Splendours of South India Special Interest
Day 1 : To Bangalore
Depart London – Manchester and regional UK airports for Bangalore. Members from other countries will fly from their respective countries to Bangalore.
Day 2 : To Bangalore - Afternoon Orientation Talk by Local Historian and Visit to St. Mary’s Mission Church
Arrival Bangalore. Afternoon talk by local Historian discussing the salient events of the history of the area - Bangalore and Mysore, then visit the St. Mary's Mission Church in Bangalore to see the documents and photographs held here. Three nights stay Vivanta by Taj. B
Day 3 : Morning Tour of Tipu Sultan’s Palace - Afternoon Bangalore Cemetery Visits
Morning tour of Tipu Sultan’s Palace - a summer retreat of the Emperor of Mysore. It was here that Hyder Ali, the father of Tipu Sultan, imprisoned British army officers during the Mysore Wars. In the afternoon a fascinating insight into the lives of people can be found on inscriptions carved into headstones whilst visiting Cemeteries - a vignette etched in stone... Bangalore has many cemeteries including Agram and Hosur Road... each Cemetery has a story to tell. B
Day 4 : To Mysore
Drive to Mysore visiting Serirangapatanam enroute where Tipu Sultan was killed on 4th May 1799 doing battle with Wellesley in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War. Visit the battlefield, the British river crossing, the spot where Tipu Sultan was killed and the Palace of Seringapatam. Spend time wandering the ruins and marvel at how the British survived such harsh conditions when held prisoner. Consider the Battle tactics and ponder on the emotions of ‘young’ Wellesley.. Three nights Hotel Royal Orchid Metropole Mysore. Afternoon visit to Roman Catholic Church in Mysore to see pre 1837 the documents and photographs. B
Day 5 : Mysore - city sightseeing tour
Morning sightseeing tour of the delightful green city of Mysore includes the hilltop Sri Chamundeswari Temple, the vast monolithic Nandi, Mysoe Palace and the bustling Devraja Market and visit of Bishops Palace. B
Day 6 : Mysore
Further sightwseeing of Mysore. Optional day visit to Coorg. B
Day 7 : To Ooty
Delightful drive to Ooty( approx. 3 hours drive ) nestled deep within the Nilgiri Hills (The Blue Mountains). After the defeat of Tipu Sultan at Seringapatam his Nilgiri territory was ceded to the East India Company as part of the treaty agreement. Such was the beauty of the area the British named Ooty ‘Queen of Hill Stations’. Afternoon visit to Madras Regimental Centre and the Garrison Church at Wellington. Two nights Taj Savoy. B
Day 8 : Ooty - Full Day Sightseeing - including Tea Plantation and Boat Ride - Lunch at the Hunt Club
Full day of sightseeing includes a visit to a Tea Plantation to learn the secrets of the very British drink and see St. Stephen's Church - one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiris, dating back to the days of Stephen Rumbold Lushington, the then Governor of Madras. He laid the foundation for the Church on April 23, 1829. The churchyard is full of Colonial headstones. Lunch at the oak panelled Ooty Hunt Club famed for inventing snooker! Jacket and Tie for Gentlemen please or you eat in the Children’s dining room! Afternoon at leisure. B
Day 9 : To Coimbatore by Toy train
Delightful journey of the fabled Toy Train to Coimbatore. Rest of the day at leisure to relax in the excellent facilities of the hotel. Overnight Vivanta By Taj Surya. B
Day 10 : Coimbatore
Visit of Christian Cemetries in Coimbatore and Pollachi. B
Day 11 : To Trichy (Trichinopoly) visit Rock Fort Temple - Srirangam - Lourdes Church
Drive to Trichi via Karur and Ariyalur . In the afternoon and climb the 437 steps to the Rock Fort Temple ( Optional) with its spectacular views. Much of the climb is through tunnels carved from the solid stone. See the stables where cows given as thanks for a safe childbirth relax before being auctioned off! Then visit Srirangam a huge Temple complex filled with bazaars, people’s homes and of course the Temple! Also see the 19th C Lourdes Church and at the Jesuit St Joseph’s College wander the old museum with natural history collections of the Jesuit priests’. Stay at Breeze Residency. B
Day 12 : Trichi (Trichinopoly)
Day visit to Clock tower – world war 1 memorial, records office and time at leisure. B
Day 13 : Trichi
Visit of Old Fortifications and former British Cantonment / Barracks. B
Day 14 : To Pondicherry - Afternoon Aurobindo Ashram - Botanical Gardens - Auroville
