South India Tour With Goa Mumbai

Upon arrival in Mumbai, you will be greeted with our traditional welcome at the airport. After you will be escorted to the hotel. Overnight stay in hotel.

This morning after breakfast, visit the Gateway of India & Elephanta caves by cruise. Located about 10 km. from the Gateway of India or 9 nautical miles into the sea. Later visit Prince on Wales Museum- The museum was set up at the beginning of the 20th century to honor the visit of King George V's to India, while he was still the Prince of Wales. Mani Bhawan- Mani Bhavan is a veritable memoir of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. Also known as Gandhi Museum, Mani Bhavan served as the residence of the great freedom fighter of India between 1917 and 1934. Dhobi Ghat- Dhobi Ghat is among the exciting places to see in Mumbai. It is 136- the year old Dhobi Ghat and may be called the biggest human-powered washing machine.
Evening free. Overnight at the hotel.

Today after breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to board on flight to Chennai. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to your prebooked hotel. Afterward, start guided tour of Chennai. Visit Fort St. George built in 1653 during the British reign in India, now houses the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu; St. Mary's Church, the oldest Anglican Church in India with its premises. Sri Parthasarathy Temple built by the Pallavas in the 8th century AD. Kapaliswara Temple, Mylapore also an eighth-century Pallava Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. San Thomas Cathedral Basilica rebuilt in 1606 as a cathedral and in 1896 it was made into a basilica, and Theosophical Society - the world headquarters of the Theosophical Society formed to encourage the study of comparative religion philosophy and science.
Overnight at the hotel.

This morning proceed to Kanchipuram, 70 kms west of Mahabalipuram which is a city of thousand of temples. the city is also famous for its silk weavers. Later proceed to Mahabalipuram. The Pallavas have created many stupendous monuments with sculptural panels, caves, Monolithic Rathas, and Temples. Krishna Mandapam has a big base relief i.e. the world's

largest bas relief. Shore Temple & Five Rathas are a group of five monolithic temples, each created in a different style. Overnight at the hotel.

Today, after breakfast proceed to Pondicherry. In the afternoon city tour of Pondicherry. Although the French influence is gradually fading, Pondicherry retains a few Gallic accents. Pondicherry's main sights are the Rai Nivas, the Sacred Heart Church, and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The ashram retreat was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo after whose death the spiritual authority passed to one of his disciples, a French woman is known as the Mother. The Mother was also instrumental in founding the city of Dawn Auroville, 10 km from Pondicherry. Its original charter aimed at creating a city of the future where people from India and abroad could live and work together in a spiritual environment.
Overnight at the hotel.

This morning drive to Tanjore on the way visit the temple or Lord Natraja at Chidambram. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon, city tour of Tanjore. Tanjore (Thanjavur) is famous for the Brihadisvara Temple. . Evening free, overnight stay in hotel.

Today after breakfast, proceed to Madurai on the way visit Trichy. Visit Srirangam, which is an island, 5 kms from Trichy. Surrounded by the Kaveri water is a 600 acres island town enclosed within the seven walls on the gigantic Sri Ranganathaswami temple. The Rock Fort situated on the banks of the Kaveri River, Trichy's most famed land mark is an 84 m high rock, one of the oldest in the world aprox. 3,800 million years. Afterwards drive to Madurai and on arrival check-in at the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

This morning guided city tour of Madurai. Madurai, known as “Athens of the East”. Madurai where the people wake up at the chant of hymns is proud of the magnificent Meenakshi - Sundareswara Temple. Of its 12 gopurams, four of the tallest stand at the outer walls of the temple. Also visit Thirumalai Nayak Palace. Evening watch night ceremony at the temple.
Overnight at hotel.

This morning after breakfast, proceed to Thekkady ( Periyar wild life sanctuary). Periyar, spread over an area of 777 sq km, has about 35 tigers and leopards. The park encompasses a 26 sq km artificial lake and is the home of sambars, wild boars, elephants and antelopes which can be occasionally seen on the banks of the river during a boat cruise. In the afternoon we shall take a boat safari on Lake Periyar to view wildlife. Evening free. Overnight stay in hotel.

Today Morning drive to Kumarakom and embark on deluxe Houseboat for backwater cruise. “Kettuvalam" Hoseboat move towards Alleppey through interior backwaters. We shall continue to Champakulam, earlier named as Kalloorkad, the ancient trade centre of backwaters. This cruise is very exciting and sensational to watch the real traditional Kerlan life who lives on the banks of backwaters. Enjoy lunch, dinner at Houseboat. Overnight stay in houseboat.

After breakfast, we shall take a leisurely cruise towards Alleppey finishing point jetty. Disembark and drive to Cochin. On arrival check in at hotel. In the afternoon visit Fort Cochin. The true character of the city is to be found in the older parts of the Fort Cochin area. This part of the city reflects an unusual blend of medieval Portugal, Dutch and English country life grafted on to the tropical Malabar Coast Also visit Chinese Fishing nets .Evening show witness the Kathakali Dance Show in an auditorium. as it enacts episodes from great Indian epics. The extremely stylized gestures, the elaborate make-up, the masks and the splendid costumes of these all-male dancers, recreates an incomparable sense of pageantry.
Overnight at hotel.

This morning after breakfast, visit the 16th century Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace. We would visit 'Jew Town', in the Mattancherry section.The area around the Synagogue, known, as Jew Town is one of the main centres of spice trade. St. Francis Church, and Jewish Synagogue. Later transfer to airport to board on flight to Goa. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight stay in hotel,

This morning after breakfast, sightseeing tour of Goa visit famous churches & beaches. Evening enjoy boat cruise at Mandavi river(optional). Overnight stay in hotel.

Day free at leisure. Overnight stay in hotel.

Morning free. In the afternoon transfer to airport to board on flight to Mumbai. On arrival board on International flight for onward destination.