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Indian
Holidays Tour ::Tea Tour of South India
Duration : 14 Nights 15
Days
Destinations Covered : Chennai - Covelong - Bangalore - Hassan
via Sravanabelagola - Hassan - Coorg - Nagarhole - Mysore - Ooty
Day 1 : Chennai
Arrive Chennai and transfer to Fisherman's Cove. Full day at leisure on the
beach.
Day 2 : Covelong
A day of sightseeing. Visit Mamallapuram group of World Heritage monuments
including Shore temple and Arjuna's Penance. Also visit the golden city of
Kanchipuram - one of the four most sacred places.
Day 3 : Covelong
A day on the beach.
Day 4 : Chennai - Bangalore
Early morning transfer to Chennai Railway station and take train to Bangalore
(5 hrs). Tour the "Garden City," including a visit to Lal Bagh Botanical
Gardens, the Mysore Arts and Crafts Center, the bull temple, and the colorful
and bustling markets.
Day 5 : Bangalore - Hassan via Sravanabelagola
Morning drive to Hassan enroute visiting Sravanabelagola (5 hrs). One has to
climb 600 steps to reach the hilltop dominated by 1000 years old Gomateshwara
statue. The statue is considered to be the tallest monolith (17 m) and most
graceful sculptures of the world. Afternoon visit Belur and Halebid temples.
The visual is often described as the ‘jewel box’ of Hoysala temple
architecture.
Day 6 : Hassan - Coorg
Morning drive to Coorg (3 hrs). Afternoon at leisure to explore the rolling
hills with plantations of coffee, black pepper vines and the celebrated Coorg
orange and cardamom plants.
Day 7 : Coorg - Nagarhole
Morning drive to Nagarhole (4 hrs) and check in at Kabini River Lodge - the
hunting lodge of Mysore Maharaja, at the edge of Nagarhole National Park.
In the afternoon take a jeep safari in the park
Day 8 : Nagarhole National Park
Morning and afternoon jungle safaris in the Nagarhole National Park. Rest
of the day at leisure by the river.
Day 9 : Nagarhole National Park - Mysore
Morning Jungle safari by jeep. Late morning drive to Mysore (3 hrs). Afternoon
visit Mysore Royal Palace.
Day 10 : Somnathpur
Morning excursion to Somnathpur (1 hr). Visit Keshava temple built in 1268 AD,
richly adorned with carved friezes and sculptured images. Evening visit to Brindavan
Gardens, with its many water features, including the musical fountains.
Day 11 : Mysore - Ooty
Morning drive to Ooty (4 hrs) - the erstwhile summer headquarters of the British
government in southern India and offers a cool retreat.
Day 12 : Ooty
In the morning proceed by Nilgiri Mountain Railway - toy train to Coonoor
across plantations and forest clad hills with breathtaking views. Drive backs
to Ooty and proceed for sight seeing.
Day 13 : Ooty - Chennai
The morning is at leisure. Afternoon drive to Mettupalayam and connect the
overnight train for Chennai.
Day 14 : Chennai
Arrive Chennai, upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Later tour of Mahabalipuram
& Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram (64 kms from Chennai) is the ancient capital
of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines.
The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and
has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha , Sri Kamakshi
and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks.
The city of Mahabalipuram is 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.
Day 15 : Chennai
Breakfast at the hotel. Chennai is a bustling city with a relaxed and friendly
character. Our tour commence in the area around the 17th century Fort St.
George, taking in St. Mary's Church where Clive of India was married, before
a visit to the Government Museum to view the Chola bronzes. Finally we visit
San Thome Catherdal, said to house the remains of the apostle. Thomas who
is reputed to have brought Christianity to India in the 1st century AD. Later
transfer to the International Airport to catch the flight for onward
