Southern Discovery

Day 01: Arrive at Chennai

Meet on arrival at Chennai Airport and  transfer to a Hotel. Depending upon the arrival time proceed for half day sightseeing Visit to Fort St. George - occupies pride of place and prominence in Chennai, the State Legislature and the Secretariat are located inside this fort. The St. Mary’s Church-the oldest Anglican Church in India. Return to hotel and overnight.

Day 02: Chennai

Morning breakfast and full day city tour, visit to San Thome Cathedral Basilica-the apostle of Christ who is believed to have come to Madras sometime was killed on St Thomas Mount just outside the city, Theosophical Society -The world headquarters of the Theosophical Society, Marina Beach-the pride of Chennai, is the second largest beach in the world and has a wide sandy foreshore. An aquarium is also located on the Marina Beach. Return to hotel and overnight.

Day 03: Chennai / Mamallapuram / Chennai

Morning breakfast and proceed for a full day excursion. Visit to Mamallapuram- Built in the 7^th century, this ancient Pallava Port is the site of several antique sculptural marvels. Crocodile Bank - not far from Mamallapuram, Romulus Whittaker runs this crocodile breeding and research center. Here several species of Indian and African crocodiles and alligators are bred in captivity,V.G.P Golden Beach-This beach is popular not just with the people of the city, but also with tourists. There is an entertainment arcade for children. Return to hotel overnight.

Day 04: Chennai / Bangalore (By Train)

Early morning checkout and reach Chennai Railway Station at 05:45hrs to board your train to Bangalore. On arrival at 10:45hrs, check into a hotel. Afternoon half-day tour to ISKCON temple-the Krishna Temple is a blend of Modern technology and spiritual harmony,Lalbagh-240 acres of beautifully sculpted gardens, flowers abound, rare collection of tropical and sub-tropical plants, Vidhana Soudha-this massive building houses the state Legislature and the Secretariat. Return to hotel and overnight.

Day 05: Bangalore

Morning breakfast and proceed for full day sightseeing, cover Cubbon part, Bull Temple - Dravidian-style temple, has a huge monolithic Bull is the vahana of Lord Shiva, Government Museum - Acclaimed as one of the oldest museums in the country, Tippu's palace -Tippu Sultan's summer retreat is a two-storied ornate wooden structure, Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain-View the colourful swirling fountains dancing in tune to music. Evening Free for shopping.  Overnight.

Day 06: Bangalore/Hassan

Morning breakfast, checkout and proceed to Hassan, enroute visit Shravanabelagola - a jain saint. Standing atop one of the hills and is said to be one of the tallest and most graceful monolithic statues in the world.  On arrival at Hassan check into a hotel. Afternoon visit Belur - it is the only Hoysala temple still in active worship.  The most marvelous specimens of Hoysala architecture. Halebid - just 17 kms away from Belur, the ancient capital of the Hoysalas. The temple complex has a museum which houses the idols, statues, busts and sculptures excavated by the Archaeological Department from the ruins. Return to hotel and overnight.

Day 07: Hassan/Mysore

After breakfast, check out and proceed to Mysore. On arrival, check into a hotel. Lunch & visit Srirangapatna-Island fortress of Tippu Sultan, Tippu's summer Palace, Mosque and Sriranganatha Temple and evening visit Brindavan Garden- the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam after sundown, when musical fountains and colored lights transform this place into a magical fairyland. Return to hotel and overnight.

DAY 08: Mysore

Morning breakfast visit to Maharaja Palace- the palace is a splendid structure in the Indo-saracenic style, among its many attractions are a magnificent gold throne. It is an entirely modern structure continuing the Hindu and Saracenic styles of Architecture, Chamundi Hills-perched a top a hill is the temple of Chamundeshwari, a tall Mahishasura statue are added attractions. Return to hotel and overnight.

Day 09: Mysore/Bandipur National Park

Morning breakfast, check out and proceed to Bandipur National Park- Nestling in the foothills of the Nilgiris. It is one of the Tiger reserves in the country. It also forms part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is one of the last refuges of endangered Asiatic wild elephants. On arrival, check into a resort. Evening jeep safari into the jungle and overnight.

Day 10: Bandipur National Park / Ooty

Early morning after a cup of coffee/tea, be lead by a trained naturalist into the Tiger Reserve on a nature walk. Get back to resort in time for freshening and breakfast. Check out and proceed to Ooty called the Queen of Hill Stations, picturesque, green Udhagamandalam better known Ooty is the most popular hill station in the South. On arrival check into a hotel. After lunch visit to Ooty Lake-is the pride of the Blue Hills. Rose Garden- the rose varieties planted in this part were assembled from different sources. Initially, 17,256 rose plants from 1919 varieties have been planted. Return to hotel and overnight.

Day 11: Ooty

Morning breakfast, half-day tour to Coonoor - is a small town with an equable climate that has made it in its own right, visit Dolphins Nose - Ideally visited in the morning, you can get a beautiful view of the Catherine falls from here, Lamb's Rock- this view point is within a reserve forest with a phenomenal view of vast stretches of forests all the way to the Coimbatore plains, Law's Falls - is a paradise for naturalists, Katery Falls- water from the Katery dam flows as a falls. This is one of the highest falls in the Nilgiris. Return to hotel, evening free and overnight.

Day 12: Ooty / Cochin

Morning breakfast, checkout and proceed to Cochin- commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala, Kochi, is also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. On arrival check into hotel. Evening free and overnight.

Day 13: Cochin

Morning breakfast and full day city tour to Cochin St. Francis Church - these centuries old church at Fort Kochi was originally built completely of timber and later reconstructed in stone masonry, Pierce Leslie Bungalow - this charming mansion was the office of Pierce Leslie characteristic features are wood panels that form the roof of the ground floor, arched doorways, carved doors and sprawling rooms. Waterfront verandas are an added attraction. Loafer's Corner/Princess Street - One of the earliest streets to be constructed in Fort Kochi, traditional meeting place and hangout of the jovial fun loving people of the area. Return to hotel and overnight

Day 14: Cochin

Morning breakfast and full day city sightseeing, visit to Maritime Museum - throws light on the genesis, history, evolution and landmarks of the Indian Navy, Indo-Portuguese Museum - the museum today is an important center to understand the Indo-Portuguese Christian Art heritage, Fort Kochi - turning it into one of the finest natural harbors in the world. Vasco da Gama Square – an ideal place to watch fishermen use these nets is the Vasco da Gama square, a narrow promenade along the beach, Willingdon Island – it’s a man-made island, surrounded by beautiful backwaters. The island is the city's best hotels and trading centres, the Port Trust and the headquarters of the southern naval command. Bolghatty Island - This lush, lovely island is famous for its palace. Evening return to hotel, and overnight

Day 15: Cochin

Morning breakfast, check out and transfer to Airport to board the flight for onward journey. Tour Ends.