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Highlights of Mumbai To Chennai Tour

Trip Details

Duration: 24 Days
Pace: Relaxed
Destinations: Mumbai ➜ Goa ➜ Hampi ➜ Belur ➜ Halebidu ➜ Mysore ➜ Wayanad ➜ Kochi ➜ Alleppey ➜ Varkala ➜ Kanyakumari ➜ Madurai ➜ Chettinad ➜ Pondicherry ➜ Tanjore ➜ Mahabalipuram ➜ Chennai

From Mumbai to Chennai, visit incredible India. In this tour, you’ll experience both adventure and leisure in equal measure. The most cosmopolitan Indian city, Mumbai, is a good place to start. Goa’s gorgeous beaches and Wayanad’s lush tea and coffee farms await you after an overland journey over the Western Ghats. After returning to the shore, take a houseboat tour through the gentle Kerala’s backwaters. In the end, we make our way across the state of Tamil Nadu to see the beautiful Meenakshi temple of Madurai and the rock-cut caves of Mahabalipuram. Passing through a section of the nation that most tourists never get to visit we will arrive in Chennai to conclude our Indian adventure.

  • Discover the origins of Kathakali dances
  • Pondicherry is a place where you may find Gallic influences
  • In Kerala, meet the locals over a cup of chai
  • Cross into Kochi, India’s southwest colonial capital and important port city
  • Explore the Fort Kochi region, which is located on the coast
  • Take a stroll around Hampi, a historic imperial city
  • From Kanyakumari, the subcontinent’s southernmost point, look out across the Indian Ocean
  • Relax on Goa’s and Varkala’s beaches
  • When it comes to India, the adjective ‘colorful’ is often used, the Meenakshi Amman Temple’s entrance towers are a technicolor fantasy
  • Mahabalipuram’s historic cave temples are a must-see
  • Consider regal life at Mysore’s Maharaja’s Palace
  • In Chettinad, take up the challenge of a spicy fish or chicken curry
  • From Mumbai to Goa, take a scenic coastal train trip
  • The antique sculptures in the temples of Belur and Halebidu will leave you speechless
  • Look for wild elephant herds in Wayanad and hike up to Chembra Peak
Show Full Travel Program

You will be welcomed by our agent and driver upon arrival at Mumbai International Airport and driven to your strategically situated hotel in Mumbai.

Mumbai is located on India’s west coast and is the country’s most cosmopolitan metropolis. Bollywood, the world’s largest film industry, is also based in Mumbai. The best spot to view an Indian film if you’ve never seen one before. These all-singing all-dancing extravaganzas are full of high drama, romantic tension, music, and dancing. Even if you don’t understand a word they say, you can still enjoy the show since it is pure, unadulterated fun.

Mumbai is India’s version of Los Angeles, with a healthy mix of traffic, congested streets, bustling bazaars, briefcase-clutching businessmen completing worldwide deals in soaring skyscrapers, and some beautiful colonial architecture. The city is a bizarre blend of horrible poverty and rampant materialism; it is the subcontinent’s financial capital, and it has the shopping malls, pubs, and restaurants to match – but more than half of the population lives in the slums. Mumbai may be both a shock to the system and a sensory assault. However, after you’ve gotten your head around it, you’ll love everything the city has to offer.

Even for the most seasoned visitor, Mumbai may be frightening, so our Mumbai city tour was meant to assist in smoothing out some of the must-know practicalities of finding your way about the city. Also, we’ll give you the inside scoop on Mumbai’s history and what it’s like to live there.

Your trip to Mumbai gets off to a fantastic start as you make your way to the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, a buzzing train station which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a stunning example of Victorian Gothic architecture. This location was also used for the filming of the song “Jai Ho” from the film Slumdog Millionaire, which was nominated for an Academy Award.

On this one-of-a-kind, Mumbai excursion, take an ethical walking tour of the Dharavi slum. Follow a guide through Dharavi’s tiny lanes, where you’ll meet locals and learn about their small-scale enterprises, which include recycling, pottery, needlework, soap manufacturing, and more.

