SENIC SOUTHERN INDIA

10 Days / 9 Nights

CHENNAI – MAHABALIPURAM / KANCHIPURAM - SWAMIMALAI -TANJORE -
TRICHY -MADURAI - PERIYAR - KUMARAKOM – KOVALAM -KOCHI  

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Day By Day Iteneray

Day 01 - Arrive Chennai

Today Arrive Chennai The Capital of Tamil Nadu. You are greeted & escorted transfer to hotel. Chennai is the gateway of South India will put you in touch with a different phase of India – Classical, Ancient, Gentle. Chennai, the 4th largest city in India. Spread over 50 miles and features a large and beautiful waterfront on the Bay of Bengal. The British East India Company established its first trading post at Chennai, and in 1653 the company built Fort Saint George to protect its position. Inside the Fort we see Saint Mary’s Church, the oldest Anglican Church in India, and the grave of Saint Thomas the Apostle. Also visit the National Art Gallery, Museum, which house some beautiful temple friezes and South Indian bronzes & the Cathedral of San Thome. Later visit to the Mylapore Temple, Marina Beach & Famous Golden Beach. Overnight stay. (B)

Day 02 - Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram 80 kms
         

Today we enjoy the nearby scares city of Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram, the “City of seven Pagodas” where we see outcroppings of rock that have been delicately carved into temples and life-sized replicas of elephants, lions and bulls. The carved Penance of Bhaghirata here is the largest bas-relief in the world. The little Sea Side town of Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), an hour’s drive from Chennai situated on the East Coast of Tamil Nadu has pries time beaches, spanning 20 kms, bright Sun & Crisp Sand, Wrapping up untold tales of the 7th Century. Here time stands still; and presents meet the past. A serene town nested amidst the historical stone sculptures and medieval architecture, that stands witness to the rich heritage – Mahabalipuram. (B)

Day 03 - Mahabalipuram – Swamimalai 200 kms

After breakfast we drive to Swamimalai enroute visit to Gangaikonda, Cholapuram, and Swamimalai. Thanjavur is located on eastern coast of Central Tamil Nadu. This ancient city enjoys the distinction of having been the Capital of the Cholas – One of the greatest Dynasties of the South. Overnight stay. (B)Swamimalai is a sylvan village, situated about five kilometers west of Kumbakonam on the banks of a tributary of river Cauvery. Overnight stay Swamimalai. (B)

Day 04 - Swamimalai – Trichy 85 kms

After breakfast drive to Trichy en route visit. This morning visit Darasuram Temple and the Institute of Iconography Later drive to Thanjavur 40 km away from Swamimalai. Thanjavur is known as the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu. Capital of the great Chola Empire for three centuries and later of the Thanjavur Nayak’s, it is resplendent with its striking architecture and also the home of classical music and dance and the house of exquisite bronzes. Afternoon visit the 9th century Chola Temple of Brahadeshwarar Temple. Your drive continued to Trichy for overnight stay.

Day 05 - Thanjavur - Trichy - Madurai 195 kms & 3 ½ Hrs

This morning disembark at Thanjavur. Enroute Visit to Rock Fort the 83-meter high rock fort is in the center of the Trichy - was a Chola Citadel during the Sangam age & was also briefly ruled by the Pallavas & the Pandyas. Today, Trichy is a blend of history, a pilgrim centre and a thriving commercial city. Its 344 rock-cuts steps take one to the Uchipillayar temple dedicated to Lord Vinayaka. Half way up is the temple of Lord Shiva dedicated to Thayumanaswami. Jambukeshwara Temple here has Shiva lingam almost submerged in water.
Continue drive to Nectar City of Madurai – Meenakshi temple where Dravidian Temple architecture may be seen in its exuberant baroque phase. Its hall of thousand pillars is fabulous & is filled with worshippers at all hours of the day, another terrific photographic opportunity. Also visit the Tirumal Nayak’s Palace, which is in a highly decorative monument. Its enormous roofed arcade supported by 48 - foot high stone pillar, still stands. (B)

