False or visit www. Balesworldwide. com49 Keshava Temple, Somnathpur

False 50 Call our travel experts on 08456 345 114 ESCORTED JOURNEY DEPARTS ON FRIDAYS DAY 1 British Airways flight from Heathrow to Bangalore. DAY 2 Early morning arrival and transfer to the Taj Residency for 1 night. Afternoon orientation tour of Bangalore. DAY 3 Drive to Chikmagalur for 2 nights at the Taj Garden Retreat. Rest of the afternoon free. ( B, D) DAY 4 Morning visit to Belur and Halebid to view the magnificent Hoysala temples. ( B, L, D) DAY 5 Continue to Mysore for 2 nights at the Regalis Hotel. Afternoon tour of the city including the Maharajah’s Palace and the Nandi Bull. ( B) DAY 6 A morning visit to Somnathpur and the island of Srirangapatnam, home to the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan. The rest of the afternoon is free. ( B) DAY 7 Early morning drive to Ootacamund ( known as Ooty), a popular hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills, for 2 nights at the Hotel Savoy. ( B, D) DAY 8 Morning tour of Ooty with an afternoon ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a narrow- gauge track designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ( B, D) DAY 9 A long drive takes us to Kochi for 2 nights at the Taj Malabar, overlooking the attractive harbour. ( B, L) DAY 10 Morning sightseeing of Kochi ( formerly Cochin), described as The Queen of the Arabian Sea. ( B) DAY 11 Journeying to Alleppey, stay at the Lake Palace Hotel. Afternoon cruise of the backwaters, ( B, L, D) DAY 12 Continue by boat and road via Kumarakom to Periyar for overnight at the Spice Village. ( B, L) DAY 13 A morning cruise on Lake Periyar followed by a visit a local spice plantation before continuing to Madurai for 2 nights at the Taj Garden Retreat. ( B, L) DAY 14 A morning tour of Madurai, one of India’s oldest cities, takes in the renowned Meenakshi Temple. ( B) DAY 15 Fly to Chennai. Following a brief city tour continue south to Covelong for 2 nights at the Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort, located on the Bay of Bengal. ( B, L) DAY 16 Free day with an optional excursion available to Kanchipuram and Mamallapuram. ( B) DAY 17 In the early hours of the morning take the British Airways flight to Heathrow. For a full itinerary please call or visit: www. balesworldwide. com/ INSI09 ESCORTED JOURNEY SOUTH INDIA 17 days from £ 2450 Bangalore ( 1 night), Chikmagalur ( 2 nights), Belur, Halebid, Mysore ( 2 nights), Ootacamund ( 2 nights), Kochi ( Cochin) ( 2 nights), Alleppy ( 1 night), Periyar ( 1 night), Madurai ( 2 nights) Chennai ( Madras) and Covelong ( 2 nights) Combining the natural beauty of lush landscapes, engaging colonial hill stations and idyllic backwaters, with some of southern India’s most culturally and historically important cities, this remarkable journey of discovery ventures into the very heart of a land of unsurpassed splendour, natural wonder and colourful tradition. Stunning scenery The richness of southern India’s natural beauty is truly breathtaking in its scope and diversity and this captivating journey takes in some of its most engaging highlights: crossing the lush forested Nilgiri Hills and through the idyllic Keralan backwaters, before exploring serene Lake Periyar and the coastal waters and beautiful beaches around Covelong. Nostalgic journeys Recapturing a little of the nostalgia of colonial times, this remarkable train journey is considered one of the most unique in the world and can be experienced on day 8 of the itinerary. First inaugurated in 1899, today Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai Colombo INDIA Bangalore Mysore Ootacamund SRI LANKA Chikmagalur Cochin AlleppeyPeriyar Madurai Covelong Chennai ( Madras) the line to Coonoor meanders almost continuously upwards, hugging the mountainside and traversing a network of tunnels and viaducts that negotiate a 1 in 12 gradient that presents some quite stunning panoramas across the Nilgiri Plateau. Temple highlights A region rich in history and culture, on this itinerary we introduce you to the best South India has to offer. Few tour operators include the superb temples of Belur and Halebid in their group itineraries, but we feel that they add a further dimension to your visit to south India. Although the exterior of the famous Meenakshi temple in Madurai is currently undergoing essential repair work, as a temple with regular worshippers, the inside remains as vibrant and interesting as ever. On day 16, an optional full day excursion to both Kanchipuram and Mamallapuram will give you a wonderful insight into Hindu religion, mythology and architecture. Kanchipuram is one of India’s oldest and holiest pilgrimage sites and there are some 1,000 temples in and around the city. At Mamallapuram you will enjoy the enormous ‘ Descent of the Ganga’, an amazing piece of sculpture; carved into the living rock, with images of life- sized elephants, lesser animals, warriors and gods. You can also marvel at the famous 8th century Shore Temple, best viewed in the subdued light of late afternoon. Spices Spice evokes the very spirit of the east, instantly conjuring up the tastes and smells of exotic lands and far- flung empires. Even the words can make the senses tingle; cardamom, cinnamon, the revered ‘ black gold’ ( pepper), and the fertile lands of southern India have been revered for spice production since the time of the Phoenicians. 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