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India: Best of South India with Mumbai

India: Best of South India with Mumbai

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Explore South India's most breathtaking locations, from the bustling city of Chennai to the tranquil backwaters of Alleppey. Marvel at ancient temples in Tanjore and Madurai, and indulge in the vibrant culture of Mumbai. This 15-day guided tour offers a diverse and immersive experience of India's rich history and natural beauty.

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Itinerary at a glance 

Day 1: Arrive Chennai

  • Arrive Chennai  
  • Proceed to the hotel - Check in time is 1400 hrs 
  • Dinner on own expense 
  • Overnight at the hotel 
  • Included Meals: None 

Day 2: Chennai

  • Breakfast at the hotel 
  • Morning visit the Government Museum 
  • Lunch on own expense 
  • Afternoon explore the city including Fort St. George including St. Mary’s Church and the museum 
  • Continue to Kapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore and San Thome 
  • Dinner on own expense 
  • Overnight at the hotel 
  • Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 3: Chennai – Dakshinchitra - Mahaballipuram

  • Breakfast at the hotel 
  • Morning drive to Mahaballipuram – Approximately 1 ½ hrs driving time 
  • En route visit Dakshinchitra 
  • Lunch on own expense 
  • Arrive and proceed to the hotel 
  • Later today explore the temples including the Shore Temple, Arjuna’s Penance and the Cave Temple 
  • Overnight at the hotel 
  • Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 4: Mahaballipuram – Kanchipuram - Pondicherry

  • Breakfast at the hotel 
  • Morning drive to Kanchipuram – Approximately 1 ½ hrs driving time 
  • Arrive and explore the area including Ekambareshwara Temple, The Kailasanatha Temple and Vaikuntha Perumal Temple  
  • Lunch on own expense 
  • Continue to Pondicherry – Approximately 3 hrs driving time 
  • Stop en route visit Auroville 
  • Dinner on own expense 
  • Overnight at the hotel 
  • Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 5: Pondicherry

  • Breakfast at the hotel 
  • Day spent in exploring the city including the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Church of the Sacred Heart and the Pondicherry Museum 
  • Lunch on own expense 
  • Enjoy a walk through the French Quarters 
  • Overnight at the hotel 
  • Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 6: Pondicherry - Tanjore

  • Breakfast at the hotel 
  • Drive from Pondicherry to Tanjore  
  • En route stop at Chidambaram and visit the Thillai Natarajah Temple 
  • Stop at Gangaikondacholapuram and visit the Lord Shiva temple 
  • Lunch on own expense 
  • Continue towards the temple town of Kumbakonam 
  • Proceed on to Darasuram and visit the Airavatesvara Temple  
  • Arrive Tanjore and proceed to your hotel 
  • Dinner on own expense 
  • Overnight at the hotel 
  • Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 7: Tanjore

  • Breakfast at the hotel 
  • Morning explore Thanjavur including the beautiful Chola Temple of Brihadeeshwara, Thanjavur Royal Palace and it museum including the Bronze Gallery and Saraswati Mahal Library 
  • Lunch and dinner on own expense 
  • Overnight at the hotel 
  • Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 8: Tanjore – Trichy - Madurai

  • Breakfast at the hotel 
  • Drive to Trichy – Approximately 1 ½ hrs driving time  
  • Arrive and explore Srirangam Temple Complex 
  • Continue to visit Rockfort Temple Ganapati Temple 
  • Lunch on own expense 
  • Drive to Madurai – Approximately 3 hrs driving time  
  • Arrive and proceed to visit the Palace of King Triumalai Nayak Palace and Alaghar Kovil 
  • Evening visit the Meenakshi Temple to witness the aarti ceremony (1930 hrs) 
  • Proceed to the hotel 
  • Dinner on own expense 
  • Overnight at the hotel 
  • Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 9: Madurai – Thekaddy

  • Early morning visit the Meenakshi Temple 
  • Return to the hotel for breakfast  
  • Drive to Thekaddy – Approximately 4 hrs driving time 
  • Arrive and proceed to your hotel 
  • Lunch on own expense 
  • Afternoon visit a Spice Plantation 
  • Dinner on own expense 
  • Overnight at the hotel 
  • Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 10: Thekaddy - Alleppey

  • Early morning enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar 
  • Breakfast at the hotel 
  • Drive to Alleppey – Approximately 4 hrs driving time 
  • Arrive and board your houseboat 
  • Lunch onboard the houseboat 
  • Day spent in cruising the backwaters 
  • Dinner onboard the houseboat 
  • Overnight onboard the houseboat 
  • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

Day 11: Alleppey -Cochin

  • Breakfast onboard the houseboat 
  • Disembark and drive to Cochin – Approximately 1 ½ hrs driving time 
  • Arrive and proceed to the hotel 
  • Lunch on own expense 
  • Afternoon at leisure 
  • Dinner on own expense 
  • Overnight at the hotel 
  • Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 12: Cochin

  • Breakfast at the hotel 
  • Morning Cochin City Tour including a visit to the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church and the Chinese Fishing Nets 
  • Lunch on own expense 
  • 1600 hrs: Depart for a local theatre to witness a Kathakali Dance Performance 
  • 1700 – 1800 hrs, witness the artists applying makeup  
  • 1800 – 1900 hrs is the dance performance 
  • Dinner on own expense 
  • Overnight at the hotel 
  • Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 13: Cochin - Mumbai

