Duration : 13 Nights & 14 Days
Day 01: Arrive Cochin by International Flight
Upon arrival at airport, you will be meet & greet by our representative after which proceed to Hotel for check-in. Kochi, or more familiarly, Cochin is a city of many parts. Around for a long, long time, Kochi played a pivotal role in the development of shipping and trade in the region. Kochi’s prime location on the west coast, its fine bay and protected harbour made it popular with seafarers and merchant ships who made frequent stops to stock up on spices, coffee and wood enroute to the rich markets of Europe and West Asia. And so down the ages, Kochi prospered as a busy port city and commercial centre. Its seafront is still extremely relevant to Cochin and to India: it houses a Naval Base and one of India’s busiest ports. Its twin city, Ernakulam, is an important railhead and industrial centre.
Cochin’s history is a bright tapestry – many coloured threads woven through centuries together present the fabric of the present. Its involvement with the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British are evident in the architecture of city buildings, the old durbar hall is the spice in the dish! Modern day Kochi may be a busy port and shipping centre but it has many attractions for ordinary tourists. Overnight at the hotel
Day 02: Cochin
After a leisurely buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed for a half-day sightseeing tour of Cochin visiting Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Chinese Fishing net & ST. Francis Church. Dutch Palace (Closed on Fridays and National Holidays) is also known as Mattancherry Palace built by the Portuguese and presented to the Raja of Cochin in 1555 AD. It acquired the present name after 1663 when the Dutch carried out extensions and repairs in the palace. AT no time did the Portuguese or Dutch stay here. Its interiors are decorated with murals from the Ramayana and there are some lively displays of royal costumes and palanquins.
Jewish Synagogue (Closed on Saturdays and Jewish Holidays) was built in 1568 AD. The Great Scrolls of the Old Testament, the copper plates in which the grants of privilege made by the Cochin rulers were recorded and the exquisite Chinese hand-painted tiles are of interest
Chinese Fishing Nets – The Chinese Fishing net that line the sea-front and exhibit a mechanical method of catching fish by local fishermen in Fort Kochi. Said to have been brought from China by traders of Kubalai Khan’s Court, they are used at high tide.
ST. Francis Church – the Protestant church was originally built by the Portuguese in 1510 AD and is believed to be the oldest church built by the Europeans in India. It is here the remains of the inveterate traveller, Vasco da Gamma were initially buried and 14 years later, his mortal remains were taken to Portugal.
In the evening, you will be taken to a Kathakali dance center where you will witness the most elaborate of the dance forms in southern India. Here you will witness the artists readying themselves up with the make up for the final performance.
Kerala owes its transnational fame to this nearly 300 years old classical dance form, which combines facets of ballet, opera, masque and the pantomime. It is said to have evolved from other performing arts like Kootiyattam, Krishnanattam and Kalarippayattu. Kathakali explicates ideas and stories from the Indian epics and Puranas. Overnight at the hotel
Day 03: Cochin – Guruvayoor by surface
Breakfast at the Hotel. Morning proceed for Guruvayoor (approx 115 Kms /02 hrs).On arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon visit Punnathur Elephant Stable and Temple visit.Guruvayoor – God’s own temple is a famous location where there are about 40,000 devotees visiting to have a darshan of the graceful image of the Lord, the sanctum, sanctorum. It is one of the most important and holiest pilgrim centres in Kerala, South India Tour Packages, attracting thousands of pilgrims from all over India. The major attraction is the temple of Lord Sree Krishna who is also called ‘Guruvayurappan’.
Located 29 km north-west of Thrissur District in God’s Own Kerala, Guruvayur is one of the most important pilgrimage centers of South India Tour Packages. Guruvayur is also called the Bhoolokavaikunta- the heaven on earth! The square Sreekovil is the sacred sanctum Sanctorum of the temple, housing the main deity of Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 04: Guruvayoor – Tellicherry by surface
Breakfast at the Hotel. Morning drives to Tellicherry (approx 200 Kms / 4 hrs). On arrival check in at hotel. Thalassery, also known as Tellicherry, is a city on the Malabar Coast of Kerala India. It is 21 km from the district headquarters, Kannur. The name Tellicherry is the anglicized form of Thalassery. Thalassery municipality has a population just less than 100,000. Thalassery municipality is part of the urban agglomeration of Kannur.
Afternoon visit Mahe, a tiny point in the Geographical map of Kerela, the million earner for the distant Puducherry Government, 647 kms away from Puducherry. In this former small French Town which covers an area of 9 Sq. kms over 36,000 inhabitants live in peace. This petit French Town is situated on the West Coast of the Indian Peninsula. Overnight stay at Tellicherry
Day 05: Tellicherry – Madikeri (Coorg) by surface
Breakfast at the Hotel. Morning check out from hotel and drive to Madikeri (Coorg), approx 200 Kms/ 6hrs).
