Duration:21 Days
Destinations: MUMBAI / CHENNAI / MAHABALIPURAM / KANCHIPURAM / PONDICHERRY / TRICHY / TANJORE / MADURAI / RAMESHARAM / THEKKADY / KUMAROKOM / BACKWATERS / ALLEPPEY / COCHIN / GOA / MUMBAI
Day One
Mumbai:
Welcome to India. You will be received at International Airport and immediately transferred to your hotel for rest.
Overnight will be at Mumbai.
Day Two
Mumbai - Chennai:
By Air
Flight No: IC 671
Airlines: INDIAN AIRLINES
Aircraft: AIRBUS 320
Departure: 0950
Arrival: 1135
Transfer to airport after breakfast for flight to Chennai.
Our Representative will meet and assist you upon your arrival at the Chennai airport.
Transfer to your hotel. Check in at hotel in Chennai.
In the afternoon, proceed for city tour of Chennai visiting Museum (Closed on Fridays and holidays). Drive through the flower and fruit market, High Court, Fort Museum, Marina Beach, San Thome Cathedral and Snake Park.
Relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Chennai.
Day Three
Chennai - Mahabalipuram:
By road covering 40 km in 1 hr
Proceed for Mahabalipuram by surface after breakfast.
Proceed for sight seeing of Mahabalipuram - famous for the seven pagodas. Here, on the seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples, which are the examples of Dravidian style of architecture.
Visit Kanchipuram, ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 temples that still has 124 shrines. Kanchipuram is also famous for silk.
Overnight will be at the hotel in Mahabalipuram.
Day Four
Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry:
By road covering 140 km in 3 hr
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Leave for Pondicherry after breakfast. This was one of the last bastions of the French. For a long time even after independence this part was considered French. Relax at the city of Shri Aurobindo - the Auroville Ashram.
Overnight will be at Pondicherry.
Day Five
Pondicherry - Trichy:
By road covering 180 km in 4 hr
Proceed to Trichy after breakfast. Reach and proceed for Full day excursion to the city of Trichy.
Visit the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Ganapathi, 434 steps cut out into the rock side and interspersed with shrines, lead to the temple. Visit SRIRANGAM, a massive temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu sprawled on a Island in CAUVERY RIVER which contains within its walls a Bazaar (TRADITIONAL MARKET OF INDIA) as well. Gaze up at the twenty-one magnificent towers of the temple surrounded by seven walls.
Return to hotel and relax.
Day Six
Trichy - Tanjore:
By road covering 55 km in 1 hr
Breakfast will be at hotel.
In the morning drive to Tanjore also known as Thanjavur (The rice bowl of TAMIL NADU). Proceed for sight seeing of Tanjore. Visit the famous Chola Temple of Brihadeeshwara - A WORLD HERITAGE MONUMENT. Its bronze and handicrafts make Tanjore one of the highlights of the tour to South India. The majesty of the palaces and art gallery attached to the temple is really awe-inspiring. It is also famous for the silk.
Overnight will be at Tanjore.
Day Seven
Tanjore - Madurai:
By road covering 170 km in 4 hr. (Via PADUKOTTA)
Breakfast will be at hotel. Later leave for Madurai by surface and en route visit Karaikudi (Chettinad).
Madurai is over 2500 years old and is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu - Ancient seat of learning. The city is planned in the shape of a lotus.
Check into the hotel by noon.
Freshen up and by afternoon visit the famous Madurai Meenakshi temple (dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering GOPURAMS) - There are four entrances to this amazing temple complex set in 6 hectares. Beat some of the stone pillars in the complex with any hard object and feel incredible on hearing sweet metal sounds. The total number of pillars in the temple is a staggering one Thousand.
If time permits enjoy a 'light & sound Panorama' in Thirumala Naik Temple (optional) or visit to Alagar hills & Thirupura Rock Temple.
Overnight will be at Madurai.
Day Eight
Madurai - Rameshwaram - Madurai excursion:
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Full day excursion to Rameshwaram, a city of swell and gentle sand dunes, embellished with the delicacy of casurina trees and stark palms. This is a sacred place for Hindus since according to Ramayana, this where Lord Rama worshipped God Shiva to absolve himself of the sin of killing.
Return to Madurai by evening. Overnight will be at hotel.
