After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing of the city.

Vidhana Soudha is the seat of the legislative assembly of the state of Karnataka. The foundations of this magnificent neo-Dravidian building were laid in 1951 by the then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. However, the structure’s spiritual father remains Kengal Hanumanthaiah, chief minister of Mysore state. Hanumanthaiah visited the great capital cities of the world, drawing inspiration from diverse sources such as the Capitol, the House of Commons and the Kremlin, and incorporated their myriad influences into the blueprint. The resulting building sports majestic columns, domes, pillars and high ceilinged cavernous chambers in a unique marriage of Western architectural styles with Dravidian forms.

The 240 acre Lal Bagh or Red Garden was commissioned in the 18th Century by Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, and completed by his son, the warrior Tipu Sultan. Home to over 1000 species of flora, including rare exotic varieties, this unique botanical garden boasts of centuries old trees, an exquisite glass greenhouse modeled after London’s Crystal Palace and the famed Lal Bagh Rocks, among the earth’s most ancient rock formations and estimated to be about 3000 million years old.

The small but elegant fresco-adorned Tipu’s Palace is known for its teak pillars and stands in the crowded CIty Market area. The two storied wooden structure today houses a museum. Of note is a small replica of the famed Tipu’s Tiger, the lifesize original of which is on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The much-celebrated, if morbid, mechanized toy depicts a tiger (symbolizing the might of Tipu Sultan) in the act of devouring a flailing European, to the accompaniment of fearsome grunts from the tiger.

One of India’s oldest museums, the Government Museum of Bengaluru has 18 galleries featuring specimens, art, artifacts and relics from the Hoysala and Vijayanagara dynasties, as well as those from the ancient Mohenjadaro Civilization that flourished in the valley of the Indus River more than 5000 years ago.

Nearby the Visveswaraya Industrial Trade Centre has on permanent display, samples of every product that’s manufactured in the state.

Near the Museum is the K.Venkatappa Art Gallery. Venkatappa was the court artist of the Wodeyar Kings, and the museum houses fine specimens of his work as well as memorabilia from his daily life.

The 300 acre Sri Chamarajendra Park, formerly Cubbon Park, in the heart of the city are the lungs of Bangalore. The park is home to over 6000 specimens of plant life, in an interesting combination of local and exotic flora. Don’t miss the silver oaks near the tennis pavilion and Jawahar Bhavan, with its toy train, fairgrounds and theatre.

Complete with arches, columns, spires and stained glass windows, St. Mary's Basilica is a Gothic Church established by French missionary Jean Dubois in 1811. 172 feet long and 50 feet broad, the church sprawls out in all four directions in the form of a crucifix. An exquisite sari-clad statue of Mary stands outside on the grounds. The chief object of veneration for locals of all faiths, the statue is said to possess miraculous powers.

Drive to Mysore in a comfortable, spacious, Compass approved vehicle.

The word Mysore is a corruption of Mahishasura Ooru, or the City of the Buffalo Demon. According to Hindu mythology, the buffalo headed Mahishasura, an Indian Minotaur if you will, wreaked havoc on all of creation, defeating gods and humans alike, until he was finally slain in battle by the warrior goddess Chamunda. The magnificent Chamundeswari Temple dedicated to the goddess stands on a hilltop overlooking Mysore, and is the site of a stupendous elephant procession during the festival of Dussehra.

Initially part of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 16th Century, Mysore has since been ruled by the Wodeyar Kings more or less continually, barring the rule of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in the 18th Century. After the fall of Tipu, the British East India Company reinstated the Wodeyars to the throne of Mysore, where they continued to be titular heads with the blessings of the British Empire until India’s independence in 1947.

Mysore has the distinction of being one of the first cities in Asia to undertake urban planning following a rampaging bout of bubonic plague in 1897 that saw the establishment of the City Improvement Trust Board in 1903.

Today, Mysore is known for its silk, and its fragrant, intricately carved sandalwood work and contributes to 70% of India’s incense export. Known as the City of Palaces, the city is dotted by splendid monuments and temples. Mysore’s latest claim to fame is as a global center for Ashtanga Yoga.

