Duration : 15 Nights / 16
Days.
Destinations : Chennai - Pondicherry - Tanjore -
Tiruchirapalli - Madurai - Kodaikanal - Periyar -
Cochin - Kumarakom - Kovalam- Kanniyakumari -
Kovalam - Kovalam - Trivandrum.
Tour Details :
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