Back to Tours
A World Apart
South India Kaleidoscope
Photo Gallery
| Prepare to be transported to another world entirely journeying through Southern India with Toto Tours |
 |
||
Our tour begins in The High Court Building |
 |
||
| Fort St. George was built in 1640 by the British East India Company |
 |
||
| A war memorial dedicated to those lost in World War I |
 |
||
| San Thome Cathedral made a Basilica in 1896 to honor the “doubting” apostle believed to have come to Madras in 52AD |
 |
||
| Mamallapuram's stone carvings are among the most outstanding examples of Dravidian art and architecture, and are a World Heritage Site |
 |
||
| The Five Rathas Temple |  |
||
| Arjuna's Penance, considered the world's largest bas-relief work of art |
 |
||
Enjoy a free day at |
 |
||
| Visit the experiment in utopian living known as Auroville |
 |
||
| See the highlights of Pondicherry, the former Capital of French India |
 |
||
| The Gangaikondacholapuram Shiva Temple is one of the most extraordinary sites in South India |
 |
||
| This Temple is one of only a handful of buildings in India that has been granted World Heritage status |
 |
||
| In the village of Darasuram is another spectacular vestige of the Cholas' golden age: the World Heritage Airavateshwara Temple |  |
||
| Thanjavur is the third and most impressive Chola Temple on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites |
 |
||
The Brihadishwara Temple |
 |
||
| The 215-ft tower above the sanctum dominates the skyline |
 |
||
| The Royal Palace, built around 1550, is now a fantastic museum |
 |
||
| Ornate Durbar Hall |  |
||
| The art gallery in the Royal Palace Museum |
 |
||
| Our home for two nights will be exotic Kumbakonam |
 |
||
| Kumbakonam is also home to this Erotic Gopuram |
 |
||
| Travel to the Chettinad region, once the homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars, a prosperous banking and business community |
 |
||
| Here we visit the rock cut caves at Sittannavasal |
 |
||
| Original ancient artwork can still adorns the walls of these caves |
 |
||
| In the heart of Madurai, surrounded by a bustling market, . . . |
 |
||
| . . . rises the Sri Meenakshi Temple, a riotously baroque example of Dravidian architecture covered top to bottom in a profusion of multi- colored images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical creatures |
 |
||
| Detail of one of the images adorning the Sri Meenakshi Temple |
 |
||
| From Madurai we head into the highlands of Kerala |
 |
||
Munnar is a romantic |
 |
||
| We stay at a lakeside resort as we explore the highlands |
 |
||
| At some point during our stay we visit the Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, home to an endangered species of mountain goat called Nilgiri Tahr |
 |
||
| Leaving the highlands we descend to sea level at Kumarakom |
 |
||
| Explore the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary to see unique birds who travel here from as far away as Siberia |
 |
||
| One of our most memorable experiences will be a night spent traveling the Kerala backwaters aboard a classic houseboat |
 |
||
| Our leisurely cruise features delicious food cooked on board in the traditional Kuttanad style, plus incomparable views of the water, land, vegetation and birds |  |
||
| Return to civilization for one final night in Kochi |
 |
||
| In Kochi visit the Mattancherry Palace |
 |
||
| Conclude the tour with the memorable view of Chinese fishing nets silhouetted in the setting sun off the north end of the Fort Cochin promontory |
 |
||
| TOUR EXTENSION TO NORTH INDIA | |||
| Visit New Delhi, and see the famous India Gate |
 |
||
| The Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India |
 |
||
| Qutab Minar, a 234-foot iron pillar, is gracefully carved for its entire height |
 |
||
| A highlight will be your visit to the world-famous Taj Mahal |
 |
||
| The Agra Fort stands near the Taj Mahal |
 |
||
| See the Amber Fort at Jaipur |
 |
||
| Ascend to the Fort the classic way, atop majestic elephants |
 |
||
| Wander the fabulous halls of the Jaipur City Palace |
 |
||
| You will lose your heart in India, and eagerly return for more adventures in this fantastic “World Apart” |
 |
||