India Dravida with Aurangabad & Mumbai Extension (Multi country)

Once you arrive at Chennai Airport, you will be met by our tour representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in (preferably book a flight arriving at noon, between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm). Chennai (formerly Madras), the capital of Tamil Nadu, is located along the coast of the Bay of Bengal, and was established after 1639 when the British East India Company founded a fortress and a port. It was developed around the fortress of St. George. Many buildings are still reminiscent of the Colonial kingdom. The remainder of this day is free for you to explore the city at leisure.

Overnight in Chennai.

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before you leave for a sightseeing tour of Chennai, which includes a visit to Fort St. George, completed in 1653 and today filled with reminders of the past, including St. Mary’s, the first church consecrated on Indian soil. You will stop at the National Museum of human history, culture (closed on Fridays) and also stroll along Marina Beach, an elegant promenade and Chennai University, one of the three oldest universities in India, with its beautiful Senate House and the Nawab Palace. Then proceed to the old Indian section of Mylapore, where you will visit San Thome Basilica- the culmination of the enduring legend of Thomas Didymus, the apostle who doubted and who is believed to have lived and preached on Mylapore’s shores. The tour will be ending with the visit the Temple of Kapaleeshwarar, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, who stands out for its thousands of colorful figures. Afterward, return to the hotel where you will enjoy the remainder of the afternoon free at leisur

Overnight in Chennai.

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before you leave Chennai and head to Mahabalipuram, with a stop en route in the ‘Golden City’ of Kanchipuram. It contains about 125 shrines dating back to the early Cholas of 200 BC. It was successively the capital of the Cholas, the Pallavas and the Rayas of Vijayanagara, and a testimony to this are its magnificent temples. Kanchipuram’s other claim to fame is its silk, renowned for more than four centuries. A unique system of weavers makes and sells Kanchi saris, the most sought-after saris in India (Kanchipuram temples are open until 12pm). Later, continue with the drive to Mahabalipuram, and on arrival check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Mahabalipuram, located on a stunning rocky outcrop between the beach and a lagoon, a dream world of awesome Tamil art, an open-air museum of sculpture in living rock. The piece de resistance is Arjuna’s Penance or the Descent of the Ganga, the world’s largest bas-relief. It is a beautiful composition of hundreds of celestial beings, humans and animals all hurrying to a natural rock cleft that divides the giant stone. The best-known landmark of Mahabalipuram, is the Shore Temple which has stood by the sea for 12 centuries and was recently listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In the late afternoon, you will be back in the hotel.

Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before you drive to Thanjavur. En route, stop at Chidambram, and Darasuram. Chidambaram is an important pilgrimage center for the followers of God Shiva known for its famous Nataraja temple, an excellent example of the Dravidian architecture of Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to the god Shiva as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer. The dance represents the five activities of God: creation, preservation, destruction, vigilance, and blessing. Continuing to Darasuram, we will visit one of the three ‘Great living temples of Chola’, Airavetesvara Temple, whose complex was built by Chola Raja II and presents in the heart of the main enclosure an image of Shiva carved in stone. After the visit, proceed onward for Tanjore, where you will check-in upon arrival. The rest of the day at leisure. Tanjore is known as the Cradle of Arts and offers different cultural-artistic shows and exhibitions which you will have an opportunity to explore on your own.

Overnight in Thanjavur.

Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before you proceed for an excursion in the historical town of Trichy. Your first stop of the tour is at Rock Fort, which dominates the landscape at an altitude of 90 meters, followed by the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Ganapathi. 434 steps carved into rock interspersed with shrines lead to this temple, while yet another flight leads to the temple of Lord Shiva. The ascent is rewarded with a magnificent view of the sacred Kaveri River. Then visit the island of Srirangam, a massive temple dedicated to Vishnu, which contains a bazaar within its walls. Its annual winter festival attracts thousands of devotees. After the tour, return back to your hotel.

Overnight in Thanjavur.

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, continue to your following destination, the holy city of Madurai, found in the heart of Tamil Nadu. Upon the arrival check in to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent temple of Menakshi-Sundareshwara, rebuilt in the 17th century by King Tirumalai-Nayak. It is a real masterpiece, where you can admire an astonishing proliferation of columns and corridors embellished with countless statues in an atmosphere full of life and faith. In the evening, you will attend a Hindu puja, a Hinduism ritual where people give donations to deities. 

Overnight in Madurai.

