31 Elephants Mountain Gourmet
16 Nights / 17 Days | Bangalore,Chennai,Hassan/Chickmaglur,Mysore,Bandipur,Wayanad,Cochin,Backwaters,Periyar,Madhurai,Chettinad,Tirchy,Mahabalipuram,Chennai
DAY 1 - Bangalore
Flight to Banagalore, The Silicon Valley of India is the 5th largest city of India. Transfger to HotelOvernight in Hotel.
DAY 2 - Chennai – Bangalore – Hassan/Chickmaglur
Travel on board Shatabti Express to Bangalore (departure at 06.00 hrs). Drive by car to Hassan/Chickmaglur. En route visit Sravanbelgola with the 17 m high monolith sculpture of the naked Jain Holy Gomteshwara (1,200 years old) on a hill with 600 steps to go. The principle of the Jain sect is non-violence, non-killing and tolerance without exception. The view from the top down to the lush green landscape is unique. Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 3 - Hassan/Chickmaglur - Mysore
Visit Halebid, in 11./12. century one of the last big capitals of the Hoysala Dynasty. The Shiva Temple is a double temple made of soapstone with gorgeous plastic sculptures depicting the Hindu mythology. Nearby is Belur, once the "religious capital" of the Hoysalas, famous for sandalwood products such as incense sticks and soap. Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 4 - Mysore
The magnificent Maharaja Palace (1911-12) is a fairy tale castle with inestimable antiquities in the middle of the city. Visit also Chamundeshwari Temple on Chamundi Hill overlooking Mysore and the 4,9 m high Nandi, riding animal of Hindu god Shiva. See the enchanting temple complex of Somnathpur (35km), one of the best preserved of the Hoysala’s (13. cent.). Drive through a mellow landscape with rice and sugar cane fields. Visit Srirangapatana, earlier capital of the mighty Moslem ruler Tipu Sultan (18. cent.), the Summer Palace with beautiful frescos and inlay work and the Gumbaz, his and his father’s mausoleum. Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 5 - Mysore – Bandipur
Drive to the hilly Bandipur National Park on foot of the Nilgiri Mountains, once the hunting ground of the Maharajas of Mysore. PM: Jeep ride (elephant, Gaur, antelope, Sambar, tiger, leopard). Overnight in the Jungle Lodge.
DAY 6 - Bandipur – Wayanad
Drive tot he hill district of Wayanad famous for its spice gardens, tea and coffee estatesd. PM Free for excursions. Overnight in Wayanad.
DAY 7 - Calicut - Cochin
Drive to Cochin, second largest seaport of India on the legendary Malabar coast. In the evening experience a Kathakali dance performance, typical, 400 years old dance drama, based on old legends and tales from Hindu mythology. Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 8 - Cochin
Cochin is the so-called „Queen of the Arabian Sea“ on the Pepper Coast. Sightseeing with St. Francis Church, where 1524 the Portuguese sailor Vasco da Gama was entombed. See the Mattancherri Palace or Dutch Palace with excellent preserved mural paintings and the Jew Town with Synagogue (1567). A distinctive feature are the "Chinese Fishing Nets", a catch method, passed over 700 years ago by traders from the court of Kublai Khan. Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 9 - Cochin – Backwaters
Drive to Alleppey. At lunch time you go on board of your Rice Boat and navigate through the picturesque Backwaters, a huge system of water channels behind the coast. The vegetation left and right is lush green with paddy fields an coconut groves. The so-called Kettuvalams are the same ones that were used to carry loads of rice through Kerala and therefore called Riceboats. These boats have now been modified and constructed for the tourists with sun deck, bedroom, dining area and a small kitchen. Overnight on the rice boat on full board basis.
DAY 10 - Backwaters – Periyar
Leave the plains drive up the mountains to the Western Ghats (900 – 2,000 m) to Thekkady and Periyar, the spice growing area of India (cardamom, pepper, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla). Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 11 - Periyar - Madurai
Early morning boat ride on Periyar Lake. The protected area covers 777 km2, bounded by mountain ridges of over 1.700 m altitude. The sanctuary surrounds the picturesque Periyar Lake. Elephants and a variety of water birds are domiciled here. Drive down to the green plains to Madurai. Visit Nayaka Palace, one of the best examples of Indo-Saracenic art. The Meenakshi Temple, main temple of the city and one of the biggest in India, is dedicated to the fish-eyed Goddess Meenakshi. Evening ceremony in the Meenakshi Temple. Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 12 - Madurai – Chettinad
Drive to Chettinad region, the homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars, a prosperous banking and business community. In the 19th/20th centuries many of whose merchants migrated to Burma, Malaysia and Singapore. The money they earned was reinvested in art and architecture. Their legacy are terrific mansions embellished with Italian marble and Burma teak. Chettinad is also known for its culinary delicacies. Overnight stay in hotel.
DAY 13 - Chettinad - Tanjore - Trichy
Drive to Tanjore. En route visit Srirangam Temple, one of the largest temple compositions of India, the walls of the temple surround the whole city. Tanjore, also Thanjavur was the old capital fo the Chola rulers. Famous here is the Brihadeswarar Temple, a real masterpiece (985 – 1014) and one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In Trichy visit Rock Fort, located on the south Bank of the River Cauvery, dedicated to God Ganesh, the Remover of Obstacles. Pilgrims ascent the hill by passing two cave temples. Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 14 - Trichy - Mahabalipuram
Drive to Mahabalipuram. Overnight in a beach hotel.
DAY 15 - Mahabalipuram
Sightseeing in Kancheepuram, the "Golden City", with more than 1000 years old temples. In Mahabalipuram visit the famous "Shore Temple", the "5 Rathas" and Arjuna’s Penance, with 27 x 9 m largest stone relief in the world. Overnight in a beach resort.
DAY 16 - Mahabalipuram – Chennai
Day free. Room until airport transfer. In the evening Transfer to Chennai airport. End of programme.
DAY 17 - Chennai
Flight back home or continuation of programme.