Culture of South India and the Andaman Islands
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Introduction
Far Horizon takes you on a journey through the heart of the Dravidian South. Visit the famous temples of South India with their elaborate carvings and architectural styles. Glide through the bygone era of Hampi and continue you mesmerised trip to Andaman not to far away from the coastline of India, this will bring you on the beautiful sands of the Radhanagar Beach, and the adventurous trails of the Elephant Beach, feel the adrenaline during Jet Skiing and Banana Boating in Andaman islands, also boast of freedom fighting days’ historically significant landmarks viz. Cellular Jail.
Tour Highlights
- Explore the city of Nizams “Hyderabad”
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Hampi and Mahabalipuram
- Visit of Grand Royal Palace in Mysore
- Nagarhole National Park
- Relax on the pristine beaches of Andaman Island
Destinations Covered
Hyderabad
City of a Rich and Regal HistorySteeped in history, thronged with people and buzzing with commerce, the Old City of Hyderabad is one of India's most evocative ancient quarters. Exploring the lanes of this district, with its chai shops and spice merchants, you'll encounter a teeming urban masala of colour and commerce.
Hampi
A fantasy world of Rocks and RuinsHampi, the city of ruins, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated in the shadowed depth of hills and valleys in the state of Karnataka, this place is a historical delight for travellers. Surrounded by 500 ancient monuments, beautiful temples, bustling street markets, bastions, treasury buildings and captivating remains of Vijayanagar Empire, Hampi is a delight. Hampi is an open museum and a favourite way to see the city from the perspective of its history.
Bangalore
The Garden CityBangalore city is rightly called as the Garden City with a wide array of parks and gardens which are spread all over the city increasing the beauty of the city. Not just this, the city has been adorned with many interesting yet suitable names. Pub City, Shopper's Hot Spot, Silicon Valley, Shopper's Paradise, Pub Hopper's Paradise, Gourmet's Delight, Air-conditioned City, etc. are a few other names.
Mysore
City of PalacesAlso known as the City of Palaces, Mysore retains a quaint charm that never fails to enchant with its rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples. The charm of this city leaves no one untouched. Situated in the southern part of the Deccan Plateau, Mysore has played a significant role in the history of South India.
Kabini
A Walk into the WildThe Kabini, also called Kapila, is one of the major tributaries of the river Cauvery in southern India. Gushing through two states, being a home to one of the lush forest reserves, and featuring a massive dam, Kabini is one of the famous rivers in South India. It originates from Wayanad in Kerala, flows into the state of Karnataka, and gives birth to the most beautiful reservoir and backwaters.
Mahabalipuram
City of Seven Pagodas
Port Blair
The Lively Provincial CapitalLying in the Bay of Bengal in a picturesque setting, Port Blair is the largest city and the capital of the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.
Havelock Island
An Oasis of Pearl White Shores
Neil Island
Lusciously Green LandscapesNeil Island is a tiny but beautiful island, with unexplored coral reefs, brilliant bio-diversity, white sandy beaches and tropical forest and vegetation; it is one of the hot tourist spots in the Andaman. is known as the ‘vegetable bowl’ of the Andaman. The settlers named the beaches after the mythical characters of the epic Ramayana (Bharatpur, Laxmanpur, Sitapur, Ramnagar etc.)
Chennai
The Soul of South IndiaVibrant, vivacious and vivid - Chennai's amazing amalgamation of the classical Tamil aestheticism with a new layer of cosmopolitan culture is definitely a treat for every traveller who decides to explore this coastal metropolitan city. Spanning a wide range of diverse attractions, the ample places to visit in Chennai will enthral travellers to the core.
Detailed Itinerary
- Day 1 Arrival - Hyderabad
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Day 2
Hyderabad
Hyderabad
After breakfast, proceed for the sightseeing of Hyderabad.
