South India Tour with Goa

Day 2 – Chennai – Mahabalipuram (70 kilometers- 02 hr)

After breakfast sightseeing tour of Chennai, includes Fort St. George built in the year 1640, the first bastion of British rule in India by the British East India Company. Within the Fort premises is St. Mary’s Church, built in 1680 and amongst the oldest Protestant Church in the south. The Fort Museum has 10 galleries displaying armoury, British uniforms, crockery & silverware, coins, palanquins, paintings, letters, old prints. San Thome Cathedral, was built in the year 1504, and is believed to house the remains of St. Thomas the Apostle. He is believed to have visited Madras during 1552 AD.

The National Art Gallery, was established in 1857, is indisputably one of the country’s finest museums. There are sections devoted to geology, archaeology, anthropology, botany, zoology, sculpture & numismatics. The Government Museum has a fine archaeological section showcasing all the major South Indian periods- Chola, Vijaynagar, Hoysala & Chaulakya dynasties. The bronze gallery has a lovely collection of Chola art notably, the bronze statue of Ardhanareeswara, the androgynous avatar of Shiva. The most prized possessions include the relics from 2nd century AD Buddhist site of Amaravathi & the ancient antiques of South India.

Later leave for Mahabalipuram, the town of temples, sand & sea. World renowned for its stunning Shore Temple & other temples. Used to be once the main port & naval base of the Pallava kingdom, later made the capital of this dynasty. The temples here are dedicated to Lord Shiva & Vishnu. They were built by three successive Pallava Kings, between 630 A.D & 728 A.D, developing the Dravidian style of temple architecture within the short span of 100 years. The memorials are mostly rock-cut & monolithic, signifying the early stages of Dravidian architecture, also Buddhist rudiments of design are prominently visible. It is known particularly for its rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries) & giant open-air bas-reliefs, they have been classified as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight stay Hotel in Mahabalipuram.)

Day 3 – Mahabalipuram – Excursion to Kanchipuram (70 km – 02 hr)

After breakfast, take a guided tour of Mahabalipuram, including Shore Temple, one of the first temples on South India tours. It was built in the 8th Century AD. It is designed to clasp the first rays of the rising sun & to light the waters after dark, this temple ended up with an unusual lay-out. Next visit, Arjuna’s Penance, the world’s largest bas-relief. This large whale-back-shaped rock contains sculptures of gods, demigods, men, beasts, & birds & can be said to represent creation itself. later we visit Rathas, the monolithic temples fashioned as chariots. These remain an architectural mystery as each is seemingly a true reproduction of a structure built of wood, even the grain of the timber beams & rafters has been replicated in stone. Of the 8 Rathas, five have been named after the Pandava brothers, the protagonists of the epic Mahabharata.

Later we take a day excursion to Kanchipuram. This is amongst the seven holy cities in the country. This was a city of learning for both Tamil & Sanskrit, & was believed Hsuan Tsang visited it. In the historical times it was called Kanchi. It once housed over a thousand temples & today there are about a hundred surviving. It is also known for its unique temples & silk sarees. later visit, Kailasanatha Temple,it was built in the 8th Century AD,  in the  Pallava style, and with a pyramidal tower, famous for delicate carvings . fresco style paintings decorate the inner walls of the temple.

Next visit Ekambaranatha, the ancient temple, dedicated to lord Shiva. The fifty-seven metres Raj Gopuram is one of the loftiest towers in South India. A 3000 years old mango tree inside the temple premises has 4 branches each producing different variety of mangoes. Later visit Kamakshi Amman, which was built in 12th century AD, as a significant Shakthisthalam, known as Parabrahmaroonpini. Overnight stay at Hotel in Mahabalipuram (B)

Day 4 – Mahabalipuram – Tanjore (300 km – 06 hr)

After breakfast drive to the town of Tanjore, held prominence during the rule of the Nayaks & Mahrattas. It has been the treasure house of art for centuries and known as the Rice Bowl of Tamilnadu. Thanjavur is well-known throughout the world for its exquisite handicrafts like the Art Plate, pithwork, bronze icons, Thanjavur paintings & the classical South Indian musical instruments.

We later visit the Brihadeshwara temple, better known as Big Temple. It was built by Rajaraja Chola I and completed around 1010 AD. This 10th century temple, is also one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This is a brilliant example of the Dravidian style of temple architecture. The stunning Chola Fresco paintings on the inner walls of the temple are in no way less than the Ajanta paintings. Overnight at Hotel in Tanjore.