Day 06 - Madurai - Periyar Game Sanctuary 137 kms

We leave Madurai & Drive to a tranquil hill retreat, the Spicy Village. Along the way we pass through Tea, Cinnamon, Clove & Cardamom plantations –beautiful to see & smell! Our hotel is set in a Spicy Garden & has been molded after the Tribal dwellings of the area; each Cottage has thatched roof & a deep, Airy Verandah. This evening we visit the nearby Periyar Game Sanctuary; Game viewing here is like no other Safari experience. We simply relax in a Motor Launch & sail along as heard of Elephant & Bison come into view. During the dry season Tigers & Panthers come down to the Lake shore for a drink – be sure to have plenty of film on hand. Overnight stay. (B)

Day 07 - Periyar - Kumarakorm Backwater Cruise 110 kms

Early this morning we enjoy another Safari Cruise in Periyar Game Sanctuary– the best way to see & enjoy the Wildlife Activities, Cruise in the Periyar Lake in the cool surroundings and the panorama spreads around tropical jungles, Wild elephants & birds of myriad varieties. With an area of 777 sq kms. in the hills of Western Ghats. Later we travel by surface to board the Houseboat (Kettuvalam). Cruise the backwaters & explore the rural life in & around Kumarakorm to Alleppey.

Backwater Cruise

Lifetime Experience House Boat - the moving master piece, have been plying the inland waterways of southwest India for untold centuries and originally used as cargo rice boats. The fully furnished and palm covered boats (single & double) bedrooms with attached bath, sit out, kitchen and living room made of traditional wood. In each houseboat, there is 3 men staff (crew), comprising a cook and two well trained punters throughout the cruise. Punters stand on each end of the boat for punting and directing the boat. Kerosene-lit lamps along will be available for light and mosquito nets will be provided. Traditional vegetarian and non-vegetarian Kerala cuisine is served. A journey through the backwaters of Kerala which offer one of the world's truly unforgettable experiences, myriad network of silent lagoons, freshwater river, and hyacinth covered canals that wind their way through colorful corridors of forests, palms and fruit trees. A canoe expedition via an intricate network of canals, through backwater villages where daily continues unaltered, as it has for centuries. You will see lush palm groves and stretches of rice fields. (BLD)

Day 08 - Kumarakom –Kovalam 170 kms

After breakfast drive to Kovalam beach. Upon arrival check in to Hotel. Reminder day is free for rest & relax.

Day 09 - Kovalam -Kochi 230 kms / 5 ½ Hrs

From Kovalam we drive into the Oasis state of Kerala & on to the Malabar Coats & Kochi (formerly Cochin), one of the India’s most colorful cities. This inter, connected series of Islands & shoreline presents a vivacious blend of Cultures & Religions; Visit to Fort Cochin & St. Frances Church to see the town of Vasco da Gama. We also see the Jewish Synagogue & the Mattancherry “Dutch” Palace. This evening A memorable experience in any journey in Kerala is a Boat Trip along the Palm Fringed Lakes & Backwaters of the Area; we enjoy this extraordinary excursion today. As we sail along the shady canals we see cantilevered Chinese fishing nets. From our launch, we enjoy use of narrow produced – Laden dugouts & the everyday life of families living on narrow spits of land between the waters. Later we attend the performance of the Kathakali, one of India’s most famous Classical dances. Lavish Costumes & Exotic makeup & Masks intensify the beauty of the dancers, intricate moments. (B)

Day 10 - Kochi - Onward Destination

Morning Say Goodbye to newly become friends of this fascinating land and transfers to Airport to board the flight (Specify your flight) for onward destination.

Tour End

INCLUSIONS & HIGHLIGHTS

Accommodation

• 09 Accommodation with Private bath & shower facilities.
• All applicable Taxes

Dinning

• Daily full breakfast will be provided in the Hotel’s Restaurant.
• During stay in House boat breakfast , Lunch and Dinner
• All applicable taxes

Transportation

• Arrival & Departure transfer
• All sightseeing and excursion as per itinerary by air-conditioned vehicle.
• Entrance fees to the Monuments where ever applicable
• All Parking charges

Highlights

• Attend a performance of the Kathakali Classical Dance
• Experience a Safari Cruise in Periyar Game Sanctuary.
• Visit to Heritage site of Tamil Nadu
• Memorable experience in stay of Moving house boat.

Excludes

Laundry, Insurance, Tips, Telephone Calls and Expenses like personal nature, Still & Video Camera fees in Monuments