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Day 01: Arrive Chennai (Madras)
Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands
clapped together. After immigration and custom formalities, we
are assisted and driven through the city to our hotel.
Overnight: - Hotel in Chennai
Day 02: Chennai
We take an excursion to the World Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram.
This group of sanctuaries, founded by the Pallava kings, was
carved out of rock along the Coromandel Coast in the 7th and 8th
centuries. It is known especially for its rathas (temples in the
form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries), giant open-air
reliefs and thousands of sculptures to the glory of Shiva. On
our return we tour Chennai, culturally one of the richest cities
of India. Our tour of Chennai starts with a visit to The
National Art Gallery, Built before 1789,the museum was
established in 1857 and contains on of the best collection in
the country of bronzes. including the famous icon of Natraja.
St. Mary's Church-Built in 1680, is India' s oldest surviving
British church.
Day 03: Chennai / Pondicherry (Drive:
-132 km)
After breakfast we drive to Pondicherry, situated on the
Coromandel Coast of South India._Pondicherry, was the capital of
French India, before it attained its independence.It also,
traces its origin to Saint Agasthya, what attracts most
travelers to Pondicherry is the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The
ashram, founded by Sri Aurobindo in the year 1926, the spiritual
tenets of which combine yoga and modern science, are popular
within India and abroad.
Overnight: - Hotel in Pondicherry
Day 04: Pondicherry / Tanjore
(Drive: - 150 km)
After breakfast we drive to Thanjavur, popularly known as
Tanjore. The town is famous for its distinctive style, "Krishna"
is the most popular deity depicted, and in the Tanjore school
his skin is white, rather than the traditional blue-black.
Tanjore was the ancient capital of the Chola Kings whose origins
go back to the beginning of the Christian era. Our afternoon
tour of World Heritage Site of Tanjore includes in the Shri
Brihadishwara temple built by "Raja-Raja" in 1010, which is the
crowning glory of Chola temple architecture. The temple, set in
spacious grounds, has several pillared halls and shrines.
Inscriptions record the names of dancers, musicians and poets a
reminder of the significance of this area to the development of
the arts. We end our tour of Tanjore with a visit to the Tanjore
Palace & Museum
Overnight: - Hotel in Tanjore
Day 05: Tanjore / Tiruchirapalli / Madurai (Drive: - 200 km)
In the morning we drive to Madurai. En –route we visit
Tiruchirapalli - Trichy, a town deeply immersed in Hindu
religion and home to some outstanding Dravidian temple
architecture. We begin our tour with a visit to the Rock Fort
Temple, the maze of the Mathurubhuteshwar Shrine and various
other local temples followed by a visit to some local villages
and see the rural life of Southern India.
Overnight: - Hotel in Madurai
Day 06: Madurai
The life of Madurai revolves around the magnificently carved Sri
Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. The Meenakshi Temple has a
thousand pillared 'Mandapam'. Among these are the musical
pillars, carved of a single granite rock, that produce music
when tapped. Madurai is culturally rich city crammed with shops,
street markets, pilgrims.
Day 07: Madurai / Kodaikanal (Drive 166kms)
A scenic and refreshing drive conveys us to the peaceful hill
station of Kodaikanal located at the top of the Palini Hills.
Upon arrival we take a boat ride on Kodaikanal Lake giving us a
unique opportunity to experience the landscape.
Overnight: Hotel in Kodaikanal
Day 08: Kodaikanal / Periyar (Drive 150kms)
An interesting day ahead as we drive past beautiful spice and
tea gardens stopping to see the tea estates and learn about the
process of growing tea. Later we drive to the Wildlife Sanctuary
of Periyar. We boat on the manmade lake at the bottom of the
hill. The forest here slopes into a manmade lake at the bottom
of the hill and the lake serves as the waterhole / swimming hole
for the animals. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar and even tigers can be
spotted. Overnight: Hotel in Periyar
Day 09: Periyar / Cochin (Drive: - 185kms)
In the morning we drive to Cochin. Arrive Cochin and check in
Hotel. In the evening we enjoy Kathakali Dance performance.
Overnight: Hotel in Cochin (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 10: Cochin
Today we explore Cochin, the commercial capital of Kerala, with
one of the finest natural harbors in the world. Ancient mariners
from Arabia, China, Holland, Britain and Portugal have all left
their mark on this beautiful island city, often referred to as
the Venice of the East. Here we tour the Dutch Palace, St.
Francis Church, the Jewish Quarter with its old synagogue and
take a boat tour to visit the Bolghatty Palace and observe the
fascinating Chinese fishing nets in action. (B)
Day 11: Cochin / Kumarakom ( Drive: - 70 km)
In the morning we drive to Kumarakom. An unbelievably beautiful
paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and
coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals
adorned with white lilies. Situated on the Vembanad Lake, in
this small water world you will come across plenty of
traditional country crafts, boats and canoes that will take you
into the heart of the scenic lake. The resorts offer comfortable
accommodation and exclusive leisure options like an Ayurvedic
massage, yoga, meditation, boating, fishing, angling and
swimming. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary located on the banks of
the Vembanad Lake, an ornithologist's paradise, is a favourite
haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter,
heron and teal. A cruise along the Vembanad Lake is the best way
to experience the Sanctuary.
We start with a boat ride to visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.
Those adventurous enough may indulge in water sports such as
windsailing and water skiing. For those looking to relax, try a
canoe ride on the still waters.
Overnight: - Hotel in Kumarakom (1 Night) (B)
Day 12: Kumarakom / House Boat
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon we board the traditional
rice boats - "Ketuvallam" and begin our journey through the
picturesque backwaters and small lakes relaxing in the
tranquility of Kerala's beautiful scenery. Experience the way of
life and activity of the local people.
Overnight: House Boat (1 night) (B, L, D)
Day 13: House Boat / Kovalam (Drive: - 175 km)
Arrive at Alleppey and drive to Trivandrum.We visit the
beautiful Temple of Padmanabhaswamy, the Chitra Art Gallery and
Napier Museum.From here we proceed to Kovalam Beach on the
Malabar Coast. The palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves,
promise a relaxed stay. Evening enjoy the cultural program.
Overnight: Hotel in Koalam
Day 14: Kovalam
Free Day on the beach. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian
Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf at the feet
of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories make this beach
an incredible paradise. Kovalam is an internationally renowned
beach of Kerala, with three adjacent crescent beaches. Kovalam
has been a favorite haunt of tourists. A massive rocky
promontory on the beach has created a beautiful Bay of calm
waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach
are plenty and diverse - sunbathing, swimming, ayurvedic
rejuvenating massage. Catamaran cruising etc.
Overnight: Hotel in Koalam
Day 15: Kovalam / Kanniyakumari / Kovalam
We enjoy a visit to the "Lands End" of India: Kanniya Kumari is
the southernmost tip of peninsular India where the waters of the
Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea meet. A
place from where one can see spectacular sunrises and also
colourful sunsets. On balmy evenings, one can watch the sun set
while the full moon is rising in another part of the sky.
Overnight: Hotel in Koalam
Days 16: Kovalam / Trivandrum / Home
Today we are transferred to Trivandrum airport for our flight to
onward destination |
