b'ClassicAn unforgettable journey through colourful southern India is callinga trip filled with peaceful freshwater lakes, ancient16 DAYS from 3,099pptemples, aromatic spices and fragrant tea plantations. 2,799 ppYOUR ITINERARYINDIADays 1-3. Arrival in historic Mysuru We board an overnight flight from London Heathrow to Bengaluru, arrivingBengaluru 1 Chennaion Day 2 and transferring to our five-star hotel. Touring Mysuru with aMysuru 2local guide on Day 3, we take in Mysore Palace, Srirangapatna fort and2views from sacred Chamundi Hill before visiting a unique Hindu temple. Ooty1Days 4-5. Time for tea in the stunning Nilgiri Mountains Coimbatore 2We leave Mysuru by coach to the Nilgiri town of Ooty, Indias mini- Kochi 2 MaduraiSwitzerland. On Day 5, our explorations include the beautiful Botanical2Garden and the amazing views from Doddabetta mountain. After ourKumarakom 1 Thekkladyhilltop hotel lunch, we visit St Stephens Church and Ootys market.Day 6. Riding Asias steepest mountain railway WHATS INCLUDED:Today is a holiday highlight: taking Ootys Toy Train through mountains and tea plantations to Coonoor, where we visit a tea factory. After lunch, 13 nights 3, 4 & 5-Star hotel our journey aboard the Nilgiri Mountain Railway continues through forest- accommodation covered hills to Mettupalayam, transferring to Coimbatore by coach. Flights from London Heathrow to Bangalore via Dubai, Chennai to Days 7-8. Arriving in Keralas spice city of KochiLondon Heathrow via Dubai After a free morning in Coimbatore, we board the Intercity Express for a All internal flightsjourney to Kochi. On Day 8, we explore the sights of this historic spice city, AC Chair Class rail travel Fort Kochi, 16th-century Mattancherry Palace, Hill Palace and Dhobi Khana All rail, cruise and coach travel public laundry. Dinner follows a Kathakali dance performance. throughout your tourDay 9. An idyllic backwater cruise to KumarakomExpertise of a UK Tour Manager Our day begins with visiting Indias oldest synagogue before setting sailfrom start to finishon a tranquil backwater cruise. Gliding the network of lagoons and canals Breakfast and dinner each day,home to water lilies, lotus flowers and water hyacinths, we make our way6 lunchesacross Vembanad Lake to our serene lakeshore hotel for dinner.Group luggage transfers between Days 10-11. To the atmospheric spice village of Thekkadyhotels from Mysuru to ChennaiA coach journey to Thekkady takes us to our unique accommodationA ll guided tours and excursionsa recreation of a traditional tribal village. An aroma-filled walking tour ofaccompanied by expert local guidesone of Thekkadys famed spice plantations awaits on Day 11. Afterwards,we enjoy a cruise on Lake Periyar, located in a large wildlife sanctuary.Days 12-13. To ancient Madurai, the City That Never SleepsDeparting Thekkady by coach, we descend the Ghat Mountains to MaduraiTour Code: GCJ| per person based on one of Indias oldest cities. A sightseeing tour of Madurai on Day 13 takes2 sharing. Supplement for solo travellers in the 17th-century Thirumalai Nayak Palace and the awe-inspiring beautyfrom 850.of the Meenakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to the wife of Shiva.2025 Departures: Day 14. Short flight to ChennaiJAN, FEB, OCT, NOV, DECAfter breakfast, we take a short internal flight to Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu which has Portuguese, Dutch, French and British influences. Here, we enjoy a sightseeing tour featuring sites like the Madras WarActive Adventurer RatedCemetery, Marina Beach and San Thome Cathedral Basilica. 1 2 3 4Days 15-16. Homeward boundTheres a morning and early afternoon at leisure in Chennai. You may wish to join an optional excursion (payable locally) or explore Fort St GeorgeFor more informationbefore we leave late afternoon for our overnight flight. Arriving at London Heathrow on Day 16, your discovery of southern India concludes. on dates and prices,visit greatrail.com/GCJINDIAN SUBCONTINENT 13'