SOUTH INDIA SPICE TOUR

» Arrive Mumbai :
Upon arrival in Mumbai (Bombay) you are met and transferred to your pre booked Hotel. This afternoon proceed on a guided tour of the city, which is distinctly tropical. Its weathered Victorian mansions, some still privately owned, and grand public buildings, many beautifully lit at night, stand as lingering reminder of the days of the British Raj, First visit the Gateway of India, hastily created as a symbol of welcome to Queen Mary and King George V of England on their to India in 1911. Next visit the Hanging Gardens, perched at the top of Malabar Hill, which provide lovely views over the Arabian Sea. Overnight at Hotel.

» Bombay - Hyderabad by Flight :
After breakfast an excursion on motorized boats across the Arabian Sea to the Elephanta Caves, which house several, sculptures and images sacred to the Hindu faith . Of special mention is the sculpture of the Holy Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - the Creator, Preserver and the Destroyer. Afternoon we are transferred to the domestic airport to board flight for Hyderabad. Upon arrival we are met and transferred to our pre booked Hotel. Overnight at the Hotel.

» Hyderabad :
Hyderabad, the Indian Subcontinent's richest and largest state at the time of independence, now the capital of Andhra Pradesh. Your city tour reveals an amalgam of old world charm together with the ebullience of modern growth. Char Minar - the city;s landmark, has four minarets built in the 16th Century. Mecca Masjid is an impressive 17th Century mosque built of granite. Birla Temple, the library and the university all display the grandeurs of modern - day India. Salar Jung Museum house and extraordinary collection including rare fine-art objects of the Nizam, once the wealthiest man in the world. The ancient fort of Golconda is the former capital of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. Originally a mud structure, it grew into a magnificent fortress citadel. It is know for the use of acoustics in its architectural design - sound signals could be passed from the gates to the top of the fort without the use of modern equipment. Tombs of the dynasty rulers are situated nearby, set in manicured gardens. Overnight at the Hotel.

» Hyderabad - Bangalore (by Flight) - Hassan :
Today morning we take a short flight to Bangalore. Upon arrival in Bangalore most popularly known as the Garden City of India we take a short city tour . The city is full of well laid out gardens. Wide tree lined avenues, imposing buildings and lively bazaars. Visit the Bull Temple, situated on a hill is one of Bangalore's oldest attractions. Afternoon depart for Hassan .Upon arrival in Hassan we check into our pre booked Hotel. Hassan is the base of visiting the famous temples of Belur and Halebid. The temples which remained incomplete despite 80 years of labour, offers the finest workmanship in stone to the God.It is said that the temples here are even better than the famous Konark and the Khajuraho temples.

» Hassan - Mysore :
Depart for Mysore enroute visiting Halebid, Belur, Sravanabelagola, Halebid is the sister temple of Belur, Built in the 12th Century from soft soapstone and depicts the entire Hindu Pantheon, Sravanabalagola is the shine to the Jain Saint Gaomateswara, carved in 983 AD out of solid rock , 500 rock hewn steps lead up to it. Religious rituals involve bathing the statue in milk and rose petals. Upon arrival in Mysore check into your pre booked hotel for an overnight stay.

» Mysore :
After a relaxed breakfast we drive for a morning sightseeing of the city of Mysore. Mysore a city of 17 Palaces - the Maharaja's City Palace being one of the largest in the country. Today's city tour include the zoological gardens, the Chamundi Temple, handicraft Centre and 22 kms away - the Brindavan Gardens, which are a sight by day and night. Evening visit to the gardens where there are many illuminated fountains. Overnight stay at hotel.

» Mysore - Ooty:
Morning after breakfast we start our drive towards Ootacamund most popularly known as Ooty. It is mostly referred to as the Queen of the Southern Hills stations.It drives its name from the Niligiri or the Blue Mountains - the name to the Hills by the inhabitants for more than 850 years because of the blue haze of clouds which envelope the hill slopes. Upon arrival we check into our pre booked Hotel. Afternoon we drive around Ooty to visit the Botanical Gardens , Lake Doddabetta , Mukurti Peak , the Pykara Dam and the sprawling Tea Plantation. Overnight at the Hotel.

» Ooty - Cochin :
After a relaxed morning breakfast we are now set to start our journey towards the famous town of Kerala - COCHIN. Upon arrival in Cochin we check into our pre booked hotel. Evening is relaxed and free for individual activities. Overnight at the Hotel.

» Cochin :
Early morning rise and transfer to the backwaters of Cochin, which run from the sea inland through lush tropical countryside. It could be compared to a cruise down the amazon with jungle foliage hanging from the banks. This relaxing boat trip is fascinating, as our guide discussed the history of the early explorers and traders who used this as a main artery to the sea. Even the locals board and disembark, coming and going from village. Return to Cochin and afternoon spent exploring the unexpected and isolated Jewish community. It was a main area for spice trading. Scores of small companies huddle together in old buildings, with the air filled of ginger, cardamom, cumin and clove scent. Local potters load carts of spices running up and down narrow lanes for transport. One street - long area is the Mattacncherry section, used to occupy virtually all Jewish homes, the oldest synagogue in the former British Empire. Cochin is one of the most fascinating cities of coastal south India. It is a city with indelible marks of Christian, Islamic, Hindu and Jewish traditions. The true character of the city us to be found in the older part of the Fort Cochin area which remains as it used to be a 1000 years ago. This part of the City reflects an unusual bled of medieval Portuguese, Dutch and English life grafted on to the tropical Malabar coast. A unique feature here is isolated Jewish community, whose origins date back to AD 52. Evening we go to watch the famous Kathakali Dance Performance. Overnight at the hotel.

