South India Spice Tours - KA012

Day 1 : Mumbai
Welcome on arrival at Mumbai and transfer to hotel.

Day 2 : Mumbai
City tour of Mumbai, visiting Hanging Garden, Marine Drive, Dhobi Ghat, Vidhan Saudha, Malabar Hill & Prince of Wales Musuem and evening free. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3 : Mumbai - Cochin
Early morning transfer to airport for flight to Cochin. Transfer to hotel followed by city tour and boating in the backwaters of Cochin. Cochin means "port" and so it has been since history began, trading spices, silks, ivory and sandalwood. It is now the spice capital of India. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4 : Cochin - Periyar
Morning after breakfast drive to Periyar (185 kms / 5 hrs). On arrival transfer to hotel. Afternoon view wildlife. Overnight at hotel.

Day 5 : Periyar
Early morning wildlife viewing and day at leisure. Periyar is a renowned sanctuary, the home of elephants and other wildlife. Game viewing is done by boat around Lake Periyar. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6 : Periyar - Madurai
After breakfast, drive to Madurai (137 kms / 4 hrs). Afternoon sightseeing tour. Madurai is the most spectacular temple town in the whole of India, dominated by the towering gopurams of the lively Meenakshi Temple. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7 : Chennai
After breakfast transfer to airport to board flight to Chennai. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Afternoon city tour of Chennai. Founded by the East India Company's trader Francis Day in 1639, Chennai has the fascinating relics of the early Raj. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8 : Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Kanchipuram
Excursion to Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram. Mahabalipuram, just down the coast, has superb stone carvings and evocative shore temples. All testimony to a grand past. On the other hand Kanchipuram boasts of famous silks and soaring temples of great religious significance. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9 : Bangalore
Transfer to airport for flight to Bangalore. On arrival at Bangalore transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 10 : Mysore - Sravanabelgola
Morning drive to Mysore (139 kms / 3 hrs) via Sravanabelgola and transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Mysore-the legendary city of palaces and perfumes-sandalwood and jasmine. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11 : Hassan - Halebid - Belur
Drive to Hassan (115 kms / 4 hrs) visit Halebid and Belur. Both were capitals of the Medeival Hoysala Kings who built the exquisitely carved temples in the 12th & 13th centuries. Later drive to Bangalore via Hassan and then transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12 : Bangalore - Delhi
Morning sightseeing of beautiful city of Bangalore. Later transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. On arrival, transfer to international airport for flight to onward destinations.