South Indian Beat, Bollywood City & Ajanta & Ellora Caves Tour

Daywise Tour Plan

• day1

  Arrival at Mumbai and Transfer to Hotel
  

  Arrival assistance at Mumbai airport and transfer to the hotel.

  Originally an archipelago of seven islands on the Arabian Sea, Mumbai was named after Mumba Devi, the patron goddess of the Koli fishermen indigenous to the area. In the 19th century, reclamation work joined the islands into a long, narrow strip of land that is the Mumbai we know today. This bustling metropolis is India’s commercial capital and the home of Bollywood, the world’s largest movie industry. A city of contrasts, Mumbai's roads feature a mix of Ferraris and Porsches alongside retro Premier Padmini cabs, while glitzy malls with luxury brands sit next to vibrant local markets.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day2

  Mumbai Sightseeing

  Post breakfast, proceed for a full day of Mumbai sightseeing:

  • Dhobi Ghat: Mumbai’s traditional laundry district, where clothes are washed and pressed in communal wash pens.

  • Mumbai Fort: Area north of Colaba with notable buildings from Mumbai's golden period, including St. John's Church.

  • Gateway of India: Mumbai's iconic archway built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary.

  • Flora Fountain/Hutatma Chowk: Erected in 1869 in honor of a British Governor, this fountain marks a major city junction and features mythological figures.

  • Victoria Terminus/Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus: A stunning example of Gothic and Indian architecture, completed in 1885.

  • Mumbai High Court: An early English Gothic-style building next to Oval Ground.

  • Rajabai Clock Tower: A 280-foot high clock tower with elaborate decorations, part of the Bombay University complex.

  • Marine Drive: Known as the Queen’s Necklace for its street lamps, offering scenic views along the waterfront.

  • Chowpatty Beach: Central Mumbai’s beach, known for its religious ceremonies and vibrant local atmosphere.

  Enjoy the evening at leisure around Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day3

  Mumbai Sightseeing

  Post breakfast, proceed for Mumbai sightseeing:

  • Elephanta Caves: A UNESCO World Heritage Site located on an island, featuring 6th and 7th-century basalt caves with sculptures of Lord Shiva, including the Ardhanarishvara and Mahesha Murti.

  The rest of the day is free for leisure and shopping.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day4

  Mumbai - Aurangabad (By Train)

  Transfer to the railway station to board the train from Mumbai to Aurangabad.

  Upon arrival transfer from Aurangabad railway station to the hotel.

  Visit Daulatabad Fort, a 12th-century fortress located on a hilltop. The fort is renowned for its impressive defenses, including protective moats, towers, heavily spiked gates, and a medieval gas chamber designed to thwart intruders. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan once remarked, "No ant or snake can scale it." Enjoy panoramic views of the city from the fort’s ramparts.

  The rest of the day will be spent at leisure.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day5

  Ayrangabad Sightseeing

  Post breakfast proceed for sightseeing.

  Ellora Caves: The magnificent rock-hewn cave temples of Ellora are just a short drive from Aurangabad. The 12 Mahayana Buddhist caves were built first between 550-750 AD, followed by 17 Hindu caves from 600-875 AD, and then 5 Jain caves between 800-1000 AD. Recently, 22 more Hindu caves dedicated to Lord Shiva have been uncovered. The remarkable Kailasa Temple in Cave 16 is a standout among the Ellora Caves. Carved from a single massive rock by hand, the temple includes a gateway, a pavilion, a courtyard, a vestibule, a sanctum sanctorum, and a tower. It is believed that several generations of a seven-thousand-strong team of laborers worked in continuous shifts over a period of one hundred and fifty years to create this colossal structure from unyielding rock, a stupendous testament to the craftsmanship of the era.

