South India Immersive Journey

Day 1 · Mumbai

1. 1

   Mumbai

   4 hours

   Feel the energy of Bombay impressive city and live the Elephanta Caves. Experience as well Dharavi, the area where Bollywood movie and Oscar Winner, “Slumdog Millionaire” has been shot. Food, art, cinema and music lovers would enjoy being there. Witness the Gateway of India and The Taj Mahal Hotel.

   Some places would be visited according to your time and personal interests.

Hotel Options Available: Affordable: Fort Residency Semi Luxury: Suba Palace Luxury: Taj Mahal Tower

Day 2 · Mumbai - Experience a dynamic, modern city with cosmopolitan lifestyle

1. 1

   Elephanta Caves

   4 hours Admission included

   Elephanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a collection of cave temples predominantly dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. They are on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri, in Mumbai.

2. 2

   Gateway Of India

   45 min

   The Gateway of India is an arch-monument built in the early twentieth century in the city of Mumbai.

   It was erected to commemorate the landing in December 1911 at Apollo Bunder, Mumbai of King-Emperor George V and Queen-Empress Mary, the first British monarch to visit India.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   2 hours

   Dharavi is Mumbai’s largest slum (and the third-largest in the world) made famous by the film Slumdog Millionaire.

4. 4

   Dhobi Ghat

   one hour

   Dhobi Ghat is an open air laundromat. The washers, known as dhobis, work in the open to clean clothes and linens from Mumbai's hotels and hospitals.

5. 5

   Colaba Market

   3 hours

   The everyday carnival of the Colaba Causeway market is a shopping experience like no other in Mumbai. That infamous Indian saying of "sab kuch milega" (everything is possible) certainly applies at this market.

Hotel Options Available: Affordable: Fort Residency Semi Luxury: Suba Palace Luxury: Taj Mahal Tower

Day 3 · Cochin - Called as the Queen of the Arabian Sea

1. 1

   Kochi (Cochin)

   5 hours

   Bustling commercial port city with a trading history that dates back to at least 600 years. Called as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, the city is the financial, commercial and industrial capital of Kerala.

   The Influences of Arabs, Dutch, Phoenicians, Portuguese, Chinese and British, are felt.

Hotel Options Available: Affordable: Old Courtyard Semi Luxury: Trident Luxury: Grand Hayat

Day 4 · Cochin

1. 1

   Fort Kochi

   3 hours

   A charming seaside area, Fort Kochi is known for its Dutch, Portuguese, and British colonial architecture, and elaborate bamboo fishing nets at Fort Kochi Beach.

2. 2

   Church of Saint Francis

   45 min Admission included

   Saint Francis Church, in Fort Kochi, Kochi, originally built in 1503, is one of the oldest European churches in India and has great historical significance as a mute witness to the European colonial struggle in the subcontinent.

3. 3

   Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica

   50 min Admission included

   The Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica at Fort Kochi, Kochi is one of the nine Basilicas in Kerala. Counted as one of the heritage edifices of Kerala, this church is one of the finest and most impressive churches in India and visited by tourists the whole year round.

4. 4

   Kochi (Cochin)

   3 hours

   Stroll around its picturesque beaches fill with peculiar fish nets and the fish market

Hotel Options Available: Affordable: Old Courtyard Semi Luxury: Trident Luxury: Grand Hayat

Day 5 · Alleppey - From houseboat stays in to lazing around on pristine beaches, enjoy the wide range of memorable experiences.

1. 1

   Alappuzha

   5 hours

   Enjoy a Boat Ride at Vembananad Lake, which offers a fascinating insight into the life of Keralan Backwater. On the narrow strip of land you could appreciate the fishing fishermen, children swimming, and women doing their daily chores. Experience any place you find on the way, loose yourself and unravel the magic of the place.

Houseboat in the Backwaters of Kerala

Day 6 · Thekkady - Experience the sight of majestic elephants, spice plantations, and beautiful hills.

1. 1

   Thekkady

   6 hours

   Boating on the Lake Periyar and witness the fascinating Wildlife and unique animal sanctuaries in India. Visit the fragrant spice plantations of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, and coffee. Enjoy the Tea States as well.

   Shop in the local market for natural seasonings to take home.

