Day 01: Arrive Mumbai
On your early morning arrival at Mumbai airport, transfer to your hotel for overnight stay.

Mumbai is an industrial metropolis as well as the textile and film capital of the country. It was once a cluster of 7 islands. Bombay was ceded to the Portugese by the local ruler in the 16th Century.  Later, it was acquired by the English when it was given as a dowry to King Charles II when he married a Portuguese princess.  Today cosmopolitan Bombay is a commercial nerve centre apart from being one of India’s busiest ports.

Day 02: In Mumbai
Morning we take a half-day excursion to the Elephanta Caves.

Elephanta is 3 Kms long elongated island, consisting of two hills separated by a valley.  See Shiva in his three-headed aspect: as Creator (facing right), Protector (the crowned face at the center), and Destroyer (facing left, with serpents for hair). Also visit to Shiva bringing the Ganges River down to Earth.

Afternoon take the Half day tour Mumbai.

Visit the Juhu Beach, Gateway of India, Victoria Terminus, Prince of Wales Museum, Drive past the “Towers of Silence”, Kamla Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens situated on the slope of Malabar Hill offering a panoramic view of Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach. Drive through local animated Crawford market.
Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Mumbai-Bangalore
Spend the morning at leisure.
 As per scheduled transfer to airport to board on afternoon flight to Bangalore an on arrival check-in into hotel for overnight stay.

Bangalore is a cosmopolitan and modern city, one of the fastest growing in India, attracting industry and commerce.  The city founded by a Hola King in sixteenth century and later become the fortress tower of the Tipu Sulatan and finally a British cantonment.  Over the past decades Bangalore has become the India’s fastest growing city and the hub for national IT industry. This is the charm of Bangalore along with its pleasant temperate climate, beautiful gardens that are a legacy of the Raj and friendly people.

Day 03: Bangalore - Shravanabelagola - Chikmagalur
Morning proceed for city tour of Bangalore.

Sightseeing tour of this city of gardens visiting the Cubbon Park spread over 100 acres, and having a variety of flora.  During the drive you will view the Maharaja’s Palace, the Indian Institute of Science, the Public Library, the State Government Museum, and Vidhana Soudha, an imposing structure in granite built in the Dravidian style.  See the Bull Temple and visit the Mysore Arts and Craft Center.

Later in the day you drive to Chikmagalur. Visit Shravanabelagola en route. Arrive and check in into the hotel in Chikmagalur for an overnight stay.

Day 04: Chikmagalur - Belur - Halebid – Mysore
Drive to Mysore, visit Belur and Halebid on the way. Explore these historical cities and marvel at the historical heritage of South India.

Belur is known for its exquisite temples and Chennakeshava Temples is a fine example.  It took 103 years to complete and the façade of the temple is covered with intricate sculptures and frescoes - awe-inspiring in their workmanship.   In the temple are hand-lathe turned filigreed pillars.

After visit the Chennakeshava Temple continue drive to Hassan and on arrival check-in into the hotel. After freshening up you will visit to Halebid.

Visit Halebid – Hoysaleswara Temple has a wealth of sculptural detail, the walls covered with gods, goddesses, animals and dancing girls.

Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 05: In Mysore
Morning proceed for sightseeing tour of Mysore

Visiting Mysore Palace-the Capital of the warrior-kings Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore, Mysore Palace, Nandi Bull St Philomena's Church etc; Sri Jauyachamarajendra Art Gallery housed in the Jagmohan Palace, which has a collection of exquisite paintings. In the evening visit the Chamundi hill temple and Bull temple. 

Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Mysore-Bangalore-Cochin
Drive to Bangalore on day 6 of the Silk and Spices Tour, en route stop for sightseeing at Srirangapatnam.
Take a flight to Cochin and on arrival check-in into the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 07: Cochin -Kumarakom
Set out on post-breakfast tours to the St. Francis Church, Jewish Synagogue, Chinese fishing nets and the Mattancherry Palace.
Leave for Kumarakom late in the afternoon and arrival check-in into hotel and overnight stay.

Day 08: Backwaters Cruise
Enjoy a boat ride on the serene Kerala backwaters. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Rejuvenate with herbal oil massage.
Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 09: Kumarakom –Thekkady
Morning proceed for Thekkady by surface and on arrival check-in into the hotel.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the well-known wildlife sanctuaries in the south. Also called the Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, this place is ideal for watching the animals in their natural habitat. This lake serves as the waterhole for the animals and they come here to drink or take a dip. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar and even tigers can be spotted here..

Evening visit the Kumily spice village and retire to the forest lodge for overnight stay.

Day 10: Thekkady-Madurai
Watch Periyar wildlife as you cruise along the waters of the lovely Lake Periyar. During your boat cruise, you will also be able to have a good look at many wild animals lazing on the banks of Lake Periyar. 

Later drive to Madurai and on arrival check-in into the hotel for overnight stay

The ancient city of Madurai, some 2600 years old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in the center. Madurai, once the seat of Tamil learning and still the place where the Tamil language is spoken in its purest form, is planned in the shape of a lotus.  Modern Madurai is a burgeoning industrial center, even though the vast stretches of lush paddy fields, dusty roads and crowded bazaars make it seems almost like an overgrown village.  Neon signs above shops selling designer wears with international labels light up the spires of the nearby century-old temples.
Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Madurai Sightseeing-Chennai
Full day temple visit to Madurai

Visiting famous Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the Consort of Lord Shiva, with its ten towering gopurams (temple towers) rising above the surroundings courtyards and the countryside of lush green fields of rice and coconut palms.  See the “Hall of a Thousand Pillars”, built in 1560, a great work of structural engineering and art, with each pillar a picture book in stone depicting the whole range of human expression.  Later visit the Tirumalai Nayak Palace - a gracious building in the Indo-Saracenic style famous for the stuccowork on its domes and arches, also visit to King Tirumalai Nayak Palace, Great tank and Gandhi museum.
Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 12:  Excursion to Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram
The Silk and Spices Tour package includes excursions to Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram,

Kanchipuram the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. Ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 temples that still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built in the 7th & 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanath, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its Silks.

Visiting sculptural marvels, in this ancient seaside town, shrines and huge sculptures cut-out of rocks more than 1200 years back during the reign of Pallava Kings in the region can be seen. The rock carvings depicting mythological episodes - of demons, Gods and animals in battle and others - are truly poems in stone.

Continue drive to Mamallapuram and on arrival check-in at the hotel.

Mahabalipuram - The little seaside town 7th century town is famous for its rock-hewn temples, sculptures and the world’s largest stone bas-relief. Mamallapuram is a sculptors’ delight and among the noteworthy sites in the vicinity of the town are Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna Mandapam, Varaha Mandapam, Nahishasurmardhini Caves, Five Rathas and Shore Temples.

Morning proceed for half day visit to Shore Temple.

The only shore temple that remains here is the spectacular two - spired shrine, unique because it houses both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in its sanctum sanctorum. Also visit the Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna Mandapam, Varaha Mandapam.

Later return to Cochin for overnight stay.

Day 13: Depart Chennai
Visit the Victoria Art Gallery, Bronze Gallery and Chennai Museum, Fort St. George, San Thome Cathedral and Kapaleeswarar Temple.