Forts Of Southern India Tour

Day 01: Arrive in Chennai
Arrive in Chennai, the capital of the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Chennai began  as a collection of small villages, brought together when the British East India Company founded its first settlement in 1639. Meet and assist on arrival and transfer to your pre-booked hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Chennai.
 
Day 02: Chennai – Bengaluru 
We commence this morning with a half day city tour, visiting Sri-Parthasarathy temple, the Siva temple of Kapaleeswarer, the British built Fort St George and museum and the Roman Catholic St Thome cathedral. In the afternoon we depart by train and arrive this evening in Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka. On arrival, transfer to the pre-booked hotel. Overnight in Bengaluru.
 
Day 03: Bengaluru – Hassan
This morning we depart for Shravanabelagola, one of the most famous pilgrimage spots for the Jain community in South India. Climb the 614 stone steps to the enormous 17m stone statue of Bahubali, constructed in 981 AD. We then drive to Hassan and check into our pre-booked hotel on arrival. Overnight in Hassan.
 
Day 04: Hassan – Mysore
Karnataka was also home of the Hoysalas who built the beautiful and ornate Hindu temple complexes Belur and Halebid between the 11th and 14th centuries. En-route to Mysore we visit these intricately sculptured. Of particular interest is the Hoysaleswara temple, displaying amazing artwork with the external walls covered in Hindu deities. From here we journey to the pleasant city of Mysore and check into our pre-booked hotel. Overnight in Mysore.
 
Day 05: Mysore – Ooty
This morning we visit the Mysore Palace, home of the maharajas, rebuilt after a fire in 1897 and filled with carvings, mirrors and mosaics. Afterwards we drive up Chamundi Hill to visit the Sri Chamundeswari temple and look out. Chamundeeswari, the tutelary deity of the Mysore Maharajas has been held in reverence for centuries. From Mysore we head up into the Nilgiri mountains to Ooty hill station, located in the western corner of Tamil Nadu. Originally inhabited by the animist Todas tribe, Ooty was founded in the 19th century by the British as the summer capital of the Madras government. At an altitude of 2240m the town today is a popular holiday destination. On arrival in Ooty we are checked ito our pre-booked hotel. Overnight in Ooty.
 
Day 06: Ooty
A free day to explore the town and surrounding countryside. Perhaps enjoy a walk or horse ride into the hills. Overnight in Ooty.
 
Day 07: Ooty – Cochin
From the hills we drive down to the Malabar coast to arrive at the historical port city of Kochi (Cochin) in Kerala state. Kerala has long been exposed to outside influences, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese and British who have all traded through its southern ports. Kochi is a beautiful collection of islands and peninsulas. The trading of spices, rice, sandalwood and ivory has been going on here for more than 2000 years leaving Kochi today with an extraordinary mix of history and culture. On arrival in Kochi we check into our pre-booked hotel. This afternoon we visit St Francis church, the oldest European church in India, built in 1503 and the first resting place of Vasco de Gama, the first European to reach India. Other sights include the Portuguese built Mattancherry Palace and a Jewish synagogue built in 1568. As an option we can enjoy a ferry ride through the quiet waterways that pass villages, Chinese style fishing nets and boats transporting coconuts, rice, mangoes and other produce to market. Overnight in Kochi.
 
Day 08: Kochi – Periyar
This morning we drive to Alappuzha (Alleppey) and join a ferry cruise into the picturesque network of lakes, lagoons,
rivers and canals of Kerala. Disembarking at Kottayam, we head inland again to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, home to a huge variety of birds and animals including elephant, monkey, bison and the elusive tiger. Our visit includes a boat ride on the lake in this beautiful and quiet reserve. Overnight in Periyar.
 
Day 09: Periyar – Madurai
Departing the tranquillity of the wetland reserve, we re-enter Tamil Nadu, paradoxically the least exposed region of India to outside cultures and trade as its eastern shores were off the main sailing trade routes and far to the south of the continent. Hinduism is at its strongest here with few other competing religions. Hindu kingdoms who have ruled these parts, have built incredibly ornate and intricately carved temples in the Dravidian style. Perhaps the most impressive example is the Sri Meenakshi temple in Madurai, its towering gopurams colourfully sculpted with Hindu figures. We drive to Madurai and check into our hotel on arrival. This afternoon we enter the old city to visit the extraordinary Sri Meenakshi temple. The city tour also includes the Temple Art museum, Gandhi museum and ruins of the Tirumalai Palace built in 1636. Overnight in Madurai.
 
Day 10: Madurai – Trichy
We travel eastward to Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), a busy town on the Cauvery river. Perched 437 steps above the middle of town, is the impressive Rock Fort temple. The views are spectacular, particularly north across the river to the huge Sri Ranganathaswamy temple, an astonishing 2.5 sq km in size, containing an amazing 21 gopurams. Overnight in Trichy. 

Day 11: Trichy – Pondicherry (Pondi)
Today we journey for the coast and visit Thanjavur (Tanjore), the ancient capital of the Chola kings to see the World Heritage listed Brihadishwara temple, 63m high and richly adorned with sculptures and frescoes. Built when the Chola empire was dominant in this southern part of India 1000 years ago, it is perhaps the best example of their creative zeal. We also visit Chidambaram before arriving in Pondicherry. (Pondi). Overnight in Pondicherry.
 
Day 12: Pondicherry (Pondi)
Often referred to as "A little piece of Medieval France in India" and "... a sleepy provincial French town", Pondicherry has managed to retain its French aura. From it's delightful restaurants offering French cuisine and streets bearing French names, Pondicherry's French connection is very much alive - yet, very subtle. As one tourist guide proclaims "... Pondicherry's Frenchness seems to play hide-and-seek". In Pondicherry you will find a 'West Boulevard' parallel to a 'Chinna Subbraya Street' and a 'Des Bassyins de Richmont Street' crossing over 'Mahatma Gandhi Road'. Having once been the capital of erstwhile French India, the heritage of this town has a special flavour not found anywhere else in the Indian sub-continent. Today, we experience this fascinating town on our own. Overnight in Pondicherry.
 
Day 13: Pondi – Mahabalipuram
From Pondi it is a short drive to Mammalapuram (Mahabalipuram) which we visit next. At Mammalapuram we visit another World Heritage listed site, the Shore temple. Built in the late 7th century it juts out into the sea, the sandy beaches stretching out on either side a perfect place to relax or swim. Overnight in Mammalapuram.

 
Day 14: Mammalapuram – Chennai
Today we follow the Palar river to one of India’s seven sacred cities, Kanchipuram. Dating from the 6th – 8th centuries, there were originally 1000 temples in this complex, once capital of the Pallava and Chola kingdoms. Today over 100 remain to explore including the Ekambareshwara temple dedicated to Shiva with a 59m gopuram. From here continue on to Chennai, completing a full circle of southern India. Overnight in Chennai.
 
Day 15: Chennai Departure 
Our Southern India odyssey concludes today after breakfast as we are transferred to the airport or railway station for our onward journey.