We will visit an amazing blend of Indo-Islamic architecture; Charminar which represents the glorious history of the city. Built in 1591 by Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, Charminar is a square-shaped structure which is 56 meters high and 30 meters wide. Popularly known as ‘Arc de Triomphe of the East’, Charminar was constructed in the honour of Bhagmati, wife of Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah; immediately after he had shifted his capital to Hyderabad, which was earlier in Golconda.
After Charminar visit one of the oldest and most popular shopping areas of Hyderabad, Laad Bazaar located adjacent to Charminar. It is said that this market was equally lively even during the times of the Qutub Shahis and the Nizams. Presenting an age old heritage, the “Laad Bazaar” has got its name from the word “Laad” meaning Lacquer. This market boasts of incomparable varieties of bangles, which have Lacquer as one of its key material.
Located atop 280-foot-high hillock of Kalapahad, the beautiful Birla Mandir has derived its name from the industrialist Birlas who have constructed Birla temples in various parts of the country. Constructed in 1976, it is said it took close to 2000 tonnes of white marbles to build this stunning temple which was brought from Rajasthan. Later you will visit Chowmahalla Palace, with literal meaning of ‘four palaces’ in Urdu language was built in the 18th century. It was during the reign of fifth Nizam, Afzar-ud-Daulah, Asaf Jav V, from 1857 to 1869, that the palace was completed. Initially spread across an area of 45 acres, the palace now covers 12 acres of land.
Evening is free at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel (B)
- Day 3 Hyderabad - Hampi
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Day 4
Hampi
Hampi
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Hampi, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Someone rightly said “If dreams were made out of stone, it would be Hampi”
Vithala Temple Complex - The most splendid monument of Hampi is undoubtedly the Vithala Temple Complex with its 56 musical pillars. Here see the famous Stone Chariot with stone wheels that revolve. In front of the shrine stands the great mantapa. Resting on a richly sculpted basement, its roof is supported by huge pillars of granite, each consisting of a central pillar surrounded by detached shafts, all cut from one single block of stone.
The Virupaksha Temple rises majestically at the western end of the famous Hampi Bazaar. The temple has a 120 feet tall tower on its eastern entrance. The temple contains the shrines of Shiva, Pampa and Bhuvaneswari. Parts of this temple are older than the Vijayanagar kingdom itself. The work of this style dates back to the 11th or 12th century.
Hazara Ramaswami temple is believed to have been the private place of worship of the royal family. The chief attraction of the temple is the series of scenes from the Ramayana carved on two of the inside walls of the mantapa. The genesis of the place known today as Hampi dates back to the age of the Hindu epic Ramayana when it was the site of Kishkinda, a monkey kingdom.
Later visit the Achyutaraya Temple and walk through the bazaars of Sule and Hampi.
Return to hotel by evening.
Overnight at the hotel (B)
- Day 5 Hampi - Bangalore
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Day 6
Bangalore to Mysore by road: Approx. 150 Kms. / 93 Mi. / 4 Hrs.
Mysore
After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and drive to Mysore.
On arrival, check-in to the hotel.
Later in the evening proceed for a guided walk of the city and walk by some charming old heritage structures that have played host to great legends such as Gandhi and Nehru. See how the story of Mysore connects to several significant historical events around the world. As locals try the best food places in town so that you can bite into delicacies that you’ll remember!
Overnight at the hotel (B)
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Day 7
Mysore
Mysore
After breakfast proceed for guided sightseeing tour of Mysore.
Mysore Palace, a priceless national treasure and the pride of a kingdom, the Mysore Palace was built over a thousand years ago, in AD 897. After a fire in 1897, Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV rebuilt the palace as we see it today, under the supervision of architect Henry Irwin. An eclectic synthesis of architectural styles the palace is one of India’s most dramatic national monuments. Today it is a museum housing treasures from across the world reflecting the rich and colourful history of the erstwhile princely state of Mysore.
