memorable experience. Comprises of canals, lakes, and lagoons, the scenic backwaters of Kerala are formed because of the shore currents created in the low barrier islands. Board a houseboat to experience the tranquil backwater cruises, once in a lifetime experience. You can see nature at its finest form with this. Staying in the floating cottages furnished with thatched roof covers, is an amazing feeling. Overnight is in Alappuzha.
Highlights: Stay in a Houseboat.
Today morning, you will be driven from Alappuzha to Periyar animal sanctuary that is also familiar as Thekkady. Spend the rest of the time at leisure. Mainly popular as an Elephant as well as Tiger reserve and home to animals like Bengal Tiger, wild boar, sambar, Indian elephant, leopard, wild dog, langur, monkeys; it has also an abundance of birds and plants. Book a boat ride in the Periyar Lake, to watch the animals. The park is surrounded by plantations regions for tea and coffee, a visit to the plantation is a unique experience. You can also plan a soft trek in the nearby areas. Spend the night here.
Highlights: Periyar - Boat ride (common boat) on the lake Periyar to watch the wildlife.
On day 8, you will be driven to Madurai, a city where the soul of Tamil Nadu lies. One of the oldest cities in India, Madurai is famous for Meenakshi Amman Temple. Spend the afternoon to stroll around the city. Built 2000 years ago and later expanded by Thirumalai Nayak, the Meenakshi temple is dedicated to Lord Siva and his wife Meenakshi. The hall of thousand pillars is famous for life-like features. And the most interesting thing is that when you tap the musical pillars of the outermost corridors, it will produce musical tones. Other places to visit include Alagar Hills, Tirumala Nayak Palace, as well as Tirupara Kundran Rock temple. Overnight is in Madurai.
Highlights: Madurai - Visit Meenakshi Temple, Tirumala Nayak Palace, Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple.
Today you will be taken from Madurai to Thanjavur, also popular as Tanjore. Being the capital of the Chola dynasty, this city is famous for Tanjore paintings and a classical dance form, called Bharatanatyam. Built by King Raja Raja Chola in the 11th century AD, the Brihadeeswara Shiva Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An Egyptian technique is used to build the temple. The attraction of the temple is a single granite block of 80 tons that was taken to the top with the help of a 6 km long ramp. Other places where you will visit are the Thanjavur Maratha Palace, the Saraswati Mahal Library, as well as the Raja Raja Chola art gallery. Spend the night here
Highlights: Tanjore - visit the Brihadeeswara Shiva Temple, Thanjavur Maratha Palace, Saraswati Mahal Library and the Raja Raja Chola art gallery.
Today, you will be driven to Puducherry, a city with colonial influence. The French acquired the city in 1674 and beautified it with colonial churches, buildings, temples, statues and many more. The well planned avenues represent a colonial ambiance. Moreover, you will also see huge buildings, monuments and several beaches like Paradise Beach, Promenade Beach, Auroville Beach and Serenity Beach.
Taking its origin from Saint Agasthya, Pondicherry is divided into the French Quarters "Ville Blanche" as well as the Indian quarter "Ville Noire". You will find French style villas and colonial style buildings in the French quarters. Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a globally acclaimed ashram. You will also visit Auroville, a universal town where people from all nationalities live with harmony, and Lord Ganesha Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple, a popular Hindu temple. Overnight is in Puducherry.
Highlights: Pondicherry - visit the French Quarters, Sri Aurobindo Ashram & Lord Ganesha Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple.
On day 11, you will be taken from Puducherry , formerly known as Pondicherry to Mamallapuram, an ancient archeological wonder. Also termed as Mahabalipuram or Mamallapattana, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was famous as the city of "Seven Pagodas' '. However, out of the Seven Pagodas, only the Shore temple is there. Along with a bustling seaport that helped traders to visit South East Asia from here, it was a crucial port for the Pallavas. Even in the ancient text, this place is recognized as Sea Mountain. Spend the night here.
Today morning, you will visit the cave temples as well as the mandapams. Here the incidents from Hindu legends, epics as well as mythology are depicted on the rocks. Built during the rule of Narasimhavarman and Rajasimhavarman, the temples are immensely beautiful. You will also see the bas relief Arjuna's Penance, the largest bas relief in the world. Built from dressed stone, the twin structure of the Shore temple is one of the oldest temples in South India. The carvings made of granite will tempt you to come here again and again. Overnight is in Mahabalipuram.
Highlights: Mamallapuram - Visit the Shore Temple, The bas relief Arjuna's Penance, The five chariots, etc.
On day 13th, you will be taken to Chennai airport to board your onward flight. Derived from Chennaipattanam, Chennai is the vibrant capital of Tamil Nadu. The largest commercial and industrial center of South India and the hub of Carnatic music, the city is also famous for the Tamil movies. The English defended the city from the French and transferred it to a naval port. Here, you will visit several places of interest as well as the museums.
End of your South Vacation Tour.