The evening is yours to enjoy! There is enough to do here: stroll the streets and find some of the country’s most stunning old colonial and Art Deco architecture, dine in one of the country’s greatest restaurants, and shop till you drop in the bazaars. You may go to Chowpatty Beach in the evening when colorful throngs of people wander about in the cooler evening air. Palmists, balloon vendors, magicians, and acrobats all vie for your attention, claiming to be the best at showing you the wonders of Mumbai.

A short local taxi trip through old Mumbai the next day displays exquisite Indo-Victorian buildings and monuments that serve as a flashback to a time when dashing English Sahibs and graceful Memsahibs ruled the city. During the twentieth century, the majestic arch that is now known as the Gateway to India was constructed in the city of Mumbai. During their trip to India in 1911, King George V and Queen Mary stopped in Apollo Bunder, and this monument was constructed to honor their visit and remember their arrival. The Gateway now stands proudly against a backdrop of azure water studded with colorful fishing boats, yachts, and the occasional cargo ship.

Take an hour-long boat voyage from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, home to the beautiful Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with your Tour Guide. Until Portuguese domination, the exterior caverns were utilized as a temple for Hindu worship. The Buddhist caves further in are smaller and less well-known. The main cave, also known as the Shiva Cave, has multiple sculptures showing various aspects of Lord Shiva, such as his wedding, defeat of the demon Andhaka, and more. In the main cave, there will also be a 20-foot-tall sculpture of the Trimurti (three-faced Shiva). A shrine to Shiva’s sons, Kartikeya and Ganesh, may be found in the caverns’ other wings.

Our Mumbai city trip continues from the Gateway with a relaxing journey down Mumbai’s famous Marine Drive, which leads us to the heart of Hindu religious devotion. Babulnath, a 200-year-old Shiva temple, is perched on a hillside. Devout Hindus were spotted carrying milk and water to pour over the Linga, Lord Shiva’s creative emblem.

A short journey from Babulnath leads us to Haji Ali, the hub of Muslim piety, emphasizing India’s religious diversity. This 14th-century mosque is one of a kind, having been erected 500 yards into the Arabian Sea.

When you arrive at the distinctive Dhobi Ghat, you are greeted by splashes of color and fragrances that are unique to Mumbai. The sight, sound, and smell of a large amount of clothing being cleaned simultaneously have never been more pleasant than in this laundry nook. Rows of open-air concrete wash pens, each with its own flogging stone, may be found. We wrap off our Mumbai highlights tour with a step-by-step explanation of how hundreds of garments are cleaned, starched, ironed, and returned in the spotless Indian laundry tradition.

Return to the hotel for the night.

Our adventure will begin with a train ride down the coast to Goa. We’ll spend two nights relaxing on the beaches of Calangute in the north. The magnificent sunsets, laid-back ambiance, and closeness to other popular beaches in the region, such as Vagator and Anjuna, pull most visitors to Calangute. We’ll be staying in a nice hotel with decent amenities near the beach.

Travel time (by train) is 11 hours. You can also take a direct flight that takes 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Many people think of Goa as being all about the beaches, and it’s fair to say that the fine white sand and glistening blue water of the Arabian Sea are undoubtedly one of the primary draws. However, this is a historically and culturally significant location. The coastal state has preserved much of its ancient Portuguese colonial architecture, traditions, religion, and way of life, notably in Former Goa, the old capital, which has multiple churches, a cathedral, and a plethora of outstanding local markets. The Se Cathedral (the seat of the Archbishop of Goa), the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, the Church of St. Caetano, and, most notably, the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which houses the relics of St. Francis Xavier, have all been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

There’s something for everyone here, whether you want to relax on the beach under a palm tree, watch the dhows sail off into the sunset and see the fishing boats landing their catch, or meander around the local spice farms inhaling their rich aroma. According to residents, time flows more slowly in Goa, so it’s a perfect place to pause for a few days if nothing else, and a terrific way to enjoy a little peace and quiet in an otherwise hectic country. Many fish-based curries, iconic Goan pork vindaloo, and Feni, a native liquor created from coconut and cashew nuts, are all popular dishes in Goa.