Overnight at Mysore.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

Standing proudly at the center of town, the breathtaking Mysore Palace takes the crown in this City of Palaces. A combination of Dravidian, Indo-Saracenic and Oriental Architecture, the palace provides the visitor with a lavish treat of carvings, paintings, majestic arched gateways and an exquisite doll’s pavilion. Don’t miss the diamond-studded solid gold Simhasana or the King’s chair and the famed wooden howdah (elephant-saddle) covered with 80 kilos of gold.

At 1062m above sea level, Chamundi Hills tower over the city of Mysore and affords fresh air and magnificent views to whoever decides to undertake the short drive to the city outskirts. Halfway up the hill, one is rewarded with the sight of the 4.8m tall stone statue of Shiva’s bull, Nandi.

The Brindavan Gardens is one of the prettiest in South India and a popular location for shooting Bollywood dance sequences. Don’t miss the famed Dancing Fountains.

Saint Philomena’s Church is a fine example of Neo-Gothic architecture and contains a relic of the saint in its catacombs. Stained glass windows depicting the Nativity and the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ adorn its inner chamber while above two 175 foot high spires tower over the cityscape.

The 19th Century Jaganmohan Palace was later converted into the magnificent Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery. Of note are unusual, exotic musical instruments and a rich collection of paintings b the Russian painter Nicolai Roerich and Raja Ravi Verma, one of the pioneers of Indian art as we know it today. Also of note, the French musical calendar and paintings on grains of rice that are only visible through a magnifier.

Overnight at Mysore.

After breakfast, proceed to Masinagudi.

A part of the larger Mudumalai National Park, Masinagudi has an interesting diversity of flora and fauna including populations of elephant, sloth bear and wild boar. The elephant camp where trained elephants do some heavy lifting “work” for a living is an interesting side trip.

Overnight at Masinagudi.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

Ootacamund, Udhagamandalam or Ooty is one of India’s most popular colonial era hill stations. Located 2240m above sea level on the rollling slopes of the Nilgiri Hills, Ooty is charming, serene and just what the doctor ordered after the bustle of the cities. Surrounded by eucalyptus forests that surround the hillside in a blue green haze, the neighbouring area of Ooty is famous for the Kurunji flower that blooms every twelve years, covering the hillside in bright blue.

Ooty is known for its colonial charm, tea gardens, the 65 acre wide Ooty lake, Toda tribal settlements and India’s very own wax museum.

Overnight at Ooty.

After breakfast, proceed for a sightseeing tour of the city.

Visit the Ooty Botanical Gardens, take a walk along Ooty Lake, visit the Rose Garden, and drive to Dodabetta Peak for a panoramic view of the Nilgiris. We’ll also visit the early 19th century St. Stephen’s Church, said to be the oldest in the Nilgiri. According to legend,

The abms for its ceiling were taken from the Srirangapatna palace of the warrior Sultan Tipu after his defeat at the hands of the British. The church is also the final resting place of John Sullivan, the founder of Ooty.

Overnight at Ooty.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Proceed to Coonoor.

The second largest hill station in the Nilgiris, the rolling, green hills of beautiful Coonoor served as one of the locations for David Lean’s classic adaptation of E. M. Forster’s “A Passage to India”. At 1850m above sea level Coonoor is a prime trailhead for hikes into the Nilgiri hills.

Apart from seasonal tourism, tea is the other major cash-earner for Coonoor. Plantations abound, and one is sure to catch a glimpse or two of workers handpicking leaves on the hillsides all around.

Coonoor is a delight for bird lovers. Watch out for cormorants, thrushes, skylarks, pipits and the Nilgiri Verditer flycatcher.

You can visit the following places:

Located in a ravine at an average elevation of about 1780 meters above sea level, Sim's Park is a botanical garden offering charming views of the Nilgiris and is home to over a thousand plant species including magnolia, pines, tree ferns, and camellia. Designed in part like a Japanese garden, an interesting feature of Sim’s Park are its gnarled and canopied Shola forests, a mini-ecosystem unto themselves, and typical of the Nilgiri region.

