Mumbai Goa Karnataka Kerala Tamil Nadu Tour By Train 25 Days

Move by early morning train to Goa. Along this train route see stunning scenery as we surpass the amazing countryside of Western Ghats.  Goa shores were colonised by Portuguese in 16th century. Till today the Portuguese influence is still very much apparent – the main religion is still Roman Catholic and siestas are still widely applied in the hot afternoons. Overnight stay.

Today in afternoon take a walk around Panjim city where you will find glimpses of European style in balconies, red tiled roofs etc.
Also visit a local spice plantation, to learn a little of the spices and plants that grow between these fertile landscapes. A journey of the gardens with a local guide will disclose the massive wealth of Goa’s aromatic treasures, containing pepper and nutmeg, vanilla and cinnamon.
Night stay is in Goa

Full day is for leisure and rest. Enjoy world famous Goan cuisines or wander at sunny beaches of Goa.

Night stay is in Goa

Spend your day at leisure. Later night board overnight train for Hampi. Night is on board

Note: Note that only a single overnight train runs between this sector, if we do not get confirm ticket for overnight train then we shall opt for day train journey for Goa to Hampi. 

On arrival at railway station you will be driven for 1.5 Hours for check in at Hampi hotel.

Visit the Hampi group of temples exploring Virupaksha temple, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Vijaya Vittala Temple. Mesmerize yourself with art and architecture of the Hampi site. In the evening opt for a visit to the local bazaar or stay at leisure. Night stay is in Hampi

Note that check in time at the hotel is around 1200 Hours. Room is subject to availability at the time of check in.

Full day is for leisure and rest or optionally visit Hampi sites for photography as it is a photogenic site for shutterbugs. Night stay is in Hampi

After breakfast, drive to Badami. Check-in to your hotel on arrival. Visit Badami  which is famous for its rock cut temples. Places to worth visit are: The Banashankari Temple and Badami Cave Temples dating back to the 06th& 07th centuries. Later drive further to visit the temples and sculptures of Pattadakal, Aihole & Mahakuta blended in Dravidian and Nagara style.

Overnight stay at Badami

Relax at your hotel. At the time of checkout drive to  railway station to board your train for Mysore.

[The train is basic with overnight beds]

Arrive at Mysore railway station and get transferred to your pre-booked hotel in Mysore.

Today you will cover magnificent Mysore Palace, Jagmohan Palace. Evening is free or go for rickshaw ride in busy markets of Mysore. Night stay is in Myosre.

Note that check in time at hotel is around 1200 Hours. Room is subject to availably at the time of check in.

Morning drive to Bylakuppe and discover the Namdroling Monastery – home to nearly 5,000 Tibetan

Buddhist monks and nuns Namdroling Monastery is recognized as a base for teachings of the Buddha and the Nyingma belief – the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Carry on to Madikeri for your overnight stay

Discover Madikeri (the coffee hub of India) and experience a tour of a coffee plantation.

Understand the production procedure and have a sample or two of the locally-grown coffee while taking in the beautiful scenery.

Later visit the Madikeri Fort and the famous Raja’s Seat for its spectacular views.

Morning board a train from a nearby railway station for Kochi [ Kerala]. This train will take you to God’s Own Country – Kerala.

Verged by the Arabian Sea in the West, Kerala is blessed with an exceptional set of terrestrial features such as a long shoreline with serene beaches, tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, plush hill stations and exotic wildlife. On arrival at Kochi get transferred to your hotel.

Today, view 16th century St. Francis Church, one of the oldest churches built by the Europeans in India. Head to the harbor where local fishermen continue to use cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, distinctively unique to Kochi, living symbols of a centuries-old Chinese influence on this coast dating back to the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan. Time to relax before tonight's colorful Kathakali dance performance, Kerala's popular classical and emotional form of dance, drama and music.