After spending two nights on the northern beaches of Goa, we move to the calmer southern beaches. If you’re looking for a spot to relax and watch the fishing boats land their haul, eat at beach shacks or explore the neighboring Palolem beach, we’ll be staying in gorgeous beach huts for two nights on the stunning Cavelossim beach or Palolem’s beach.

We set off on a 335-km trip from the beaches of Goa to the town of Hampi in the state of Karnataka. The Vijayanagara Empire’s old capital, Vijayanagara, lies beneath the settlement. Drive time is estimated at 7 hours.

Arrive in the late afternoon at Hampi and spend the rest of the day at your own discretion. At Hampi, the Tungabhadra River meanders through hills dotted with large spherical rocks. The scenery is bizarre and wonderful. I find the contrast between the ruins and the distinct environment to be intriguing. We’ll spend the night in Hampi at a lovely guesthouse overlooking the Tungabhadra River and rice paddy fields

Next, we will have a rickshaw and foot tour of the historical sights in and around Hampi. Exquisite evidence of Vijayanagar’s extinct civilization may be seen in Hampi, where Krishna Deva Raya reigned as king in the late 15th century (1509-30). Historically, the city was very wealthy, because of its position as a center for spice and cotton commerce. Today, the remains of the once-great empire may be seen scattered throughout a broad area.  It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has some of the most beautiful temple architecture from that era. Today, you can see history being unearthed in the region where the excavation is taking place.

A temple that has been in continuous use for almost 500 years is a must-see. Small shrines and pillared rooms dot the complex’s interior courtyards. Vittala temple, one of the most important World Heritage sites, is famous for its carved stone chariot and pillars that generate musical notes when tapped. Many such temples of the Vijayanagara style may be seen in the surrounding area. Lotus Mahal, Queen’s Bath, and Elephant Stable are all must-see attractions in this area.

We’ll spend one night in Hassan, 310 kilometers away from Hampi, and see the magnificent temples of Belur and Halebidu along the way. Driving Time: 6 hours approx.

One of the best kept Hoysala sites is the Belur Chennakesava Temple and many of the architectural sites that are perfect representations of the Hoysala Empire. Imagine that the intricately carved stonework took master sculptors over 103 years to complete; for this reason it is also known as the “living temple”. The mural that is lowest shows some 650 attacking elephants and unbelievably no two of them are carved alike. It is a symbol of permanence and power; they are considered the heavy weights of the temple. The lions symbolize courage and the horses represent speed, the bead garlands on the next row symbolize beauty. Images of men and women playing music and dancing can be found in the fifth row and in the sixth and final row ladies can be seen posing in different positions. The beauty and appeal of this place is remarkable. The architectural must-sees of the Chennakesava Temple are the 42 connected carved stone figurines called the Madanikas or celestial nymphs (figures of women in ritual dancing poses), which are exclusive to Belur.

Unlike the Chennakesava Temple of Belur, which is totally surrounded by an expansive wall and block courtyards, the Hoysaleswara Temple of Halebid is wonderfully placed in a green open field next to a small lake, under cool and shaded palm trees and well-trimmed flora. Described as the “supreme climax of Indian architecture” the impressive temples of Halebid showcase the beauty of Indian architecture. Within the halls are massive stone statues of Lord Shiva carved out of a single rock and Nandi the Bull. Plastered on the walls are hundreds of stone sculptures in various sizes, particularly the ones on the beams above the doorways. Outstanding skills by the artisans! How were they able to carve these mammoth statues on the ground and then connect them to the ceiling through hinges of stone?

Mysore is 120 kilometers away from Hassan, where we’ll spend the night. Two and a half hours thirty minutes drive time

Transfer to your hotel upon arrival in Mysore!

Mysore, the city at the foot of the Chamundi Hills, is a delightful spot to roam around, thanks to its majestic structures, tree-lined boulevards, and parks. Sandalwood and silk are two of the most well-known products from this region, as are palaces and flower marketplaces. Visit the 

Maharaja’s Palace was erected in 1912 and combines Hindu, Islamic, and European architectural elements. A magnificent, fairy-tale sight not to be missed if you’re in town on a Sunday night is the illumination of it (approximately 100,000 light bulbs).

