The Southern Explorer  

Upon arrival at Chennai you will be met and escorted to your hotel.

Chennai is India's fourth largest metropolitan city. Popularly known as "Gateway to South India", it is well connected internationally and to other parts of India. Chennai boasts of rich historical legacy which lends an inexplicable charm to the city. The Portuguese arrived here in the 16th century and were followed by the Dutch, and East India Company. The British were able to establish their undisputed supremacy in the city and the Fort St George became the nucleus around which

Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, you embark on an excursion to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipursm also known as Mamallapuram.

Kanchipuram is one of India’s seven great Hindu cities, Kanchipuram is believed to help confer eternal happiness on its visitors.  One of South India’s ancient cities, Kanchipuram’s history dates back to the 2nd century when it was the capital of the Cholas.

Continue on to the ancient Pallawan port of Mamallapuram for lunch at the seaside resort. Later visit the seventh century rock hewn monuments. 

The shore temple, the only surviving one of seven, is a unique example of a temple built of rock quarried elsewhere and carried to shore.  The best-known of the rock carvings is the immense bas-relief which is sculpted in fascinating detail on a huge whaleback-shaped rock, depicts the descent of the Ganges to the earth, the penance of Arjuna and myriad characters from the Mahabharata.

Return to your Chennai hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast you leave Chennai to board train for Bangalore. Mid afternoon you arrive Bangalore where you are met andtaken to Hassan, which is 195 kms and will take apprx 4 hrs.

You drive by the city of Bangalore, which is an IT and aeronautical hub of India. Drive by Vidhan Soudha-the Secretariat, and Vrindavan Garden 

You arrive late afternoon at Hassan and check into our hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, our representative will accompany you on a tour to visit Sravanabelagola, 51 kms southeast of Hassan.

This is one of the most important Jain pilgrim centers. Here is the 17 m high monolith of Lord Bahubali - the world's tallest monolithic statue.

This is followed by visit to Belur.

This quaint hamlet is located on the banks of the river Yagachi. It was once the capital of the Hoysala Empire today made unforgettable for its exquisite temples. It took 103 years to complete. The facade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures and friezes with no portion left blank.

On your return to Hassan stop at Halebid at a distance of 17 kms east of Belur.

The temples of Halebid, like those of Belur bear mute testimony to the rich, cultural heritage of Karnataka. The Hoysaleshwara Temple, dating back to the 12th century, is astounding for its wealth of sculptural details. This magnificent temple was never completed, despite 86 years of labor.

Drive back to your hotel for overnight.

After breakfast you drive 55 kms towards Bangalore and arrive at Mysore.

The abode of untold grandeur and glory. Mysore, the capital city of the Wodeyars has always enchanted its admirers with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent Palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples. There's an old world charm about the city that reaches out and leaves no one untouched.

This afternoon sight seeing tour.

The Maharaja's Palace 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.

Later in the day you visit Chamundi Hills, a well known 335 meters high landmark, Chamundi Hill can be reached by a 13 km road or by climbing up the 1,000 steps laid out by the Mysore Maharaja in the 17th century. The summit offers a panoramic view of Mysore's lakes, parks and palaces.

You drive back to hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfat at the hotel visit Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace at Srirangapattanam followed by visit to the Ranganathittoo Bird Sanctuary.

The Srirangapattanam Fort, defended by a double wall, is the center of attraction here. It was built in 1454 by Thimmanna, a local chief and later renovated by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. The river Kaveri skirts one side of the fort forming a natural moat, which is fed by water from the river. Outside the fort, across the main road, is a garden in the center of which stands Tipu's summer palace.

Continue with your drive, three kilometers upstream to Ranganathittoo Bird Sanctuary.

A breeding ground for thousands of waterfowls during the period from June to November. The Kaveri River, which divides itself to form the island, rejoins on the western side.

Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

 After breakfast drive to Coorg, visiting the Tibetan settlement at Bylguppe en-route. On arrival you check into the delightful Orange County Resort, in the midst of a coffee plantation. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Overnight is at the resort.

Breakfast is at the resort.

A land of chivalry and pride, a life of solitary splendor, rich food and spices is in short termed Coorg. Smell the coffee, taste the oranges, cuisine flavored with cardamom and savor the fresh honey. Popularly termed as the Scotland of India Sparkling streams, lush green mountain ranges, and awesome weather.

Overnight is at the resort.

After breakfast you embark on an interesting drive of just about 87 kms across the Western Ghats brings us to Calicut where you stay the night at Kadavu, a traditional resort on the banks of Feroke River. En-route visit Beypore where sea-faring vessels called "Uru" or "dhows" are hand-made.
Calicut is a beautiful city and is full of amazing sight. Not only will you find temples, but also museums and of course the lovely coconut-tree fringed beaches. Upon arrival you check in at your hotel for overnight.

This morning, after breakfast, before you leave for Cochin, you will visit Dolphin Point.

This beautiful beach is located around 2 kilometers from the city center and is a popular place to spot dolphins playing in the sea, early in the morning

Later you drive to the port city of Cochin located at 95 kms and will take apprx 3 hrs to reach.

Cochin is a beautiful all weather harbor and a grand seascape, one of India’s largest ports and a major naval base. At dusk you can see the dim silhouettes of huge merchant ships patiently awaiting their turn for a berth in the docks. The influence of Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans is evident in Cochin and its people.  The older parts of Fort Cochin and Mattanchery are an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal, Holland and an English country village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast.   Despite this, Cochin is an attractive city with serene backwaters, lagoons overhung with feathery coconut palms and picturesque islands.

You arrive and check in at your hotel.

This evening you enjoy a special presentation of the colorfully costumed Kathakali dance drama.

Kathakali is a ritualized dance form native to Kerala; elaborate costumes and makeup, as seen here, are the norm. Male dancers portray both male and female roles.

Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, you take on a sightseeing tour of Cochin.

Visit the Portuguese St. Francis Church, considered the first European Church in India, built in 1562 by St. Francis; this is India’s oldest European-built church.   

Proceed to the Jewish Synagogue, which was constructed in 1568 and is the oldest in the Commonwealth.  A stone slab from the Kochangadi synagogue built in 1344. At the Cochin Harbor, you can watch the fishermen using strange and ravishing Chinese fishing nets to catch fishes from a tiny waterfront area strewn with natural rocks.

Drive back to your hotel for your overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel you drive to Alleppey at a distance of 65 kms from Cochin to board your house-boat.

Not only do the backwaters of Kerala link the state together, they are an integral element in maintaining ecological balance and creating harmony with nature. 

The afternoon is at leisure to relax and pursue independent activities. You might want to experience an Ayurvedic therapeutic massage, which is both relaxing and healing and is indigenous to this region. 

Lunch, dinner & overnight stay on board houseboat.

 After breakfast on board houseboat you disembark and drive to Kumarakom, located 70 kms and will take apprx 2 hrs to reach.

Kumarakom is ideally located in the Kerala Backwaters System Kumarakom is a haven of peace and tranquility. Explore the intricate backwater canals by boat and witness a way of life that is in complete harmony with nature. 

Upon arrival you check in at your resort.

Your afternoon is at leisure. 

Perhaps take advantage of the rich waters with a bit of fishing, or just relax and soak in the rich atmosphere of your surroundings.

Overnight stay at the resort.

After breakfast your morning is at leisure. Later you drive back to Cochin airport at a distance of 70 kms and which will take apprx 2 hrs to reach.

Upon arrival at Cochin International airport its time to connect your onward flight.