India Dravida with Mysore & Hassan Extension

Once you arrive at Chennai Airport, you will be met by our tour representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in. (We preferably recommend you to book a flight arriving 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 half-day sightseeing tour of Chennai (approx. 9:00 am). The tour 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 and culture (closed on Fridays) and 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 colourful figures. Afterward, return to the hotel where you will enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Chennai.

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before you leave Chennai (approx. at 8:00 am) and head to Mahabalipuram, with an en-route stop in the ‘Golden City’ of Kanchipuram for a 2 hours visit. 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. Kanchipuram is also famous for 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 12:00 pm). Afterward, continue to Mahabalipuram, and on arrival check in at the hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Mahabalipuram (approx. 3 hours), 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 masterpiece is Arjuna’s Penance (the Descent of the Ganga), the world’s largest bas-relief. The mixture of hundreds of celestial beings, human and animal beautifully decorate 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 (approx. at 5:30 pm), you will be back in the hotel.

Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before you drive to Thanjavur (approx. at 8:00 am). En route, stop at Chidambram, and Darasuram for a short tour (approx. 1 hour in each temple). Chidambaram is an important pilgrimage centre 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 Thanjavur, where you will check-in upon arrival in the late afternoon, at around 5:00 pm. the rest of the day at leisure. Thanjavur 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 a morning excursion in the historical town of Trichy (tour starts approx. at 8:30 am). Your first stop of the tour is the 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 another flight leads to the temple of Lord Shiva. The ascent is rewarded with a magnificent view of the sacred Kaveri River. After the lunch break at Trichy, continue to 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, at around 4:00 pm, 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 (approx. at 8:30 am). Upon the arrival check in to your hotel. In the afternoon, join our three-hour tour of 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 together with your guide (included). This is a Hinduism ritual where people give donations to deities to host and honour a guest, or to spiritually celebrate an event.

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 (included) 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 Kalaripayattu at a theatre in Periyar (included). 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 (not included, optional extra) to get an insight into the different spices and aromas, which complement the Indian gastronomy.

Overnight in Periyar.

Enjoy your delicious breakfast at the hotel and get ready for your following destination. You will depart to the “Venice of East” – Alleppey early in the morning at around 7:30 am. Upon arrival, you will be embarking on the traditional Houseboat. 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 luscious breakfast on the houseboat, after which you disembark (approx. at 7:30 am), hop on to your bus and continue to Kochi. Upon your arrival check-in to the hotel. Enjoy an afternoon three-hours 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 colour 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. Finish 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 in the afternoon (approx. at 4:30 pm), 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 colourful 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 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 labour. 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 the breakfast at the hotel and get ready for the departure directly to Bangalore airport to catch your flight to your following destinations. We recommend you to book your returning flight in the afternoon, approx. at 4:00 pm.