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Mahabalipuram Temple
The Meenakshi Temple of Madurai
Temples of Orchha
Alleppey – Board Houseboat

South India by Rail Tour


Duration : 16 Days / 15 Nights

Destinations : Chennai- Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram- Chennai - Madurai - Kanyakumari - Kovalam - Trivandrum - Thekkady - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Cochin - Bangalore - Mysore - Bangalore – Out

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South India is a splendid delight that can be explored only during a fortnight of discovery via South India by Rail Tour. The exploration begins from charming city, Chennai and allows tourists to explore the heritage of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram on the city's outskirts. Later, explore one of the oldest cities of south, Madurai. Later, undergo one of the most illustrious experiences enroute through a visit to the beach based on the confluence of three seas on the southernmost tip of India, Kanyakumari. The other part of South India rail tour makes passengers venture into Kerala, the God's Own Country where the balmy backwaters heal the weary soul and bewitching beauty of beaches enthrall the tourists with ultimate relaxation. Later, the 16 day journey to the splendid beauty of South ends in sweet reminisces and relishes of Mysore and Bangalore.


Itinerary - South India by Rail Tour - 16 Days / 15 Nights

Destination Covered »

Chennai- Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram- Chennai - Madurai - Kanyakumari - Kovalam - Trivandrum - Thekkady - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Cochin - Bangalore - Mysore - Bangalore – Out

Day 1. Chennai

Arrive Chennai Airport and meet India Luxury Train representative who will assist the transfers to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2. Chennai – Excursion to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram

After breakfast; leave for a full day tour to Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram (64 kms from Chennai) is the ancient capital of the Pallavas; famously known as a City of 1000 Temples out of which 124 shrines still constitute the heritage of Kanchi. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of spiritual and historical interest. During the visit to Kanchipuram, don’t forget to grab the town’s finest six yards of silk as Kanjeevaram Sarees. The seven pagodas of Mahabalipuram (58 km/1 hr drive from Kanchipuram) are identified for the bas air relief stone structures belonging to the Pallavas. Here on the seashore, tourists can find an amazing blend of ancient rock hewn temples which are excellent examples of Dravidian Architectural Style. Overnight stay.

Day 3. Chennai – Madurai

After breakfast; leave for the Chennai City Tour. Visit the Museum to see the art and bronze gallery. Drive through the Flower and Fruit Market, High Court, Fort Museum, Marina Beach, Kapaleeswar Temple, Cathedral and Snake Park. Later evening, transfer to Railway-station and board the Train # 2637 Pandiyan Express dep. 21:30 for Madurai. Overnight on train.

Day 4. Madurai

Morning arrive Madurai 06:15 hr. After checking in at local hotel and breakfast, visit the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva. Later, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace - A gracious building in the Indo Saracen style, famous for the Stucco Work on its domes & arches. Also visit the Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple. Overnight stay.

Day 5. Madurai – Kanyakumari

After breakfast; morning is free for leisure or you may explore the city on your own. Later drive to Kanyakumari (250 km / 07 hrs). Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 6. Kanyakumari – Kovalam

Early morning, watch the sunrise hues of Kanyakumari, the beach with a difference. Located on the confluence of three seas (Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal) on the southernmost tip of India, this beach is known for its mesmerizing setting that invites the world to discover its breathtaking beauty. Later, visit Kanyakumari Temple, Gandhi Memorial, and Vivekananda Memorial as a part of Kanyakumari City Tour. In the evening, watch the spectacular sunset from the beach. Later drive to Kovalam (72 km/2 hr 30 min). Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 7. Kovalam

Kovalam leads the deck when it comes to the beaches of God's own country, Kerala. The palm fringed coconut palms lined on the stretch of white sands make it one of the best beaches in India. The destination is quite great when it comes to availing special spa packages in the certified Ayurvedic resorts. After breakfast, full day free to relax on the beach or engage the body, mind and soul in the therapeutic Ayurveda package. Overnight stay.

Day 8. Kovalam – Trivandrum – Alleppey

After breakfast, drive to Alleppey, a slice of Venice in India famous for backwater stretch (180 km/ 4 hr). Enroute visit Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala and capture the sights of the evergreen city of the state. Overnight stay.

Day 9. Alleppey – Board Houseboat

Morning is free to explore the natural beauty and calm of the place. Later board the Eco-Friendly Houseboat via Jetty. Houseboats (Kettuvallams) are best described as mobile cottages bedecked with the modern amenities and excellent accommodation. The backwaters of Kerala are best described as a maze of lakes, canals, lagoons, rivers and gurgling streams, best explored on an Eco Friendly Kettuvallam. The Kettuvalam is a boat woven around the wooden planks through coconut fibre and strangely requires not a single nail in its gigantic construction.

An overnight cruise to Alleppey allows cruisers to experience the coexistence of nature and mankind. The lifestyle of Kerala is woven in tune with the backwaters that can be experienced during this cruise. During this excursion, tourists can observe the life of locals living along the network of canals, rivulets engaged in farming, fishing and other local activities including floating markets, duck rearing. The other halts in between the backwater cruise can be availed to explore ancient temples, churches, small villages alongside the water stretch, etc.

Day 10. Kumarakom

Disembark the houseboat at Kumarakom. In afternoon visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, a manmade island accommodating a large bird population including indigenous and migratory species. Overnight stay.

Day 11. Kumarakom - Thekkady

In morning, drive to Thekkady (120 km/4 hr) takes tourists to the famous thick wooded spice forests and Periyar National Park. The national park extends to 777 square km & occupies a prominent place on the basis of its quixotic flora and fauna at Western Ghats. Favoured wildlife spotting can be done during Periyar Lake in a motor boat. Elephants, wild boar, sambar, tiger, leopard, wild dog, langur monkeys, etc. can be seen easily. Afternoon visit sweet reminisces of spice forests. Overnight stay.

Day 12. Thekkady – Cochin – Bangalore

In morning, disembark at Alleppey and drive to Cochin (70 km/1½ hr). Later leave for Cochin City Tour. Explore the tourist circuit of Cochin via Jewish Synagogue, Portuguese Church, Mosques and Hindu Temples. Spot the iconic beauty of Chinese Fishing Nets on the coastal side of Cochin. Evening transfer to Railway station and connect Train # 6525 Bangalore Express dep. at 18:05 hrs for overnight journey to Bangalore.

Day 13. Bangalore

Morning arrive Bangalore the city of gardens at 06:10 hrs. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Afternoon tour of Bangalore city, visit Lal Bagh with a variety of old trees, fountains, lotus pools, terraces along with the tropical and sub-tropical herbs of the English times. Also, see the Maharajas' Palace & Government Buildings. Overnight stay.

Day 14. Bangalore – Mysore

After breakfast drive to Mysore (140 km / 3 hr). Afternoon free for leisure or to explore the city by own. Overnight stay.

Day 15. Mysore

After breakfast visit the palace of the Maharaja built in 1911 - 1912. The palace is of harmonious syntheses of the Hindu and saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures which are magnificent. Visit the Art Gallery; drive upto Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple and a panoramic view of Mysore. On the way back, visit the famous Nandi Bull Temple at Basvanagudi. In afternoon, visit St. Philomena's Church and Brindavan Gardens. Overnight in hotel.

Day 16. Mysore - Bangalore - Out

Transfer to Bangalore International airport in time to connect flight for onward destination.

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