Sandalwood, jasmine, rose, and musk fills the air in Mysore, one of India’s major incense manufacturing centers, which is why the city is also referred to as “The Sandalwood City.” This afternoon, have a private walking tour of Mysore for two or three hours. The walks that are provided are centered on specific themes, and they allow you to have a better understanding of the city as a whole. Explore the city’s rich history, art, and culture on a tour of “Best of Mysore,” “Royal Walk,” or the 125-year-old market with more than 700 stalls to learn about Mysore’s past and the stories of its Maharajas. You can also go on a “Market Walk” to learn about the city’s specialties, such as natural incense and sweets, for which the city has long been known. “Artisans Walk” invites visitors into the neighborhood to watch artisans at work and learn about the crafts they have perfected, from sandalwood production to delicate inlay work.

After that, we’ll take a stroll around the city’s lovely gardens and visit the Shri Chamarajendra art gallery. Visit the renowned Brindavan Gardens located at the bottom of the Krishnasagar Dam before dinner. With an expansive captivating landscape of about 150 acres Bindavan Gardens is an extremely popular place for Tollywood (South Indian Films) and Bollywood filming. The prized-features of this garden are the lit musical fountains and the flowerbeds.

Wayanad, a little town in the hills surrounded by tea and coffee farms, is our destination today. Driving Time: 3 to 4 hours. Visits to local waterfalls and tea plantations will be included in our two days in Wayanad. We will also see the petroglyphs in the neighboring Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve at Edakkal Caves and explore the surrounding Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, which is part of the larger Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Sulthan Bathery, Muthanga, Kurichiat, and Tholpetty are the four mountain ranges that make up the Sanctuary. The second-largest sanctuary in Kerala, the area is home to a diverse array of species and beautiful green woods. One may see a large herd of elephants, deer, flying squirrels, and a wide variety of birds in this protected area, which falls under the Protect Elephant banner.

As guests of local families in Wayanad, we may stay in their homes at a homestay, where they have made space available to tourists. Mount Xanadu Resort and Contour Island Resort & Spa are two premium resorts that you can choose to stay at.

You have the option of going on a walk the next morning. On your way to a little plantation village nestled in the Chembra mountain ranges, enjoy an early morning drive. From town, take the scenic drive through tea plantations to get to the trailhead.

There is a big mountain far above, and the climb begins in a tea garden perched on the gentle slopes of the foothills. Cardamom woodlands preserve the enormous ancient trees and the canopy remains unbroken after a long ascent, punctuated by crossing over a rushing mountain stream and through plantation towns. Stop for a picnic lunch on a large bank beside a creek. At this point, you’ll want to ascend out of the trees and into open grassland, where you may take in the views. At the end of the day, you’ll be taken back to your lodgings for a well-deserved night’s sleep.

Wayanad Facts: Wayanad is a beautiful hill station district located at the foot of the Western Ghats (UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site). The little settlements here are great for a period of rest and leisure, with rolling green hillsides surrounded by misty-clad peaks and studded with luxury tea, coffee, and spice farms – the area is recognized among locals for its magnificent natural beauty. To safeguard the various creatures that reside here, a portion of the territory has been declared a Wildlife Sanctuary, and it is possible to travel through the forest reserves. This is one of the few spots in India where you may nearly always observe wild elephants, as well as deer, bison, and langur monkeys if you’re lucky.

We’ll travel another 260 Km today to reach Cochin. The estimated driving time is 6 hours and 30 minutes.

After arrival in Kochi, Transfer to your Hotel. You’ll be staying at Fort Kochi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of the city. There are some of South India’s most remarkable buildings here, including the classic Chinese fishing nets and antique Portuguese, Dutch, and British architecture.

On the way back, we’ll stop at the Jewish Quarter, St. Francis Church, and the Chinese fishing nets for a tour of Fort Cochin.

Enjoy an afternoon tea at one of the restored colonial buildings on the waterfront while you explore this neighborhood on foot. We’ll see the Kathakali. dancers in the evening, India’s most stunning dance show.

