Holidays in India: South Indian Palaces & Temples Tour
Exploring soulful South India is a gentle introduction to holidays in India, where the pace of life is calmer and relaxing. Your tour package in India will take you to some of the most magnificent palaces and holy temples of Tamil Nadu; the charming city of Cochin with its picturesque harbour; and the renowned Periyar National Park with its tranquil lake and wild elephants. This has to be one of the most soothing holiday packages of South India.
Highlights of the Tour
- Magnificent Mysore – the Sandalwood City with its Royal Palace
- Graceful Ooty – known as the Queen of the Hill Stations
- Madurai – one of India’s holiest cities with its colourful parade of pilgrims
- Charming, cultural Pondicherry, the former French colony
- Mahishasurmardini temple cave shrines
- The beautiful beaches of Kovalam on the Arabian Sea
The Tour [16 days - 15 nights]
Day 01 Arrive Bangalore: Arrive at Bangalore airport/railway station and transfer to your hotel. The day is yours to relax. Maybe take a short stroll around the Garden City before dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 02 Bangalore – Mysore: Your own private city tour of the capital of Karnataka, taking in all the sights including Bangalore Palace, inspired by Windsor Castle, the fort of Tipu Sultan with its Mughal architecture and perhaps the Botanical Gardens. After lunch, leave for Mysore and after checking in to your hotel, relax before dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel.
Day 03 Mysore: A day of sightseeing in Mysore, visiting the Maharajah’s Palace, built in 1912 with its Golden Royal Elephant Throne, grand Galleries and impressive Gardens with fountains and waterways. Later, we have chance to explore the colorful local markets of Mysore. Dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel.
Day 04 Mysore – Ooty: After breakfast, we leave for Ooty, known as Queen of the Hill Stations, travelling through lush countryside and the cooler climbs of the green hills. Time to relax at your hotel or take a stroll before dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 05 Ooty – Coimbatore – Cochin: After breakfast, we journey to Coimatore where you’ll fly to the charming city of Cochin, rich in colonial and cultural heritage. After checking in and relaxing at your hotel, enjoy a Kathakali folk dance performance. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 06 Cochin: A day of sightseeing and taking in the cultural and sacred highlights of Cochin including the oldest synagogue in India built in 1568. We also visit St Francis’ Church, the oldest European church in India built in 1503. Visit the Dutch Palace with its stunning murals and soak up the atmosphere of the picturesque port. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 07 Cochin – Periyar: After breakfast we drive through the countryside to reach your hotel at Periyar and the famous National Park. Freshen up and relax and maybe take a boat ride on Lake Periyar. Return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 08 Periyar – Kumarakom: A relaxing morning with options to tour the National Park and see the wildlife. Later, we leave for Kumarakom and after settling in at your hotel, take a boat ride of Kumarakom Lake. There’s also plenty of opportunity for lakeside walks or relaxing at the hotel. Return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 09 Kumarakom – Kovalam: After breakfast we leave for the coast and head to Kovalam. Upon arrival, relax and spend a leisurely day at the hotel or exploring the nearby sights. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10 Kovalam: Spend the day relaxing on one of India’s premier beaches, stroll along the sands, sample some seafood, visit the local markets and savour the stunning sunset. Dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel.
Day 11 Kovalam – Madurai: After breakfast, we set off for the colourful city of Madurai. After checking in to your hotel and relaxing, we visit the sights including the ancient Meenakshi Temple, nestled in the heart of the old town. It has to be one of the most impressive temples in India. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 12 Madurai – Thanjavur: Drive to Thanjavur after breakfast and check in to your hotel. In the afternoon we tour Brihadeshwara Temple & Fort, built during the 10th century by the great Chola king Rajaraja Chola I. The impressive dome is said to be constructed from a single piece of granite. The Thanjavur Palace & Museum, adjacent to the temple was built around 1550 and the architecture is stunning. Return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day13 Thanjavur – Pondicherry: After breakfast, we drive to Pondicherry. En route, we visit Chidambaram, the 9th century Shiva Temple with over 100 sculptures. Dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel.
Day14 Pondicherry – Chennai: Pondicherry retains its former colonial French influence and we visit the sights including Auroville and Sri Aurobindo Ashram. A mix of archaeological interest and French period furniture. There is time to explore this intriguing city before we leave for Chennai. Check in to your hotel and relax, taking in the neighbourhood before returning to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 15 Chennai: Spend the day savouring the rich history of Chennai. After breakfast, we head to Kanchipuram Temple and the sacred Mahishasurmardini caves in Mahabalipuram. The temples have a unique architectural beauty that bear eloquent testimony to their magnificent Dravidian heritage. Later return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 16 Chennai – Departure: Transfer to Chennai Airport/Railway Station to board your flight/train home.
End of Tour
For Bookings
Tel: +44 (0) 2087414319
Email: sarah@barefoot-traveller.com
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