Hotel Options Available: Affordable: Tree Top Semi Luxury: Elephant Court Luxury: Naramaya Retreats

Day 7 · Thekkady

1. 1

   Periyar Lake

   3 hours Admission included

   Enjoy a boat ride in the Periyar Lake to observe Wildlife

2. 2

   Green Land Spice Garden

   3 hours Admission included

   Enjoy it´s vibrant smells and colors and enjoy a Naturologist short lecture in Thekaddy about the Kerala’s Plantation Spice Gardens

Hotel Options Available: Affordable: Tree Top Semi Luxury: Elephant Court Luxury: Naramaya Retreats

Day 8 · Munnar - Popular hill-station perched at an altitude of 1600m in the Western Ghats, known as the Kashmir of South India.

1. 1

   Munnar

   5 hours

   One of the highest Tea growing lands in the world. Visit Eravikulam National Park, home of the endangered Nilgiri Thar (Ibex). Experience Mattupetty Dam, the Indo Swiss Dairy farm and

   the Kundala Lake.

Hotel Options Available: Affordable: Abad Cooper Castle Semi Luxury: Tea County Resort Luxury: Panoramic Gateway

Day 9 · Munnar

1. 1

   Munnar

   6 hours

   Enjoy the natural beauty of Tea States

Hotel Options Available: Affordable: Abad Cooper Castle Semi Luxury: Tea County Resort Luxury: Panoramic Gateway

Day 10 · Ooty - Enjoy it´s romantic and stunning scenery.

1. 1

   Ooty (Udhagamandalam)

   6 hours

   Visit the Nilgiris' tribal communities, erratically open museum, with its fascinating exhibits on Nilgiri and other Tamil Nadu tribal groups. Walk and enjoy established in 1848, these pretty 22-hectare gardens are a living gallery of the Nilgiris' natural flora. Keep an eye out for a typical Toda mund (village), a fossilised tree trunk believed to be 20 million years.

Hotel Options: Affordable: Sterling Ooty Fern Hill Semi Luxury: Club Mahindra Derby Resort Luxury: Savoy IHCL Selections

Day 11 · Ooty

1. 1

   Avalanche Lake

   3 hours Admission included

   The lake is located at a distance of 28 kms from Ooty in the Nilgiris. It was formed naturally in the year 1823 due to a massive landslide and therefore is named as Avalanche lake. Small waterfalls falling down from the encircling mountains creates a picture perfect ambience. The surrounding forests are so dense that even sunlight cannot penetrate through them.

2. 2

   Pykara Lake

   one hour Admission included

   Enjoy it´s stunning natural beauty

3. 3

   Pykara Falls

   one hour Admission included

   Enjiy it´s stunning natural beauty

4. 4

   Ooty Lake

   2 hours Admission included

   Enjoy it´s pristine beauty

Hotel Options: Affordable: Sterling Ooty Fern Hill Semi Luxury: Club Mahindra Derby Resort Luxury: Savoy IHCL Selections

Day 12 · Mysore - A city with a majestic lavish palace, regal and opulence is a synonymous to it.

1. 1

   Mysore District

   6 hours

   Located in the Chamundi Hills of Karnataka state, and ancient capital of the Mysore´s Kingdom, and today is a modern city with a dazzling rich heritage.

   Visit Mysore Palace to witness Indian, Islamic and European mixture of architectural styles. Learn about Chamundi Hill, Brindavan Gardens, Sri Chamundiswari Temple, and St. Philomena´s Church.

   Buy and enjoy Sandalwood handcrafts, spices and incense sticks.

Hotel Options: Affordable: Ruchi the Prince Semi Luxury: Country Inn and Suites Luxury: Savoy Radisson Blu Plaza

Day 13 · Mysore

1. 1

   Mysuru Palace

   2 hours Admission included

   Mysore Palace is a historical palace and a royal residence at Mysore in the Indian State of Karnataka. It is the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty and the seat of the Kingdom of Mysore. The palace is in the centre of Mysore, and faces the Chamundi Hills eastward.

2. 2

   Ranganathaswamy Temple

   one hour Admission included

   The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple or Thiruvarangam is a Hindu temple dedicated to Ranganatha, a reclining form of the Hindu deity Maha Vishnu, located in Srirangam, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India.

