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Tours
By Region |
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 THE
SOUTHERN RAJ
A cultural tour of India
This unique journey reveals Southern India's rich cultural heritage, brings unforgettable images from the past centuries and leaves a lasting spell on our souls. In addition to this we venture to the most preferred beach destination in India, Goa, to experience the delightful white sand beaches and explore the remains of Portuguese traditions.
|
Tour
Summary
|
Map
|
Day
|
Place
|
|
01-02
|
Mumbai
(Bombay) |
|
03
|
Mumbai
/ Goa |
| 04 |
Goa |
|
05
|
Goa
/ Bangalore |
|
06
|
Bangalore
/ Hassan |
|
07
|
Hassan
/ Mysore |
|
08
|
Mysore |
| 09 |
Mysore
/ Chennai (Madras) |
| 10 |
Chennai
/ Mamallapuram / Chennai |
| 11 |
Chennai
/ Departure |
|
 |
Day 01: Arrive Mumbai (Bombay)
Namaste! Welcome to Mumbai, as it is now
known, where we are greeted the Mumbaiwala
style to the city that never sleeps.
Overnight: Hotel in Mumbai (2 Nights)
 Day
02: Mumbai
This is one of the largest cities in the
world and is home to the largest film industry
in the world. Bombay is a city full of life
and history and, as the saying goes, "Bombay
never sleeps". We start our journey
with the Gateway of India landmark archway,
which includes the world's largest open-air
laundry, Jain Temple, Marine Drive, Hanging
Gardens and the Prince of Wales Museum. Afternoon
free to immerse in the local bazaars. Bombay
offers a lot of attractions in the field
of art and theatre and this evening is a
good time to experience them. (B, D)
Day
03: Mumbai / Goa (flight)
A short flight takes us to the one time Portuguese
colony of Goa, which offers a unique blend
of India with a strong Portuguese influence.
We are transferred to our beachside resort
to enjoy the relaxing Goan lifestyle and sea
activities. The beaches in Goa offer both
quite and a public area where one would find lots
of families enjoying the silver sands and the
local hawker selling home cooked snacks.
Overnight: Hotel in Goa (2 Nights) (B, D)
Day 04: Goa
Today is free for leisure activities in this
tropical beach resort. You may also wish to
visit the World Heritage Site of the churches
and convents of Goa, the former capital of
the Portuguese Indies. Of particular interest
is the Church of Bom Jesus, which contains
the tomb of St Francis-Xavier, a great illustration
of the evangelization of Asia. These monuments
were influential in spreading forms of Manueline,
Mannerist and Baroque art to all the countries
of Asia where missions were established. (B, D)
Day 05: Goa / Bangalore (flight)
A short flight gets us to the garden city of
Bangalore, also now known as the high-tech
centre of India. Our tour of this clean city
covers the Botanical Garden, the Visveswariah
Museum, and the famous Mysore Arts and Craft
Center. Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka.
It is called the Garden City due to its delicate
blossoms and greenery that impart a unique
beauty to this lovely city. The weather is
the city's best feature, with pleasant summers
and bearable winters. Bangalore is a cosmopolitan
city, where a variety of cultures and customs
thrive. Kempe Gowda founded the city in 1537
- is today a bustling and diverse city with
ancient arts that flourish alongside the Silicon
Plateau of India.
Overnight: Hotel in Bangalore (1 Night) (B, D)
 Day 06: Bangalore / Hassan (drive 190kms / 115 mi)
An interesting drive through the countryside
conveys us to the famous Southern Indian Temple
city of Hassan. Hassan is a calm and peaceful
town and a convenient base from which to visit
Belur and Halebid. We have the evening to enjoy
walking through the town and chatting with
locals enthusiastic to practice their English.
Overnight: Hotel in Hassan (1 night) (B, D)
Day 07: Hassan / Mysore (drive 200kms / 123 mi)
Our morning tour of Hassan includes the exquisite temples
of Belur and Halebid.
The main structure of the temple in Belur, which is star-shaped,
is a homogenous architectural unit on a raised platform.
Inside, even in the darkness, you can see the hand-lathe
turned shining pillars, each unique in its own splendor.
Halebid was known as Dwara Samudra, the wealthy capital
of the Hoysalas. The great city of Dwarasamudra flourished
as a Capital of the Hoysala Empire during the 12th & 13th
centuries, reflected in the strikingly beautiful Hoysala
temples. Then we proceed to beautiful Srirangapatnam,and
visit Tipu Sultan's summer palace.
