Real India Journeys

14 DAYS TOUR OF SOUTH INDIA

DAY 01 Chennai

Arrive Chennai and transfer to Hotel. Afternoon free.

DAY 02 Chennai / MAHABALIPURAM (54 kms)

Morning sightseeing of Madras visiting National Art Gallery, Museum, St. Thomas Cathedral, Mylapore Temple and drive past Marina Beach. Afternoon leave for Mahabalipuram, enroute Lalitha Mahal Palace, Chamundi Hill with visiting KANCHEEPURAM, ancient its Nandi Bull and Brindavan Gardens. Capital of the Pallavas, famous for its 124 temples, which include Ekambareshwara Temple, Kamakshi Temple and Vardharajaswami Temple. Kanchipuram is a centre for silk weaving. and is famous for Silk Sarees and materials. Arrive Mahabalipuram and check in at the hotel on the beach.

DAY 03 MAHABALIPURAM

Morning sightseeing of MAHABALIPURAM, once the Principal port of the Pallavas who ruled between 6th and 9th century A.D., the city of Seven Pagodas, and Shore Temples, a group of rock-cut temples which are the finest examples of early Temple Architecture in the south. Visit also the world's largest bas-relief, Arjuna's Penance. Afternoon free for exploring the Village and its several Stone-carving centres. Overnight.

DAY 04 MAHABALIPURAM/ PONDICHERRY/ CHIDAMBARAM

204 kms by Morning leave road for CHIDAMBARAM, enroute visiting PONDICHERRY, a French colony till 1954, AUROVILLE a Futuristic City and AUROBINDO ASHRAM. Visit temples at Chidambaram with Dancing Shiva "NATARAJA." Overnight.

DAY 05 CHIDAMBARAM/ TANJORE/TRICHY (171 kms)

Visit the temples at KUMBAKONAM, DARASURAM, GANGAIKONDACHOLAand TANJORE, which was the capital of the Chola Empire from 10th to 14th century A.D., famous for the BRIHADEESWARA TEMPLE. Arrive TIRUCHIRAPALLI. Overnight.

DAY 06 TRICHY/MADURAI(129 kms)

Morning excursion to SRIRANGAM to see the massive temple of Lord VISHNU built between 14th and 17th century, standing within a walled city. In Trichy see the Rock Fort, Jambukeshwar Temple. Afternoon proceed to MADURAI. Overnight.

DAY 07 MADURAI

Morning visit the famous MEENAKSHI TEMPLE and TIRUMALAYA NAYAK PALACE. Overnight.

DAY 08 MADURAI/MADRAS/ BANGALORE

Transfer to the airport to connect flight to Madras and on to Bangalore. Overnight.

DAY 09 • BANGALORE/ HASSAN (183 kms)

Depart by road for HASSAN. See the famous Temples at BELUR and HALEBID built by the Hoysala Kings. Overnight.

DAY 10 HASSAN/MYSORE (112 kms)

Morning leave for Mysore, enroute visiting the huge statue of Lord GOMTESHWARA at SRAVANBELAArrive Mysore. Overnight.

DAY 11 MYSORE

Sightseeing of Mysore, a city of Palaces & Gardens - visit the Maharaja's Palace,

DAY 12 MYSORE/ BANGALORE/ BOMBAY

Morning leave by road for Bangalore enroute visiting SRIRANGAPATNAM. Arrive Bangalore and visit this beautiful city famous for its Gardens. See the Lalbagh, Vidhan Soudha, Bull Temple and Tipu Sultan's Palace. Transfer to airport for flight to Bombay. Arrive Bombay and transfer to hotel for overnight.

DAY 13 BOMBAY

Morning excursion to ELEPHANTA CAVES by a Motor Launch. Afternoon sightseeing tour visiting Marine Drive, Hanging Gardens, Mani Bhawan, Crawford Market, Victoria Tarminus, Flora Fountain and the Prince of Wales Museum. Transfer to the airport for onward flight.