South
India Tour Package
South
India Cultural TourDuration
of Travel: 16 Nights / 17 Days
Destinations
Covered: Mumbai - Hyderabad - Chennai - Mysore - Bangalore - Hampi -
Bijapur - Goa - Mumbai
Day 1: Mumbai : A fitting place to
start.
On arrival - met, assisted and transferred to your hotel.
Rest of the day at your discretion.
Day 2: Mumbai : The city
of dreams.
For the day
visit Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Hanging Gardens on the
slopes of Malabar Hills offering nice view of Marine Lines & Chowpatty
Beach, Kamla Nehru Park, Mani Bhawan (where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay) and
then to Dhobi Ghat. Also visit Afgan Church, Flora Fountain (Bombay nerve
centre), Colourful Crawford Market and Marine Drive.
Day 3:
Hyderabad : Nijams rich legacy.
You will be transferred to
Hyderabad by flight. After lunch, we visit the Charminar- rectangular four
arched monumental gate often described as "The Arch of Triumph of the
East", the Mecca Mosque and Salar Jung Museum - one man's collection of
manuscripts, ancient weapons, costumes and curios. Later drive past the High
Court buildings.
Day 4: Hyderabad : Uncovering the Mysteries
of Golconda.
Full day excursion to Golconda Fort. Golconda, once
famed for its diamond mines (from which the famous Kohinoor diamond of the
British crown was mined), is the site of a strategic fort dating back to the
13th century. This invincible fort has an extraordinary acoustical system
and massive battlements. Later visit the Usmansagar Lake- one of the most
beautiful man-made lakes.
Day 5: Chennai : Dravidian
Citadel.
From Hyderabad board the flight for Chennai. Arrive and
check in hotel. For the day visit Museum to see the Art & Bronze
Gallery. Drive through the Flower and Fruit Markets, High Court, Fort
Museum, Marina Beach, San Thome Cathedral, The Theosophical Society and
Snake Park.
Day 6: Chennai : Sacred journey to Tirupati.
After breakfast, we take full day excursion of Tirupati- one of the
most important & the richest temple of the world. It is famous for the
shrine of "Seven hills" of Tirumala which attract millions of
pilgrims from all over India. Picturesquely situated amidst sacred
waterfalls and tanks, the shrine presents a fine example of early Dravidian
art. In front of it is the "Hall of Pillars" from where an
attractive stepped way leads to the temple. Evening return back to hotel.
Day 7: Mysore : Silk & sandalwood.
Early morning
board the train for Mysore. From Railway station, you will be transferred to
hotel. After lunch we take half-day sight seeing tour of Mysore visiting the
palace of the Maharaja built in 1911-12. The palace is a harmonious
synthesis of the Hindu and saracenic styles of architecture with
magnificient Archways, Domes, Turrets, Colonnades and Sculptures.Also visit
the Art Gallery, drive upto Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple &
panoramic view of Mysore. On your way back see the Nandi Bull -a monolith
structure.
Day 8: Mysore : Sublime expressions of stone.
Full day excursion to Sravanbelagola, Belur and Halebid. At
Sravanbelagola, hewn out of a single rock and visible from a distance of 25
kms is the statue of Lord Gomteshwara, which is bathed with milk ,
sandalwood,saffron once every 12 years. The Chennakesava temple of Belur
built 900 years ago is an exquisite example of Hoysala art. Halebid 's 12th
century Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples are masterpieces of Hindu art.
Day 9: Bangalore : Passing through history.
After
breakfast, we drive towards Bangalore. On the way we visit Srirangapatnam
,16 kms from Mysore. This fort was the stronghold of Tippu Sultan, son of
Hyder Ali. Tippu fought a valiant battle against the British in 1799 before
laying down his life. Among the many fort buildings till intact are Tippu 's
airy summer palace and his tomb at the Darya Daulat Bagh (Garden). Also
visit Sri Ranganatha Temple.
Day 10: Bangalore : India's
silicon valley.
For the first half we take day sightseeing tour of
the "Garden City" which covers the Lal Bagh having variety of old
Trees, Fountains, Lotus, Pools, Terraces and an assortment of Tropical Herbs
and Sub - Tropical Herbs. Also see the Government Buildings and the
Maharaja's Palace. Utilise rest of the day in shopping or personal
activities.
Day 11: Hampi : A city that was.
Proceed to Hampi- the erstwhile capital city of Vijayanagar Empire which had
Palaces, Temples and sculptures spread all over. The city was razed to the
ground by the Sultanates of South in 1565. We Check in hotel at Hospet (12
km from Hampi). Rest of the day at your discretion or you can explore group
of monuments at Hampi.
Day 12: Hampi : Conversation with the
monuments.
Whole day we explore the wealthy monuments of Hampi.
Evening return back to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 13:
Bijapur : Gol Gumbaz - where the silence screams.
Bijapur was the
capital of the Adil Shah Kings who left a wealth of monuments. The most
famous is the Gol Gumbaz whose dome is the second largest in the world.A
whisper into the dome on one side gets magnified 12 times and on the other
side of the dome is an amazing acoustical phenomenon.Other buildings to see
are Ibrahim Rauza, Gagan Mahal, Bara Kaman etc.
Day 14: Goa
: Baywatch.
After break fast we proceed to Goa. Arrive and check
in hotel. For the day you are free to relax.
Day 15: Goa :
Rome in India.
We start our half-day sightseeing tour from the
slopes of Altinho Hill for a breathtaking view of Panjim and river Mandovi.
Then to Dona-Paula for a view of India's largest natural harbour-Mormugao.
Afterwards we visit old Goa and see the Basillica of Bom Jesus which
contains the tomb & mortal remains of St. Francis Xavierh housed in a
silver ornate casket , Se. Cathedral- the biggest Church in the East, St.
Cajetan- built like St. Peter (Rome), Church of Our Lady Rosary and St.
Monica. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 16: Goa : Time out
for leisure.
Whole day free to explore its beaches or to relax.
Day 17: Mumbai : A fitting finale.
From Goa board
the flight for Mumbai. Day will be kept free at your discretion till the
time of your departing flight. You'll be transferred to the Airport for
onward flight.
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