Great Southern Getaway - 15 days
FROM USD $3,999
Discover exotic stone carved temples, princely palaces and colonial hill stations. Take a train journey on the scenic Blue Mountain Railway, cruise the backwaters of Kochi and spot elephant from your jungle hide-away at both Mudumalai and Nagarhole National Parks.
Day 1: Chennai
Arrive Chennai airport and transfer to the seaside town of Mahabalipuram. Situated on the Bay of Bengal, Mahabalipuram offers long white sand beaches and some of the best archeological sites to be found in the state of Tamil Nadu. Overnight - Mahabalipuram
Day 2: Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram - Coonoor. Touring the town’s
sites to the rhythm of chisels chipping granite provides
evidence of the strong stone carving traditions that have
endured since the 8th century - Pallava dynasty. Visiting
the beautiful ancient stone carved Shore Temple, presiding
over the long, flat beach we discover high wall friezes,
intricately carved bas reliefs and shrines dedicated to
both Siva and Vishnu. It is also of interest to inspect the
east facing alter designed to catch the rising sun and the
large stone pillar with mountings to hold a beacon for
sailors at night out at sea. Later we return to Chennai in
time to board the Nilgari Express bound for Mettupalayam. Overnight - Train (B)
Day 3: The scenic blue mountain railway
Upon arrival to Mettupalayam
we board the narrow guage Blue Mountain Railway toy
train destined for Coonor. Operating since 1899, the Blue
Mountain Railway with its blue and cream steam livery
has chugged from Mettupalayam to Otty via Coonoor,
negotiating 16 tunnels, 31 major bridges and climbing
to 2193 metres. The charming 4 hour journey offers
sweeping mountain views and breathtaking scenery. Upon
arrival to Coonoor, transfer to hotel and afternoon at
leisure. Overnight - Coonoor
Days 4 - 5: Mudumalai
Coonor - Mudumalai - breakfast. Today we drive to the
nearby Mudumalai National Park for a 2 night stay. Wake
up each day with a foray of India’s great wildlife right at
your doorstep. The 322 sq km predominantly deciduous
forest is a sanctuary for Indian bison, Nilgiri langur,
bonnet macaques (monkeys), peacock, jackel, hyena and a
few tigers and leopards. The northern reaches of the park
are home to one of the largest population of elephant in
all of India. Over the following days enjoy morning and
afternoon jeep safaris and in the evening retire to your
jungle lodge equipped with all the mod-cons to make
for an enjoyable and relaxing stay. Overnight - Mudumalai National Park (B:2, L:2, D:2)
Days 6 - 7: Mysore
Mudumalai NP - Mysore. This morning its
goodbye to your jungle hideaway and onward travel to
Mysore - the former capital of the princely state, ruled
by Wodeyars dynasty royalty from 1399 - 1947. The city
of former glory and grandeur, enchanted admirers with
its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces,
beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad
shady avenues and sacred temples. After exploration
we continue to Somnathpur, visiting the only complete temple of the Hoysala empire in the region. The small
but exquisite Keseva Temple, dates from the 11th
century. Day 7 offers a city tour of Mysore and visits to
the island of Srirangapatnam and the Ranganathittu Bird
Sanctuary. Overnight - Mysore (B:2)
Days 8 - 9: Nagerhole NP
Mysore - Nagarhole NP. Today we drive west
to Nagarhole National Park, once the Maharaja’s reserve
forest turned national park in 1955. The park name,
Nagarhole is derived from the Kannada word, naga
meaning snake and hole meaning stream. True to its
name Nagarhole is criss-crossed with serpentine streams.
Covering gentle hills bordering Kerala, the area includes
swampland, streams and tributaries, moist deciduous
forest, stands of bamboo and valuable teak and rosewood
trees. Spot Asian elephant, four horned antelope, flying
squirrels and on occasion leopard and tiger. A jeep safari
is offered on the afternoon of day 8. Day 9 - morning and
afternoon safaris. Overnight - Nagerhole NP (B:2, L:2, D:2)
Day 10: Sultan's Battery
Nagarhole NP - Sultan’s Battery. The Tipu
Sultan of Mysore captured the Jain temple built here in
the 18th century. It is said that the sultan took the site
as a fort and ammunition store to prevent any attack by
English warships entering the Gurpur River. The original
temple, believed to have been built in the 13th century
served the Jain as a shrine and a centre for commercial
activity. This afternoon offers free time to enjoy the
tranquil surroundings and gaze upon the bountiful bird
life found in the area Overnight - Sultan'sBattery (B)
Days 11 - 12: Athirapally
Sultan’s Battery - Guruvayur - Athirapally.
Taking the coast road most of the journey to
Athirapally, stops are made at Krishna Temple and the
Punnathur Kotta Elephant Stables. Krishna Temple is one
of the most holiest sites in Kerala. The heaving Hindi
pilgrimage centre is filled with stalls and thronged
with devotees wanting to take darshan - a viewing
with the deity. It is said to be one of the wealthiest
temples in India, with a waiting list for the auspicious
duty of lighting its oil lamps till 2025. Onward travel to
Athirapally, blessed with a backdrop of lush rainforest
and cascading waterfalls. Overnight - Athirapally (B:2)
Days 13 - 14: Kochi
Athirapally - Kochi. Arrive Kochi and hotel
check in. This evening we take a cruise along the
backwaters of Kochi. Day 14, offers a guided sightseeing
tour with visits to the Parsi Synagogue, Dutch Palace,
St Francis’ Church and evening Kathakali dance
performance. Overnight - Kochi (B:2)
Day 15: Kochi
Kochi - breakfast. Arrangements conclude after breakfast
and onward transfer to the airport. (B)
Tour Details
- Starts in: Chennai / Ends in: Kochi
- Departs: Every day of the year
- No local payment required
- Breakfast:13, Lunch: 4, Dinner: 4
- Hotel Rating: Standard
- Tour Guide: Yes (for locally included sights)
- Kashmir If You Can5 days
- A Taj Showcase8 days
- Classic Kerala9 Days
- Classic Golden Triangle9 days
- High Road to Leh9 days
- Adventures in Assam10 days
- Best Exotic Marigold Tour10 days
- Jewel in the Crown11 days
- Explore Orissa11 Days
- Legends of the Rajputs11 days
- Kolkata to Darjeeling11 days
- Bombay Beaches Caves11 Days
- Lord Curzon Trail12 days
- Tribes Of Nagaland14 days
- Railways of the Raj14 days
- Footsteps of Gandhi14 days
- Beautiful South14 days
- Great Southern Getaway15 days
- Hills and High Places16 days
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