West / South India by Rail - I

Duration: 12 Nights / 13 Days
Destinations Covered: (Mumbai (Bombay) - Aurangabad - Hyderabad - Chennai (Madras) - Mysore - Bangalore - Mumbai (Bombay)

Day 01 Mumbai
Arrive Mumbai. Transfer to hotel. Overnight Mumbai.

Day 02 Mumbai / Aurangabad
Morning tour of Mumbai visiting Kamla Nehru Park, Hanging Gardens situated on the slopes of Malabar Hill offering a panoramic view of Marine drive, Chowpatty Beach, Prince of Wales Museum, Mani Bhawan, Dhobi Ghat, Gateway of India & drive through the Crawford Market, Marine Drive & Flora Fountain. Check-out at 1200 hrs. Evening transfer to railway-station for overnight journey to Aurangabad.

Day 03 Aurangabad
Morning arrive Aurangabad and transfer to hotel followed by breakfast. Full Day excursion tour of Ajanta Caves. Ajanta Caves are 106 kms from Aurangabad and date back to the 2nd century BC. The 30 rock hewn caves are adorned with Buddhist sculpture and the frescoes portray in epic form the religious and secular life through eight centuries. Overnight Aurangabad.

Day 04 Aurangabad
After breakfast, excursion visit to Ellora Caves (29 kms) encompassing 34 rock cut shrines representing Buddhist,Hindu & Jain art dating from the 4th to 9th century A.D. The most remarkable among them is the Kailash Temple, meant to be a replica of Lord Shivas celestial abode - Kailash is the best example of Rock cut architecture and an engineering marvel. Overnight Aurangabad.

Day 05 Aurangabad / Hyderabad
After breakfast, Day free. Check-out from the hotel 1200 hrs. Evening transfer to railway-station for overnight journey to Hyderabad.

Day 06 Hyderabad
Morning arrive Hyderabad and transfer to Hotel followed by breakfast. Afternoon tour of Hyderabad. Visit Charminar - Rectangular Four Arched Monumental Gate often described as the -The Arch of Triumph of the East, The Mecca Mosque & visit the Salar Jung Museum - one man collection of Manuscripts, ancient weapons, costumes & curios. Also visit the High Court building. Overnight Hyderabad.

Day 07 Hyderabad / Chennai
After breakfast, Day free or optional tour to Golconda. Check-out at 1200 hrs. Evening transfer to railway-station for overnight journey to Chennai.

Day 08 Chennai
Morning arrive Chennai. Transfer to hotel followed by breakfast. Afternoon 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, Santhome Cathedral and snake park . Overnight Chennai.

Day 09 Chennai / Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram / Chennai
Full Day excursion tour of Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram. Overnight Chennai.

Kanchipuram (64 kms from Chennai) is the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks.
The city of Mahabalipuram is famous for the seven pagodas. Here on the seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples which are the examples of Dravidian style of Architecture.

Day 10 Chennai / Mysore
Morning transfer to railway-station to catch the train for Mysore. Arrive Mysore and transfer to hotel followed by breakfast. Overnight Mysore.

Day 11 Mysore / Belur & Halebid / Mysore
After breakfast, full Day tour of Belur and Halebid. The Chenna Kesava temple of Belur built 900 years ago is an exquisite example of Hoysala art. Halebid's 12th century Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples are master pieces of Hindu art. On the return, visit Sravanbelgola.
At Sravanbelgola, hewn out of a single rock and visible from a distance of 25 kms is the statue of Lord Gomteshwara which is bathed with milk and honey once every 12 years. Overnight Mysore.

Day 12 Mysore / Bangalore
After breakfast, drive to Bangalore. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Afternoon tour of Bangalore city, visit the Lal Bagh with a variety of old trees, fountains, lotus pools, terraces & an assortment of tropical and sub-tropical herbs. Also see the Maharaja's Palace & Government Buildings. Overnight Bangalore.

Day 13 Bangalore / Mumbai or Delhi
Transfer to airport to board the flight for Mumbai or Delhi. Arrive & transfer to city centre . Later in the evening, transfer to international airport.