Destinations: Bangalore-Tirupati-Chennai-Mahabalipuram-Pondichery- Tanhore-Madurai-Rameshwaram-Kanyakumari-Kovalam-Trivandrum.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive -Bangalore

Arrive Bangalore by flight. On arrival transfer to the hotel.Overnight at Hotel.

Bangalore is famous for its Botanical Gardens or LalBagh. Laid out by Hyder Ali and Tipu, his son, in the 18th century. This garden extending in terraces over several hectares with centuries old trees, lakes, lotus-padded pools and Deer Park, contains one of the largest collections of rare and exotic tropical and sub- tropical plants in India. Also visit the Government buildings. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 2: Bangalore

Morning visit the Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Laid out in 1760, the gardens have a variety of old trees, fountains, lotus pools, terraces and an assortment of tropical and sub-tropical herbs. The Glass House, inspired by Crystal Palace in London is a favorite spot in Lalbagh.
The Palace of Tipu Sultan, completed in 1791 as a summer retreat, it is now converted into a museum. The Palace is a two-storied ornate wooden structure with pillars, arches and balconies, flanked by gardens on either side.
VidhanaSoudhais magnificent granite structure of the State Legislative and Secretariat House and was built in 1956.
Bangalore Palace, inspired by the Windsor Castle, was built in 1887 AD by ChamarajaWodeyar in Tudor-style. Standing in the heart of the city, the palace was earlier surrounded by beautiful gardens in the midst of a vast open area. Overnight at Hotel

Day 3: Bangalore-Tirupati

After breakfast drive to Tirupati a journey of about 06 hrs. Rest of the day is free for independent activities. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Tirupati is famed for the shrine on the Seven Hills of Tirumala dedicated to Lord Venkateswara. The town of Tirupati is one of the most ancient and sacred pilgrimage spot in India. The hill near the temple is called ‘Tirumala’ or the “sacred hill.” Overnight at Hotel.

Day 4: Tirupati

Day free to visit local temples. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 5: Tirupati -Chennai

Morning after breakfast drive to Chennai a journey of about 03 hrs. Arrive Chennai and check in to the Hotel.

At the southern tip of India in the state of Tamil Nadu lies the states capital city Chennai or Madras as it was known earlier. It is also the third largest metropolis in India. Chennai will put you in touch with a different face of classical, ancient & gentle India .

Take an afternoon city tour of Chennai. Visit the Government Museum and Art Gallery, which has an interesting archaeological section and a bronze gallery (Closed on public holidays). Drive through the Flower & Fruit Market,visit the Fort St. George, which once served as the very first bastion of the East India Company, Now it houses the Secretariat and the Legislative Assembly. The 46 meter high flagstaff, that adorns the front of the structure, is actually a mast salvaged from a 17th century shipwreck.
The Fort Museum has a remarkable collection of rare exhibits of weapons, uniforms, coins, costumes, medals and some other artifacts dating back to the days of the Raj. Within the Fort complex, is also the oldest Anglican Church in India, St Marys Church, built in 1678-1680. It is the oldest surviving British construction. Overnight at Hotel .

Day 6: Chennai-Mahabalipuram

After breakfast drive toMahabalipuram a journey of about 04 hrs. Rest of the day is free to visit local temples. Overnightat Hotel.

Mahabalipuram lies on the Coromandel Coast which faces the Bay of Bengal. This is an elegant place awell established sea port during the 7th and 10th centuries of the Pallava dynasty. This was the second capital of the Pallavas who ruled Kanchipuram. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 7: Mahabalipuram-Pondichery

After breakfast drive to Pondichery. On the way to Pondicherry, one can view the natural beauty of the scenic Deccan plateau. Striking red soil and deep green vegetation, consisting mainly of cashew, palm and neem, combining to form a stunning landscape .Afternoon city sightseeing tour of Pondichery. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 8: Pondichery -Tanjore

After breakfast drive to Tanjore a journey of about 04 hrs. Rest of the day is free to visit local temples.
Tanjore- was once the great capital of the Chola Empire. It was Raja Chola the empire builder, who built the most spectacular of the Tanjore Temples, the Brahadeeswarar Temple in the early Dravidian style. The Brahadeeswarar temple has an enormous Srivimana, a tower over its main sanctum that is 66.5 m high. The temple itself is decorated with carved panels depicting mythological events. The Palace of Nayak and Maratha Kings, is the famous SaraswatiMahal library with its immense collection of valuable books and palm leaf manuscripts. Within the Palace with its maze of halls and passages, is also the Art Gallery with an excellent collection of Chola bronzes and stone sculpture. Overnight at Hotel

Day 9: Tanjore -Madurai

After breakfast drive to Madurai . Rest of the day free to visit local temples.
Madurai also known as the city of nectar and is the oldest and second largest city of Tamil Nadu. This city is located on Vaigai River and was the capital of Pandyan rulers till the 14th century. The Pandyan king, Kulasekhara had built a gorgeous temple around which he created a lotus shaped city. This sacred town of south attracts thousands of pilgrims and visitors. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 10 : Madurai

Morning begin the sightseeing tour of Madurai. Visit theMeenakshiSundareswara Temple.
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. The 48.8 m high southern gopuram is the most spectacular and have over 1500 sculptures. In the Ashta Shakti Mandapam inside the Meenakshi temple, the sculpted pillars tell the story of the beautiful princess of Madurai and her marriage to Lord Shiva. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 11: Madurai -Rameshwaram

Morning drive to Rameshwaram.Rest of the day free to visit local temples.

It is situated in the Gulf of Mannar at the very tip of the Indian peninsula. According to legend, this is the place from where Lord Rama built a bridge Ram Setu(also known as Adam’s Bridge) across the sea to Lanka to rescue his consort Sita from her abductor Ravana. This is also the place where Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to be absolved of the sin of killing Ravana, who is believed to have been the greatest worshipper of Lord Shiva. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 12: Rameshwaram-Kanyakumari

Morningdrive toKanyakumari. Rest of the day is free to visit local temples.

Kanyakumari is The land’s end of India or the point where the three seas meet . Part of the fascination is, of course, the fact that it is the very tip of the Indian peninsula and the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian ocean.
Visit Tiruvalluvar statue, Gandhi memorial, Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Padmanabhapuram Swami Temple which is en route to Kanyakumari. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 13: Kanyakumari -Kovalam

Morning drive toKovalamRest of the day at leisure.

Kovalam, The internationally renowned beach, which is a strip of golden land lying side by side with the serene blue waters of Arabian sea and rich greenery of the coconut groves, has been developed into an integrated seaside resort. Kovalam consists of three consecutive crescent shaped beaches, a massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. There are numerous bars and cafes lined up on the shore side and you can enjoy a variety of fresh seafood or continental cuisine. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 14: Kovalam

Day at leisure.Overnight at Hotel.

Day 15: Kovalam -Trivandrum -Departure

Morning after a leisure breakfast , drive to Trivandrum, a journey of about half an hour. On arrival transfer to Trivandrum airport to board the flight for onward journey.