Tour of India
MYSTICAL SOUTHERN INDIA TOUR
ACTC Tours SPECIAL FEATURES:
- First class, Boutique & Heritage hotels with private bath/shower
- American breakfast & Lunch or Dinner daily
- Welcome dinner with cultural dances & music
- Farewell traditional Kerala Thali meal
- All transfers and sightseeing tours as per the itinerary
- Assistance by an ACTC representative at airports, train stations and hotels
- Local English speaking guide for sightseeing tours
- Monument entrance fees, guide fees etc.
- Baggage handling and porterage
SMALL GROUP ESCORTED TOUR (Max 16)
GUARANTEED DEPARTURES- Begins every Sunday (Oct. to Mar.)
PRIVATE TOURS – daily departure
This journey travels across South India’s most prominent areas, visiting ancient temples, colonial outposts and quirky cities. Lush and tropical, southern India is inspiring and delightful. Beneath the green shade of a coastal paradise, meet with locals in their fishing villages and tribal homes. From iconic cultural sights like the Maharajah’s Palace in Mysore to Nagarhole National park and the temple architecture of great Hoysala empire, vast back waters of Kerala – southern India’s spirituality, friendly Dravidian people and wild animal sanctuaries make it a fascinating part of the country to explore.
Other Small Group Escorted Tour Options:
1. Golden Triangle Tour- 6 days. 2. Highlights of India Tour- 9 days. 3. Exotic North India Tour – 15 days.
4. Treasures of North & South India-15 days. 5. Big 7 India wildlife Safari -16 days. 6. Royal Rajasthan Tour -16 days
7. Incredible India Tour – 22 days.
Begin your Southern India tour:
Day 1 – SUNDAY
CHENNAI
Upon your arrival in Chennai, you will be greeted with a traditional Indian welcome and escorted to your hotel. Chennai is a metropolis with a distinct old world charm. The rest of the day is at your leisure to adjust to the time difference. Meet your fellow travelers at a festive Welcome Dinner. HOTEL (D)
Day 2 – MONDAY
CHENNAI
After breakfast at your hotel, visit Fort St. George, constructed in 1640, St. Mary’s Church, and the oldest surviving British building. Your tour will include visiting Mylapore, the site of the famous Kapaleeswarar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva; San Thome Cathedral; Parathasarathy Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna; and the Government Museum and Art Gallery to see collections from the major South Indian periods. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant followed by a visit to a homeopathic medicine school to learn about herbal medicine. HOTEL (B, L)
Day 3 – TUESDAY
CHENNAI
You have the day at leisure to explore on your own or choose an optional tour.
Optional Tours:
Full day excursion to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram with lunch
Full day tour of Kalakshetra, an artist’s colony where ancient arts and crafts are practiced and taught, and Dakshinchitra, an exciting cross-cultural living museum of art, architecture, lifestyles, crafts and performing arts of South India HOTEL (B, D)
Day 4 – WEDNESDAY
CHENNAI / MYSORE
Take short flight this morning to Mysore, once the capital of a princely state that still carries the aura and charm of palaces, and the opulence of festivals of yester years.Visit Srirangapatnam, an island in the Cauvery River where Tipu Sultan built his summer palace. HOTEL (B, L)
Day 5 – THURSDAY
MYSORE
Tour the Maharaja’s palace, built between 1897 and 1907, a mixture of Hindu and Sarcanic styles, with some influence of the Hoysalas, who built temples nearby. Continue to Chamundu Hill, named after the goddess Chamundi, to see the 17th century statue of Nandi Shiva’s mount, 16 feet high, carved out of one rock. Your afternoon is free or take an optional tour.
Day 6 – FRIDAY
MYSORE / NAGARHOLE NATIONAL PARK
The name Nagarhole is derived from the Kannada words “Naga” meaning snake and “hole” meaning stream. This name is apt as several streams snake through this rich tropical forest. The area provides habitats for several rare and endangered species, notably tigers. After settling in at the lodge, embark on a guided safari in the park.HOTEL (B, L)
Day 7 – SATURDAY
NAGARHOLE GAME VIEWING
Enjoy a morning and afternoon safari through the jungle. The lush, green bamboo, succulent grass and other shrubs offer ideal conditions for the elephant population. Apart from the elephants, the principal wildlife is the tiger, panther, chital, sambar and sloth bear. Primates include the langur, bonnet macaque and slender loris. Other carnivores you may see include the tiger, leopard, jungle cat, jackal, wild dog and sloth bear, as well as the herbivores they prey on –spotted deer, sambar and gaur. Over 250 species of birds can be sighted here.HOTEL (B, L)
Day 8 – SUNDAY
NAGARHOLE / HASSAN
After breakfast, travel overland to Hassan, which prospered under the control of the great Hoysala Empire from the 11th to the 13th century. This was the period when the great temples of Belur and Halebid were constructed. Hassan was greatly influenced by Jainism, later becoming a well-known center for Jain literature. Stop at villages and markets along the way to photograph the rural life. HOTEL (B, L)
Day 9 – MONDAY
BELUR & HALEBID EXCURSION
Tour the temples of Belur and Halebid, built during the most artistic period of the Hindu cultural development. At Belur, the Channekeshava Temple is a Hoysala masterpiece, ornately carved in a spacious walled place, as equally stunning as the site’ s architecture. HOTEL (B, L)
Day 10 – TUESDAY
HASSAN / BANGALORE / COCHIN (Kochi)
Travel overland to the bustling capital city, Bangalore, known as “India’s Silicon Valley” or “Garden City,” an important industrial center. After a brief tour, board a short flight to Cochin, set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas. The diverse influence of the Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans is evident in Cochin and its people. HOTEL (B, D)
Day 11 – WEDNESDAY
COCHIN
Begin your tour visiting: the Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese in 1557; St. Francis Church, constructed in 1503 by the Portuguese Franciscan friars; the Jewish Synagogue, constructed in 1568; and the Chinese Fishing Nets, reflecting the traditional method of fishing. Continue to the spice markets, a rich trading center in medieval times. Your afternoon is free to explore the town, or visit Ernakulum for local handicrafts and its unique markets
OPTIONAL: Kathakali dance drama performance.
