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Index
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Indian
wildlife Tour
Wildlife
Tour in South India
BANGALORE-> MYSORE-> MUDUMALAI-> OOTY-> KOCHI-> KUMARAKOM-> PERIYAR ->
MADURAI -> TRICHY
-> MAMALLAPURAM -> CHENNAI -> DAYS =22
 DAY 01 : BANGALORE :
City of Gardens.
From Airport / Railway station,
 you will be immediately transferred to
hotel for rest.
DAY 02 : BANGALORE : The classical
age.
Early morning after breakfast full day excursions to
Bangalore, Sravanbelagola, Belur and Halebid
SRAVANABELAGOLA: This is one of the oldest and most important Jain
pilgrimage centres in India, and the site of the huge 17-metre-high naked
statue of Bahubali (Gomateshvara), said to be the world’s tallest
monolithic statue. It over-looks the town of Sravanabelagola from the top
of the rocky hill known as Indragiri and is visible from quiet a distance.
Its simplicity is in complete contrast to the complexity of the sculptural
work at the temples of Belur and Halebid. The word Sravanabelagola means
the Monk of the White Pond.
HOYSALESWARA TEMPLE: The Hoysaleswara temple
at Halebid was constructed about 10 years after the temple at Belur, but
despite 80 years labour was never completed. Nevertheless, it is easily
the most outstanding example of Hoysala art. Every cm of the outside walls
and much of the interior are covered with and endless variety of Hindu
deities, sages, stylized animals and birds, and friezes depicting the life
and times of the Hoysala rulers. No two are alike. Scenes which depict
war, hunting, agriculture, music and dance, and some very special very
sensual sculptures explicitly portraying the après-temple activities of
the dancing girls, are all represented here, together with two huge Nandis
(Siva’s bull) and a monolithic Jain statue of Gomateshvara.
CHANNEKESHAVA TEMPLE: At Belur, the Channekeshava in the only one at
the three Hoysala sites still in daily use. Non-Hindus are allowed inside
but not into the inner sanctum. It is very similar to the others in design
but here much of the decoration has gone into the internal supporting
pillars and lintels, and the larger but still very delicately carved
images of deities and guardian bests. As at Halebid, the external walls
are covered in friezes.
GOMATESHVARA STATUE: The statue of Bahubali
was created during the reign of the Ganga king, Rachamalla. It was
commissioned by a military commander in the service of Rachamalla and
built by the sculptor Aristanemi in 981 AD.
DAY 03 : MYSORE : Plush, palatial
& picturesque.
Drive to Mysore, arrive and check in hotel.
 On your way back, see the
famous Nandi (Siva's Bull)- a huge
monolith of black granite. Standing five metres high and carved out of
solid rock in 1659, it’s one of the largest in India. It’s always
garlanded in flowers and constantly visited by bevies of pilgrims offering
prasaad to the priest in
attendance there.
DAY 04 : MUDUMALAI
: The jungle
trail.
After breakfast continue to the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary through the
scenic route. Arrive and check in a resort. After lunch visit the Elephant
Training Camp and Moyar Waterfalls. Rest of the day at leisure.
DAY 05 :
MUDUMALAI : Elephant
country.
After breakfast go out for Jeep Safari to the park to shoot the Elephants
in camera. After lunch an unforgettable Safari on the Elephant back.
Evening return back to the hotel for rest.
DAY 06 : OOTY : In the blue heaven.
From Mudumalai, drive through the scenic range of forest of Nilgiri Hills
for Ooty - nestled in the Nilgiris or the Blue Mountains so called because
of the blue haze that envelopes them. Today, an indefinable touch of the
Raj still lingers in its Little Cottages, Colourful Gardens, Winding
Lanes, Old Churches, Botanical Gardens and the Lake surrounded by groves
of Eucalyptus. A fine retreat from the heat of the plains- Ooty offer
scenic beauty and a relaxed ambience.
DAY 07 : OOTY : Blue mood
holiday
 Complete day at your discretion or at leisure or you can explore its
beauty on horseback (optional).
DAY 08 : KOCHI : Chugging with the
Nilgiri Mountain Railway.
From Ooty board the Toy Train to Coonoor which passes through the Nilgiri
Mountains and the journey offers breathtaking vistas of plantation and
fir-clad hills. At Coonoor have lunch at the Taj Garden Retreat. From
Coonoor straight drive towards Kochi (known as Queen of the Arabian Sea).