Leave Trichi after breakfast for Pondicherry( approx. 5 hours drive). A small part of a La Belle France lingers on in India - in the morning the divine aroma of freshly baked French bread still assails the senses! Take a leisurely drive through the French quarters - still retaining their former glory although a bit faded in parts! Visit the Aurobindo Ashram, where Sri Aurobindo and The Mother lived and meditated. See the delightful Botanical Garden, created in the early 19th C. and a location for the acclaimed film ‘Life of Pi’. Finally drive to the international community of Auroville. Two nights Palais de Mahe. B
Day 15 : Pondicherry - Visit to Forts St. David
Day visit to Fort St. David, in Cuddalore, it was a British Fort bought from the Marathas in 1690 by the British East India Company and soon became the HQ of South India, indeed Robert Clive was once the governor of Fort St. David. It had a chequered history being fought over, lost and regained by the British... back and forth to the French. A delightful snippet of information is that the land acquired included villages within a cannon shot of the fort. To this day they are known as cannonball villages! B
Day 16 : To Vellore - Fort Arcot
Drive from Pondicherry to Vellore ( approx 3 hours journey). In 1751 an Indian ally of the French East India Company, Chanda Sahib, besieged a British ally, Muhammad Ali, in Trichinopoly. A young Clive volunteered to lead a small force against Chanda’s capital at Fort Arcot as a diversionary tactic. He succeeded as the garrison withdrew upon hearing of his approach. Not wanting to lose his capital, Clive’s tactics worked as Chandra sent a large force of troops under the command of his son Raju Sahib, to retake Arcot. A siege ensued and, against overwhelming odds, Clive valiantly held out from 11th September to 26th November 1751. Visit Arcot Fort. Overnight Hotel GRT Vellore. B
Day 17 : To Chennai - Afternoon Talk by Local Historian Colonial Madras
Travel from Vellore to Chennai after breakfast (approx. 2 and half hours drive). Late afternoon talk by local Historian on the British in Madras, to give an insight into the following days sightseeing. Three nights Vivanta by Taj Connemara. B
Day 18 : Chennai - Colonial Sightseeing Tour
Madras has long been a focal point of the British in India. Indeed a major hub in modern day parlance! In 1639, the East India Company bought the village of Madraspatnam …… then, a year later established the ‘Agency of Fort St George’, the forerunner of the Madras Presidency. The tour today will encompass the major historical sights of the city including the Fort St George, St Mary’s Church and the Neo-Gothic Santhome Cathedral Basilica. B
Day 19 : Chennai - Mahabalipuram -Farewell Dinner
Visit of St.Thomas Mount and Pallaveram Graveyard. Farewell Dinner. B, D
Day 20 : To London or onward to Kolkata for East India Tour
Either fly back to London or fly to Kolkata to join the East India Tour. Clients wishing to fly from Manchester will fly regional sectors Manchester-Heathrow-Manchester BA139 (1100-1205) and BA1394 (1330-1430) and connect the long haul BA flights. B
Itinerary map
Prices
- International Flights with British Airways in Economy Class.
- Accommodation with private facilities on twin, double sharing and single room basis as per the itinerary.
- Meal Plan- Daily breakfast throughout the tour. Farewell Dinner in Chennai
- All transfers and sightseeing by an air-conditioned vehicle
- Sightseeing arrangements with our local experts as mentioned in the itinerary and local English speaking guides at other places.
- Entry fee at monuments and places of interest.
- Full ATOL & ABTA bonding.
- Visa fee for India.
- Any expense of a personal nature.
- Tips and Gratuities.
- Travel Insurance*
Contact for prices
* Travel Insurance
It is essential to have adequate insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting.
• Make sure it includes comprehensive medical and repatriation cover.
• Make sure it provides cover for your whole trip (whether one day or over a year).
• Make sure it covers you for all activities.
• Disclose pre-existing medical conditions.
• Take your policy number and the 24-hour emergency contact numbers with you.
If you have any doubts about your cover, check with your insurer. Please note Covid-19 cover is now available.
For a competitive quotation please visit https://www.indusexperiences.co.uk/insurance/
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