INDIA TRAVEL PACKAGES

Tour Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Bangalore + Sight Seeing

On arrival at Bangalore you are met and transfer to hotel. Later proceed for sightseeing of Bangalore city visiting Vidhan Sabha, Lallbagh (Botanical Garden). Bull Temple - One of the oldest temples in 16th Century.Lal Bagh Hyder Ali laid out this famous botanical garden and his son added horticultural wealth to them by importing trees and plants from several countries. The garden today houses over 1000 species of flora which include rare and enchanting collection of tropical plants, trees and herbs. The Glass House, modeled along London s Crystal Palace, is the center of attraction in this 2400-acre park. Bi-annual flower shows attracting participants from all over India is held in the Glass House.The Bull TempleThis temple, built by Kempe Gowda, houses the magnificent stone statue of the sacred bull, Nandi. It stands over 15 feet tall and is over 20 feet long. In Nov/Dec every year, when the groundnuts have been harvested, a groundnut fair is held near the temple. The first groundnuts are offered by the farmers to the sacred bull. Vidhana Soudha: This splendid neo-Dravidian granite building that dominates the northern boundary of the Cubbon Park is the home of the State Legislature and the Secretariat. The massive sandalwood door of the Cabinet room is a spectacular feature of this imposing building. The Vidhana Soudha is bedecked in illuminated glory during special periods and is a sight worth viewing.

Day 02: Drive Bangalore to Kiskindha + Visit Kiskindha

After breakfast at hotel drive to Kiskindha and check in the hotel. Later proceed for sightseeing for Kishkindha.

The epical history of Hampi begins and ends with the Ramayana in Threta Yuga. There are a lot of materialistic proofs in Hampi to show that it might have been the capital of the mighty monkey kingdom - Kishkindha. The whole of Kishkindha Kanda episode of Valmiki Ramayana is built in and around Hampi. This is the very place where Hanuman was born; this is the very place where he met Lord Rama; this is the very place where Vali fought his brother Sugriva.

Hazari Rama Temple
This temple for Lord Rama is popularly called "Hazari Rama Temple" or "Hazara Rama Temple" because of the large number of Ramayana panels on the walls. This temple is believed to have been the private place of worship of the Royal family.

Day 03: Drive Kiskindha to Puttaparthy + Sightseeing

After breakfast at hotel drive to Puttaparthy and check in the hotel. Later visit Prasanthi nilayam - Abode of highest Pease, the main ashram of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, is in the southwestern corner of Andhra Pradesh at Puttaparthy.

Day 04: Drive Puttaparthy to Mysore

After breakfast at hotel drive to Mysore and check in the hotel. Rest of the day free for own activities.

Day 05: Sightseeing Mysore

After breakfast at hotel proceed for sightseeing for Mysore.

Mysore Palace

Brindavan Gardens
Located at the KR Sagar Dam [Kannambadi], Brindavan Gardens is one of the best gardens in South India. Spread over 150 acres, Brindavan Gardens has since the 1960s provided the backdrop for many Indian films. Special attractions include the Dancing Fountains. In Dec 2004 the entire garden was revamped with new fountains and lights.

The Maharaja s Palace is one of the important sights in Mysore. Built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades, the Palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. Intricately carved doors open on to luxuriously furnished rooms. The majestic Durbar Hall has an ornate ceiling and many sculpted pillars. The magnificent jewel studded golden throne of the Wodeyars is displayed here during the Dasera festival. Illuminated on Sundays and public holidays,the palace presents a spectacle of breathtaking beauty.

Day 06: Am Free + PM Train Mysore to Chennai

After breakfast at hotel free time for own activities. Later in time transfer to Mysore railway station for your train to Chennai. On arrival at Chennai you are met and transfer to train station

Day 07: Sightseeing Chennai

After breakfast at hotel proceed for city tour of Chennai which includes visits of fort St. George, Marina Beach, San Thomas Cathedral.