  Ajanta Caves: High above the Waghora River gorge lie thirty extraordinary caves that conceal entire temples hewn from solid rock. Once used as monsoon retreats and quarters by Buddhist monks and craftsmen, the Ajanta Caves were built in two significant periods of creativity separated by over 700 years. The older caves date back to the 2nd and 1st centuries BC, while the more recent ones belong to the 5th to 6th centuries AD. Inside the caves are chaityas (prayer halls) and viharas (monasteries), with vivid murals depicting the Buddha’s life and teachings adorning their walls.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day6

  Aurangabad - Chennai (By Flight)

  Post breakfast, transfer to Aurangabad airport and fly to Chennai.

  Upon arrival in Chennai, you'll be transferred to the hotel. Chennai, formerly known as Madras and originally Madraspatnam, began with a British warehouse built on the beachfront in 1639. Fort St. George was established in 1654, and over time, surrounding villages were incorporated, forming the modern city. During the British Raj, Madras served as the capital of South India.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day7

  Chennai Sightseeing

  Breakfast at the hotel, then proceed for Chennai sightseeing:

  Santhome Basilica, built over St. Thomas's tomb, is a significant Christian pilgrimage site. Fort St. George, founded by the British East India Company in 1644, now houses the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly and the Fort Museum. The Kapaleeswarar Temple features a 120-foot Gopuram and hosts the annual Arubathimoovar Festival.

  The Ripon Building is the Chennai Municipal Corporation's seat. The Government Museum showcases prehistoric artifacts and Buddhist scriptures, while Marina Beach, the second-longest in the world, is a popular local spot.

  Overnight at the hotel.
• day8

  Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (By Surface)

  After breakfast, drive to Mahabalipuram, with a stop at Kanchipuram.

  Kanchipuram, once a Pallava capital and renowned center of learning, is dotted with 7th-century temples and shrines. Known for its exquisite Kanjivaram silk saris, it remains a major pilgrimage site for Shaivaite and Vaishnav sects.

  Check into the hotel at Mahabalipuram.

  Mahabalipuram, formerly the Pallava Empire’s seaport, is celebrated for its stunning sculptures and freestanding boulders carved into temples and animals. Highlights include Lord Krishna’s Butter Ball, a giant boulder on a steep incline that has remained stable for centuries. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, adding to the allure of your South India tour.

  Overnight at the hotel.

• day9
  Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (By Surface)
  

  Post breakfast, drive to Pondicherry.

  Upon arrival, proceed for sightseeing.

  A French colony until 1950, Pondicherry (Puducherry) differs significantly from Tamil Nadu in architecture and planning. Ville Blanche (White Town) features colonial villas, while Ville Noir (Black Town) has more traditional Indian buildings. Both areas are now accessible to all residents, though French is still commonly spoken.

  Founded by the nationalist mystic Sri Aurobindo, Aurobindo Ashram is a commune for followers worldwide, dedicated to the philosophy of Aurobindo’s “integral yoga,” which blends ancient mystical thought with modern science.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day10

  Pondicherry - Tanjore (By Surface)

  After breakfast, drive to Tanjore.

  Tanjore (Thanjavur) was the Chola empire's capital from the 10th to 14th century and was a major political and cultural center. It is home to the Great Living Chola Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the distinctive Tanjore style of painting.

  Check into your hotel and relax before sightseeing.

  Visit the Brihadisvara Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a prime example of Dravidian architecture. The temple features a 60.95m tall pyramidal tower crowned by a 70-tonne monolith, and its inner walls are adorned with murals of Shiva in Bharatanatyam poses.

  Explore the 16th-century Palace of Thanjavur, with its large halls, courtyards, corridors, observation posts, and ornate bell tower. The palace houses the Royal Museum and the Saraswati Mahal Library.

  The Saraswati Mahal Library, established in the early 18th century, contains manuscripts from the Nayak and Maratha periods, including rare European works like Lavoisier’s Traité Élémentaire de Chimie and Le Brun’s evolutionary charts.

  Visit the Thanjavur Art Gallery for its collection of 250 Chola bronze statues and 150 stone statues from the 9th to 12th centuries.

  Overnight stay at the hotel. 

