Exclusive South India Tour
A tropical paradise, Kerala is a perfect blend of culture & nature, snuggled
cosily between the deep, infinite waters of Arabian Sea & the lush green
Western-Ghats throws open the spellbinding world of palm fringed beaches, backwaters,
mountains & islands. Come & savour its enticing vistas
Duration: 18 Nights - 19 Days
Destinations: Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Tanjore - Madurai
- Periyar - Kumarakom - Houseboat - Marari - Cochin - Mumbai
Day 1 : Abroad - Chennai
Arrive at Chennai international airport.
On arrival in Chennai, the guests will be met by our representative and
transferred to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2 : Chennai -
MahabalipuramLater morning sightseeing tour city City tour of
Madras - is the fourth largest city in India. The sprawling city, which is
divided in two by the Cooum River, has few tall buildings to mark the
impression of an easygoing market town. Visit the Fort St. George - still
surrounded by cannon-proof walls. The fort was rebuilt several times between
1642 when its original bastions were completed and 1749 when the French
left, it remains - moats and all - pretty much today as when first made the
seat of empire. Declared a national monument in 1948, most of its buildings
have been converted into government offices, notably the Legislature and
Secretariat. At various times the fort was home of Robert Clive, Elihu Yale
and Sir Arthur Wellesley. Within the fort, visit the little St Mary's Church
the oldest Protestant church east of the Suez and the first Anglican one in
India. Later drive to Mahabalipuram enroute visiting Kanchipuram.
KANCHIPURAM - known as the Golden City of a Thousand Temples, is one of the
oldest towns in India. It is famous for both its temples, many of them
remarkably well preserved and for its hand-woven silks. Kanchipuram is one
of the seven sacred cities of India and it is the only one associated with
both Shiva and Vishnu. Visit Ekambareshwar Temple, Kailashnath Temple,
Kamakshi Temple, the Vaikunthaperumal Temple, all built in the 7th and 8th
centuries. With a weaving tradition dating back to the Pallava era (when
silk was the royal cloth), Kanchipuram is justly famous for its particularly
fine silk saris, embellished with stunning patterns. Upon arrival check in
at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3 : Mahabalipuram Morning
sightseeing of Mahabalipuram MAHABALIPURAM - is famous for its unique
7th-century Shore Temple, a lovely beach and some of the most beautiful
rock-cut temples in the world. Situated on the shore of the Bay of Bengal,
Mahabalipuram was already a famous seaport in the 1st century AD. This, town
was a workshop for temple building. Visit the seven pagoda-style shore
temples, lashed by the waves of the sea and the seven rathas or temple
chariots, a group of monolithic monuments & animal figures carved out of
solid rock, the earliest known examples of Dravidian architecture. They were
constructed in a single century-long burst of creative enthusiasm, starting
in the reign of Narasimhavarman 1 (AD 630-68). Afternoon free on the beach.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 4 : Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry
Morning
drive to Pondicherry (140 kms) PONDICHERRY - which was a far-flung outpost of
the French maritime empire until the 1950s,. It is so different from the rest
of Tamil Nadu that one feels that one has entered another country! This busy
coastal town is divided roughly into two: the old White Town of elegant French
houses, restaurants & administrative buildings and the Black Town west of
the canal where India takes over again. Afternoon tour of Pondicherry - visiting
Botanical garden, Eglise De Sacre Coeur De Jesus and Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Later
visit township of Auroville or the city of Dawn. Designed by a French architect
Roger Arger, it is an entirely new concept in education and urban living. Upon
arrival in Tanjore - check into the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5 : Pondicherry - Tanjore
Morning drive to Tanjore (160 kms). Upon arrival proceed for sightseeing
tour TANJORE TANJORE was the capital of the Chola Empire from the tenth to
the fourteenth centuries. A Chola king, Raja Raja Chola, who held the throne
from 985 to 1016, built the greatest of the empire's 74 temples, the
Brahadeeswarar, with its soaring tower over the inner sanctum. This tower
rises more than 62 meters (200 feet). On its dome rests a single block of
granite weighing 80 tons. Upon arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 6: TanjoreRelax at hotel to enjoy the
facilities such as Ayurvedic massages, cooking demonstration, etc. Overnight
at hotel.
Day 7 : Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai Morning
drive to Madurai (195 km), en route visit Trichy Tour of Trichy - visit the
'Rock Fort Temple' which rises abruptly to a height of 273 ft. A steep
staircase cut into the rock leads up to the Fort. At the first level are the
remnants of a huge hall blasted into ruins in 1772. The next storey is the
Mathrubhuteshwarer Shrine dedicated to Shiva. Finally at the top of the
hill, the 'Uchhi Pillayar Koil' - a Ganesh Temple offering a commanding view
of the city. Thereafter continue dive to Madurai Upon arrival in Madurai -
check into the hotel. In evening visit of the Meenakshi temple - to attend
the night ceremony at the temple at 9 PM. This is a ceremony that takes
place every evening when the temple bronze of Lord Shiva is carried to the
bedchamber of Parvati. The procession is accompanied by religious prayer and
temple music. Overnight at hotel
Day 8 : Madurai - Periyar
Morning
tour of Madurai - It's one of the most pleasant Indian cities, and has a charming
situation on the River Vaigai, fringed by lush paddy fields and coconut groves.
