DEPART NORTH AMERICA

Board your flight for your first segment of your Mystical Southern India Tour. West Coast passengers will travel the Pacific route and East Coast passengers the Atlantic route.

ENROUTE

Relax and enjoy the in flight service en route to India. Cross the international dateline and loose a day.

CHENNAI

On arrival at 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.

CHENNAI

Visit Fort St. George, constructed in 1640 AD, St. Mary's Church, oldest surviving British building. Mylapore, the site of the famous Kapaleeswarar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. San Thome Cathedral. Parathasarathy Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna; Government Museum and Art Gallery see collections from the major South Indian periods. This afternoon visit a homeopathic medicine school to learn about Medicine from Nature. Homeopathic remedies are based on a natural medical science that works with your body to stimulate your own defenses. BD

CHENNAI

Day at leisure to explore the city on your own or participate in optional tour: Full day excursion to Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram with lunch. Kalakshetra, an artist’s colony where ancient arts and crafts are practiced and imparted to students or Dakshinchitra, an exciting cross cultural living museum of art, architecture, lifestyles, crafts and performing arts of South India. Explore 17 heritage houses, amble along recreated streetscapes, explore contextual exhibitions, interact with typical village artisans and witness folk performances set in an authentic ambience.BD

CHENNAI/ SRIRANGAPATNAM/ MYSORE

A short flight this morning brings you to Bangalore. Travel overland to Mysore stopping en route at Srirangapatnam, an island in the Cauvery River where Tipu Sultan built his summer palace. Arrive at Mysore, once the capital of a princely state that still carries on its calm shoulder the aura and charm of palaces, the opulence of festivals of yester years. BL

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. Afternoon at leisure or take an Optional tour visiting a sandalwood & incense factory. BD

MYSORE/ NAGARHOLE NATIONAL PARK

The name Nagarhole is derived from the Kannada word `Naga' meaning `snake' and `Hole' means `stream'. This name is apt as number of streams snake through this rich tropical forest. The area houses habitats of several rare and endangered species, notably the tiger. The Park mainly consists of moist deciduous forest in the northern and western parts and dry deciduous forest in the southeastern part. A unique feature of these forests is the open grassy swamps, where the grass is lush all year-round. The swamps are numerous due to the high rainfall. Plantations of teak and species of eucalyptus cover much of the park. BLD

NAGARHOLE/HASSAN

Travel overland to Hassan, which prospered under the control of the great Hoysala Empire from the 11th to 13th century AD. 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. BL

HASSAN/BANGALORE

Travel overland to the capital city, Bangalore, known as “India’s Silicon Valley” or “Garden City”, a modern, bustling city and an important industrial center. This afternoon visit a Martial arts learning center- Kalaripayattu – India’s gift to the modern world and the mother of all martial arts. A 3000-year-old art that originated in ancient South India. Kung- fu, popularized by the monks of the Shoaling Temple traces its ancestry to Bodhi Dharma - an Indian Buddhist monk and Kalaripayattu master. BD

BANGALORE/COCHIN

Take a short flight to Cochin set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas. The influence of Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans is evident in Kochi and its people. Tour includes a visit to the Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese in 1557. Continue to St. Francis Church, constructed in 1503 by the Portuguese Franciscan friars. Tour the Jewish Synagogue, constructed in 1568 and the Chinese Fishing nets. This evening enjoy the Kathakali Dance drama performance. CASINO HOTEL BL

COCHIN

Optional Museums and Art Galleries Tour: Parishith Thampuran Museum, Museum of Kerala History, Hill Palace Museum, Chaitram Art Gallery & Dravidian Art Gallery OR visit Bolgatty Islands. BL

COCHIN DEPARTURE

Enjoy a day of leisure, explore the city for handicrafts or take an optional tour. Enjoy a traditional south Indian meal before your evening flight. BL

ARRIVE HOME

Your spectacular journey through Incredible South India comes to an end taking with you fond memories, momentous of the sights, sounds & spiritual facets of ancient India.

COLOMBO

Fly today to Colombo. Meeting assistance by A Classic tours collection representative and transfer to Hotel.  This afternoon begin your city tour of Colombo, like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained. For example there is a 100 year old rock clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are the Pettah Bazaar, where one can shop for bargain, a Hindu and a Buddhist Temple, residential areas where one can find stately homes of the affluent, the Colombo Museum, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), a gift to Sri Lanka by the People’s Republic of China, the new Parliament and the Dutch Museum.

Colombo/Anuradhapura/Kandalama

Travel overland to Anuradhapura, the first capital and undoubtedly the grandest city of ancient Sri Lanka. It is the home of two World Heritage sites. Sri Maha Bodhi (sacred Bo Tree) was brought over as a sapling under which Prince Sidhartha attained enlightenment. At Brazen Palace (2nd century BC), the 1600 stone columns are the remnants of a magnificent multi-storied residence for the monks. Ruwanweliseya (2nd century BC) is the most famous Dagobas. The “Samadhi” Buddha statue (4th century AD) is one of the most famous statues depicting Buddha in a state of deep “Samadhi” or deep meditation. Isurumuniya Rock Temple (3rd century BC) is well known for its rock carvings.

Khandalama/Matale/Kandy

After breakfast,  travel overland to Kandy via Matale. Stop along the way at  a spice garden, to see the various spices for which Sri Lanka is famous for. Continue to Kandy, the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings which is a World Heritage Site. The name “Kandy” conjures visions of splendor and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still kept alive. Drive around Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala King, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts center, a gem museum and a lapidary. Proceed with a tour of the Temple of the Tooth Relic. In the evening  witness a cultural show of Kandyan dancers and music.

Peradeniya excursion

After breakfast, embark on a short excursion to Peradeniya. You will visit the botanical garden, initially built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala King and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Kandy/Colombo

Return back to Colombo. Stay overnight or connect with your international flight.