The Pomological Station is a fruit garden in the Nilgiris maintained by the Horticultural Department. One may sample peaches, plums, apricots and pomegranates or purchase delicious freshly made jam as a gift for the folks back home.

Later observe sericulturists at work at the Central Silk Board run Silk Rearing Station. Afterwards, head out of town for a series of stunning views of the Nilgiris. We’ll first arrive at Laws Falls known for its 180 feet high waterfall. Stop at Lamb’s Rock for a stunning view of the Coimbatore plains. A little further out is Lady Canning’s Seat, followed by the Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint, both commanding panoramas of nearby plantations and the Nilgiri Hills.

Finally, we arrive at Droog which stands 6000 feet above the surrounding plains. This former lookout for Tipu Sultan’s forces is currently a picnic spot.

Overnight at Coonoor.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Proceed to Kodaikanal in your spacious, comfortable Compass approved vehicle.

Charming Kodaikanal is one of India’s most popular hill stations. Situated at an altitude of 2133 m above sea level, Kodak has great weather, tall eucalyptus trees, rolling hills, meadows and waterfalls. Like Ooty, Kodaikanal is also known for its blue Kurinji flowers.

Overnight at Kodaikanal.

Proceed for sightseeing after breakfast.

The roughly star shaped Kodai Lake is the most popular tourist spot in Kodaikanal. There are boats for hire for those who want a relaxed day floating on its placid waters. Bicycles and ponies are also available for leisurely jaunts along wooded trails along the lakeside.

Chettiar Park is the kind of silent hidden getaway ideal for the traveller who wants to get away from the madding crowd on the tourist trail.

A short distance from Chettiar Park is the Kurinji Andavar Kovil, with its shrine to Lord Muruga. Every 12 years the temple’s surroundings burst into blue with the elusive Kurinji flowers which according to locals are blessed by the deity of the temple.

Coaker’s Walk is a picturesque walking trail created by one Lt. Coakers in 19th century. The trail provides a gorgeous view of the plains below.

The SIlver Cascade waterfalls leap off a cliff into a pool 180 feet below just off the main Kodai Road and is a must visit landmark, as are the famed Pillar Rocks that stand shoulder to shoulder, each about 400 feet tall and serve as a view point for the Nilgiris.

Nearby Shembaganur Museum of Natural History has a fabulous taxonomy collection as well as artefacts from the ancient Palliator Tribes, the original inhabitants of the region.

The Telescope House is yet another popular destination. Travellers flock there to peep through the telescopes that offer a tremendous panoramic view of the valley.

Overnight at Kodaikanal.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Spend the day exploring Kodaikanal. Overnight in Kodaikanal.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Proceed to Madurai.

The ancient temple town of Madurai traces its history as far back as the 3rd century BC, and finds mention in the writings of Greek explorer Megasthenes.

The breathtaking Sri Meenakshi Amman temple, a mini-city in its own right, dominates the Madurai skyline. One of the finest living examples of Dravidian art and architecture, its towering gopurams loom over the city, every inch of its outer surface crowded with multicolored carvings of gods, goddesses and beasts of mythology. One of the highlights of your luxury holiday in exotic South India.

Eproceed for sightseeing of the temple town.

Thousand Pillar Museum: Located inside the temple and has a variety of collections.

Inside, defying description, lies the Hall of Thousand Pillars, each pillar adorned by exquisitely detailed sculptures of celestial beings. A marvel of ancient Indian design, the pillars align in perfect straight lines no matter which angle they are viewed from. Outside the hall, a corridor is lined by the temple’s famed musical pillars, each of which produces a unique musical note when tapped.

Don’t miss the Thousand Pillar Museum in the temple complex.

Located a few minutes from Madurai, the Vishnu Temple is one of the most important temples of South India and is unique in the layout of its three altars, arranged as they are one on top of one another. Each altar shows the Lord Vishnu in a different posture. The seated Vishnu on the middle altar, Koodal Alagar, is the main deity of the temple. The temple’s exterior too, covered with beautiful carvings depicting celestial beings, is well worth the traveller’s time.

