Golden Triangle with South

Duration of Trip: 17 Nights / 18 Days
Places Covered: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Delhi - Chennai - Trivandrum - Cochin - Periyar - Madurai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Chennai

The Golden Triangle with South India Tour is one of the best ways to explore the architectural styles of the Deccan plateau region of India. The temples here are much older than North India as they were comparatively less exposed to the plundering and destruction done by invaders. The famous Meenakshi Temple can be seen during this trip. Madurai is one of the oldest cities pre-dating the Golden Age of Tamil literature and has some of the earliest gems and masterpieces that date back to pre-Christian period. Periyar rain forests are ideal for jungle safaris and eco-tourism and the variety of flora and fauna you can see here will awe you with its raw beauty. Mahabalipuram is said to be the open-air museum with its bas-reliefs and extraordinary rock-cut temples. This trip presents the sustained glory of Indian culture in its entirety.

Day 01: Arrival at Delhi
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport in Delhi late in the night or midnight. Transfer to your hotel. Relax. Overnight will be at Delhi.

Day 02: Delhi
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Start a full-day tour of Old and Delhi. Overnight will be at Delhi.

Day 03: Delhi - Agra
Start for Agra early in the morning after breakfast. En-route you will visit the SIKANDRA. Check in at hotel. Overnight will be at Agra.

Day 04: Jaipur
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. Proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride ascent to the fort. Relax in the evening or visit the markets. Overnight will be at Jaipur.

Day 05: Jaipur - Delhi
After leisurely breakfast proceed for shopping. Leave for Delhi after lunch. Reach Delhi and you will be transferred to airport for flight with sweet memories of India after FAREWELL DINNER.

Day 06: Delhi - Chennai
Transfer to hotel Le Meridien (near the airport)

Day 07: Chennai - Trivandrum
Transfer to Somatheeram Ayurvedic Resort

Day 08: Ayurvedic Beach Resort
Relax and enjoy the facilities at the resort including private beach, yoga, massage, nature walks, classical music and dance programs on open-air stage, visits to local traditional village. Backwater, Kerala Tour Packages

Day 09: Backwaters of Kerala
From the resort drive to the pier to board a private rice boat (70 kms/2 hrs drive) and then cruise through the narrow canals and wide lakes enjoying the scenic natural beauty -- coconut trees, rice patties, small villages.Meals and overnight on houseboats.

Day 10: Backwaters - Cochin
Morning relax on houseboat, after lunch drive to Cochin 65 Kms/ 1 1/12 hrs.), transfer to hotel. Taj Mallabar Hotel, overlooking the harbor, sea facing rooms.

Day 11: Cochin
Full day sighseeing: palaces, museums. Enjoy a Kathakali dance performance at Cochin Cultural Center, arriving by 5 pm to watch the make-up. Dinner at traditional Kerala restaurant. Taj Mallabar Hotel

Day 12: Periyar
Periyar Wild life Sanctuary Home to bison, antelopes, sambars, wild boars, monkeys, langurs, a wide variety of birds, and some 750 elephants. Game viewing by private motor-boat in the evening, (the best time to see wild life). Hotel Taj Garden Retreat

Day 13: Periyar - Madurai
Relax at Periyar in the morning. In afternoon, drive to Madurai (135 kms./ 4hrs. drive), "The Temple City of India." Evening relaxed overview of the city, independent strolling. Hotel Taj Garden Retreat in Madurai, cottages.

Day 14: Madurai
Full day sighseeing: Sri Meenakshi Temple, Tirumalai Nayak Palace, Tiruparankundram (rock-cut)Temple, Alagarkoil Temple Evening fly Madurai-Madras dep 19:40 arr 20:30 arr. OR 20:40 dep.-21:30 arr. Hotel Taj Garden Retreat

Day 15: Madras
Full day sightseeing of Madras: Kapaleeshwarar Temple, San Thome Cathedral, Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Fort St. George, the Marina. Hotel Taj Coromandel, superior room Kapaleeswarar Temple, Madras Travel Packages

Day 16: Drive to Kanchipuram
Visit temples of Kanchipuram enroute to Mahabalipuram.
Kailasanatha Temple, Vaikunta Perumal Temple, Sri Ekambaranathar Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple, Devarajaswami Temple. On arrival in Mahabalipuram transfer to Hotel FishermanÕs Cove.

Day 17: Mahabalipuram
Morning relax; afternoon sightseeing: Five Rathas, Shore Temple, ArjunaÕs Penance, Mandapams, Krishna Mandapam.

Day 18: Madras
Relax in the morning. Late afternoon drive back to Madras (80kms./2hrs. drive). Transfer to international airport for flight home.

TOUR ENDS

THE TOUR INCLUDES:

1. ACCOMMODATION AT SUGGESTED HOTELS,
2. DAILY BREAKFAST AT HOTEL
3. SIGHTSEEING TOURS AS MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY,,
4. ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDES
5. PRIVATE CAR WITH DRIVER
6. CHANDNI CHOWK RICKSHAW RIDE
7. ELEPHANT SAFARI IN JAIPUR
8. BATTERY VAN RIDE IN AGRA
9. ALL APPLICABLE TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGES
10. ALL ROAD TAXES, GOVERNMENT TAXES AND DRIVER ALLOWANCES,
11. ONE FAREWELL DINNER FROM TNS GROUP.

EXCLUDES:
Lunches and dinners are not included (except where mentioned in the inclusion list) along with personal expenses, camera, etc. tips, (if any) at places where applicable. All hotels are subject to availability and all flights are subject to confirmation. Airfare is included in the tour price. It is not separate.