The best way to see the main attractions in Cochin, Kerala, is to take a boat ride to the islands immediately off the shore, which include the oldest church in India and the final resting place of Vasco de Gama. Watching fishermen at work with cantilevered Chinese fishing nets is a common sight just outside Fort Cochin. It’s worth noting that the town is also home to a dwindling Jewish population with origins dating back to the year 1000 AD, as well as a 16th-century synagogue. It’s also the birthplace of India’s most magnificent dance drama, Kathakali.  Each of the hundreds of arrangements is inspired by a story from Indian mythology, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Today we travel to Alleppey, about an hour and a half from Cochin, to begin our overnight houseboat trip on the Keralan backwaters. Traditional coir (coconut) rope construction and cane deck seats make this converted rice barge a great place to relax and observe backwater life. During the tour, there may be opportunities to disembark and see areas of interest such as churches, temples, villages, and tiny local enterprises such as a coir factory. Your crew will make traditional Kerala-style meals for you on board.

You’ll have your own houseboat with a single air-conditioned bedroom and a private bathroom.

Alleppey is the starting point for a journey across Kerala’s backwaters. Alleppey is commonly referred to as “The Venice of the East” because of the vast network of canals that crisscross the area. The greatest way to see the backwaters is by boat, as the water plays such an important role in daily life that youngsters learn to swim before they can walk and row before they can ride a bike. Get on a traditional Keralan houseboat and cruise the rivers, try your hand at fishing, or simply sit back and take in the scenery.

This morning, the houseboat will be disembarked. At Alleppey Jetty, your driver will be ready to take you to Varkala, a beach resort (110 Km). Three and a half hours of driving time. We’ll spend two nights here, and we’ll have plenty of time to explore the neighborhood and relax on the beach. When visiting Varkala, don’t miss out on sampling the native food, which is rightfully famous in Kerala. We’ll be staying at a beach resort in Varkala.

Varkala is located on the Keralan coast of India and is home to some of the country’s most beautiful beaches. To keep visitors safe, these towering cliffs provide a barrier between the sandy bay below and the town above, which is home to a smattering of laid-back pubs, restaurants, and guesthouses. If you want to just relax, there are lots of things to choose from, like yoga lessons, boat cruises, and Ayurveda treatments. Simply sitting on the beach as the sun sets is the ideal way to conclude a day here.

On our way to Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin), the southernmost tip of India, we’ll stop at the Vivekananda Rock, where we’ll have some free time to explore the area. We’ll be staying in a hotel overlooking the ocean in Kanyakumari. Estimated driving time: 3-4 hours.

The ferry voyage to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial takes place in the afternoon. Vivekananda pondered and reached his ultimate goal in this location. Enjoy the sunset in the evening.

Tamil Nadu, India’s state capital, is home to the town of Kanyakumari. It’s also known as Cape Comorin in some circles. It marks the southernmost point of the Indian Peninsula and the southernmost point of India’s major landmass as well. The Kumari Amman Temple, also known as the Kanyakumari Temple (temple of the virgin Goddess), can be found in the center of the city, right on the water’s edge, at the point where the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean meet.

We’ll be able to see the dawn from the southern tip of the island with hundreds of other locals this morning! Take a four-hour drive to Madurai, where the Meenakshi temple’s imposing gopurams (entry gates) dominate the cityscape.

Afternoons in Madurai are best spent wandering the streets, maybe stopping for a cup of coffee at one of the city’s many coffee booths (a welcome change from the country’s traditional affection for tea). From your accommodation, it’s easy to explore the area because several roads connect to the Meenakshi temple, which is known for its “fish-eyed goddess.”

Explore Madurai later in the day. Spend some time in the magnificent Meenakshi temple, which is both the largest and busiest, with an estimated 15,000 people per day. It is a sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus, with a complex of temples, statues, and colonnades. It’s the beating center of the city, a kaleidoscope of religious rituals, processions, prostrations, Vedas education for boys, weddings, street vendors, and blaring music. Visit the 17th-century Nayak Palace, Gandhi Museum, and bustling tailors’ market, where you may hone your negotiation skills.

