|
Day 1 – To Bengaluru (Bangalore):
Fly from
London to Bangalore with British Airways. (N)
|
|
Day 2 – To Mysore:
Early morning arrival
and transfer to the Hotel Regaalis, Bengaluru
(or similar) for 1 night, including immediate
occupancy. After breakfast, transfer by road to
Mysore, visiting Srirangapatnam, the site of Tipu
Sultan’s summer palace, en route. Stay 2 nights
at the Hotel Regaalis, Mysore (or similar). (B)
|
|
Day 3 – Mysore:
Morning visit to the
huge Nandi Bull on Chamundi Hill and the
magnificent Maharaja’s Palace. Afternoon at
leisure to visit the Mysore markets or take an
optional excursion to Somnathpur. (B)
|
|
Day 4 – To Coonoor:
Morning drive to the
hill station of Ooty. Afternoon tour of Ooty
Botanical Gardens. Continue to Coonoor and
stay 2 nights at the Gateway Hotel Coonoor.
(B)
|
|
Day 5 – Coonoor:
Take a scenic narrow gauge
train trip to Ooty, subject to the train being in
service. Afternoon at leisure or optional visit to
the British-built golf course (clubs available for
hire locally). (B)
|
|
Day 6 – To Kochi (Cochin):
Full-day drive
to Kochi. Stay 2 nights at the Vivanta by Taj –
Malabar (or similar). (B)
|
|
Day 7 – Kochi:
Morning cruise in a scenic
Kochi harbour, followed by a visit to Jew Town.
Afternoon at leisure. Optional evening visit
to a Kathakali dance performance (payable
locally). (B)
|
|
Day 8 – To Kumarakom:
Morning visit to Mattancherry Palace, a gift from the king of
Portugal to the Raja of Travancore. Drive to
Alleppey for a cruise through the backwaters.
Transfer to Kumarakom Lake Resort / Coconut
Lagoon for 2 nights. Evening sunset boat trip
on Lake Vembanad. (B)
|
|
Day 9 – Kumarakom:
At leisure. (B)
|
|
Day 10 – To Thekkady:
Morning drive
through the Western Ghats mountain range
to Thekkady. After lunch, visit a spice garden
where you will be introduced to different
spices and shown how they are grown.
Overnight at the Spice Village (or similar). (B)
|
|
Day 11 – To Madurai:
After breakfast, drive to
Madurai. This afternoon, visit the Meenakshi
Temple, an outstanding example of south
Indian temple architecture. Overnight at the
Gateway Hotel Madurai. (B)
|
|
Day 12 – To Kumbakonam:
Morning drive to
Trichy to visit the imposing Rock Fort Temple,
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple and St John’s
Church. Continue to nearby Kumbakonam for
a 2-night stay at Hotel Mantra Veppathur (or
similar). (B)
|
|
Day 13 – Thanjavur (Tanjore):
Morning
visit to Brihadeeswara Temple, the grandest architectural achievement of the Chola era and
a world heritage site. Afternoon at leisure. (B)
|
|
Day 14 – To Covelong:
Full-day drive to
Covelong. En route you will visit Darasuram,
a temple noted for its fine sculpture, and
the bronze-casting centre at Swami Malai.
Late afternoon arrival in Covelong and stay
at the Vivanta by Taj – Fisherman’s Cove for
2 nights. (B)
|
|
Day 15 – Covelong:
Short drive to visit
the scenically located shore temples at
Mahabalipuram. Afternoon at leisure. (B)
|
|
Day 16 – To London:
Very early morning
transfer to Chennai (Madras) airport and fly to
London with British Airways. (N)
|
|
Meal Basis:
(B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals
|