Day 5 – Tanjore – Madurai via Trichy (200 km – 04 hr)

After breakfast travel to Madurai, with a rich cultural heritage of more than 2500 years and this has been an important commercial centre since 550 AD. the oldest city in Tamilnadu, it was originally named as Kadambavanam or the forest of Kadamba. En-route stop at Trichy, which known for its historic temples & monuments. This was an important town in the days of the later Cholas, Nayaks also during the early days of the British, East India Company. Begin with Srirangam Temple, which is surrounded by the waters of the River Kaveri on one side and its tributary Kollidam on the other. A 600-acre island-town encompassed within the 7 walls of the gigantic Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple.

Also see the Rockfort, famous landmark, it is an 83 m high rock, the only outcrop in the else flat land of the city. This rock is one of the oldest in the world approximately 3,800 million years, makeing it as old as the rocks of Greenland also older than the Himalayas. Overnight stay at Hotel in Madurai.

Day 6 – Madurai – Periyar (136 km – 03 hr)

After breakfast visit the famous Meenakshi Sundareshwar, built 2000 years ago and was later expanded between the years (1623-55). The striking feature of the temple is its astonishing structure, known as Ayiramkaal mandapam. The Hall of a thousand pillars is in the outermost corridor.

Later travel to Periyar, south india’s most popular wildlife sanctuary near an attractive lakeside. A place to cruise on the lake while allowing an opportunity to see wildlife, like tigers, leopards, elephants, bison, antelopes, sambhar, wild boar, monkey, a wide variety of birds. Optional Tour – Spice Plantation. Overnight at Hotel in Periyar (B)

Day 7 – Periyar – Cochin (190 km – 04 hr)

Early morning at sun rise take a boat ride to view the wildlife in the sanctuary on Lake Periyar. After around 2 hours of wildlife viewing, head back to the hotel for breakfast. Later travel to Cochin. This popular city always had a widespread & historical sea trade connection with Middle East, Mediterranean Europe & the Dutch. This has one of the best natural harbours on the Arabian coastline. Its cosmopolitan character is echoed in the buildings & structures representing different regions of the world. Later we witness Kerala’s most famous classical dance performance, Kathakali by local artist. Overnight stay at Hotel in Cochin.

Day 8 – Cochin

After breakfast embark on exploring of Cochin journey, we begin with St. Francis’ Church, built in the year 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan Friars.it is known to be the oldest European church in India. The building was restored by the protestant Dutch in the year 1779. later converted to an Anglican Church in 1795 by the British. in 1524 Vasco da Gama’s remains were also buried here, but later moved to Lisbon, Portugal. We will also visit the Dutch Palace, which was originally built by the Portuguese. In 17th century it was modified and presented to the King (Raja) of Kochi (Cochin). This Palace has a fine collection of mural paintings portraying scenes from Hindu epics of Mahabharata & Ramayana. Later we go to the Jew Town, synagogue, built in the year 1568. It is beautifully decorated by Chinese tiles & with Belgian chandeliers. Some giant scrolls of the Old Testament can also be found here. We also visit the spice market, the air is filled with the strong smell of spices & there is history that this brought the world to its doorstep. Chinese fishing nets, (Cheenavala) are particularly unique to Cochin, traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets.

Optional tour- Boat Cruise

Overnight stay in Hotel at Cochin.

Day 9 – Cochin – Goa (By Flight)

After check out, take a flight to Goa, once a part of the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BC.  580-750 AD the Chalukyas of Badami had their sway over Goa and also it was a Portuguese colony. Goa is also known for its world heritage architecture including the Bom Jesus Basilica. The sea side state also has rich flora & fauna, due to its proximity near the Western Ghats range, which are classified as a biodiversity hotspot just short of being called an absolute paradise on earth.

Day 10 – Goa

After Breakfast, complete day at leisure OR

Today take an Optional tour of Goa including visiting old Goa Churches, The Basilica of Boom Jesus, it was built in 16th century and dedicated to Infant Jesus. This is the most famous of all churches in Goa. The remains of St. Francis Xavier are kept in a silver casket here. Sri Mangueas Temple is surrounded by lush green hills and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is amongst the most important of all temples in Goa, located at Priol in Ponda Taluka. Dona Paula, the village named after Dona Paula de Menezes, the wife of a noble – Antonio de Souto Maior, who died a young woman in 1682. Miramar Beach, an urban beach where the Mandovi River meets the Arabian Sea, the best location to watch enchanting sunsets

Overnight in Hotel at Goa.

DAY – 11 & 12 – Goa

Day at Leisure, relax the golden beaches, visit casinos or just drown in the flowing spirits of Goa. Enjoy local Goanese cuisine at beach side shacks or dance through the night at clubs of goa. Overnight at Hotel – Goa.

Day 13 – Goa – Mumbai (By Flight)