Chettinad (100 Km) in southern Tamil Nadu is the home of one of India’s greatest trade cultures, the Chettiars. As far back as we can remember, this is how life and culture have flowed in our region. Tamil Nadu was one of India’s wealthiest regions in ancient and medieval times because of the Chettiars, who originally arrived from the North centuries ago and expanded their trading interests throughout most of Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. There are still many significant family and communal rituals followed in Chettinad. These businessmen’s mansions can be found all across the region’s tiny towns, and they contain some of India’s finest residences from the nineteenth century. Lacquer and woodwork from Burma, Malaysia, Vietnam, and other nations are used extensively.

Consider spending the day seeing some of the nearby little towns and their historic houses. Check out ‘Antique Street,’ which features a number of stores that offer items salvaged from local buildings. You could enjoy a stroll around Kanadukathan‘s little town at twilight to see some of the town’s deteriorating homes lit by the late afternoon sun. The rest of the day is devoted to seeing the historic Chettiar mansions and a tile-making facility.

Chettinad’s native food is noteworthy in that it is heavily spicy but not overpoweringly so. Tonight, you will get the opportunity to sample some of the finest southern Indian food

From Chettinad, we drive to Tanjore (100 Km), the former capital of the Chola Empire and the cultural center of the region, where we will spend the day. In the later Chola dynasty, which built some of the most impressive temples in the country and pioneered the craft of producing bronze sculptures, it achieved its greatest grandeur. A wall and moat protect Brihadeshwara Temple, which dominates the town. It is the most well-known of the 74 temples constructed during the 420-year Chola kingdom. It is a superb example of Dravidian architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Towering over the inner sanctuary is the temple’s most stunning feature. It is topped with a monolithic cupola built of a single granite block weighing 80 tons, making it the highest in southern India. The fabled mount of Lord Shiva, the Nandi bull, stands 6 meters high at the temple’s entrance and was carved from a single piece of granite, making it the country’s second-largest Nandi monument. A tour to the Palace Museum and Library, which has artifacts from the 9th to the 12th centuries, and a studio where bronzes are made will follow.

After that, we’ll travel 185 kilometers to Pondicherry, a town with French influences, where we’ll have the day to ourselves. We’ll be staying in a French-style hotel in Pondicherry, with a view of the seaside promenade. The journey should take between 7-8 hours total.

The next day, you’ll head to Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a haven of peace for individuals from all walks of life. People come from all over the world to experience its pulsating energy. The Pondicherry Museum, home to magnificent bronze statues of gods and goddesses, handicrafts, and art, is also included in the visit. Lunch is followed by a tour of the French and White towns, where you’ll see elaborate gates and arches, gardens loaded with bougainvillea, and big colonial mansions with pink, yellow, and white façades. The rest of the day is yours to do as you like in our idyllic retreat.

Auroville, a commune-turned-town covering over 800 hectares, is a 10-kilometer journey from Pondy in the afternoon. To achieve its stated goal of “a worldwide town where men and women from all nations can live in peace and progressive concord above all creeds, all politics, and all nationalities,” Auroville’s population of 2200 is made up of people from a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds. Auroville was established by the late Paris-born mystic Mirra Alfassa, affectionately known as “The Mother” by her devoted followers, decades ago. The ashrams in Pondy that Alfassa created, despite strict curfews and harsh regulations, including no meat or alcohol, attracted a generation of spirituality-seeking tourists. Even if you aren’t a member of the commune, you may learn about its ambitious plans for renewable energy and self-sufficiency in the community’s visitors center, which is the only spot where visitors are allowed to roam freely.

A little-known fact about Pondicherry is that the unified lands of Pondicherry are distinctly French, down to the Hotel de Ville, the French consulate, and the red “kepis” hats and belts used by the police officers. The Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville, the offshoot of the Ashram, are located in Pondicherry. Ashram created by Sri Aurobindo in 1926 is one of the most popular in India among Westerners, and one of the wealthiest. In addition to its duty-free status, the town’s leather goods and hand-crafted paper items have made it a sought-after destination. Many of the stores have a European atmosphere because of their French influence.

