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SOUTHERN SPLENDOUR
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16 DAYS (ALSO AVAILABLE AS A GROUP TOUR)
Chennai · Mysore · Nagarhole · Ooty · Cochin · Periyar · Madurai · Tanjore · Pondicherry · Chennai
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The deep South is a land of contrasts from golden sands to precipitous
peaks, from sweltering plains to cool hill stations, from frenetic
temple cities
to placid backwaters, and bound by colonial history, peppered with intrigue. A land of colour, history and vitality!
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DAY 1 . To Chennai (Madras)
Fly direct to Chennai on British Airways.
DAY 2 . Chennai
Arrive Chennai. Morning at leisure. Afternoon
sightseeing tour of the city, including For t St.
George a delightful collection of colonial buildings still used today
as Government offices; St. Mary’s Church and Marina Beach. Overnight at
Radha Park or similar.
DAY 3 . To Mysore
Take the morning Shatabdi Express train to Mysore and then late
afternoon drive to Srirangapatnam to see the ruins of Hyder Ali and
Tipu Sultan’s capital. Two nights at The Green Hotel – a Heritage Hotel
or similar.
DAY 4 . Mysore
Morning tour of the delightful city of Mysore with
visits to the Sri Chamundeswari Temple, the
impressive monolithic Nandi Bull, the imposing Mysore Palace and the
Devraja market. After lunch visit the superb Hoysala style temple at
Somnathpur.
DAY 5 . To Nagarhole
Morning drive to Nagarhole National Park.
Afternoon game drive in the park looking for
elephant, bison, tiger, leopard, sloth bear, sambar and barking deer. Overnight at the Kabini River Lodge.
DAY 6 . To Ooty
Early morning elephant safari followed by an unusual coracle ride on
the Kabini River. Then off to ‘snooty’ Ooty! Two nights at The Taj
Savoy Hotel.
DAY 7 . Ooty
A day at leisure to visit the botanical gardens and tea plantations or
meander through the luxuriant hilly countryside to savour many
picturesque vistas.
DAY 8 . To Cochin
Drive to Cochin. Stay at Taj Malabar Hotel for two nights.
DAY 9 . Cochin
Morning sightseeing of Cochin including the
cantilevered Chinese Fishing Nets, Dutch Palace, St Francis Church and
the Jewish Synagogue. Evening Kathakali dance performance – try and get
in early to watch the dancers apply their elaborate makeup.
DAY 10 . To Periyar
Drive to Alleppey and then relax on a boat cruise
to Kottayam through the backwaters – a verdant
and complex system of lakes, lagoons and canals.
After the cruise enjoy a scenic drive to Periyar.
Overnight at Taj Garden Retreat.
DAY 11 . To Madurai
Early morning game viewing by boat on Lake
Periyar, if you are lucky, watch otters playing in the shallows and
lone Tuskers cooling themselves before the heat of the day sears the
land. After breakfast drive to Madurai. Afternoon sightseeing of Sri
Meenakshi Temple. Overnight at Taj Garden Retreat.
DAY 12 . To Tanjore
Drive to Tanjore stopping at Trichy enroute, to visit the Srirangam
Temple and climb the steps to the Rock Fort Temple with its magnificent
views across the countryside. Two nights at Hotel Parisutham.
DAY 13 . Tanjore
Visit the incomparable Brihadeeshwara Temple, the
piece de resistance of Chola architecture. Dominated by a dome cut from
a single piece of granite weighing 81 tonnes, this temple is indeed
worthy of its World Heritage status. Other visits include the Museum,
Library and Art Gallery. Afternoon at leisure.
DAY 14 . To Pondicherry
Morning journey to Pondicherry stopping at the
beautifully sculpted Darasuram temple. Later visit
Gangaikondacholapuram to see the vast temple
dedicated to Shiva. Overnight at De L’ Orient Hotel.
DAY 15 . To Chennai
Tour of the French quarter of Pondicherry followed by a visit to the
international centre at Auroville, established in 1968 as an experiment
in harmonious living. Late afternoon drive to Chennai, stay at Radha
Park, until
early morning transfer to Chennai International
Airport and British Airways flight to London.
DAY 16 . To London
Morning Heathrow arrival.
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- Suggested extensions: Beach stay at Covelong for four nights from day 15 at Fisherman’s Cove Hotel.
- Enquiries and assistance 020 8901 7320
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