Day 1: Mumbai Welcome to India. You will be received at International Airport and immediately transferred to your hotel for rest. Overnight at Mumbai. Day 2: Mumbai - Chennai Transfer to airport after breakfast for flight to Chennai. Compass Representative will meet and assist you upon your arrival at the Chennai airport.
Transfer to your hotel. Check in at hotel in Chennai. In the afternoon, proceed for city tour of Chennai visiting Museum (Closed on Fridays and holidays). Drive through the flower and fruit market, High Court, Fort Museum, Marina Beach, San Thome Cathedral and Snake Park. Relax in the evening. Overnight at Chennai. Day 3: Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Chennai Excursion: By road full day excursion Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for Mahabalipuram by surface. Proceed for sight seeing of Mahabalipuram - famous for the seven pagodas. Here, on the seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples, which are the examples of Dravidian style of architecture. Visit Kanchipuram, ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 temples that still has 124 shrines. Kanchipuram is also famous for silk. Return to Chennai and relax at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Chennai - Tirupati (By road covering 140 km in 3 hr) Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Tirupati. Tirupati - A temple and pilgrim town. Located at the foot of the Tirumala Hills on which the ancient and beautiful temple of Lord Venkateshwara stands. Spread over seven hills, this township is the most picturesque pilgrimage centre in the south. One must see the fervor with which the
well. Gaze up at the twenty-one magnificent towers of the temple surrounded by seven walls. Return to hotel and relax.
Day 9: Trichy - Tanjore (By road covering 55 km in 1 hr) Breakfast at hotel. In the morning drive to Tanjore also known as Thanjavur (The rice bowl of TAMIL NADU). Proceed for sight seeing of Tanjore. Visit the famous Chola Temple of Brihadeeshwara - A WORLD HERITAGE MONUMENT. Its bronze and handicrafts make Tanjore one of the highlights of the tour to South India. The majesty of the palaces and art gallery attached to the temple is really awe-inspiring. It is also famous for the silk. Overnight at Tanjore.
Freshen up and by afternoon visit the famous Madurai Meenakshi temple (dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering GOPURAMS) - There are four entrances to this amazing temple complex set in 6 hectares. Beat some of the stone pillars in the complex with any hard object and feel incredible on hearing sweet metal sounds. The total number of pillars in the temple is a staggering one Thousand. If time permits enjoy a 'light & sound Panorama' in Thirumala Naik Temple (optional) or visit to Alagar hills & Thirupura Rock Temple. Overnight at Madurai. Day 11: Madurai - Rameshwaram - Madurai excursion Breakfast at hotel. Full day excursion to Rameshwaram, a city of swell and gentle sand dunes, embellished with the delicacy of casurina trees and stark palms. This is a sacred place for Hindus since according to Ramayana, this where Lord Rama worshipped God Shiva to absolve himself of the sin of killing. Return to Madurai by evening. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12: Madurai - Trivandrum (By road covering 264 km in 6 hr) Breakfast at hotel. Proceed to Kanyakumari - the southern tip where the Indian subcontinent meets the sea. Proceed for the sunset view against the sea - AN UNFORGETTABLE VIEW. Leave for Trivandrum by surface and reach late evening. Relax at hotel. Overnight at Trivandrum.
sea level. By evening the boat will be anchored at the middle of the water column. Enjoy a starry night stay in between blue waters & blue skies. Overnight on board the houseboat.
Day 14: Cochin Proceed to Cochin through the heartland of South Kerala. Experience the backwater views and pass through the choir villages and the rice bowl of Kerala - Alleppy. End the beautiful journey at Cochin. Check in at hotel. The eventful history of this city began when a major flood in AD 1341 threw open the estuary at Kochi, till then a land locked region, turning it into one of the finest natural harbors in the world. Kochi thus became a haven for seafaring visitors from all over the world and became the first European town-ship in India when the Portuguese settled here in the 15th century. A few interesting sites included in the tour are the Chinese fishing nets along the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow etc. Apart from these architectural splendors, an array of restaurants serving fresh seafood is also popular among tourists. The Chinese fishing nets erected on teak wood and bamboo poles work on the principle of balance. Records say they were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450. Vasco Da Gama Square, the narrow promenade that parallels the beach, is the best place to watch the nets being lowered and pulled out of the sea. Proceed for a SUNSET HARBOR CRUISE in the evening. This will be the best way to end your religious tour of South India. Overnight at Cochin.
Relax in the evening. Overnight at Mumbai. Day 16: Mumbai - Home Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to GATEWAY OF INDIA and proceed to harbor for ferry to ELEPHANTA CAVES. Sightseeing and return by afternoon. Proceed to hotel and relax in the evening. Check out late and transfer to airport at 2200 hr. Day 17: Mumbai - Home Early morning flight back home with sweet memories of India.
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