Mystical South India

ATOC TOURS SPECIAL FEATURES

First Class Hotels with private bath/shower
American Breakfast & Lunch or Dinner Daily: All Meals during stay at National Park
Freedom-of-Choice Dining: Full Buffet
ATOC representative assistance at airport and hotels
Local English-speaking Guide for sightseeing tours
Airfare within India
Baggage handling and porterage  

ATOC TOURS VALUE ADDED FEATURES
Welcome Dinner with Cultural Dances & Music
Kathakali Dance performance
Farewell Traditional Kerala Thali Meal

Your Journey begins:

DAY 1: Depart North America
Board your international flight for your Mystical South India tour.

DAY 2: En Route
Relax and enjoy the in-flight service.  

DAY 3: Chennai
On arrival at Chennai (Madras), you will be greeted with a traditional Indian welcome and escorted to your hotel. Chennai is a metropolis with a distinct old world charm. The Trident Hotel

DAY 4: Chennai
Visit Fort St. George, St. Mary’s Church (the oldest surviving British building), Mylapore, the site of Kapaleeswarar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, San Thome Cathedral, and Parathasarthy Temple. In the Government Museum & Art Gallery, see collections from the major South Indian periods. This afternoon is at leisure or you may take an optional tour of Kalakshetra, an artist’s colony where ancient arts and crafts are practiced and taught. This evening enjoy a Welcome Dinner with a presentation of South Indian music and dance. The Trident Hotel(B/D)

DAY 5: Chennai
Spend a day at leisure to explore the city on your own or participate in optional tours: Full-day excursion to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram with lunch; Tour to Guindy National Park; Tour of Birla Planetarium. The Trident Hotel(B/D)

DAY 6: Chennai / Srirangapatnam / Mysore
A short flight this morning brings you to Bangalore. Travel overland to Mysore, stopping en route at Srirangapatnam, an island in the Cauvery River where Tipu Sultan built his summer palace. Arrive at Mysore, once the capital of a princely state that still carries the aura and charm of the palaces and opulent festivals of yesteryear. The Regaalis (B/L)

DAY 7: Mysore
Today tour the Maharaja's palace, built between 1897 and 1907 with mixture several architectural styles. Continue to Chamundu Hill named after the goddess Chamundi, to see the 17th century statue of Nandi Shiva's mount, 16 feet high, carved out of one rock. Spend your afternoon at leisure or take an optional tour visiting a sandalwood and incense factory. The Regaalis (B/D)

DAY 8: Mysore / Nagarhole National Park
Today visit Nagarhole National Park, a rich tropical forest that houses habitats of several rare and endangered species, notably the tiger. The Park has moist deciduous forest in the northern and western parts, and dry deciduous forest in the southeastern part. These forests have open grassy swamps where the grass is lush all year-round due to the high rainfall. Plantations of teak and species of eucalyptus cover much of the Park. Kabini River Lodge (B/D)

DAY 9: Nagarhole Game Viewing

Enjoy a morning and afternoon jungle safari. The lush green bamboo, succulent grass and other shrubs offer ideal conditions for elephants. Other principal wildlife includes the tiger, panther, chital, sambar, and sloth bear, primates and more than 250 species of birds. Kabini River Lodge (B/L)

DAY 10: Nagarhole / Hassan
Travel overland to Hassan, which prospered under the control of the great Hoysala Empire from the 11th to 13th centuries. This was the period when the great temples of Belur and Halebid were constructed. Hassan was greatly influenced by Jainism, and later became a well-known center for Jain literature. Hoysala Village Resort (B/D)

DAY 11: Belur & Halebid

Tour the temples of Belur and Halebid which represent the most artistic period of Hindu cultural development. At Belur the Channekeshava Temple is a Hoysala masterpiece built in a walled spacious place where the carving matches the quality of the architecture. The construction of Hoysaleswara Temple began in 1141 and is still incomplete after 86 years of chiseling. Hoysala Village Resort (B/L)

DAY 12: Hassan / Bangalore
Today travel overland to the modern industrial capital city of Bangalore, known as “India’s Silicon Valley” or “Garden City.” In the afternoon visit Vidhana Soudha, which is a marvel of traditional and modern architectural styles. Constructed in 1954, it is home of the State Legislature and the Secretariat. Continue to Bangalore Fort, built by Kempe Gowda and later expanded by Tipu Sultan. This summer palace was constructed largely of wood and is famous for its carvings and paintings. The Park (B/D) 

DAY 13: Bangalore / Cochin
From Bangalore take a short flight to Cochin, center of India’s spice trade for many centuries, which is set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas. The influence of Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans is prevalent in Kochi and its people. Your tour includes a visit to the Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese in 1557. Continue to St. Francis Church, constructed in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars. Tour the Jewish Synagogue, constructed in 1568, and the Chinese Fishing nets. This evening enjoy a Kathakali Dance drama performance. The Trident (B/L)

DAY 14: Cochin Backwaters
This morning depart for Kumarakom toward Poothatta, a fisherman’s colony and village. Embark on a three-hour backwater cruise by country boat through narrow canals to glimpse the unhurried village life of rural Kerala. See people in their usual activities: boat building, prawn cultivation, sand mining, limestone collection, rice farming, duck farming, coir craft, and straw mat weaving. Tour a coir and coconut farm, and a spice garden. A variety of birds can also be seen. Enjoy a traditional Kerala Thali meal served on a banana leaf. Visit the local markets, villages, and an old church built in 1867. Proceed to Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, constructed 5,000 years ago and made famous by Mahatma Gandhi’s visits. The Trident (B/L)

DAY 15: Cochin
Spend a day of leisure on your own, or take an optional excursion of local museums and art galleries: Tour of Parishith Thampuran Museum, Museum of Kerala History, Hill Palace Museum, Chaitram Art Gallery & Dravidian Art Gallery; OR visit Bolgatty Islands. The Trident (B/L)

DAY 16: Cochin Departure
Enjoy a day of leisure, exploring the city for handicrafts or taking an optional tour. Enjoy a traditional south Indian meal before your evening flight home to the USA.

DAY 17: Arrive Home
Your spectacular journey through Mystical South India comes to an end as you take fond memories of the sights, sounds and spiritual facets of ancient India.

Note: A Touch of Class Tours offers you the lowest international airfares available at the time of booking.