Treasures of South India

You will see and experience a different India in the Deep South. No other regions of the country reflects ancient India as it does here. The contrast with the rest of the country will amaze you, for life here today still reflects a bygone age. The landscape is studded with magnificent Temples; the Gopurams soaring skyward to reach the myriad of Hindu Gods, hidden backwaters relax and sooth the weary traveler, the origin of Ayurveda and several spas.

Season : Mid September to Mid April

A Temple in South India

Day 1. ARRIVE MUMBAI (BOMBAY)

Traditional welcome on arrival and meeting assistance at the airport. Transfer to hotel.

Day 2. MUMBAI / AURANGABAD

Morning boat excursion to the Elephanta Caves with its fine cluster of 6^{th-8th
Century rock-cut figures. Sightseeing of Mumbai—Includes magnificent
colonial buildings, drive past marine drive and somber Tower of Silence.
Later fly to Aurangabad.}

Day 3. AURANGABAD

Full-day return excursion to Ajanta Caves that date back to the 2nd century BC where 30 rock-hewn caves are adorned with Buddhist sculptures and paintings.

Day 4. AURANGABAD / MUMBAI

Visit the Ellora Caves comprised of rock-cut shrines representing Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu art dating from the 4th to the 9th centuries AD. Later fly to Mumbai.

Day 5. MUMBAI / BANGALORE / MYSORE

Fly to Bangalore, and then drive on to Mysore.

Day 6. MYSORE

City tour of Mysore includes visit to the City Palace of the Maharaja of Mysore (once among the richest men in the world). Later visit Chamundi hills to see the Sri Chamundeswari Temple, with a seven story Gopuram 40 meters high.

Day 7. MYSORE / BANGALORE

Drive to Bangalore—City of Gardens. Afternoon sightseeing includes palace of Tipu Sultan, Cubbon Park, and Vidhana Soudha.

Day 8. BANGALORE / CHENNAI (MADRAS)

Fly to Chennai—Gateway to the sunny south. Evening witness the performance of classical South Indian dances.

^{Day 9. CHENNAI Morning drive to Mahabalipuram to visit the rock-cut monoliths named after the heroes of the Epic—Mahabharata. Later drive back to Chennai and visit the Saint Thomas (the first apostle) Cathedral, and Fort St. George.}
	^{Caparisoned Elephants Procession in South India}

^{Day 10. CHENNAI / MADURAI
Fly to Madurai—City of Festivals.
Afternoon sightseeing of the famous Meenakshi temple. Evening lecture on
the traditions and culture of Dravidians.
Day 11. MADURAI / LAKE PERIYAR
A scenic drive to Lake Periyar Wildlife
Sanctuary driving through spice and tea plantations.
Day 12. LAKE PERIYAR / KUMARAKOM
(BACKWATERS)
Early morning boat ride on Lake Periyar
to view wildlife such as bison, wild elephants, and wild boar. Later
drive through pineapple, spice, and rubber plantations to Kumarakom.
Day 13. KUMARAKOM
Take a relaxing cruise by country boats
through the backwaters. Also go for a sunset cruise by boat or optional
Ayurvedic Herbal Massage / Rejuvenation therapy at the spa.
Day 14. KUMARAKOM / COCHIN
Drive to Cochin—originally built by the
Portuguese, it is now one of the major ports in the west coast.
Day 15. COCHIN
Today tour Cochin on motorboat. Visit
Fort Kochi and St. Francis Church—one of the oldest European churches
in India. Also visit Chinese fishing nets, a legacy of the ancient
trading between Cochin and China, the Dutch Palace, and Jewish
Synagogue. Evening witness spectacular dance performance of
Kerala-Kathakali.
Day 16. COCHIN / MUMBAI / DEPART MUMBAI
Fly to Mumbai. In the evening farewell
dinner and transfer to international airport for flight back home.}