Tamilnadu To Karnataka,Between Culture And Nature

You are welcomed at Chennai airport transfer to the hotel where you settle.

For your first day, the visit of Madras which is the seat of many activities of which the most famous and the most visible is the cinema, is on the program. Giant posters decorate the facades of the city.

You will also visit the Madras Museum, Fort St-Georges (seat of state government), as well as the splendid San Thom Cathedral. Built in the 16th century by Portuguese, it once had the status of Basilica. It was in 1893 that the English, during its reconstruction, gave it the statute of Church.

In the evening, you will enjoy a stroll on Marina beach, beautiful beach lined with local merchants and craftsmen. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, you take the road for Mahäbalipuram. Along the way, you visit Kanchipuram temples, the ancient capital of the Pallava dynasty as well as Ekambareswara and Kailasanathar temples.

Upon arrival, you will settle at the hotel before going in the afternoon to visit the Arjuna’sPenance, a bas-relief depicting the descent of the Ganges. You will also visit Krishna’s butter ball. In the evening, you can discoverMahabalipuramcity and enjoy the beach. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 03: Mahabalipuram / Pondicherry (100km / 02hr):

After a heavy breakfast, you leave towards Pondicherry where you will settle at the hotel upon your arrival. Later, you visit the Church Sacré Coeur de Jesus and Notre Dame des Anges. Then, in the late afternoon you visit Vinayaga temple, where you will be blessed at the entrance of the temple by an elephant called Lakshmi. In the evening, you are freeto take a stroll in the French quarter of the city and on the walk by the sea. Overnight at the hotel

In the morning, after breakfast, you set out to explore the city of Pondicherry in rickshaw riding, from the Muslim quarter to the seaside passing by for the Goubert market and the historic city.Then, you go to visit Auroville and Ashram Shri Aurobindo (Auroville closed on Sunday afternoon). In the late afternoon you are free and you can take a walk in the city’s French quarter. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5:Pondicherry / Chettinad (190km / 4hr 30min):

After breakfast, you take the departure to reach Chettinad region. A Chettiar community that thrives in business and banking, and many of whom have emigrated to South Asia or Southeast Asia in the 20th century.On the way, you stop in Trichy to visit the Rockfort and Srirangnathswamy temples. You arrive inChettinad and after you are settled in the hotel, you leave for the visit of Chettiyarsvillage and its houses. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Chettinad / Madurai (90km / 02hr):

Today, after a good breakfast, you leave for Madurai where you settle upon your arrival. In the afternoon, you visit Meenakshi Amman temple, South India’s most famous temple dedicated to the fish-eyed Meenakshi goddess.In the evening, you will discover Madurai’s local markets located aroundMeenaksh temple. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, you leave for a safari. The sanctuary of Madumalai also considered as a reserve of tiger is protected by UNESCO’s world heritage. This reserve contains an impressive flora and fauna: elephants, gaur, leopards and at least 266 species of birds dwell there and you may be lucky enough to catch sight of the famous Bengal tiger. A walk in the discovery of the “style Mowgli jungle” with back of elephant is also proposed to you. Return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, you head towards Mysore. Upon arrival, you will settle at the hotel before visiting the Chamunditemple and Mysore Palace. Rebuilt in 1912 after devastation by a fire in 1897, the Mysore Maharaja’s palace is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful of India. The work was directed and led by a British architect: Henry Irwin and several styles were mixed; including Indo-Muslim, Oriental and Dravidian art. Note: On Saturday and Sunday evening the Mysore Palace is illuminated. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Mysore / Bangalore (260 km / 5 hr):

After breakfast, you leave for Banglore. Upon arriving, you settle directly at the hotel before departing in the afternoon for a visit to the Legislative Assembly and the LalBagh Botanical Garden, which houses the largest collection of tropical plants, a public aquarium, as well as two lakes. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Bangalore / Hospet (330kms -5h30)

After breakfast, a long day's drive awaits you in Karnataka through the arid plateaus of Deccan. When you arrive, you will be settling at your hotel in Hospet, near the splendid site of Hampi, the former capital of the last Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagar and protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12: Hospet / Hampi / Hospet

After breakfast, your day is entirely devoted to the discovery ofHampi site.You will discoverVirupaksha temple, dedicated to the god Shiva, and Vitthala’s with its chariot of procession and its mandapam, dance hall with superbly carved pillars. In the royal enclosure you will discover the Lotus Palace, the Queen's Baths and other architectural wonders. This city, formerly greater than Rome, fascinated the European and Persian travelers who stayed there. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: Hospet / Badami (180 km – 04 hr)

After breakfast you take the road to reach Badami. On the road, you visit Aihole and Pattadakal sites, religious capital of the Chalukya dynasty. These temples, which were built between the 6th and 8th centuries, are renowned for their original beauty and purity, new styles experienced by builders and sculptors. In Badami you will visit rock caves which overlook the beautiful Agastyatirtha basin before heading to the hotel where you will settle upon your arrival. Overnight in hotel.

Day 14: Badami / Hubli (110km – 2h) / Goa (220 km- 04-05 hr):

After breakfast, you take the road to Goa, Portuguese enclave and former witness of the spice race. As soon as you arrive you have a glimpse of Goa, a state favored by an ideal climate, containing fabulous beaches, charming people, delicious food, fortresses perched on hills, small whitewashed churches and imposing cathedrals dating from the Portuguese era. On the way, you make a stop at Hubli, where you visit ruins. In the afternoon, you arrive in Goa and after settling at the hotel, you can enjoy your end of the day to relax and enjoy the beach. Overnight at the hotel.