DAY 01 ARRIVE CHENNAI
Arrive Chennai by International flight. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel .

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 02 IN CHENNAI
Morning half day city sightseeing tour includes a visit to the Government Museum and Art Gallery, to see the art and bronze gallery (closed on Fridays and public holidays) and also a visit to the famous 16th century Kapaleeshwarar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, sacred to Tamil Shivaties. Non-Hindus are only allowed up to the outer courtyard. Later drive past Fort St. George, Marina Beach and San Thome Cathedral.

Afternoon half day excursion to Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) located around 60 Km from Chennai, occupies a stunning position on a rocky outcrop between the beach and a lagoon. Built by the Pallava rulers in the seventh century the complex comprises of 14 cave-temples, nine monolithic "Rathas", three stone temples and two relief sculptured rock panels. These two rock-panels give a graphic description of Arjuna's penance when he prayed for the powers of Shiva and form the largest Bass Relief in the world. Particularly of interest is the shore temple built on the water's edge with an east-facing altar designed to catch the rising Sun, this has now been declared a World Heritage Site.

Dinner and Overnight at hotel.

DAY 03 CHENNAI/MYSORE
In time transfer to Chennai railway station to board train Shatabdi express for Mysore, dep 0600/arr 1300 hrs.(Please note Shatabdi express does not operate on Tuesdays). Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel.

Afternoon half day city tour visiting the palace of the Maharaja built in 1911-12. The palace is a harmonious synthesis of the Hindu and Saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures which are magnificent. Visit the Art Gallery, drive upto Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple and have a panoramic view of Mysore from the top of the hill. On way back, see the Nandi Bull.

Dinner & Overnight at hotel.

DAY 04 IN MYSORE
Full day excursion to Belur & Halebid - one of the finest specimens of Hoysalan architecture. The wealth of sculptural detail at Belur and Halebid rivals the temples of

Khajuraho or the best of European Gothic art. At Belur the temple of Lord Channekeshava is embellished with superb carvings of deities, animals and friezes depicting the life and times of Hoysala rulers. Halebid was the seat of Hoysala Kingdom, its great Hoysaleswara Temple was also built in the typical Hoysala style of architecture. A stellar base with the emblem of the lion and elephants seemingly supporting the temple, symbolise stability.

Dinner and Overnight at hotel.

DAY 05 MYSORE / COORG (110 kms.)
Morning depart Mysore by surface for Ooty (3-4 hrs) . On arrival check in at hotel.

Dinner & Overnight at hotel.

DAY 06 COORG / KABINI (130 kms.)
Morning depart Coorg by surface for Kabini ( 3-4 hrs). On arrival check in at hotel.

Afternoon Sanctuary visit. Nagarhole wild life sanctuary is situated at the junction of the Western Ghats, Nilgiri Hills, Deccan Plateau and other well known wild life sanctuaries of Mudumalai and Bandipur National Park. This 18 sq. Km. Wild life sanctuary in the southeast of Coorg is very well maintained and the wild life consists of elephants, wild boar, bison and the elusive tiger.

Dinner & Overnight at hotel.

DAY 07 KABINI / CALICUT (220 kms.)
Morning depart Kabini by surface for Calicut (6-7 hrs). On arrival check in at hotel .

Afternoon sightseeing tour of Calicut.

CALICUT (KOZHIKODE)
Vasco da Gama landed at Calicut in 1498 becoming the first European to reach India via the sea route around the southern cape of Africa.
At East Hill, the PAZHASSIRAJAH MUSEUM'S archaelogical displays include copies of ancient mural paintings, bronzes, old coins and models of temples and monuments. Next door, the dusty and musty Krishnamenon Museum has memorabilia of the former president of India, while the Art Gallery has an excellent collection of painting by Indian artists and also wood and ivory carvings.

Dinner & Overnight at hotel.

DAY 08 CALICUT / COCHIN (250 kms.)
Morning depart Calicut by surface for Cochin (5-6 hrs). On arrival check in at hotel.

Afternoon half day tour of the satellite towns of Kochi (Cochin) and Ernakulam comprises visits to the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue - (which remains closed on Saturdays) St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. While driving along the coastline, at the Harbour's mouth, one can also view the unique and still-in-use "Chinese Fishing Nets" which were introduced by the Chinese traders in the 14th Century. The tour ends in the Fort Kochi area where you can walk through the historical Dutch and Portuguese buildings. Some parts of this nearly 500-year-old Fort are still amazingly well preserved.

Evening witness Kathakali Dance Show. Witness India's most spectacular Dance Drama based on stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The dancers are elaborately made up with paint and masks, accompanied with drummers and musicians.

Dinner & Overnight at hotel.

DAY 09 COCHIN / PERIYAR (185 kms.)
Morning depart Cochin by surface for Periyar (4-5 hrs). On arrival check in at hotel.

Afternoon Periyar Sanctuary visit by boat ride. Situated in the Thekkady district of Tamil Nadu bordering with Kerala, Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary is one of the most important and frequently visited in India. It conveniently falls between journeys from different parts of Tamil Nadu to important tourist destinations in Kerala. Trips along the large artificial lake surrounded by dense forests is by itself value for money besides offering the opportunity to view wild life specially elephants, wild boar, sambar, etc.

Dinner & Overnight at hotel.

DAY 10 PERIYAR / KUMARAKOM (150 kms.)
Morning depart Periyar by surface for Kumarakom (4 hrs ). On arrival check in at hotel.

Evening enjoy sunset cruise on lake Vembanand .

Dinner & Overnight at hotel.


DAY 11 KUMARAKOM / COCHIN (90 kms.)
Morning depart Kumarakom by surface for Cochin enroute enjoy day cruise on back waters .

Boat cruise on the backwaters gives an opportunity to behold the great charm of this city that nature has endowed upon it. You get pretty and intimate vignettes of local life and people living in these backwaters.

On arrival in Alleppey jetty, continue drive to Cochin . On arrival in Cochin transfer to International airport to connect flight for onwards journey.

END OF SERVICES
All hotel check-in / check-out time 12 Noon.