Mahabalipuram is only 100 kilometers away, so we’ll be there in no time. The beach temples and pagodas in this area will be on our itinerary.

If you are looking for a quiet and peaceful town, Mahabalipuram is the place for you. The majority of the temples and rock sculptures are situated on a low-lying, boulder-strewn slope. The school of sculpting at Mahabalipuram is a great place to learn about stone carving, which is still a popular pastime in the city.

The 7th century Shore Temple and the 7th century Trimurti Temple positioned high on the cliff tops and devoted to the three ultimate Hindu deities of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva may be seen after arriving in Mahabalipuram. Both temples date back to the 7th century. The experience of visiting Trimurti is like waking up in a time warp. Part of the ancient Pallava port city of Mahabalipuram, these temples were carved out of the rock by skilled artisans who were able to master the technique of building. The five monolith chariots are the most treasured specimens of its work. Bas-reliefs representing incidents from Hindu mythology may also be found here. Descent of the Ganges and Arjuna Penance are two of the most well-known reliefs cut into a large rock surface.

We have a 60-kilometer trip to Chennai, India’s fourth-largest city, today, with an optional stop at a crocodile farm.

With the help of a local guide, you set out this morning to get a sense of what life was like in ancient Madras.

As an introduction to Indian culture, your tour guide takes you to a local flower and fruit market. To celebrate life in India, you may savor tropical fruits and marvel at the stunning variety of tropical flowers available for purchase. Kapaleeshwar Temple, a mesmerizing 8th-century temple created by God Brahma for Lord Shiva, is also on your itinerary. There’s still time to accompany your guide to peruse and bargain for the vivid silks and textiles that southern India is known for, particularly its silk saris. Your guide is a specialist in southern Indian cuisine, and you’ll be able to sample some of the city’s best dishes.

After lunch, explore Fort St. George, an important landmark in Chennai’s history, and see St. Mary’s Church, the country’s oldest British Anglican church, as well as the Fort Museum, which holds artifacts from the East India Company’s time in the city, including letters written by Robert Clive. India’s earliest bulwark of British sovereignty, the Fort, was completed in 1640. The Roman Catholic Church of Santhome, where the relics of St. Thomas the Apostle, who arrived in India in the year 58 AD, and the shrines of St. Thomas Mount and Little Mount are also visible from here. Popularly, don’t forget to add a visit to the Government Museum, also known as the National Art Gallery.

Our “Mystic Trail” tour is available for you to participate in if you’d like. There are many topics covered in the Mystic Trail, including occult rituals and beliefs in the supernatural; scientific systems such as palmistry and astrology; and the ancient disciplines of yoga and Ayurveda that are being used today. It explores some of the region’s most well-known customs and beliefs, illuminating the interesting stories that lay underneath them.

Today is your day to go exploring in Chennai. You will be taken to Chennai International Airport for your onward journey at the appropriate time.

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• Price based on two persons in a double room
• Prices are in USD Excluding international flights
• Do you prefer to travel alone or would you like to come to India with a group of friends? We will be happy to tailor-made your tour program that meets all your wishes and needs

 
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Services included in the tour price

  • 23-night accommodation in the mentioned hotels or similar with daily breakfast
  • Road travel by exclusive air-conditioned car Toyota Innova
  • All visits of sights as per the itinerary
  • Boat Safari in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Boat ride to Elephanta caves in Mumbai
  • Jeep Safari in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Visit to a Kathakali dance show and Kalaripayattu martial arts show i Thekkady
  • Entrance Fee for monuments as per the itinerary
  • Free mineral water (2 liters) per person per day
  • A local English speaking tour guide will be provided for the sightseeing tours
  • Representative to assist with arrival and departure transfers
  • All applicable taxes and service charges
  • All taxes, driver allowances, toll, parking, fuel charges, interstate taxes, etc.
  • 24×7 Support in India

Not included in the price

  • International Flight
  • Domestic Flights
  • First Class Train Journey from Mumbai to Goa
  • Hiking to Chembra Peak in Wayanad
  • Optional Tours
  • Lunch and Dinner
  • Visa & Insurance
  • Expense of personal nature like tipping, laundry, telephone/fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses…

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