Arrive and check in hotel. Use rest of the day to shop local Artifacts.
DAY 09 : KOCHI :
Spice coast.
For the day sightseeing tour of Cochin visit the Dutch Palace, Jewish
Synagogue, Chinese Fishing Nets, St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz
Basilica. Also visit the Hill palace Museum which displays articles of
archeological importance.
DAY 10 & 11 : KUMARAKOM : The
perfect B-R-E-A-K!!
Today you are going to have the unique experience of houseboat on the
backwaters of Kerala with an overnight journey for the Kumarakom. En-route
visit the Bird sanctuary. You reach Kumarakom on day 11.Aarrive and
transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
DAY 12 : PERIYAR : Scaling the
greener night.
You reach Periyar by noon. Late afternoon boat ride on Lake Periyar to
watch animals in their natural habitat. While cruising on Lake Periyar,
you are likely to see animals like Wild Boars, Sambars, Wild Dogs, Langur
Monkeys and Wild Elephants
DAY 13 : PERIYAR :
In the wilds. After lunch we visit the sanctuary again on Elephant back
because once is
not enough to explore it.
DAY 14 : MADURAI :The town of
temples.
From Periyar drive to Madurai. After checking in hotel we visit the great
Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering
Gopurams (rising above the surrounding countryside). Later, visit the
Tirumala Nayak Palace- a gracious building in the Indo saracenic style,
famous for the Stucco work on its domes and arches.
DAY 15 : MADURAI :
 Rameshwaram
excursion.
Full day excursion to Rameshwaram- a city with gentle sand dunes,
embellished with the delicacy of Casuarinas Trees and Stark Palms. This is
a sacred place for Hindus. According to Ramayana this is the place where
Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to absolve himself from the sin of killing
Ravana. It is also famous for its 1220 metres long corridors of Carved
Pillars.
DAY 16 : TRICHY : Interview with the
extraordinary Brihadeshwara temple.
Transfer from Madurai to Trichy en-route visiting Tanjore- the beautiful
Chola Temple of Brihadeshwara. The Temple is capped by a monolithic cupola
made of a single granite block weighing 80 tons which was taken to the top
with the help of a 6 Km long ramp, an old technique used by the Egyptians
for building pyramids. Its bronzes and handicrafts make Tanjore one of the
highlights of visit to South India. By evening reach Trichy.
DAY 17 : TRICHY :
Shrines.
 Till noon free to shop around. After lunch half day sight seeing tour,
visiting the Ancient Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva & Lord Ganapati.
434 steps cutout into the rock side and interspersed with shrines lead to
these Temples. The ascend is climaxed by magnificent view of the sacred
Kaveri river. Also visit Srirangam- a massive temple dedicated to Lord
Vishnu which contains within its walls a bazaar also.
DAY 18 : MAMALLAPURAM : Epic carved on stone.
The town of Mahabalipuram is famous for the seven pagodas. Here on the
seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples which are
fine examples of Dravidian style of Architecture. We visit the Arjuna's
Penance, Krishna Mandapam, Varaha Mandapam, Mahishasur -Mardhini Caves,
Five Rathas & its famous Seashore Temples during the day.
DAY 19 : MAMALLAURAM : At the beach.
Complete day at your discretion or at leisure.
 DAY 20 : CHENNAI : Studying the
Dravadian heritage.
In morning we move towards Dakshin Chitra- a unique heritage centre. Over
10 acres of land, the traditional lifestyle of the four states of Tamil
Nadu has been recreated. Traditional crafts-persons and folk artists work
and perform in the reconstructed setting of 19th century
streets, homes and workshop spaces. The houses also have contextual
exhibits displayed in them. Then we continue to Chennai. Arrive and Check
in hotel. Rest of the day free to shop around.
DAY 21 : CHENNAI : City Tour.
Whole day sightseeing tour of Chennai. Visit museum to see the Art and
Bronze Gallery. Drive through the Flower and Fruit market, High court,
Fort museum, Marina beach, San Thome Cathedral, the Theosophical Society
and Snake park.
DAY 22 : CHENNAI : Ciao.
You will be transferred to Airport / Railway station for onward journey.
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