Fort ST. George: was built in 1640 AD, by the British East India Company under the direct supervision of Francis Day and Andrew Cogon. This place achieved its name from Saint George, the patron saint of England. The fort houses Saint Mary s Church and fort museum. Saint Mary s Church the oldest Anglican Church built in 1680 and the tombstones in its courtyard are the oldest British tombstones in India. Marina Beach: it s the second longest beach in the world with a stretch of 4.5 kms (2.5 miles). This stretch is filled with statues of remembrance from our Tamil culture to our great leaders. A walk along the Marina in the evening creates elated feelings. The old buildings on side of Kamarajar Salai, a main road along the Marina, would remind you of the good old British days. People from all over the city gather here in the evenings to cool off and eat crispy "sundal and murukku"! San Thome Basilica: at the south end of Marina Beach was named after Saint Thomas "doubting apostle of Jesus Christ". It is believed he has come to Madras in 52 AD and kill at St. Thomas Mount just outside the city in 78 AD. Built in 16th Century by the Portuguese, in 1896 it was made a basilica. The beautiful stained glass window at the basilica portrays the story of St Thomas and the central hall has 14 wooden plaques depicting scenes from the last days of Christ.. In the cathedral is a 3ft. high statue of Virgin Mary which is believed to have been brought from Portugal in 1543.

Day 08: Train Chennai to Madurai

After breakfast at hotel in time transfer to Chennai railway station for your train to Madurai.Dinner at hotel Or Local restaurant

Day 09: Arrive Madurai + Excursion to Rameshvaram

On arrival at Madurai you are met and transfer to hotel. Afternoon excursion to Rameshwaram.

Rameshwaram
Rameshwaram is an island situated in the gulf of manner at the very tip of the Indian peninsula. A very important pilgrim centre of the Indians. Rameshwaram is the place from where Lord Rama, built a bridge across the sea to rescue his consort Sita, from her abductor, Ravana. This is also the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse away the sin of killing Ravana. Both the Vaishnavites and Shaivites visit this pilgrimage which is known as the Varanasi the south.

Day 10: Sightseeing Madurai

After breakfast at hotel proceed for sightseeing of Madurai.

Meenakshi Temple
This temple is the city s main attraction. This temple is nearly 2000 years old placed in the heart of the old town - a splendid example of Dravidian architecture. The present temple was designed in 1560 by Vishwanatha Nayak and subsequently built during the reign of Tirumalai Nayak. There are four entrances to the temple with an area of six hectares. Each of its 12 towers has the height of 45 to 50 meters. The Potrama Raikulam or the Golden Lotus Tank is the place where the Tamil literacy society, called Sangam used to meet to decide the merits of the work presented to them. The temple museum has 985 richly carved pillars and each one surpasses the other in beauty.
Tirumalai Nayak Mahal
This Indo-Saracenic building was constructed in 1523 and was originally four times large are today. Sound and light show on the life of the Tirumalai Nayak and the story of the Silapathikaram are conduced daily.

Gandhi Museum
The 300-year-old palace now converted into Museum has a picture gallery, a library of personal memorable of the Mahatma Gandhi and an exhibit of South Indian handicrafts and village industries.

Day 11: Drive Madurai to Kovalam

After breakfast at hotel drive to Kovlam and check in the hotel. Rest of the day free for own activities.

Day 12: Kovalam sight seeing

After breakfast at hotel sightseeing of Kovalam.

The Kovalam Beach: Picturesque beaches, coconut fringes, the anglers community, all sorts of fruits, palm beer, a large multitude of tourists swarming the sandy seashore, the lighthouse-all these are epithets that signify Kovalam, the exotic beach situated in the southern state of Kerala, popularly known as God s own country.

The coconut fringes, palm beer, seafood and the refreshing Ayurvedic massage, a relaxing sunbath and suntan facility of the beach are some of the reasons of tourist attraction. The beach also has some entertainment facilities like swimming, yogic exercises, fresh seafood and diving in the Arabian Sea.

Day 13: At Kovalam

After breakfast at hotel day free to enjoy on beaches. Evening free for own activities.