After breakfast, depart to Periyar, where you will check-in at around noon. After lunch, prepare to discover this land of elephants, unending hills and spice-scented plantations. The flora and fauna of Periyar’s wildlife sanctuary are absolutely thrilling, and the Periyar Lake is a paradise for nature lovers, the greatest delight it offers being the herds of elephants that come down to play in its waters. Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (PNP) is a protected area in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta in Kerala, India. It is notable as an elephant reserve and a tiger reserve. Enjoy an afternoon boat ride on Periyar Lake and contemplate the wildlife. Keep an eye out for sambhar, bison, spotted deer, tigers, leopards, Malabar flying squirrels, stripe-necked mongooses and more. In the evening, watch a Kerala martial arts performance called Kalaripatitty at a theatre in Periyar. Known as the mother of all martial arts, Kalaripayattu originated in South India and is one of the oldest fighting systems in existence. It includes strikes, kicks, grappling, weaponry and healing methods. Afterward, you could visit the spice plantation to get an insight into the different spices and aromas, which complement the Indian gastronomy (not included, optional extra).

Overnight in Periyar.

Enjoy your delicious breakfast at the hotel and get ready for your following destination. You will departure to the “Venice ofEast” - Alleppey. Upon the arrival, you will be embarking on the traditional Boathouse. Get a new perspective from this boat trip among Kerala´s backwaters, lagoon, and canals. In the middle of the waterways, there are many hidden islands, towns, and cities and you will have a chance to get an insight into the profound lifestyle of the people living deep inside of these scenic surroundings. Enjoy your lunch on the board (included) and get yourself allure in this calmness beautiful atmosphere. In the evening enjoy your dinner on the board (included).

Overnight at Houseboat.

Enjoy your beautiful breakfast on the houseboat, after which you disembark, hop on to your bus and continue to Kochi. Arrive Kochi at the hotel and check-in to the hotel. Enjoy an afternoon city tour of Kochi, which includes a visit to the Mattancherry Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese in 1555 and renovated by the Dutch in 1663. In these ancient rooms are 17th-century murals that relate in vibrant color the story of the epic Ramayana. If possible, visit from the outside a Jewish Synagogue in Jew Town and Fort Cochin Area – legend dates Jewish trade with Kerala as far back as the times of King Solomon. Later, marvel at St. Francis Church, the oldest European Catholic Church in India, which was built in the early 16th century and is a place of the final rest of the explorer Vasco da Gama. End the tour admiring the local anglers ‘usage of the typical Chinese Fishing Nets which are unique to this part of Kerala and represent a living symbol of the centuries-old Chinese influence on this coast. Once back in the hotel, spend the time at leisure exploring this “Queen of Arabian Sea” on your own. 

Overnight in Kochi.

After a leisurely breakfast in the hotel, step out into the vibrant streets of Kochi and enjoy a whole day exploring this fascinating location at your own rhythm. You can either wander around its colorful streets, sightseeing, shopping and trying local food, or relaxing at the hotel making the most of the available services. Today, you set the pace.

Overnight in Kochi.

Enjoy your beautiful breakfast at the hotel after which you will be transferred to the Kochi Airport to board your flight to Bangalore (Recommended flight: Indigo Flight 6E 592. Dep. Cochin at 09:40 am and arrival Bangalore at 10:55 am). Upon your arrival, there will be a tour representative waiting for you and will assist you with the transfer to your next destination, Mysore. Once in Mysore, check-in to your hotel. The rest of the day at leisure. Stroll down the busy streets of this stunning city and get involved into the local atmosphere, enjoying some specialties from local gastronomy. 

Overnight in Mysore.

Enjoy your luscious breakfast at the hotel and get ready for your city tour of Mysore, known as the ‘City of Palaces and Oriental Splendour’ (tour starts approx. at 9:00 am). It is the principal residence of the royal family. This tour will take you to visit the Maharajas’s Palace, a synthesis of Hindu and Muslim styles, with a profusion of gateways, domes, arches, turrets, colonnades, and sculpture. Then continue to Chamundi Hill, named after the Royal Family’s patron goddess and the site of summer palaces, an ancient temple and the 16-foot Nandi (Shiva’s bull) carved out of a single huge boulder. The view from the hill offers a beautiful panorama of not only all of Mysore but also of the surrounding hills, lakes and the turrets of temples and churches. Once back in the hotel (approx. at 1:00 pm) spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Mysore.