3. 3

   St. Philomena's Church

   50 min Admission included

   Neo Gothic style Catholic Cathedral. This is one of the tallest churches in Asia.

4. 4

   Jaganmohan Palace Art Gallery And Auditorium

   2 hours Admission included

   Former Palace, it is now used as an art gallery and a function hall. The palace is one of the seven palaces of the royal city of Mysore.

5. 5

   Folklore Museum

   2 hours Admission included

   The Folklore Museum at Mysore, India, is a museum which exhibits folk art and crafts from all over the state of Karnataka.

Hotel Options: Affordable: Ruchi the Prince Semi Luxury: Country Inn and Suites Luxury: Savoy Radisson Blu Plaza

Day 14 · Hassan

1. 1

   Hassan

   one hour

   Ancient city located in Hassan district in the state of Karnataka. Enjoy the heritage and centuries-old monuments belonging to the Hoysala Period from 11th to 13th Century.

   Visit Gorur Dam on the River Hemavathi, Hoysala Temples of Nageshwara and Channakeshava. And mesmerize with picturesque partly submerged in the Hemavathi River, Shetihalli Church.

2. 2

   Shravanabelagola

   2 hours

   Historic Wonders of South India. Shravanabelagola is a historic destination located in Hassan of Karnataka. It is famous for its collection of Jain temples. The Gommateshvara Bahubali statue of this destination is a significant pilgrimage spot for Jains.

3. 3

   Shantaleswara Temple

   one hour Admission included

   Jain Temple of exceptional beauty

4. 4

   Kedareswara Temple

   one hour Admission included

   Hoysala era construction in the historically important town of Halebidu.

Hotel Options Available: Affordable: Malligi Residency Semi Luxury: Ashok Hassan Luxury: Hoysala Village Resort

Day 15 · Hampi - A carnival of carvings, an unearthly landscape with ruins that captivates the eye and spirit of every visitor

1. 1

   Hampi

   3 hours

   A carnival of carvings, an unearthly landscape with ruins that captivates the eye and spirit of every visitor, like the Zenana Enclosure; kilometers of terrain with jade-green palm groves, banana plantations and paddy fields.

   See and enjoy Hindu Temples: Vittala, Virupashka and Achyutaraya. And have a pleasant walk in Sule Bazaar.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   2 hours Admission included

   Dasara Dibba or the Mahanavami Dibba is a beautiful stone platform located within the Royal Enclosure of Hampi. It was built during the Vijayanagara period by King Krishnadevaraya to commemorate his victory over Udaygiri.

Hotel Options: Affordable: Kishkinda Heritage Resort Semi Luxury: Hotel Malligi Luxury: Hampi’s Boulders Resort

Day 16 · Hampi

1. 1

   Lotus Mahal

   one hour Admission included

   Ancient stone palace structure with tranquil gardens, arches & elaborate carvings.

2. 2

   Virupaksha Temple

   6 hours Admission included

   Virupaksha Temple is located in Hampi in the Ballari district of Karnataka, India. It is part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Shiva

Hotel Options: Affordable: Kishkinda Heritage Resort Semi Luxury: Hotel Malligi Luxury: Hampi’s Boulders Resort

Day 17 · Hampi

1. 1

   Hampi

   5 hours

   A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated in the shadowed depth of hills and valleys in the state of Karnataka, this place is a historical delight for travellers. Surrounded by 500 ancient monuments, beautiful temples, bustling street markets, bastions, treasury building and captivating remains of Vijayanagar Empire. Discover an open museum with 100+ locations to explore and understand Indian History.

Hotel Options: Affordable: Kishkinda Heritage Resort Semi Luxury: Hotel Malligi Luxury: Hampi’s Boulders Resort

Day 18 · Mumbai

1. 1

   Mumbai

   5 hours

   Feel the energy of this impressive city and live the Elephanta Caves. Experience as well Dharavi, the area where Bollywood movie and Oscar Winner, “Slumdog Millionaire” has been shot.

Hotel Options Available: Affordable: Fort Residency Semi Luxury: Suba Palace Luxury: Taj Mahal Tower

Day 19 · Mumbai - Departure

1. 1

   Mumbai

   2 hours

   Relaxed and ready for travelling back home, your driver will take you to the airport as per your flight schedule.