WEST AND SOUTH INDIA BY RAIL

West & South India by Rail

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

Day 01: Mumbai
You would be given a warm welcome at the Mumbai airport, on your arrival. From the airport, our representative will escort you to a hotel. You will check in and have a relishing breakfast. You can move out in the city or spend the evening in leisure and return to the hotel for night stay.

Day 02: Mumbai / Aurangabad
After having breakfast in the morning, you will be taken for a tour of Mumbai covering Kamla Nehru Park, Hanging Gardens situated on the slopes of Malabar Hill, which offers a panoramic view of Marine drive, Chowpatty Beach, Prince of Wales Museum, Mani Bhawan, Dhobi Ghat, Gateway of India and a drive through the Crawford Market, Marine Drive and Flora Fountain. You will check out in time, to be transferred to the railway station for an overnight train journey to Aurangabad.

Day 03: Aurangabad
You will arrive at Aurangabad the next morning and from there, you will be transferred to a hotel. You will check in to the hotel, which would be followed by breakfast. Thereafter, you would be taken for a full-day excursion tour of Ajanta Caves. The 30 rock hewn caves (dating back to 2 century BC) are 106 km away from Aurangabad and are adorned with Buddhist sculpture and the frescoes portray in epic form the religious and secular life through eight centuries. You would be escorted back to the hotel for night stay.

Day 04: Aurangabad
The next morning after breakfast, you will be taken for a visit to Ellora Caves, which are 29 km from Aurangabad. These caves represent Buddhist, Hindu and Jain Art, dating from the 4th to 9th century A.D, and encompass 34 rock cut shrines. Among the 34 shrines, the Kailash Temple is the most incredible and is meant to be a replica of Lord Shivas celestial abode - Kailash is the best illustration of Rock cut architecture and an engineering wonder. You will retreat to the hotel for night stay.

Day 05: Aurangabad / Hyderabad 
After having breakfast, you can spend some leisure time in your room and then you will check out in time to be transferred to the railway station for an overnight train journey to Hyderabad.

Day 06: Hyderabad 
In the morning, you will arrive at Hyderabad from where you would be escorted to a hotel. You will check in and have breakfast. You will be taken out in the afternoon for a tour of Hyderabad, which comprises of visit to Charminar - Rectangular Four Arched Monumental Gate, often described as the -The Arch of Triumph of the East, The Mecca Mosque and visit to Salar Jung Museum - one man collection of Manuscripts, ancient weapons, costumes and curios. Also visit the High Court building. You will retreat to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 07: Hyderabad / Chennai
After having breakfast in the morning, you will go for a tour to Golconda or spend time in leisure. You will check out in time to be transferred to the railway station for an overnight train journey to Chennai

Day 08: Chennai 
You will arrive at Chennai in the morning, from where you would be transferred to a hotel. You will check in the hotel and have breakfast. In the afternoon, you would be taken for city tour to visit the Museum, to see the Art and Bronze Gallery. You would also enjoy drive through the Flower and Fruit market, High court, Fort museum, Marina Beach, Santhome Cathedral and Snake Park. You will retreat to the hotel for a night stay.

Day 09 Chennai / Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram / Chennai 
In the morning, you will move out for a full-day trip to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram is well known as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. In the 7th and 8th century, the first temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with paintings on the walls, was built. Famous for its silk, temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy of Kanchipuram are also of historic significance. The city of Mahabalipuram, on the other hand, is renowned for the seven pagodas. On the seashore, there is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples, which are an illustration of Dravidian style of Architecture. After the trip, you will return to the hotel and retire for the night.

Day 10: Chennai / Mysore 
In the morning, you will check out of the hotel and will be transferred to railway station to board the train to Mysore. After arriving in Mysore, you will be transferred to a hotel. You will check in and have breakfast. You will stay during the night, in the hotel.

Day 11: Mysore / Belur & Halebid / Mysore
Next day after breakfast, you will be on a full-day tour of Belur and Halebid. Built 900 years ago, The Chenna Kesava temple of Belur is a wonderful example of Hoysala art. The 12th century Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples of Halebid are work of genius of Hindu art. On return journey, you can visit Sravanbelgola, the statue of Lord Gomteshwara. You will return to hotel for stay during the night.

Day 12: Mysore / Bangalore
After breakfast, you will check out of the hotel for a drive to Bangalore. After reaching Bangalore, you will be escorted to a hotel for check in and lunch. In the afternoon after relaxing, you will be taken out on a sightseeing tour of Bangalore city, to visit the Lal Bagh that is adorned with a variety of old trees, fountains, lotus pools, terraces and an assortment of tropical and sub-tropical herbs. You will see the Maharaja's Palace and Government Buildings. Thereafter, you will retreat to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 13: Bangalore / Mumbai or Delhi
After having breakfast in the morning, you will check out of the hotel, from where you will be transferred to the airport to board the flight for Mumbai or Delhi. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the city center and later in the evening, you will reach the international airport for onward journey.