Wake up to breakfast at the hotel before setting off to our following destination, Hassan (approx. at 8:00 am). En-route we will visit Belur and Halebidu temples (approx. 2 hrs), which flourished under the Hoysala Kings around 800 years ago. The sole memory of this grandeur being the Chennakesava Temple. It stands in a perfect state of preservation and is an outstanding testament to the skill of Hoysala craftsmen. Its polished black stone exterior is profusely carved with scenes from the epics, each figure sculpted with fine detail. A short distance away at Halebid is a sister temple, the Hoysalesvara, dedicated to Shiva. The art here is remarkable, with endless exquisite details: frieze upon frieze of gods, goddesses, animals, and humans. It was constructed a decade after the Belur Temple by the same king but left uncompleted after 80 years of labor. Once arrive at Haasan, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Hassan.

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel and get ready for the departure to Banglore airport to board the flight for Mumbai (Recommended flight: Air India Flight AI 608: departure Banglore at 5:25 pm, arrival to Mumbai at 7:05 pm). Upon your arrival, there will be a tour representative waiting for you and who will assist you with the transfer and with the check in to your hotel. Mumbai is known as the city that never sleeps and it represents the big blender of different cultures, customs, and traditions. Discover the busy streets of this metropolis and birthplace of the Indian cinema and absorb its metropolitan atmosphere.

Overnight in Mumbai.

Wake up to your breakfast at the hotel and get ready for the Mumbai´s half-day sightseeing tour. Visit the Gateway of India, Mumbai’s principal landmark, Afghan Church built-in memory of those who fell in the First Afghan War. Drive past the Bombay High Court and the Old secretariat. The ornamental university building with its 280 ft. high Rajabhai Clock Tower, the ornate Victoria Terminus, the colorful Crawford Market, the Flora Fountain in the large bustling square at the heart of the city, the Prince of Wales Museum (Closed on Mondays) which houses a varied collection of China-ware, miniature paintings, and sculpture. After this thrilling experience, you will be transferred to the Mumbai airport at around 1:00 pm to catch the flight to Aurangabad (Recommended flight: Air India Flight AI 442: Departure from Mumbai at 3:25 pm, arrival to Aurangabad at 4:45 pm). Meet and greet our tour representative who will assist you with the transfer and check in to your hotel. 

Overnight in Aurangabad.

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel and continue with a morning excursion to Ellora, one of the finest examples of Indian sculpture (estimate departure at 8:00 am). The awe-inspiring mammoth Kailash Temple carved out of the solid rock, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This monolithic structure is a very rare phenomenon that demanded the most careful planning, based not on what was added but what was removed! Ellora is a repository of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain religious expression: thirty-four shrines synthesize Indian religion and India’s passion for sculpture. In the afternoon, upon returning to Aurangabad (at approx. 4:30 pm), enjoy a three-hour city tour of Aurangabad, which was named after the Mughal emperor Aurangazeb who made it his capital. Aurangazeb was a megalomaniac who had his father Shah Jehan imprisoned. Visit the Bibi-ka-Maqbara, built-in memory of Aurangazeb’s wife Rabia Durrani, which was meant to surpass the Taj Mahal (built by his father Shah Jehan) in grandeur. Continue with the Panchakki, or ‘Water Mill’, an ingenious creation of Mughal engineers who used it to harness water to run large grinding stones, which served as a flour mill. The tomb of a Muslim saint lies in the garden beyond the mill. Once back in the hotel (approx. at 4:30 pm) enjoy the time at leisure. 

Overnight in Aurangabad.

Enjoy your last breakfast at the hotel before your visit to the Buddhist caves of Ajanta one of the most beautiful and oldest caves in the country (approx. departure at 8:00 am). They are hewn out of rock by Buddhist monks who found the sanctuary and left a legend for posterity. These thirty caves containing twenty-six monasteries and four temples have wall paintings and sculptures of a timeless aesthetic appeal. Some of the most exquisite paintings depict the life and teachings of Buddha, as well as his earlier life as a prince. The Ajanta Caves are like chapters of a splendid epic tale in visual form. Marvel at how the natural light brightens the caves at different times of the day, an awe-inspiring feat. Afterward, transfer to the airport to board your flight for Mumbai (Estimated arrival at Mumbai International Airport is approx. at 9:30 pm. Please arrange your return flights accordingly).