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Grand Tour of South India
16 Days / 15 Nights from £1,945 Escorted Group or Private Journey · Princely Mysore · Tropical Kerala · Exotic Temples The delicate scent of spices, the sound of temple bells, exotic flora and fauna and miles of beautiful beaches characterise southern India. This journey encompasses the best of the region, travelling through colonial hill stations and tropical backwaters whilst discovering flamboyant temples and a rich cultural and historical heritage.
at leisure. Evening optional Kathakali dance performance (payable locally). (B) Day 8 To Kumarakom: Morning drive to Alleppey for a cruise through the Kerala backwaters. Later continue to Kumarakom and transfer by boat to Kumarakom Lake Resort / Coconut Lagoon for a 2-night stay. Evening sunset boat ride on Lake Vembanad. (B) Day 9 Kumarakom: At leisure. (B) Day 10 To Thekkady: Morning drive into the Western Ghats to Thekkady. After lunch, visit a spice garden where you will be introduced to different spices and shown how some are grown. Overnight at the Taj Garden Retreat / Spice Village. (B) Day 11 To Madurai: After breakfast, drive to Madurai. This afternoon, visit the Meenakshi Temple, an outstanding example of south Indian temple architecture. Overnight at the Taj Garden Retreat. (B) Day 12 To Tanjore: Morning drive to Trichy to visit the imposing Rock Fort Temple, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple and St John's Church. Later continue to nearby Tanjore for a 2-night stay at Hotel Parisutham / Ideal River View. (B)
Day 13 Tanjore: Morning visit to Brihadeeswara Temple, the grandest architectural achievement of the Chola era and a World Heritage Site. Afternoon at leisure. (B) Day 14 To Covelong: Full day drive to Covelong. En route you will visit Darasuram, a temple noted for its fine sculpture, and the bronzecasting centre at Swami Malai. Late afternoon arrival in Covelong, and stay at Taj Fisherman's Cove for 2 nights. (B) Day 15 Covelong: Short drive to visit the scenically located shore temples at Mahabalipuram. Afternoon at leisure. (B) Day 16 To London: Very early morning transfer to Chennai airport and fly to London with British Airways. (N) * The train excursion between Ooty and Coonoor is subject to the train being in service. Private Journeys: In addition to the Escorted Groups, this itinerary may be taken at any time as a Private Journey, subject to availability, and the prices for this option are shown on the price table. Please refer to page 8 for more information about Private Journeys.
Day 1 To Bangalore: Fly from London to Bangalore with British Airways. (N) Day 2 To Mysore: Early morning arrival in Bangalore and transfer to the Hotel Regaalis (or similar) for a 1-night stay, including immediate occupancy. After breakfast, transfer by road to Mysore visiting Srirangapatnam, the site of Tipu Sultan's summer palace, en route. Stay for 2 nights at the Hotel Regaalis (or similar). (B) Day 3 Mysore: Morning visit to the huge Nandi Bull on Chamundi Hill and the magnificent Maharaja's Palace. Afternoon at leisure to visit the Mysore markets or an optional excursion to Somnathpur. (B) Day 4 To Ooty: Morning drive to the hill station of Ooty. Afternoon tour of Ooty Botanical Gardens. Stay 2 nights at the Taj Savoy. (B) Day 5 Ooty: Take a scenic narrow gauge train trip to Coonoor (as featured in the film A Passage to India)*. Afternoon at leisure or optional visit to the British built golf course (clubs available for hire locally). (B) Day 6 To Cochin: Full day drive to Cochin. Stay for 2 nights at the Taj Malabar (or similar). (B) Day 7 Cochin: Morning cruise of scenic Cochin harbour, followed by a visit to Jewtown and Mattancherry Palace, a gift from the King of Portugal to the Raja of Travancore. Afternoon
Tea pickers, near Ooty
For tour reservations and tailor made quotations 020 7873 5000
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