» Cochin - Thaneermukh - Kumarakom :
Drive to the Thaneermukh boat landing stage and take a boat ride on the Backwaters to Kumarakom and check in to the our pre booked resort . The rest of the day relaxing by the pool or taking a sunset cruise on a man - powered nice-boat. You may wish to visit the Ayurvedic centre for a herbal massage. In the Evening attend a demonstration of Kerala cuisine cooking.

» Kumarakom - Periyar :
After early morning breakfast depart by car for a 5 hour drive to Thekkady. The drive up to this hilltop wildlife sanctuary is one of the most beautiful . Starting with coconut groves at the lower lever you then see rubber, tea and the spice plantation as you gain height. Upon arrival check into the Resort. In the afternoon take a jeep ride to a nearby spice plantation. Late afternoon take a boat ride on Lake Periyar to look for wild animals drinking or taking a dip in this 100 year old lake.

» Periyar - Madurai :
Today we start our drive towards Madurai. Upon arrival at Madurai we check into out our pre booked Hotel. Afternoon we visit Madurai whose history goes back to six centuries before Christ. The Pandyan rulers made this their capital until the 14th Century and the city flowered with the genius of its writers, builders, poets and academics. Then the Nayaks ruled Madurai from the middle of the 16th Century to 1743. The ten tall Gopurams of the Meenakshi Temple were raised during their dynasty. This is a huge compled of Temples. A thousand - pillared hall and a tank. A full day tour visiting the Meenakshi Temple, Palace of King Triumalay, the great tank, Gandhi Museum and Temple at Alaghat Koli enroute visiting Elephant Rock. Overnight stay at the hotel.

» Madurai :
After an early breakfast take a full days tour to Rameshwaram, a major center for Hindu pilgrimage. Here the God Rama offered prayers to Lord Shiva. One of the most scared towns of India , it is well known for its temple corridor - the longest in India, the Bathing Ghat , Ganthamathana Parvatham , Kothandaramar temple , Kurusadai and other nearby islands - abundant with coral reefs and other Marine wonders. Return to the hotel for overnight.

» Madurai - Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) :
Depart for Trichy by road enroute visiting Tanjore. Thanjaur was the seat of the Chola Empire from the 10th to the 14th Centuries and it was a Chola King, Rajah Chola who built the greatest of its 74 temples, the Birhadeswara Temple which is more than 200 feet tall in the Dravidian truncated pyramid form, and has a huge lingam in its sanctorium. In the inner shrine of the temple, one sees India's second largest statue of Nandi the bull, the mount of the God Shiva. Upon arrival in Trichy check into your pre booked hotel. Evening at leisure for personal activities. Overnight at the Hotel.

» Trichy - Mahabalipuram :
After breakfast we go for a morning city tour of Trichy visiting Rock Fort, Sirangam and Jambukeshwar Temples. Trichy's historic associations stretch from chola times to the 18th Century karnataka Wars, When Britain and France espoused the aspirations of rival princes. We now continue our journey towards Mahabalipuram. Upon arrival we check into our pre booked hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

» Mahabalipuram :
Morning we undertake a full day city tour of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. Mahabalipuram, once the principal port of the Pallavas who ruled between the 06th and 09th Centuries AD. "The City of Seven pagodas". Is nothing less than a breathtaking display masterful sculpture carved out of solid rocks of granite, the Shore Temple - a splendid example of early temple construction in the south. Penance of Bhagirata the worlds largest bas - relief also known as "Argon's Penance'. Kanchipuram, city of a thousand temples, Once the capital of Pallava, Kanchipuram still contains no less than 124 shrines. The temples were built mainly by two rulers, Mahendray and Mamalla Narashimha Parman. Typical of their architecture is the Kailasnatha Temple dedicated to Siva, believed to be 1200 years Old . Other important ones include the 16th Century Ekambasreshwar Temple, Kamakshi Temple, and Vaikunta Perumal. Kanchipuram is the centre of Silk weaving and is famous for its saris and materials. Return to the Hotel for an Overnight.

» Mahabalipuram - Madras (Drive) - Mumbai (BOMBAY) Flight :
Early morning we depart for Madras city tour visiting the National Art Gallery Fort St. George, St. Mary's Church and the St. Thomas Cathedral and drive along the marina. Walk with our guide though some colourful market areas. Afternoon transfer to the airport to board our flight for MUMBAI ( BOMBAY ). Upon arrival we are met and transferred to your pre booked Hotel. Rest of the day at Leisure. Overnight at the Hotel.

» Leave Bombay :
After what will have been a majestic way to see and experience royal India, we bid farewell as we are transferred to the airport for our flight back home.