• day11

  Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai (By Surface)

  Drive to Madurai after breakfast, stopping en route at Trichy. Situated on the banks of the Kaveri River, Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) is one of Tamil Nadu’s largest cities with a rich history, having served as a capital for various rulers, including the Chola Kings, Pallavas, Nayaks, Marathas, the Sultanate, and the British. This diverse history has left a significant impact on the city’s character.

  Key highlights include the Rock Fort Temple, carved from an 80-meter-high rock, and the Srirangam Island, known for its massive seven-walled Vishnu Temple.

  Upon arrival in Madurai, check into the hotel. The ancient temple town of Madurai, mentioned by the Greek explorer Megasthenes, has a history dating back to the 3rd century BC. The Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple, with its towering gopurams and intricate carvings, dominates the Madurai skyline and is a fine example of Dravidian architecture, marking a highlight of your South India tour.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day12

  Madurai Sightseeing

  Proceed for sightseeing after breakfast.

  The Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple, with foundations dating over two thousand years, features a sprawling 65,000-square-meter complex surrounded by high walls and twelve grand Gopurams (temple towers). Inside, the Hall of Thousand Pillars showcases intricately detailed sculptures, with pillars perfectly aligned from every angle. The corridor outside is lined with musical pillars that produce unique notes when tapped. Don't miss the Thousand Pillar Museum within the temple complex.

  The Gandhi Memorial Museum provides an in-depth look at India's independence movement and regularly hosts seminars on Gandhi and his principles of non-violence.

  A short drive from Madurai, the Vishnu Temple is notable for its unique layout of three altars, each depicting Lord Vishnu in a different posture. The temple’s exterior is adorned with intricate carvings.

  The Thirumalai Nayak Palace, built by King Thirumalai Nayak in 1636, was partially restored by the British. The palace features impressive stucco work and the Celestial Pavilion, a 1,300-square-meter structure unsupported by pillars.

  The Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam reservoir, fed by the Vaigai River through underground channels, hosts the Teppam (Float Festival), where boats carrying devotees gather to reach the central temple.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day13

  Madurai - Rameshwaram (By Surface)

  After an early morning breakfast we checkout from the hotel and head towards Rameshwaram. On arrival, you are escorted to a pre-booked hotel for rest and refreshment. We then visit the Ramanathaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Rama. This is one of the seven places in India where pilgrims pray for salvation.

  The place is unique with 22 holy springs and the longest corridor in India. Our next visit is to the five faced Hanuman Temple.

  The temple also has a floating stone outside the temple exhibiting the famous stories from the Great Indian spic, Ramayana.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day14

  Rameshwaram - Kanyakumari (By Surface)

  After breakfast, we check out from the hotel and drive to Kanyakumari. Upon arrival, you will check in to a pre-booked hotel and rest.

  We will then visit the Sri Kumari Amman Temple, followed by the Thiruvalluvar Statue, which stands 133 feet tall. The statue’s 38-foot, three-tier pedestal symbolizes the 38 chapters of the Book of Aram.

  We conclude our exploration at the confluence of the three seas—the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, and Bay of Bengal. The Vivekananda Memorial, situated at this confluence, serves as a place of pilgrimage and solace.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day15

  Kanyakumari - Kovalam (By Surface)

  Post breakfast, drive to Kovalam.

  Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

  Kovalam is a small coastal town in Kerala, south of Thiruvananthapuram. Highlights include the Lighthouse Beach with its striped lighthouse and viewing platform, as well as Hawa Beach and Samudra Beach. The Vizhinjam Juma Masjid mosque overlooks the busy fishing harbor, and the Sagarika Marine Research Aquarium showcases pearl production technology.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day16

  Kovalam (Day at Leisure)

  Spend the day relaxing at your own pace. Enjoy the serene beaches and local attractions at your leisure.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day17

  Kovalam (Day at Leisure)

  Spend the day relaxing at your own pace. Enjoy the serene beaches and local attractions at your leisure.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day18

  Kovalam - Trivandrum Airport Departure

  Morning transfer to Trivandrum airport for your flight home.

  
  'TOUR ENDS WITH MEMORIES'