Our Trips - Cultural Tours - Mystique of the Southern Shores

Season : September to April
Best : November to March
Duration : 16 days



A juxtapose of many cultures all churned in a cauldron of ex quite architecture, timeless golden beaches call of the jungles and magnificence of yards and yards of silk. This is an India many would cherish to experience. The ancient Dravidian culture of Tamil Nadu’s temples, strong traditions of classical dance and music, a charming blend of the Orient and occident. As the Colonial rules changed hands, different architecture took root. The British East India Company in Madras, The Dutch and Portuguese influence in Cochin along with the Jewish settlements. The Fresh governance at Pondicherry and setting a “ Would understanding” centre at Auroville, a UNESCO World Heritage site at Tanjore’s Brahadeeswarar Temple, the fragrance of Sandalwood in Mysore and the murmur of backwaters in Kerala. Come to the heady World of Southern India.

Day 01
Arrive Mumbai. Transfer to hotel.

Day 02
Breakfast. Morning motor launch excursion to Elephanta Cave Island from the Gate of India Pier. Return to shore. Afternoon city tour visiting Prince of Wales Museum, Mani Bhawan, Hanging Garden, Kamla Nehru Park, Mahalaxmi Temple, drive past Victoria Terminus. Optional spend the rest of the day on Marine drive and chowpati. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03
Breakfast. Transfer to airport for flight to Chennai (Madras). Transfer to hotel. Tour of fort St. george, St. Mary’s Church, Basilica of San Thom, Kapaleeswarer Temple, Parthasarathy Temple, National Art Gallery. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04
Breakfast. Drive to Mamallapuram ( Mahabalipuram). Transfer to hotel. A beautiful beach with Casurina trees, this little town is a gem of Pallava Rathas, Arjuna’s Penance, Shore Temple. At leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05
Breakfast. Drive to Pondicherry, a former french Colony and home to Aurobindo Ashram at Auroville. Transfer to Hotel. Visit Auroville, an enclave built for International living and understanding one another’s needs and views.

Day 06
Breakfst. Drive to Thanjavur ( Tanjore). Transfer to hotel. Once the capital of the chola dynasty, Raja Raja chota erected the landmark, Brahadeeswarar Temple, built in early Dravidian style with a 66.5 mt high tower, with a monolithic granite block weighing 81 tonnes on top of this high tower ( world Heritage site).

Day 07
Breakfast. Drive to Madurai. Transfer to hotel. An ancient city along the river Vigai, Madurai was once the capital of the Pandya Kings and centre of Tamil culture and learning. Today it is bustling commercial centre. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08
Breakfast. Tour of temples – Meenakshi Sundareswarar dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and her consort, the temple museum, Tirumalai Nayak Palace of the former Nayak rulers, Vaudiyar Mariamman Tank with a shire on a small island in the centre of the pool. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 09
Breakfst. Drive to Periyar Game Sanctuary. Afternoon boat ride on Lake Periyar for game viewing. Overnight hotel.

Day 10
Drive to Kochi ( Cochin) via Kottayam. Transfer to hotel. Evening watch a performance of Kathakali dance. Overnight hotel.

Day 11
Breakfast. Visit Jewish Synagogue at Mattancherry built in 1567, Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church built in 1503 by the Portuguese Franciscan friars, it the oldest Church in this subcontinent. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12
Early wake up call. Breakfast. Transfer to airport for flight to Bangalore. Drive to Mysore enroute visit Srirangapatnam fortress built by Tipu Sultan and Daria Daulat the Summer Palace. Check-in to hotel. At leisure. Evening visit Brindavan Garden in illumination at the Krishnarajasagar dam. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13
Breakfast. Visit the old Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hill with the temple of Goddess Chamundeswari, the patron deity of Mysore Royal family . visit the shopping areas for Mysore silk textile, sandal wood handicrafts etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14
Breakfast. Drive to Hassan enroute visit Sravanabelagola, the oldest and the most important Jain Shrine in India, with the 17 mt. High statue of Saint Gomatesvara on the Indragiri Hill. It the highest monolithic statue in the world and visible from a distance of 25 kms. Arrive Hassan and check-in at hotel.

Day 15
Breakfast. Tour of the ancient capitals of the Hoysala Kings Belur and Halebid and thereafter drive to Bangalore.
Belur – noted for its superb temple architecture, Square temples built on high platforms, decorated with horizontal bands of exuberant sculptures of Gods, Goddess, birds and animals. Chennakeshwara Temple built to celebrate the victory of the Hoysalas King Vishnuvardana after defeating the Cholas of Tamil Nadu, an unique star shaped temple built on raised platform.
Halebid – originally known as Dwarasamdhra, the city was found in 11th century by the Hoysala dynasty. Attacked by the Delhi Sultanate’s army in the 14th centure. The city was abandoned and came to be known as Halebid “ old capital”. Its magnificent temple architecture is an evidence of the artistic genius and the aesthetic inclination of the Hoysala Kings.
Hoyesakeswara temple – perhaps the most outstanding example of Hoysala art, the temple took 86 years to be built and still stands incomplete in structure.
Continue drive to Bangalore. On arrival check in to hotel.

Day 16
Breakfast. Bangalore is gracious and green city despite the fact that it is an industrial and commercial centre. Visit Vidhana Soudha a neo Dravidian architecture it houses the secretariat the state Legislature, Cubbon Park – 120 lectane of greenary, following trees and within its periphery lies the high court, Museum and the Museum of technology and Industry, Lal bagh garden laid out in 18th century by the ruler of Mysore Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, the park has collection of rare plants and unusual old trees which have survived for 3 centuries. Late evening transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai to connect onward flight.

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