b"YOUR ITINERARY 16 DAYSFROM INDIAN SUBCONTINENTDays 1-3London & Mysuru 2,495 PPWe fly from London to Bengaluru. Arriving on Day 2, we transfer to Mysuru for two nights. Were introduced to Mysuru on Day 3 with a guided tour, exploringFor details of what's included cultural icons like St Philomenas Church and Mysuru Palace. We continue togo to greatrail.com/GCJSrirangapatna, known for its ornate temples and forts and, poignantly, the site of a major battle between the British and Tipu Sultan. Next, we head to the local market of Chamundi Hills before our last visit to the unique Bull Temple. 2023 Departures:OCT from 2,495 NOV from 2,595Days 4-5Exploring OotyWe drive to the Nilgiri hill station of Ooty where we spend two nights. Your2024 Departures: afternoon is free to explore at your own pace. On Day 5, we head to OotysJAN from 2,695 OCT from 2,795botanical gardens, with vibrant displays of over 650 types of flora, severalFEB from 2,795 NOV from 2,695water features, and sculptures. We continue to Doddabetta Peak, the highest point in the Nilgiris, for stunning panoramic views. We then visit St StephensRegional Departures available - Church, known for its colourful depiction of The Last Supper.ManchesterDays 6-7The Nilgiri Mountain Railway & KochiWe ride the beautifully scenic local toy train. The UNESCO-listed Nilgiri Mountain Railway takes us to Coonoor for a walking tour of this enchanting hillYour holiday includes:town and a visit to a local tea factory. Re-boarding our steam-hauled service we journey into forest-covered hills to Mettupalayam, where we travel by coach toFlights from London Heathrow the city of Coimbatore for an overnight stay. On Day 7, we catch the train to theto Bengaluru, via Dubai, and from captivating city of Kochi, in Kerala, for two nights. Chennai to London Heathrow via DubaiDays 8-9Kochi, Kerala and its backwaters All internal flights, rail and coach We enjoy a guided tour of Kochi which includes visits to St Francis Church andtransfersthe Dutch Palace. In the evening, we watch a Kathakali dance performance. Our explorations continue on Day 9 with a guided tour of the Jewish13 nights 3, 4 and 5-Star hotel Synagogue. Here, we board a houseboat, or kettuvallam, for a scenic cruiseaccommodationthrough Keralas idyllic backwatersa network of lagoons and canals. We31 meals including 13 breakfasts, 5 begin at Vembanad Lake gliding through a palm-lined maze of canals tolunches and 13 dinners Kumarakom for an overnight stay. Days 10-11ThekkadyWe transfer to Thekkady for two nights, enjoying a relaxed afternoon to settleINDIAin on arrival. On Day 11, we head to an aromatic spice plantation, where we enjoy a guided walking tour that uncovers the secrets of Southern IndiasBengaluru 1 Chennaiflavoursome spices. In the afternoon, we head to Lake Periyar, a stunning bodyMysuru 2of water set in a large wildlife sanctuary, for a peaceful cruise. 2Ooty1Days 12-13Madurai CoimbatoreTravelling to Madurai for two nights, we visit a nearby village inhabited by2 2 MaduraiJust a few of your holiday highlights artisans who specialise in sculpting aesthetic idols and puppets out of clay.Kochi 1 2 ThekkladyOn Day 13 we enjoy a guided tour which includes the impressive 17th-centuryKumarakomThirumalai Nayak Palace and the Gandhi Memorial Museum. Afterwards, we visit the Meenakshi Temple to watch the puja, a traditional Hindu ritual of offering prayers. Each day the priests symbolically bathe, dress and feed anTour Code: GCJ| per person based on 2 idol of God Shiva. sharing. Deposit from 400 per person. Supplement for solo travellers from 700.Day 14Chennai Please note the itinerary for 2023 departures may differ, please call for more details.We take an internal flight to Chennai for the night, a city once known as Madras and a metropolis within the Bay of Bengal. We explore the San Thome Cathedral Basilica, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, and the Madras War Cemetery on Marina Beach.To book and for We also visit the citys flower market in George Town, soaking up a myriad ofinformation go tocolours and fragrances. greatrail.com/GCJ Days 15-16Mamallapuram & London or call 01904 527168Theres an optional excursion this morning (payable locally) to Mamallapuram, known for its UNESCO-listed temples and monuments built by the Pallava& speak to our dynasty in the 7th and 8th centuries. Or you could enjoy a free day before weUK team.transfer to the airport for our flight to London which lands on Day 16.77"