Day 14: Drive Kovalam to Kanyakumari

After breakfast at hotel drive to Kanyakumari and check in the hotel.

Kanyakumari, named after the Goddess Kannyakumari Amman who is the popular deity of the area. Legend has it that the Goddess Parvati in one of her incarnations as Devi Kanniya did penance on one of the rocks of this land s end to obtain the hand of Lord Shiva. Kannyakumari is the one of the sacred place for Hindu religion. This is the place where three oceans joined together. Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. Later visit to Vivekananda Memorial. Kanyakumari is the southern most tip of India. It is the place of union for the three oceans - The Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet here.

Kanyakumari is the point where the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean merge. It is a breathtaking sight. You can actually make out the three different colors of the waters, and watching them merge into one another at dusk is an unforgettable experience.

Kanyakumari is an important pilgrimage center, attracting several thousand pilgrims to its surroundings. Sunrise and sunset are spectacular, especially on full moon days. The beach is a beautiful sight with multi-coloured sand, but it does not really offer one the opportunity to sunbathe on soft golden sands, or to frolic in the waves either. Its beauty and charm offers a welcome change to the tourists and pilgrims. A variety of shells are on sale on Kanyakumari beach.

Day 15: Sightseeing Kanyakumari

After breakfast at hotel sightseeing of Kanyakumari.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial
This memorial to Swami Vivekananda was built in 1970. Vivekananda was a social reformer and saint of modern India. He is supposed to have meditated on the rock where the memorial stands. Ferry service is available to reach the rock memorial.

The Sangam
Sangam is the meeting point of the three major bodies of water, the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. It is a bathing ghat, with steps leading into the water and a sort of lagoon formed between lands by a series of rocks. People bathe and jump around, getting lightly battered by the remains of waves, which are washing over the rocks.

Suchindram
13 kms from Kanyakumari, the place is home to the Thanumalayan temple. A storehouse of art treasures, belonging to different period and kingdoms. The presiding deity of the temple is Shiva Lingam. The temple is also famous for a huge statue of the monkey god Hanuman and its musical pillars.

Udayagiri Fort
Situated 34km from Kanyakumari, the fort was built by King Marthanda Varma (1729-1758AD). The tomb of king s trusted European general De Lennoy is located within this fort.

Thanumalayan temple
13 km away, the Thanumalayan temple is famous for a huge statue of monkey god Hanuman and its musical pillars. The presiding deity of the shrine is Shiva

Padmanabhapuram Palace
It is the magnificent wooden palace of the Travancore Maharajas.

Day 16: Drive Kanyakumari to Kumarakom

The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake in Kerala, a state in India. Kumarakom s soil is extremely fertile due to the proximity of the water source, this has resulted in the growth of a wide variety of flora in Kumarakom, especially the mangrove and coconut trees. Vembanad Lake is home to several types of marine life exclusively the Karimeen

Later we visit Kumarakom Bird sanctuary. There are two seasons for birds: between October & February there are cormorants, teals, & other ducks & from February to July there are darters (snake birds), night herons, egrets, & Siberian storks. It also has golden backed woodpecker, crow pheasant, white-breasted water hen, tree pie etc.

Day 17: Drive Kumarakom to Cochin + PM Sight seeing Cochin

After breakfast drive to Cochin and check in the hotel.

Our representative would assist you at the airport & transfer to hotel for check in. Cochin always had a very popular & historical sea trade connection with Middle East, Mediterranean Europe & Dutch. It has one of the finest natural harbors on the Arabian coastline. Its cosmopolitan character is reflected in the buildings & structures representing different regions of the world.

Half Day Tour - Later we visit Jew Town, synagogue, built in the year 1568, is magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles & Belgian chandeliers. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here. Also visit the spice market, where the air is filled with the pungent smell of spices & history that brought the world to its doorstep. Chinese fishing nets, (Cheenavala) are distinctly unique to Cochin. It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets here. Evening see Kerala s most popular classical dance, Kathakali.

Day 18: Fly Cochin to flight to home

After breakfast at hotel in time transfer to Cochin airport for your flight to home

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