South India Tour - Best of Southern India

South India Tour - Best of Southern India
South India Tour package - 09 nights/10 days
Destinations of Best of Southern India - Mysore - Ooty - Cochin - Kumarakom - Chennai
A 10 day South India tour package, covering the very best of the South. Your South India holiday includes Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India; Mysore - the city of palaces and the British influenced hill station of Ooty. The journey continues to Kerala (Southern India's most visited tourist destination ), where you visit the Harbour city of Cochin, with it's and fascinating history, then time out to relax in nature's emerald embrace at Kumarakom. Continue then to Chennai (formerly called Madras), where you spend a full day exploring Southern India's largest city which was originally established as a British trading post.
Day 01 - Arrive Bangalore Your South India tour begins with an arrival in to Bangalore, called the "Garden city", and also the "Silicon valley of India", where you will be met upon your arrival and transferred to your chosen hotel for an overnight stay.
South India Tour - Best of Southern India Day 02 - Drive Bangalore - Mysore (140 kms/03 hrs.) A morning sightseeing tour of Bangalore takes you to the Bull Temple and Cubbon Park - a beautiful 300 acre park that houses the public library and the museum. Continue on to Lal Bagh and Vidhana Soudha - Bangalore's centre of State Government. Later depart Bangalore on the road to Mysore. Mysore, also known as the city of Palaces, never fails to mesmerize travellers. It's quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, and beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples are a pleasure in so many ways. The Mysore Palace is illuminated on weekends , and on public holidays, and an evening visit there, is often said to be the highlight of a South India tour. Overnight at your selected Mysore Hotel.
Day 03 - Drive Mysore to Ooty (150 kms/03 hrs) Spend the morning being introduced to Mysore - Mysore Palace, the Jaganmohan Palace and Chamundi Hill, where the 12th century temple of Chamundershwari sits. Close by are the gigantic statues of the demon Mahishasura, St. Philomena's Church and the Brindavan Gardens - with lighting and musical fountains this place transforms itself into a fairy land in the evenings. In the afternoon drive to Ooty, short for Ootacamund and also known as the 'Queen of Hill Stations', Ooty is dotted with undulating hills, sparkling waterfalls, gurgling brooks and lush green tea gardens. After checking in to your selected hotel for a 2 night stay, the remainder of the day is free.
Day 04 - In Ooty Ooty is the capital of Nilgiri district and Nilgiri means Blue Mountains. It is a land of picturesque picnic spots and at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level has always been a popular summer getaway. The day is at your leisure - enjoy the mountain train, visit a tea garden, head to Coonoor or hike those blue mountains!
Day 05 - Drive Ooty to Cochin (280 kms/06 hrs) Drive to Cochin to spend 2 nights at your chosen hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the surroundings on your own or just relax by the hotel pool.
Day 06 - In Cochin Cochin's half day of sight seeing includes Cochin Harbour terminus where the Chinese fishing nets present a wonderful sight; Mattancherry Dutch Palace; The Jewish Synagogue and St. Francis Church (built in 1510 Vasco Da Gama was originally buried here). Later visit the Hill Palace which was built in the 19th century by the Raja of Kochi, the Kochi province was ruled from here. Later you will be collected for a Kathakali Dance Show.
Day 07 - Drive Cochin to Kumarakom (85 kms/02 hrs) This morning drive to the tranquility of Kumarakom where you are delivered to your chosen retreat to enjoy the remainder of the day discovering nature's beauty at your own pace.
Day 08 - Drive Kumarakom to Cochin (85 kms/02 hrs) and fly to Chennai Morning transfer to Cochin Airport for your flight to Chennai, the last stop on your South India tour, where you will be met and transferred to your Chennai Hotel for a 2 night stay. Rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the city or enjoy the hotel facilities.
Day 09 - In Chennai Your guide will collect you for a half day sightseeing that will include the San Thome Cathederal.The cathedral is built on the site of a 16th century Portuguese basilica which is said to be the tomb of the apostle Thomas, who is reputed to have brought Christianity to India in the 1st century AD. The tour also includes St Thomas Mount, the Little Mount Shrine, the Fort St George, St Mary's Church, and the Fort Museum which has a collection of objects from the tenure of the East India Company in Chennai including letters from Robert Clive. Overnight in Chennai.
Day 10 - Depart Chennai You will be transferred to the Chennai International Airport for your flight home, with pictures, souvenirs and memories of your South India tour.
BEST OF SOUTHERN INDIA Category of Hotels Valid from 01st May'2011 till 30th Sep'2011 Valid from 01st Oct'2011 till 30th April'2012 Silver GBP 673 per person     GBP 791 per person   Gold GBP 737 person    GBP 959 per person  Platinum GBP 914  per person    GBP 1235 per person Domestic Airfare GBP 72 per person     GBP 72 per person   B CITIES SILVER GOLD PLATINUM Bangalore Golden Landmark The Park Taj Westend Mysore Windflower Lalitha Mahal Palace Lalitha Mahal Palace Ooty Taj Savoy Taj Savoy Taj Savoy Cochin Trident Taj Malabar Brunton Boatyard Kumarakom Coconut Lagoon Coconut Lagoon Kumarakom Lake Resort Chennai The Park Taj Connemara Taj Coromondel
* Small supplements may apply for travel between 20th December'2011 and 05th January'2012, and during the month of February'2012.
Inclusions:- # Accommodation on twin sharing bed and breakfast basis at the hotels of your choice. # All arrival-departure transfers and land transportation using an aircon car exactly as per the itinerary. # Sightseeing tours along with a local English Speaking Guide and including entrance fee to monuments exactly as mentioned above in the Itinerary For more details visit to : http://www.transindiaholidays.co.uk/best-of-southern-india.htm