Duration: 12 Nights/13 Days
Destinations Covered: Mumbai - Bangalore - Shravanabelagola - Chikmagalur - Belur - Halebid - Mysore - Cochin - Kumarakom - Thekkady - Madurai - Chennai
Day 01: Arrival at Mumbai
Mumbai is the starting point for Silk and Spices Tour. Welcome on arrival by our representative at the international airport and then transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 02: Mumbai – Bangalore
Breakfast at the hotel and morning at leisure. Head to the domestic airport at noon to board onward flight to Bangalore, the next destination in your Silk and Spices Tour. Check in at the hotel on arrival and stay here for the night.
Day 03: Bangalore – Shravanabelagola – Chikmagalur
After breakfast, leave for a guided city sightseeing tour. Start with the beautiful Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens and then proceed to Mysore Arts and Crafts Center and Bull Temple. Also visit the major shopping markets. Later in the day, leave for Chikmagalur, the next destination in your South India tour packages. Stop for a while at Shravanabelagola for sightseeing and then continue drive to Chikmagalur. Check in at hotel on arrival for the night.
Day 04: Chikmagalur – Belur – Halebid – Mysore
Silk and Spices Tour today proceeds to the princely town of Mysore. Check out from the hotel and transfer to Mysore by road. Visit the two famous towns of Belur & Halebid that lie midway. Enjoy sightseeing at the magnificent Chennakesava Temple in Belur and at Hoysaleshwara Temple in Halebid. Continue drive to Mysore and transfer to hotel upon arrival. Later in the evening, visit the beautiful City Palace that is flood lit at night and looks spectacular. Spend the night at the hotel.
Day 05: Mysore
Today you have the entire day to enjoy in Mysore. After breakfast, leave for a full day guided sightseeing tour that covers the City Palace and Chamundi Hills that is home to a huge monolith of Nandi Bull. Later, visit the spice markets of Mysore and spend the afternoon at leisure. Evening proceed to the beautiful Brindavan Gardens (10 miles from Mysore) that are illuminated and adorned with picturesque fountains. Return to Mysore hotel for the night.
Day 06: Mysore – Bangalore – Cochin
The port city Cochin is the next stopover in your 13-day tour package for Karnataka and Kerala. Morning transfer to Bangalore by road and visit Srirangapatnam on the way. For sightseeing of the island fortress and the majestic Summer Palace. Continue journey to Bangalore. Our representative meets you on arrival and helps you board the connecting flight to Cochin. Witness the vibrant Kathakali dance in the evening before retiring to the hotel for a night stay.
Day 07: Cochin – Kumarakom
Enjoy sightseeing of Portuguese Church, Jewish Synagogue and Mattancherry Palace in the morning with our guide. He also takes you to the famous Chinese fishing nets. Later at noon, proceed to the backwater town of Kumarakom, the next destination in Silk and Spices Tour. Transfer to hotel upon arrival for night stay.
Day 08: Kumarakom Backwater Cruise
Today we take you on a pleasant boat cruise through the tranquil backwaters of Kumarakom. It is a must do in all South India tour itineraries. Enjoy watching numerous villages and tropical vegetation en route. Afternoon free to spend as you want. You can also opt for a specialized Ayurvedic massage that relaxes your mind, body and soul or enjoy fishing. Night stay at the hotel.
Day 09: Kumarakom – Thekkady
Silk and Spices Tour today proceeds to Thekkady, home to the world famous wildlife sanctuary and a must visit in South India tour packages. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 10: Thekkady – Madurai
Early morning, proceed to the wildlife sanctuary. Board one of the boats that take you through the Periyar river and enable you to watch fascinating wildlife from close quarters. Later at noon, transfer to Madurai by road, the next stopover in your 13-day South India tour. Check in to hotel upon arrival and in the evening, proceed for sightseeing at the magnificent Meenakshi temple. Enjoy the Puja here and then retire to the hotel for the night.
Day 11: Madurai - Chennai
After breakfast, leave for a guided sightseeing tour of Shree Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Palace, Gandhi Museum and Mariamman Teppakkulam Tank that is the venue for the January Float Festival, locally called Teppam. Later, transfer to the airport to board onward flight to Chennai, the next destination in Silk and Spices Tour of South India. Check in to hotel on arrival for overnight stay.
Day 12: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Chennai
The two majestic towns of Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram are a must see in South India tour itineraries. Morning drive to Kanchipuram and enjoy sightseeing at Kailasanatha Temple and Ekambareshwara Temple of Lord Shiva and Vaikuntaperumal Temple devoted to Lord Vishnu. Later, proceed to Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) by road. Halt for lunch at a seaside resort midway and then continue drive to Mahabalipuram. Enjoy sightseeing at Shore Temple and other rock monuments dating back to the 7th century. Return to Chennai hotel for night stay.
Day 13: Chennai Departure
Morning sightseeing of Victoria Art Gallery, Bronze Gallery, Chennai Museum, Fort St. George, Santhome Cathedral and Kapaleeswarar Temple. Spend the remaining day at leisure and later in the evening, transfer to international airport to board onward flight back home. End of 13-day Silk and Spices Tour of South India.