After breakfast, move to Munnar located at about 5,200 ft above the sea level. Munnar rolling hills covered in mist crisscrossed by the winding road, the dark emerald green colored plantation and the few lone houses in its midst of it will immediately make you fall in love with this place. It is also an ideal place for nature lovers, wildlife lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike.

If you want then indulge in boating, trekking and paragliding. Overnight stay.

Today drive to Alleppey [Kerala backwaters] to board a houseboat, where you cruise along this very intricate network of canals, lakes, lagoons and rivers called the "Venice of the East." Monitor Kerala's rural lifestyle as you glide past tiny villages sprinkled with rice fields and witness a way of life that has changed little through the ages. With women washing clothes on the river banks while children play in the shallows and kingfishers dart among the palm trees. Night is on Houseboat.

Early morning hurry to board 2 hours train journey for Trivandrum.

Morning visit the well-renowned Napier Museum. This museum is an amalgamation of Mughal, Indian, and Chinese cultures. That being said, another highlight of this place is the natural air-conditioning system.

Secondly, visit the Sri Chitra Art Gallery. It exhibits rare paintings belonging to the Tanjore, Rajput, and Mughal school of art. The oriental collection of paintings hailing from Tibet, Bali, Japan, and China will give a refreshing perspective.

In the evening board your overnight train for Madurai.

Arrive Madurai and get transferred to your hotel.

After breakfast visit the ancient Meenakshi Amman Temple, Shop at the bargain-filled bazaars bursting with treasures and jewelry shops galore before returning to the hotel for lunch.

In the afternoon, head to the gigantic Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace with its imposing courtyard, grand throne chambers and entry flanked by stone carved horses.

Note that check in time at hotel is around 1200 Hours. Room is subject to availably at the time of check in.

Morning board a scenic 2 hours train journey for Trichy. On arrival, feel the magnificence of several historical and pilgrimage places. You can experience a mild climate in Trichy, ranging from 24 Degrees Celsius to 37 Degrees Celsius.

Visit Rock Fort Temple built by Pallavas back in 508 AD. Also, stopover at Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. Dharma Varma Chola first constructed it. The temple Vimanam got demolished by the Kaveri river flood which was later constructed by early Cholas King Killivalavan with 21 tower gateways, one of the best places for spiritual experience.

Move to Tanjore for overnight stay.

Today visit the famous Lord Brihadeeswarar Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This impressive building was built by King Raja Raja Cholan a thousand years back. This monument is considered among the splendid architectural accomplishments of South India.

Next visit the spectacular Maratha Palace, within a maze-like complex; walk through the open courtyard Art Gallery displaying priceless collections of superb Chola bronzes and stone carvings and visit the Saraswathi Mahal Library.

Morning you will by travelling by train to Pondicherry.

Your journey along the coast takes you to enchanting Pondicherry, a former French colonial settlement that still retains its carefree French atmosphere and architectural legacy. In the charming Old Quarter, with its tree-lined cobbled streets, colonial villas are draped with fragrant bougainvillea, and sidewalk cafes abound. Even the policemen are dressed in traditional French red hats and belts!

Enjoy your French life in Pondicherry.

Today visit serene Auroville, City of Dawn famous for the meditation center inspired by the teachings of the Indian yogi Sri Aurobindo. Next, view the golden-domed Mother Temple. Later, tour a factory where delicate individually handcrafted papers are produced followed by a visit to Aurobindo Ashram. Take a rickshaw ride around the French, Hindu and Muslim quarters of Pondicherry.

In time you will be driven away to Mahabalipuram for overnight stay.

Today embark on a Mahabalipuram tour. Think about the Shore Temple standing by the sea for over 12 centuries, with an impressive bas-relief and imposing twin towers. At the southern end, see Five Rathas carved from large boulders and Arjuna's Penance, a massive bas-relief that magnificently depicts the flow of the Ganges down from the Himalayas coupled with scenes from Indian daily life presenting the finest early example of ancient Southern Indian architecture.

Spend your rest of the day at the lovely beaches. Overnight stay.