South India Nature & Devotional Tour

01 Day: Arrival Bangalore

Welcome to the International Airport at Bangalore, our representative will assist and escort you by a car and transfer you to the pre-booked hotel. During your check in, all the required documents related to the tour, will be given to you and all your queries in concern to the tour and services will be explained. If you are arriving by early flight, after relaxation you can take a walk to have a glance of the city, visiting local markets and restaurants. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Bangalore: Capital of Karnataka State, Bangalore is famous as the city of gardens. It is one of the most attractive cities in India with its beautiful parks avenues and impressive buildings. Bangalore is renowned as much for its industrial plants as for its silk saris, and for the sprawling Cubbon Park, which lies at the heart of the city, as also its prestigious race course. It is now part of the great Silicone Valley, is a beautiful city filled with the tranquillity of its greenery. The Lalbagh garden is particularly beauliful and well laid out.

02 Day: Bangalore

Today morning after breafkast take a sightseeing tour of the city visiting ISKCON Temple, Hare Krishna Hill is the Hill on which this temple is situated. Lal Baugh– One of the main gardens in the city; Cubbon Park– a garden laid down by Lord Cubbon in 1864. The Bull Temple – The 4.57 m high and 6.10 meters long image is carved out of single granite rock. Later followed by visit to Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple– The temple is natural monolith carved cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Also visit, Vishweshwaraiah Technological Museum, Vidhana Soudha. In the evening you can visit Ulsoor Lake. Overnight stay at the hotel.

03 Day: Bangalore – Srirangapatna – Mysore (150 kms: 4 hrs)

After an early breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Mysore. Enroute visit the Srirangapatnam (20 kms from Mysore) to visit Fort and Sri Ranganathaswami Temple. After sightseeing continues drive to Mysore, on arrival transfer to the hotel, Mysore is the Sandalwood and Incense Capital of the World & some of India’s finest Crafts, such as Printed Silk, Inlaid, Furniture and Ivory Carvings are also found here. Also known as the City of Palaces, Mysore retains a quaint charm that never fails to enchant. After relaxation take a sightseeing tour of the city visiting Brindavan gardens & spectacular musical fountains, followed by flower and sandal wood market, handicraft museum. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Srirangapatna (Srirangapatnam) is an island town on the Bangalore-Mysore Highway The town obtained its name from a 1000 year old temple of Lord Sriranganatha. This history-rich town was the capital of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan - The Tiger of Mysore. Tipu Sultan, the eldest son of Haider Ali, was born on December 10, 1750 at Devanhalli. On his father's death in 1782, Tipu Sultan assumed power in Mysore. He continued fighting the British and defeated them in 1783.

04 Day: Mysore

After breakfast visit the Palace of the Maharaja (Emperor) built in 1911 – 1912. The palace is a harmonious synthesis of the Hindu and saracenic styles of architecture with magnificent archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures. Also visit the St. Philomenas cathedral followed by a drive up to Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple and a panoramic view of Mysore. On the way back, see the Nandi Bull. Evening is free for leisure, or you may opt to visit to the local market to enjoy the local food, offered by various restaurants. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Mysore, the capital city of the Wodeyars has always enchanted its admirers with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples. Mysore races its history back to the mythical past, when Goddess Chamundeshwari of Chamundi Hills killed the wicked buffalo-headed demon, Mahishasura. Mysore Dasara is the celebration of this victory of good over evil.

05 Day: Mysore – Ooty (125 kms: 4 hrs)

After breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Ooty, on arrival transfer to the hotel. After refreshment visit Botanical Gardens, Ooty Lake: is surrounded by green hills and huge trees. The Fern hill Palace: was the erstwhile summer residence of the Maharaja of Mysore. Ooty Golf Links: The golf course is set at an altitude of 7200 feet. Dodabetta Peak: highest point in South India, Pine Forest: a scenic canvas to the valleys and the vast landscapes of the Nilgiris. Later return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Ooty: Known as the queen of hills and the most popular hill station in the South India. It is located in the Nilgiri hills at 2286 meter above sea level. With its rolling lawns and salubrious climate it became the important hill station in South India and the summer capital of the former Madras presidency. Ooty still has the touch of the Raj about it, with its cottages and pretty gardens and stone churches that stands among the groves of pine. Old summer palaces of maharajas are now hotels and set in their beautiful parks.