Also visit Jagan Mohan Art Gallery; the Gallery has an excellent collection of decorative arts from across the world that includes several examples of furniture, silver, glass, pewter, ceramics and textiles. Highlights of the exhibition are the display of English glass, exquisite Japanese porcelain and wooden furniture and carvings from China. The ground floor is devoted to the Mysore royal family. There are portraits and murals that depict the genealogy of the Mysore kings and princes including detailed paintings of royal weddings. Another exhibit at the gallery is the display of musical instruments, which includes an excellent collection of traditional Indian instruments like the veena, sitar, sarangi, tabla and mridangam.
Later visit Chamundi Hills which is about 13 km from Mysore and atop the hills is the famous Chamundi temple. ‘Chamundi’ is the fierce form of ‘Shakti’. She is the slayer of demons. She is the tutelary deity of the Mysore Maharajas and the presiding deity of Mysore whose people hold her in great esteem. For several centuries they have held the Goddess, Chamundi, in great reverence. A panoramic view of the city is seen from the top of the hills.
Evening is free to walk around the colourful local market of Mysore.
Overnight at the hotel (B)
- Day 8 Mysore to Kabini by road: Approx. 75 Kms. / 47 Mi. / 2 Hrs.
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Day 9
Kabini
Kabini
In the morning, enjoy the boat safari on Kabini river to witness the wildlife. Post lunch proceed for another safari by canter.
Evening is free at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel (B, L, D)
- Day 10 Kabini - Mahabalipuram
- Day 11 Mahabalipuram to Kanchipuram by road: Approx. 50 Kms. / 31 Mi. / 1 Hr.
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Day 12
Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram
After breakfast, explore Mahabalipuram with its five ‘Pagodas,’ or chariots.
Later, visit the photogenic and windswept Shore Temple, dramatically perched near a promontory overlooking the Bay of Bengal. You can see the Panch Rathas (Five Stone Chariots), at the southern end of town. The rathas, which date to the 7th Century, are extraordinary examples of rock shrines made from monolithic stone, and are named for the heroes of the epic Indian tale the Mahabharata.
In the centre of Mahabalipuram is the main cluster of temples and rock sculptures. Life size stone statues of an elephant, bull and a lion guard these delicately sculptured temples. Depictions of scenes from Indian mythology carved out of stone cover the temples. One of the most elaborate is the Bhagirathi’s Penance, which despite its mammoth proportions, is intricately carved. So large is the bas-relief that it is often described as a “fresco in stone.” In fact, a number of stonecutters still work in Mahabalipuram and continue to produce high-quality traditional sculptures.
Overnight at the hotel (B)
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Day 13
Mahabalipuram - Port Blair
Port Blair
Mahabalipuram to Chennai by road: Approx. 50 Kms. / 31 Mi. / 1 Hr. and Chennai to Port Blair by flight:
After early breakfast, check-out from hotel and transfer to Chennai airport to board your flight to Port Blair. On arrival, check-in to your hotel.
Proceed to Carbyns Cove Beach, 7 Km from the town; it is the coconut-palm fringed beach, ideal for swimming, surfing and sun-basking. Visit Anthropological Museum & Cellular Jail.
At evening time you can observe -The saga of the heroic freedom struggle is brought alive in “SOUND & LIGHT SHOW” in Cellular Jail.
Overnight at the hotel (B)
- Day 14 Port Blair to Havelock Island by ferry
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Day 15
Havelock Island
Havelock Island
In the morning post breakfast, proceed to the famous Radha Nagar Beach, one of the best beaches in Asia.
Overnight at the hotel (B)
- Day 16 Havelock Island to Neil Island by ferry
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Day 17
Neil Island
Neil Island
In the morning post breakfast at hotel, explore few of the best beaches of Andaman, known for swimming and coral-watching with a vast sandy stretch. The beaches are a broad spur of white shell sand with shallow water and offer a good snorkelling option. Sunbathing and swimming are other activities. One can view spectacular sun-set from the beaches.
Overnight at the hotel (B)
- Day 18 Neil Island to Port Blair by ferry
- Day 19 Port Blair to Chennai by flight
