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15
days - Silks & Spices of India
Day 1 Sun: Depart North
America
Depart North America on your exciting journey to experience
the southern delights of India. Day rooms are provided
in Singapore at the AMBASSADOR TRANSIT HOTEL. East Coast
passengers connect through London.
Day 2 Mon: Arrive
Mumbai (Bombay)
Arrive tonight in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India's
most cosmopolitan city. You are greeted with a traditional
Indian welcome and escorted to the famous TAJ MAHAL
PALACE & TOWER
Day 3 Tue: Mumbai
Sightseeing
After a leisurely morning, embark on a tour of Mumbai.
Visit the Gateway of India, the Hanging Gardens, Malabar
Hill—where Mumbai's rich and famous live—the Prince
of Wales Museum, Dhobi Ghat, Marine Drive, the Gandhi
Memorial Museum and Jain Temple.
Day 4 Wed: Mumbai
/ Bangalore / Shravanabelagola / Chikmagalur
This morning fly to Bangalore, one of the most beautiful
and well-planned cities in India. Upon arrival, enjoy
a tour of the "Garden City," including a visit to Lal
Bagh Botanical Gardens, the Mysore Arts and Crafts Center,
the bull temple and the colorful and bustling markets.
After lunch, proceed to Chikmagalur, stopping en route
to visit Shravanabelagola. Overnight in Chikmagalur
at the TAJ GARDEN RETREAT (Standard Room).
Day 5 Thu: Chikmagalur
/ Belur / Halebid / Mysore
Drive to Mysore, stopping en route to visit Belur &
Halebid. Belur, situated on the banks of the Yagachi
River, is home to the Chennakesava Temple, which basks
in the glory of one of the greatest monuments of medieval
art in India. An outstanding example of Indian temple
architecture is found in Halebid. Hoysaleshwara Temple's
entire surface is covered with a succession of friezes
running its entire length, featuring elephants, lions,
horsemen, and an incredible display of celestial beasts
and birds. Tonight, in Mysore, view the illuminated
City Palace. Enjoy your stay at the LALITHA MAHAL PALACE
HOTEL, which was built by the Maharajah of Mysore.
Day 6 Fri: Mysore
Sightseeing
Your tour of Mysore includes visits to City Palace,
Chamundi Hill (where Nandi, a huge monolithic image
of Shiva's Bull, is always garlanded with flowers and
held in high esteem by Hindus), and the colorful and
aromatic spice markets. Your afternoon is at leisure.
This evening drive 10 miles from Mysore to enjoy the
beautiful and exquisitely illuminated Brindavan Gardens,
which sprawl amid gorgeous cascading fountains.
Day 7 Sat: Mysore
/ Bangalore / Cochin
Drive to Bangalore, stopping en route at Srirangapatnam,
where the legendary warrior Tipu Sultan built his island
fortress and Summer Palace. Upon arrival in Bangalore,
connect with your flight to Cochin in the state of Kerala,
known for its well-balanced ecosystem. Tonight enjoy
a presentation of the colorful costumed Kathakali dance
drama.
Day 8 Sun: Cochin
Sightseeing / Kumarakom
This morning visit the Portuguese-built St. Francis
Church, the Jewish Synagogue, the famed Mattancherry
Palace, and see the use of Chinese fishing nets—ingenious
devices requiring little human attention. Depart this
afternoon for Kumarakom, experiencing the rich culture
and active lifestyle that has evolved over the centuries
in and around the backwaters and waterways that thread
this region.
Day 9 Mon: Backwaters
Cruise
This morning, enjoy a boat ride through the series of
canals and lagoons that snake their way through several
tiny villages and tropical vegetation. Not only do the
backwaters of Kerala link the state together, they are
an integral element in maintaining ecological balance
and creating harmony with nature. Your afternoon is
at leisure. You may want to experience an Ayurvedic
therapeutic massage, indigenous to this region, which
is both relaxing and healing, or perhaps take advantage
of the rich waters with a bit of fishing.
Day 10 Tue: Kumarakom
/ Thekkady
Your exploration of South India continues as you travel
to Thekkady, located on the Tamil Nadu / Kerala border.
This unique wildlife sanctuary is about 300 square miles
and centered on an artificial lake fed by the Periyar
River. Afternoon is at leisure. (B L D)
Day 11 Wed: Thekkady
/ Madurai
This morning you will enjoy game viewing from boats
that carry you along convoluted waterways and afford
you sightings of elephants, bison, deer and occasionally
tigers. This tropical habitat makes it one of the premiere
reserves of southern India and home to all manner of
flora and fauna. This afternoon, drive to Madurai, a
bustling city packed with pilgrims, businessmen, bullock
carts and legions of rickshaw pullers. In the evening,
visit Meenakshi Temple to witness the evening Puja ceremony.
(B L D)
Day 12 Thu: Madurai
Sightseeing / Chennai (Madras)
This morning, return to Meenakshi Temple, a riotously
baroque example of Dravidian architecture. Also visit
Thirumalai Nayak Palace and the Gandhi Museum. Continue
to Mariamman Teppakkulam Tank, site of the Teppam or
float festival in January each year. Later fly to Chennai
(formerly known as Madras), the fourth largest city
in India. TAJ COROMANDEL (B L D)
Day 13 Fri: Kanchipuram
& Mahabalipuram Excursion
Today, enjoy an excursion to Kanchipuram, one of the
seven sacred cities of India, which served as a capital
for several dynasties. Visit three of the best temples—Kailasanatha
and Ekambareshwara (dedicated to Lord Shiva) and Vaikuntaperumal
(dedicated to Lord Vishnu). Continue your excursion
to the ancient Pallavan port of Mamallapuram, stopping
for lunch at a seaside resort. Later visit the 7th-century
rock hewn monuments. The shore temple, the last surviving
of seven temples, is a unique example of a temple built
of rock quarried elsewhere and carried to shore. (B
L D)
Day 14 Sat: Chennai
(Madras) Sightseeing / Depart Chennai
Your tour of Chennai takes you to Victoria Art Gallery,
the Bronze Gallery and Chennai Museum. Visits to Fort
St. George, San Thome Cathedral and Kapaleeswarar Temple
complete your tour of Chennai. Afternoon is at leisure.
Tonight say farewell to unforgettable India and board
your international flight home. TAJ COROMANDEL (B L
D)
Day 15 Sun: Arrive
North America
Arrive home, filled with colorful memories of your sojourn
through Southern India.
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