06 Day: Ooty

After breakfast take a sightseeing tour of this picturesque hill station visiting Botanical Gardens, a wealth of variety of plants that include different types of roses, imported shrubs, rare flowering plants, eucalyptus trees, several old trees and even a fossilized tree trunk that is 20 million years old, followed by boat rides and fishing, Ooty Lake : is surrounded by green hills and huge trees. The sight of lake from the shores is mesmerizing. The Fern hill Palace: was the erstwhile summer residence of the Maharaja of Mysore. The first Fern hills bungalow was built in 1844 as a private The palace resembles a Swiss Chalet, Ooty Golf Links: The golf course is set at an altitude of 7200 feet. The course extends over 193.56 acres and comprises 18 holes. Dodabetta Peak: highest point in South India, Pine Forest: a scenic canvas to the valleys and the vast landscapes of the Nilgiris. Later return to the hotel for overnight stay.

07 Day: Ooty – Coonoor – Ooty (20 kms: 1 ½ hr)

Today morning after breakfast, take the toy train from Ooty to Coonoor- this train runs between Metupalaiyam-Udagamandalam (Ooty), via Coonoor, in the Nilgiri Hills. The track is 46 kilometers (28.5 miles) long, and passes over 26 viaducts, and through 16 tunnels and tall girder bridges. This railway is particularly picturesque because of the surrounding rocky terrain, tea plantations, and forested hills. Coonoor, with its worldly famous tea, is a tourist destination in itself. On arrival explore the surrounding places: Ketti Valley –the second largest valley in the world is best viewed if you walk in the railway tracks from Ketti to Aravangadu, Coonoor Golf Links, Wellington Army Barracks (Need Prior Permission for a full tour), SIMS Park, a 12-hectare park exhibiting over 1000 species of plants, Visit Lambs nose followed by Dolphins Nose (10 km. away from Coonoor) offering an excellent view. It encompasses the Catherine Falls (250 feet). Afterwards return back to Ooty by car. Evening is free to enjoy the natural surroundings of the hill stations. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Connor: a pretty hill town, located in the western part of Tamil Nadu, Coonoor is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris. The place has a variety of wildflowers and birds. It is also popular for activities like trekking and hiking. Coonoor is also talked about for its tea plantations and festivals. A toy train connects Coonoor with some of the other hill stations of the Nilgiris. Situated at an altitude of 1850 m above the sea level, the weather of Coonoor remains very pleasant throughout the year.

08 Day: Ooty – Kodaikanal (250 kms: 6 – 7 hrs)

After an early breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Kodaikanal, on arrival transfer to the hotel, after relaxation visit Mother Salette Church, one of the most beautiful churches in Kodaikanal, it took 133 years to build the Mother Salette Church. One of the main attractions for the tourists of Kodaikanal is the Kodai Lake; the unique feature of the manmade Kodai Lake is its star-like shape also enjoys Boating in Kodai Lake. Afterwards return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Kodaikanal is one of the most popular hill resorts in India. It is a charming hill station, stands amidst sylvan beauty on the southern crest of the upper Palani Hills near Madurai in Tamil Nadu. With its rocks, woods, lovely lake and bracing air, Kodaikanal is an ideal hill resort for the tourists. The unique flowering plant 'Kurunji' (Strobilanthus Kunthanus) that last bloom in 1992 is the nature's gift to Kodaikanal. Kodaikanal located amidst the folds of the verdant Pali hills is one of the most popular serene hill stations in India, which mesmerises any visitor.

09 Day: Kodaikanal

After breakfast, take a sightseeing tour visiting Devil’s Kitchen, a scary name for a fascinating place! This cave has an air of mystery to it owing to its deep hidden ravines that seem to appear from nowhere. The cave was first known as Green Valley View, and finally as Devil’s Kitchen. Coaker’s Walk is an unusual name for a charmingly beautiful walkway. It was named after Lt. Coaker who prepared the city map of Kodaikanal. Bryant Park is a must visit if you are in Kodaikanal. This botanical park is located near a lake and is famous for its annual Horticulture Show. Afterwards return to the hotel for overnight stay.