Day Nine
Madurai - Thekkady:
By road covering 180 km in 4 hr
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed to by surface to Thekkady and reach late afternoon.
The river Periyar is the longest river in Kerala. This is the only perennial river in South India with clean water. The river occupies an important place in the history of Kerala. In the Sangam age Tamil epics such as Chilapathikaram, 'Akananuru', 'Purananuru' etc much has been said about this mighty river, formerly known as the 'Choorni Nadi' or 'Thamraparni Nadi' (Sukasandesam -stanza 66). A land route existed in the Sangam age from Mussuris (present-day Kodungalloor) to Madurai, which passed near the banks of the river Periyar. The capital of the old Chera Empire presumably existed on the banks of the river Periyar. It is believed that there was a flood in the 4th century AD that severely damaged the areas along the Periyar and the people living there had to escape to safer locations, abandoning their homes and livelihoods. The flood of AD 1341 resulted in the closing of Kodungalloor port and the opening of a new port at Kochi. The huge landslide that began in the high ranges as a result of the heavy downpours sent massive flows of mud and sand which created an Island at the 'Azhimugham' of the Periyar which is now known as the Vyppin Islands.
Relax at the resort watching a movie on the PERIYAR LAKE & PARK. Enjoy your dinner with cultural program.
Day Ten
Thekkady:
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for the boat ride at Periyar. Today you can visit the rare species of plants and animals. Take a jungle walk and enjoy nature.
Afternoon visit spice plantations like cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. on your way back to the hotel, you could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices.
Overnight will be at Thekkady.
Day Eleven
Thekkady - Kumarokom:
By Road
175 km in 4 hr
In the morning proceed to Kumarokom after breakfast.
Arrive at Kumarokom, after a journey of approx. 5 hours enjoying the beauty of the traditional Keralian houses.
The village of Kumarokom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres, is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live there in flocks are a fascination for visitors. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarokom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.
Reach and visit the Bird Sanctuary.
Overnight will be at Kumarakom.
Day Twelve:
Kumarokom - Houseboat:
Backwater Cruise
Proceed to the Vembanand Lake after breakfast.
The backwaters of Kerala are a unique product of Kerala and are found nowhere else in the world. Backwaters are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries and deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. The backwaters of Kerala are a self supporting Eco-system teeming with aquatic life. The canals connect the villages together and are still used for local transport. Over 900 km of this labyrinthine water world is navigable.
Check into a traditional houseboat of Kerala Style and go on a leisurely backwater cruise along the lake on a thatched houseboat. The houseboat with all modern comforts lets you discover the countryside at your own pace. You will have lunch, dinner and breakfast in the Houseboat. A ride on the houseboat is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters.
Cruise through the backwaters to Alleppy. Overnight at Houseboat.
Day Thirteen:
Alleppey - Cochin:
By Road
60 km in 2 hr
Proceed to Alleppey through the heartland of South Kerala. Experience the backwater views and pass through the choir villages and the rice bowl of Kerala - Alleppy.
End the beautiful journey at Alleppey and proceed to Cochin.
The eventful history of this city began when a major flood in AD 1341 threw open the estuary at Kochi, till then a land locked region, turning it into one of the finest natural harbors in the world. Kochi thus became a haven for seafaring visitors from all over the world and became the first European town-ship in India when the Portuguese settled here in the 15th century.
Proceed for a HARBOR CRUISE TOUR in the afternoon.
Overnight will be at Cochin.
Day Fourteen:
Cochin:
Start a sightseeing tour of the city after breakfast.
A few interesting sites included in the tour are the Chinese fishing nets along the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow etc. Apart from these architectural splendors, an array of restaurants serving fresh seafood is also popular among tourists. The Chinese fishing nets erected on teak wood and bamboo poles work on the principle of balance. Records say they were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450. Vasco Da Gama Square, the narrow promenade that parallels the beach, is the best place to watch the nets being lowered and pulled out of the sea.
ENJOY THE KATHAKALI DANCE PRESENTATION in the evening. This will be the best way to end your tour of South India.
Day Fifteen
Cochin - Goa:
By overnight train
After breakfast you can proceed for shopping.
Transfer to station in time for train to Goa. Overnight will be onboard the train.
Day Sixteen - Twenty One
Goa:
Reach Goa and relax at the beaches.
On the last day take flight / train to Mumbai and then connecting flight home.
TOUR ENDS
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