Day 12 – THURSDAY
COCHIN – BACKWATER CRUISE – HOUSEBOAT STAY
Travel to Alleppey and board your houseboat. The backwaters are a gateway for visitors to see first-hand the unhurried village life of rural Kerala, where life is tough, and traditional work is labor intensive. The Vembanad Lake, narrow canals, paddy fields and sleepy villages make Alleppey a beautiful place. Vembanad Lake is the longest in India and is the commercial center of Allappuzha. This evening, witness an incredible sunset as you silently glide through the various water canals. Look out for a variety of birds such as the white- breasted kingfisher, pied kingfisher and the small blue kingfisher. HOUSE BOAT (B, L, D)
Houseboats of Kerala are a unique way to experience the beauty of Kerala. Enjoy freshly prepared seafood cooked on board. This evening, witness an incredible sunset as you silently glide through the various water canals. A variety of birds can be seen such as the White Breasted Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, small Blue Kingfisher and many more.
Day 13 – FRIDAY
KUMARAKOM
After breakfast, disembark from your houseboat in Kumarakom, a cluster of little islands in the Vembanad Lake.Kumarakom is an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields, and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with lilies. Spend your day bird watching or try the Ayurvedic massage therapy and spa facilities at your hotel. Enjoy Keralite cuisine, served the traditional way on banana leaf or thali, at tonight’s Farewell Dinner. HOTEL (B, D)
Day 14 – SATURDAY
COCHIN / FLIGHT BACK HOME
Your time is free to relax and enjoy spa and Ayurvedic treatments before transferring to Cochin to board your international flight. (B, L)
SRI LANKA EXTENSION
Day 14 – SATURDAY
COLOMBO
Fly to Colombo. You will be met by A Classic Tours Collection’s representative and transfer to the hotel. This afternoon, begin your tour of this fast-changing capital city that still retains its old-world charm in many neighborhoods. View the 100-year-old rock clock tower and British colonial buildings, shop for bargains at the Pettah Bazaar and visit Hindu and Buddhist temples. Tour past the stately homes in affluent residential areas and stop by the Colombo Museum and Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), a gift to Sri Lanka by the People’s Republic of China, and see the new Parliament and the Dutch Museum. HOTEL (B)
Day 15 – SUNDAY
COLOMBO / ANURADHAPURA / KANDALAMA
Travel overland to Anuradhapura, the first capital and, undoubtedly, the grandest city of ancient Sri Lanka, and home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Sri Maha Bodhi (sacred Bo Tree) was brought over as a sapling under which Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment. The Brazen Palace (2nd century B.C), has1,600 stone columns and is now a magnificent multi-storied residence for the monks. Ruwanweliseya (2nd century B.C.), is the most famous Dagoba (stupa), while the Samadhi Buddha statue (4th century A.D.) is renowned for its depiction of Buddha in a state of deep Samadhi or meditation. Isurumuniya Rock Temple (3rd century B.C.) is known for its rock carvings. HOTEL (B)
Day 16 – MONDAY
KANDALAMA / MATALE KANDY
After breakfast, travel overland to Kandy via Matale, stopping along the way to visit a spice garden. Continue to Kandy, the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Drive around Kandy Lake, which was built in 1798 by the last Sinhala King, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. Visit Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts center, a gem museum and a lapidary. Tour the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Tonight, enjoy a cultural show of Kandyan dancers and music. HOTEL (B)
Day 16 – TUESDAY
PERADENIYA EXCURSION
After breakfast, embark on a short excursion to Peradeniya. Visit the Botanical Garden, initially built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala King, and expanded by the British. Encompassing 147 acres, the gardens showcase an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers. HOTEL (B)
Day 16 – WEDNESDAY
KANDY / COLOMBO / FLIGHT BACK HOME
Return to Colombo. Stay overnight or connect with your international flight. (B)
LAND TOUR PRICE: India
| GROUP TOUR PRICES – Guaranteed departures- Max 16 | PRIVATE TOUR OPTION | |||||||||||||
| VALIDITY | Per person Sharing | Single Supp. | 3- Triple share | 2- Double share | 1- Solo Traveler | Single. Supp. | ||||||||
| Apr. to Sep. 2021 | N/A | N/A | $2,790.00 | $2,840.00 | $5,140.00 | $910.00 | ||||||||
| Oct. 2021 to Mar. 2022 | $2,899.00 | $1,010.00 | $2,950.00 | $3,345.00 | $5,355.00 | $1,010.00 | ||||||||
| Internal India Airfare | TBA | |
| Airfare- to SRI LANKA | TBA | |
CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE FROM YOUR HOME CITY. Discounted airfares available in Economy, Premium economy, Business class and First Class.
Airfares for Internal India flights are based on best available fares at time of quoting. Thus subject to change, availability and airline schedules.
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