10 Day: Kodaikanal – Madurai (115 kms: 3 hrs)

After breakfast checkout from the hotel and drive to Madurai, on arrival transfer to the hotel. In the evening visit the famous Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple to attend the Aarti (Prayers) witnessing interesting rituals and ceremonies. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Madurai, the cultural capital and second largest city of Tamil Nadu is one of the oldest cities of southern India. Madurai has been a centre of learning and pilgrimage, for centuries. It is believed that, the divine nectar falling from Lord Shiva's locks, gave the city its name - Madhurapuri, now known as Madurai. Known as the temple city, Madurai is situated on the banks of the River Vaigai. Madurai is also an important pilgrimage center. The 985 beautiful pillared Meenakshi Amman Temple is the major attraction of Madurai.

11 Day: Madurai

After breakfast, visit the Meenakshi Sundareshwar, one of the largest temple complexes in India built between the 16th and 18th centuries. Apart from the estimated 33 million sculptures there, the temple is absolutely absorbing with the endless rounds of ceremonies, prostration of countless devotees and glittering market stalls, visit Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple, Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple, also visit the Tirumal Nayak’s Palace; a highly decorative monument. Its enormous roofed arcade supported by 48 – foot high stone pillar, still stands, visit the Koodal Alagar Temple and Vandiyur Mariamman Teepakulam where annual boat festival takes place. Overnight stay at the hotel.

12 Day: Madurai – Rameshwaram (170 kms: 4 hrs)

After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Rameshwaram, on arrival transfer to the hotel. Rameshwaram, often referred to as the ‘Island of Prayer’, and also considered to Varanasi of the South this major pilgrimage centre is on an island in the Gulf of Mannar. Evening visit Adam's Bridge (Ram Setu) the name given to the chain of reefs, sandbanks and islets that almost connects Sri Lanka with India. According to legend, this is the series of stepping stones used by the monkey army, lead by Hanuman to cross the ocean in a bid to rescue Sita from the clutch of Ravana. Overnight stay at the hotel at Rameshwaram.

Rameshwaram is an island separated from the mainland by a small strait of water. Rameshwaram is famous for the Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Rama who, it is believed, had descended on its shores and built a bridge across the Palk Strait to reach Lanka in his quest to rescue Sita from Ravana. Additionally, the temple is famous for being one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Siva. Lord Rama had constructed a Siva linga in order to offer thanks to the Lord after killing Ravana. Hence, the temple is a sacred site for both Shaivites and Vaishnavites.

13 Day: Rameshwaram – Kanyakumari (310 kms: 6 – 7 hrs)

Morning after breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Kanyakumari. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Watching sun set from here is the big attraction, especially on the full moon day in April, when it's possible to see both the setting sun and rising moon on the same horizon. In the evening enjoy the wonderful view of Sunset from Murugan Kundram hills, after visit return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Kanyakumari Referred to by the British as Cape Commorin, Kanyakumari in the state of TamilNadu is located at the southern most tip of the peninsular Indian. The small temple dedicated to Kanyakumari or the youthful form of the primeval energy Shakti (Mother Goddess) is located on the seashore, in the town known by the same name. Kanyakumari is the point of confluence of three oceans - the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.

14 Day: Kanyakumari

Today early morning enjoy the speculative SUNRISE, just behind The Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the Thiruvalluvar Statue, visit Kanyakumari Temple is also referred to as Bhagvaty Amman Temple and is one of the 108 Shakti Peetha in Hindu mythology. Gandhi Mandapam and Vivekananda Memorial. Padmanabhapuram Palace, A temple town, Suchindrum is located 11 kilometers from the city of Kanyakumari. The temples here are built in the distinctive Dravidian style and are adorned with massive gopurams which are a common characteristic of all the Dravidian temples. Kanyakumari is an excellent shopping destination for buying various seashell items. Nothing better than to purchase beautiful seashell trinkets and souvenirs for your loved ones from this popular beach destination! Overnight stay at the hotel

15 Day: Kanyakumari – Trivandrum (100 kms: 3 hrs) – Hometown (By Air)

Today morning enjoy the capacitive sunrise at Kanyakumari, after breakfast morning will be free for relax. Afterwards check out from the hotel and drive to Trivandrum city, the capital of the state of Kerala is a beautiful seaside city built on seven hills. Take a short sightseeing tour visiting the famous Sri Padmanabhaswamy Swami Temple (from outside) is dedicated to Vishnu and is a landmark in the city. If time permits, also visit Horse Palace, Sree Chitra Art Gallery, and Padmatheertha Kulam (Temple Pond). After visit transfer to the airport to board the scheduled flight for hometown. On departure, tour concludes here with happy memories.