Built by King Thirumalai Nayak in 1636, the eponymous Thirumalai Nayak Palace fell to ruin after the king’s demise and was restored only partially by the British. Still, the present day structure gives the visitor a good idea of its grandeur in its heydays. Look out for the intricate stucco work on its arches and pillars and the astonishing Sorgavilasam or Celestial Pavilion, a 1300 square meter free-standing structure, unsupported by any pillar or girder.

The giant Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam reservoir is fed by a Vaigai River through an invisible maze of underground channels. During Teppam (tr.The Float Festival), hundreds of boats chockfull of devotees crowd the reservoir in a race to reach the temple at its center.

Thirupparankundram: located south of Madurai at a distance of 11 Km is the celebrated cave to lord Subramaniya (Lord Siva’s son) he is said to have married Devayana daughter of Indra, in this place and performed several of his miracles. 8th Century Pandyas Rock cut Cave is also here and can be visited.

Azhagar Kovil: Azhagar Kovil is located 21 km North-west of Madurai is a Vishnu Temple on a picturesque wooded hill. Here 'Vishnu' presides as Meenakshi's brother 'Azhgar'. During the Chitrai festival in April/May, when the celestial marriage of Meenakshi to Sundareswarar is celebrated, Azhagar travels to Madurai. A gold processional icon called the Sundararajar is carried by devotees in procession from Azhagar Kovil to Madurai for wedding ritual. Palamudhirsolai, one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya is on the same hill, about 4 km above. A natural spring called Nuburagangai where pilgrims bath, is located here.

Pandi Koil: This temple is famous for the local people. It is almost 200 years ago the person called Pandi who lived in this places used to Rob from the Rich and help the poor. Hence the poor worshiped him, let after his death poor people built the temple and worshiped him. Now a days weekly twice (Tuesday & Friday) temple actitives. On Sunday it is famous for Goat sacrifice and Tonsure

Kochadai Ayyanar Temple: This Ayyanar temple you can see almost all Village side. The people believe that this temple use to protect them for all Evil powers. In this Kochadai Ayyanar temple you can find a lot of Tarakota figure (Gaint size).

Thirupparamkundram: Thirupparankundram, 10 km south of Madurai, is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramaniya. It is a cave temple . Here Lord Muruga was wedded to Devayanai, daughter of Indra, after annihilating Surapadman. In the temple there are separate shrines dedicated to Shiva, Ganapathy, Durgai, Vishnu and other deities. At the entrance to the temple there are 48 pillars with artistic carvings. The Rock-cut Temple of Subramaniya here is thronged with pilgrims on all days of special worship. Its innermost shrine is cut out of a solid rock.

Overnight at Madurai.

Breakfast at hotel and proceed for morning excursion to Rameswaram.

Rameswaram is an island of Lord Rama’s temple and along with being a major pilgrimage for the Hindus, Rameswaram is known for its scenic beauty too. The religious island is spread in an area of 61.8 square kilometers and happens to be in the shape of a conch. The Ramanatha Swamy Temple occupies major area of Rameswaram. The masterpiece of Dravidian architecture boasts of the largest temple corridor in India. Different rulers built the Ramanatha Swamy Temple over a period of time starting from the 12th century. The temple comprises of twenty-two wells where the taste of the water of each well is different from the other. The waters of the wells are believed to possess medicinal properties.

Rameswaram is where Lord Rama rested and prayed after his triumph over the demon king Ravana. A sacred site for both Vaishnavite and Shaivities, no Hindu pilgrimage is complete without a visit to this holy city. The island of Rameswaram is one of the most venerable temple towns in India without a visit to which, the pilgrimage of a devout Hindu is not complete.

Overnight at Madurai.

After breakfast, a Compass India Inc. representative will drop you to Madurai airport in time for your flight to Chennai. From Chennai airport catch the onward flight to Mumbai.

Later, the Compass India Inc. team will escort you to the airport for your flight home.