!! South India Architecture Tour !!

Duration : 21 Nights / 22 Days
Destination : Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Periyar - Kochi -
Ooty - Mysore - Somnathpur - Sravanbelagola - Hospet

Day 01 : Chennai
Santhome Church, ChennaiAfter your arrival at the city of Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu, prepare for sightseeing. The popular tourists spots on the itinerary include the Kapaleeswarar Temple, Santhome Church, Fort Museum and National Art Gallery. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 02: Mahabalipuram
Home to the only shore temple in India that has survived the test of time, your full day visit to the world heritage site of India i.e. Mahabalipuram is a rewarding one. Overnight stay at the hotel in Mahabalipuram.

Day 03 : Kanchipuram /Vellore /Tiruvannamalai
The Kanchipuram temple city tour includes a visit to the Kailasanatha Temple, Vaikunda Perumal Temple, Varatharaja Temple and Ekambareswara Temple. Up next, the Vellore city tour will include Tipu Sultan's forts and Jalakandeswara Temple. Following Vellore, the city tour of Tiruvannamalai will involve visits to Arunachaleeswarar Temple and the Ashram of Sri Ramana Maharshi. Overnight stay at the hotel in Tiruvannamalai.

Day 04 : Pondicherry
A fort that dates back to the 14th century (Gingee), a century old Aurobindo Ashram and the new settlement town of Auroville are the prime tourist attractions in the former French Colony and now Union Territory of India - Pondicherry. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 05 : Chidambaram / Gangaikondacholapuram / Darasuram / Kumbakonam / Tanjore
Chidambaram city tour includes primarily a visit to the 9th century Shiva temple where an emerald lingam statue is the focal point of tourist attraction. Next stop would be Gangaikondacholapuram. Later, you can visit Dharasuram, a place renowned for Chola architecture. Tanjore, the next stop is famous for Tanjore temple architecture and painting style. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 06 : Trichy
Drive to Trichy where you will go for sightseeing of popular architectural sites including Lord Robert Clive's house, Srirangam Temple, Rock-Fort temple, Ganapati Temple. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 07 : Madurai
You will reach Madurai on the seventh day of the architectural tour of South India. Here, you will go on a sightseeing tour of Madurai that will include a visit to the famous 1000-pillared Meenakshiamman Temple, Thirumalai Nayak's Palace and Gandhi Museum. Overnight stay at the temple.

Day 08 : Periyar
ThekkadyOn the eight day on the South India architectural tour, you will visit the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Thekkady. You can go for a boat ride on the Lake Periyar or drive through the spice and tea plantations on the hillsides or shop at the local market or do it all. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 09: Kochi
On your tour of the city of Kochi (Cochin) you will visit the Jewish Synagogue, The Dutch Palace, Portuguese Churches, Mosques, Hindu temples and Chinese Fishing Nets; later you can enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance performance that will leave you mesmerized. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 10 : Ooty
Visit the famous Botanical Gardens, the Ooty Lake, Dodabetta peak where you can enjoy one of the most beautiful and panoramic views of the elegant Nilgiri Hills in Ooty. Later, a toy train tour to Coonoor will make your day. Overnight stay at the hotel in Ooty.

Day 11 : Mudumalai / Mysore
A drive to Mysore marks the second half of your architectural tour of South India. The sightseeing tour of Mysore will include a visit to Mysore Palace, the Art Gallery and Brindavan Gardens. Also visit the Mudumalai and Bandipur Wildlife sanctuaries on the way to Mysore. Overnight stay at Mysore.

Day 12 : Mysore / Srirangpatna / Somnathpur
Enjoy a complete day to experience and study the offshoots of Mysore stone temples and their intricate designs at the Srirangapatna and Somnathpur and then return to Mysore to Devaraja vegetable and flower market appreciate the full glory of temple architecture. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 13 : Hasan / Sravanbelagola
On your drive to Hasan, visit the most popular Jain pilgrimage site in at Sravanabelagola. Apart from its scenic location, it is also known for its 600 rock cut steps that lead to the hill summit. Later in the day, you can also visit Belur and Halebid to study Hoysala Architecture temples. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 14 : Hospet
Breakfast at Bangalore followed by a drive to the ancient city of Hospet, near to Hampi. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 15 : Hampi
The next day, you move from Hospet to Hampi. The former capital of the mighty Vijayanagar Empire, Hampi is home to astounding temples, panoramic views, ancient markets and a modern addition - boat ride by the riverside. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 16 : Aihole / Pattadakal
AiholeAihole and Pattadakal are the best examples of Southern Dravidian School of architecture. The major temples to visit during the sightseeing tour include temple Lad Khan, Meguti Temple and Ravanaphadi Cave, Sanghameswara Temple, Mallikarjuna Temple, Virupaksha Temple and Papanatha Temple. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 17: Badami
In the morning of your seventeenth day on the South India Architectural Tour, you will tour the cities of Badami or Vatapi. Badami or Vatapi are rich in Hindu temples and Jain temples that have been imaginatively carved out of sand hills. Some of the major tourist attractions include the Fort and a watchtower atop the hill, and Malegitti Shivalaya Temple. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 18: Bijapur
Tour of Bijapur will include visits to Gol Gumbaz and other architectural relics that are a study in Islamic architectural influences. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 19: Bijapur / Gulbarga
Followed by Bijapur, Gulbarga is the natural next stop. Here, examples of Hindu and Muslim influences on architecture are present in abundance including Jumma Masjid and the Khwaja Banda Nawaz. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 20: Gulbarga / Hyderabad
Hyderabad architectural city tour will include visits to Charminar, the Mecca Mosque, the Salar Jung Museum and High Court Buildings. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 21 : Hyderabad
After the previous day's planned sightseeing excursion, this day is free for you to enjoy in anyway you feel is right. You can opt for a tour to the to Golconda Fort and visit the Tombs of Qutab Shahi Kings. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 22 : Departure
Take a flight out from the Hyderabad airport to your home or to your destination in South India.