Upon arrival check in at the hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure for independent activities. Overnight stay.
Day 06: Madikeri (Coorg) – Mysore by surface
After breakfast drive to Mysore (approx 130 Kms / 3 hrs). Upon arrival check in at the Hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of the lovely city to Mysore. Visit includes the hilltop Sri Chamundeswari Temple, The striking monolithic Nandi Bull, Myosre palace and the Devraja market. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 07: Mysore
Breakfast at the Hotel. Morning enjoy an excursion to Srirangapatnam, an island fortress ont eh river Cauvery with high walls enclosing Temples, Places and a great Mosque. It was once the home of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan – The Tiger of Mysore. Afternoon visit the superb Temple of Somanthpur built to glorify Hoysala craftsmanship by the famed commander Somnath. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 08: Mysore – Hassan by surface
Drive from Mysore to Hassan (approx 170 kms / 4 hrs) enroute visiting Sravanabelagola. PM visit the Belur & Halebid Temples. The 12th C Hoysla Temples are masterpieces; the ornate filigree stonework is unsurpassed. The marvelous star shaped Shiva Temple, in Halebid is breathtaking fantastic frieze cover the entire exterior with exquisitely carved elephants, horses and mythical beasts. The Chennakesava Temple at Belur built 900 years ago, is yet another prime example of Hoysala art. Upon arrival at Hassan, check in at hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight stay at Hassan.
Day 09: Hassan – Hospet by surface
Breakfast at the Hotel. Morning drive to Hospet by surface (approx 350 Kms / 8 Hrs). Upon arrival check in at the Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 10: Hospet – Hampi – Hospet by surface
Morning breakfast and full day sight seeing, visit to Lotus Mahal – This visually appealing structure has two levels, with open pavilions at the bottom and balconies above. An elegant example of the fusion of the Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture, Elephant Stables – An imposing edifice with arched entrances and many domes that once housed the magnificent state elephants. Pushkarni – This stepped water tank, excavated in the mid-1980s, was originally a part of the palace complex, Hazara Rama Temple – This was a royal temple
reserved for ceremonial use. The entire temple is embellished with bas-relief’s depicting scenes from the epic’Ramayana’. Return to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 11: Hospet – Badami by surface
Morning breakfast and check out and proceed to Badami (130 Kms / 4 hrs). On arrival check in to the Hotel.
Afternoon sight seeing visiting to Badami Caves –Picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills, the exquisite sculptures and the rust red sandstone cliffs of Badami tell many a tale of yore, North Fort -This is the largest enclosure, including two major platform structures, an underground chamber which must have served as a treasury or private audience hall, several other platforms, Banashankari – is a quaint hamlet taking its name from the goddess Banashankari. Built in the Dravidian style, the temple is dedicated to Banashankari, a form of Parvati. Return to hotel and overnight.
Day 12: Badami – Aihole & Pattadakal – Badami by surface
Morning breakfast and proceed for a day excursion to Aihole and Pattadakal, Aihole – is famous as the Cradle of Indian Temple Architecture has over 125 temples all intricately carved and rich in detail famous ones are Lad Khan Temple, Drug (fort) Temple, Ravalphadi Cave Temple, Konti Temple Complex, Jain Meguthi Temple are few not to be missed. Pattadakal- A World Heritage center has 10 major temples representing early Chalukyan architecture. Temples to visited area Virupaksha, Mallikarjuna and Panatha. Return to Badami for overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 13: Badami – Hubli – Bangalore by Flight
Breakfast at the Hotel. Morning free. In time transfer to Hubli airport to board afternoon flight for Bangalore. Upon arrival at Bangalore airport you will be met by our representative, thereafter transfer to Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at Bangalore Hotel.
Day 14: Bangalore – Onward Destination by International Flight
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning city tour of Bangalore visiting Vidhan Soudha, which you will see from the outside only. It was built in 1954 and houses the legislative assembly of the state of Karnataka.The next stop on your tour is the Cubbon park a beautiful shady park full of flowering trees, laid out in 1864, the park houses the Government museum established in 1886 with an extensive collection of geology, relics from Mohenjodaro etc. The park also houses the Technological and Industrial museum . Proceed on to the Lallbagh gardens which cover almost 96 hectares and was laid out in the 18th Century by Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. Evening in time transfer to International airport to board flight for onward connection.