  • Breakfast at the hotel 
  • Transfer to the airport 
  • Fly Cochin / Mumbai - TBA 
  • Arrive Mumbai and proceed to the hotel 
  • Check in time is 1400 hrs 
  • Lunch on own expense 
  • Afternoon explore the city with a drive past the University of Mumbai, High Court, Flora Fountain, Victoria Terminus, Crawford Market 
  • Continue down Marine Drive, Malabar Hill and the Jain Temple 
  • Visit the Hanging Gardens, drive past the Tower of Silence and enjoy a photo stop at Dhobi Ghats 
  • Continue on to visit Mani Bhawan a photo stop at the Gateway of India 
  • Dinner on own expense 
  • Overnight at the hotel 
  • Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 14: Mumbai

  • Breakfast at the hotel 
  • Morning visit Elephanta Caves 
  • Lunch on own expense 
  • Afternoon at leisure 
  • Dinner on own expense 
  • Overnight at the hotel 
  • Included Meals: Breakfast 

Day 15: Depart Mumbai

  • Breakfast at the hotel 
  • Check out time is 1200 hrs 
  • Transfer to the international airport 
  • Fly onwards 
  • Included Meals: Breakfast 
  • Hotel Accommodation: None 

Important Information

Notes

  • The itinerary is based on scheduled flights, the schedule of which could change without notice 
  • Check in and check out times are 1400 hrs and 1200 hrs respectively 
  • There is limited availability of twin bedded rooms at some hotels 
  • The order of the touring may vary at the time of operation 
  • Kerala is a Dry State and consumption of alcohol in public places is strictly prohibited 
  • Service and consumption of liquor at bars in Kerala is only allowed in a few five star hotels which have the necessary permits. Please note that the permit can be revoked by the authorities without any prior notice. 
  • Boat ride on Lake Periyar is subject to the level of the water in the lake and can be withdrawn without prior notice if the level of the water falls below the permitted mark 
  • No photography is allowed at the Synagogue and Dutch Palace. 
  • At St. Francis Church shoes need only be removed if visitors are going to walk down the central, tiled aisle. 
  • The Paradesi synagogue is closed on Friday afternoon, Saturdays and all Jewish Holidays and can be viewed from the outside only on these days.  
  • The Dutch Palace is closed on Fridays 
  • Temples are closed to the public between 1200 – 1600 hrs 
  • All passengers are to report at the airport at least 90 minutes hour prior to the domestic flight departure time. 
  • All passengers are to report at the airport at least three hours prior to the international flight departure time. 
  • Travel times indicated may vary due to traffic conditions 
  • VIP movement may restrict touring and sightseeing without any prior notice 
  • The order of the touring may vary at the time of operation.  
  • Meal abbreviation: (B) – Breakfast, (L) – Lunch & D – Dinner 

Temple Visit

  • Temples have specific timings for visitors 
  • Most temples are closed between 1200 – 1600/1700 hrs 
  • Non – Hindus / Non – Orthodox Hindus are barred from entering the Inner Sanctum of a majority of temples 
  • Some temples allow Non – Hindus to enter the temple complex but have certain restricted areas. 
  • Some temples do not allow Non-Hindus to enter the temple complex but allow viewing from a designated platform 
  • Proper attire is required to visit the sacred sites. Shorts and short skirts are not allowed. Women must have their shoulders covered. Shoes must be removed prior to entering the temples. We suggest bringing along a pair of thick socks because the pavement may be hot.  
  • Prior consumption of alcohol before a visit to a temple is strictly prohibited 

Dress Code for visiting Temples in South India

Gentlemen should wear traditional attire as per the following: 

  • Dhoti Shirt and full trousers 
  • Kurta and Pajama 
  • Sherwani (knee length coat) and pajama
  • They will not be allowed to wear lungi (sarong), shorts and vests  

Ladies should wear traditional attire as per the following: 

  • Traditional saree with blouse. 
  • Pavadai Thavani - long skirt to the ankles with blouse to the waist and a dupatta(Scarf to cover the head and shoulders)  
  • Long kurta and payama with Dupatta (Scarf to cover the head and shoulders) 
  • They will not be allowed by wear Jeans, Trousers, T-Shirt, Vests, Skirts, Mini Skirts, Leggings, Shorts or Bermudas. 

Visa/Entry Permit

  • All visitors coming to India should have a valid passport and an Indian visa prior to arrival. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your expected date of return from India.
  • Your passport should have at least two blank pages that could be used for stamping by the Immigration Officer. Additionally if you are planning to visit restricted areas like in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands etc., the visa must also include permission to visit these places.
  • Tourist e-Visa (valid for 60 days) is available for more than 150 nationalities, so you can also check if you are eligible for that. e-Visa charges vary between USD 10 – USD 35 depending on the traveling period & duration. If you were planning a longer visit, then a standard six-month tourist visa would be required.
  • Visa / Entry Permit is subject to change and depends on the Government policy. Our team will provide you with the exact details on your query about this important & crucial aspect of your travel.

Dos and Don'ts

  • The traditional way of greeting and bidding farewell to anyone is by saying ‘Namaste’.
  • Elders should be treated with respect.
  • Public displays of affection is discouraged, though holding hands is still acceptable.
  • Women in particular should dress modestly and avoid low-cut tops, shorts and skirts above knee-length.
  • Remian conscious & careful of how different gender and relationships may impact interactions.
  • Take photographs of people or objects only after receiving permission.
  • When visiting any religious building or entering an Indian home remove the footwear outside.
  • Only eat food with the right hand as eating with left hand is considered unclean. However, one can use the left hand for holding utensils and cutlery.
  • Feet and shoes are considered dirty so dont step on any person as it is condidered disrespectful.
  • Don’t encourage beggars by giving them money. If you want to help then you can do so by reaching out to approved charities.
  • Most Indians tend to engage in friendly banter and light teasing and it is not a mark of disrespect so you can enjoy a light-hearted sense of humour.