Visit to Meenakshi temple - this is Madurai's greatest landmark, a city within
a city that includes not only temples but also a fascinating bazaar that is
bustling from dawn to nightfall. See the famous 'Hall of a thousand Pillars'
- a testimony to the exuberance of Dravidian architecture, the Shiva temple
and the musical pillar. Later drive to Periyar (180 km) Upon arrival in Periyar
- check into the hotel. PERIYAR - sprawling across 777 sq. kms. of the Cardamom
Hills of the Western Ghats, Thekkady is the home to one of the largest wildlife
reserves in India. Alive with exotic flora and vibrant wildlife, it is the perfect
getaway tucked away among hills. Overnight at hotel
Day 9 : Periyar Morning,
boat cruise on the Periyar Lake in the cool surroundings and the panorama
spreads around tropical jungle, wild elephants, Indian gaur, monkeys,
spotted deer, barking deer, wild boar and birds of myriad varieties. With an
area of 777 sq. km the wildlife sanctuary lies at an elevation of 914 meters
to 1828 meters above sea level on the Periyar Lake in the hills of Western
Ghats. Afternoon walk through the spice plantation. Overnight at hotel
Day
10 : Periyar - VarkalaMorning drive to Varkala (120 kms). Upon
arrival in Varkala - check into the hotel. VARKALA - A small seaside town in
Kerala, has been a Hindu pilgrimage site since the 12th Century. To this
day, the eight-hundred year old Janardhana Temple remains a popular
pilgrimage spot. Varkala is also blessed with an unspoilt, golden beach,
lapped by the waters of the Indian Ocean. Afternoon free for SPA and
Ayurvedic massage. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 : Varkala -
Poovar Morning drive to Poovar (85 kms). Upon arrival in Poovar -
check into the hotel. Poovar Island is an unspoilt resort enveloped by the
most serene backwaters, and opening out to the sea and a dream golden sand
beach. Poovar is truly a window into paradise. The tranquility is punctuated
by the sound of waves and the birds. The acreage is abundant in
well-preserved local flora, with hundreds of species of spices, exotic
flowers, complete with banana and coconut groves. Poovar Island Resort is a
mix of floating cottages, and conventional accommodation. The floating units
are constructed on hollow light weight concrete hulls. They are air
conditioned and fully equipped with all modern amenities. Afternoon free for
SPA and Ayurvedic massage. Overnight at hotel.
Day
12 : Poovar
Full day free for SPA and Ayurvedic treatment.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 13 : Poovar - KumarakomMorning
drive to Kumarakom (130 kms),enroute visit the tea estates. Upon arrival in
Kumarakom - check into hotel. Kumarakom - is a beautiful backwater village
on the shores of the enchanting Vembanad Lake, criss crossed with meandering
waterways and ancient cottages. Rest of the day to relax in this unique
backwater resort. Overnight at hotel
Day 14 : KumarakomMorning
visit the superb Bird Sanctuary in adjacent wooded marshland - which boasts
of egrets, tree pies, black headed orioles, bee-eaters & a whole host of
herons. Afternoon, fascinating cruise through the backwaters of Kerala which
offer one of the world's truly unforgettable experiences. Overnight at hotel
Day 15 : KumarakomMarari Morning drive to Marari (40
kms). Mararikulam- is one of the picturesque fishing villages that dot the
lovely coastline of Kerala. This private, shallow beach is fringed with
unending lines of coconut palms. Upon arrival in Mararikulam - check into
hotel. Overnight at hotel
Day 16 : MarariMarari Beach
Resort - is set in a superb location of 25 acres of coconut palm grooves
leading down to the vast expanse of beach. The hotel is built in the style
of traditional fishing village with thatched villas that have been designed
to be keeping with local village style. Afternoon at leisure to explore the
neighboring fishing village. Overnight at hotel
Day 17 :
Marari - CochinLate morning drive to Cochin (60 km). Upon arrival
in Cochin - check into the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Cochin or "Kochi"-
the palm green, commercial capital of Kerala which has one of the finest
natural harbors & is known as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea".
From time immemorial, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British & Portuguese
seafarers followed the sea route to Kochi & left their impression on the
town. Modern Kochi is thus a splendid mosaic of these myriad influences.
Visit the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Church of St. Francis, Bolghatty
Palace & the famous Chinese fishing nets. Evening witness the Kathakali
dance performance - Kathakali is a unique dance which has a 2000 year old
history with more than 100 different 'mudras' or gesture depicting deities,
demons, heroes, heroines and kings. Overnight at hotel
Day
18 : Cochin - Mumbai
Leave Cochin Arrive: Mumbai Morning transfer
to airport for flight to Mumbai Upon arrival in Mumbai, you will be met &
proceed sightseeing tour of Mumbai - is a great port city with its Victorian
Gothic buildings from the British Raj Era mingling with the modern. The tour
includes Gateway of India overlooking the Harbour, the Tower of Silence, the
Marine Drive, the Colaba Causeway - the commercial heart of Mumbai and the
Dhobi Ghat, the unique & colourful outdoor 'laundry'. Late at night
transfer to the international airport for flight back to home.
Day
19 : Mumbai Abroad Depart Delhi
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