Overnight: Hotel in
Mysore (2 Nights) (B, D)
Day 08: Mysore
Mysore the city of Palaces, has never failed to mesmerize
with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces,
imposing buildings, sacred temples broad shady avenues
and beautiful gardens. Our morning tour includes the
Maharajah's Palace, the Shri Chamundeswari Temple and
the Nadi Shiva's Mount. The evening is free to enjoy
the Vrindavan Garden and City Palace, which is beautifully
lit on certain days. (B, D)
Day
09: Mysore / Chennai (Madras) (Train)
We take the late afternoon Express train to Chennai (formerly known as Madras). We arrive late in the evening.
Overnight: Hotel in Chennai (2 Nights) (B)
 Day
10: Chennai / Mamallapuram / Chennai
Today we take an excursion to the World
Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram. This
group of sanctuaries, founded by the
Pallava kings, was carved out of the
rock along the Coromandel Coast in the
7th and 8th centuries. It is known especially
for its rathas (temples in the form of
chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries),
giant open-air reliefs such as the famous
'Descent of the Ganges', and the temple
of Rivage, with thousands of sculptures
to the glory of Shiva. On our return
we tour Chennai, culturally one of the
richest cities of India. We visit the
Kapaleeswarar, the ancient Shiva Temple,
Santhome Church and the bazaar. (B)
Day 11: Depart Chennai
After an interesting insight into the colourful
and mystical Dravidian India, we bid farewell
to our journey of Southern Raj and are transferred
for our flight back home. (B)
 Departure Dates |
2008
English
Speaking Departures
Jan 19, Feb 16, Mar 15, Apr 05, May 03,
Jun 07, Jul 05, Aug 02,
Sep 06, Oct 04, Nov 08 & Dec 06
| Inclusions | | Tour Price Includes | Tour Price Does Not Include | | Accommodation
on twin-share basis in hotels as selected. |
International Airfare | | Daily
buffet breakfast as per the itinerary
(B=Breakfast, D=Dinner) | Insurance |
| Transport
in air-conditioned vehicle for all sightseeing tours,
arrival and departure transfers as per the itinerary | Visas |
| Assistance
on arrival / departure and Porter's fee at the airport
and railway station only |
Beverages & Gratuities |
| Services
of local English speaking guide for the sight-seeing
as per the itinerary at each city |
|
Regional/Domestic
Air Bombay/Goa & Goa/Bangalore (Fares
Subject To Change)
| |
| Train
tickets |
|
| Visa Support as required | | | Tour Price | | We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download  Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf
Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat. | | Hotel
Category |
Double Occupancy | Single Room Supplement |
| First
Class |
US
$ 2575 • CA $
2575 |
US
$ 710 • CA $
710 |
| Superior |
US
$ 3275 • CA $ 3275 |
US
$ 1075 • CA $ 1075 |
| Deluxe |
US
$ 3740 • CA $ 3740 |
US
$ 1290 • CA $ 1290 |
Hotels
| City |
First
Class |
Superior |
Deluxe |
Mumbai
(2 Nights)
|
The Ambassador
(Executive Room) |
Taj President
(Standard City View Room) |
The Taj Mahal Hotel
(Superior Sea View Room) |
Goa
(2 Nights)
|
Holiday Inn Resort
(Deluxe Room) |
Cidade De Goa Beach Resort
(Superior Room) |
Taj Holiday Village
(Cottage Garden View) |
Bangalore
(1 Night)
|
Regallis
(Standard Room) |
The Chancery
(Superior Room) |
Taj Residency
(Superior Room) |
Hassan
(1 Night)
|
Southern Star
(Standard Room) |
Southern Star
(Standard Room) |
Southern Star
(Standard Room) |
Mysore
(2 Nights)
|
Regallis
(Standard Room) |
Regallis
(Standard Room) |
Regallis
(Standard Room) |
Chennai
(2 Nights)
|
Ambassador Pallava
(Executive Room) |
Trident Hilton
(Superior Room) |
Taj Connemara Hotel
(Superior Room) |
| Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour | | Canada - West Coast |
CA $
1600 |
USA - West Coast |
US $
1400 |
| Canada - East Coast |
CA $
1400 |
USA - East Coast |
US $
1200 |
| Participants | | This
tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of
15 participants. |
Notes | Customised Itinerary
If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.
Foreign Language Departures
Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures.
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844. |
| |
|
| © Copyright 1999-2008 Bestway
Tours & Safaris |
Site last updated May 02,
2008 |
| Photographs by Peter
Langer & Mahmood
Poonja |
Site by antoinette |
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