Day 01 ARRIVE CHENNAI
Assistance on arrival at the airport and transfer to Hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Chennai, the Capital city of Tamil Nadu state, Chennai is India 's Southern Gateway city and one of the biggest centres of trade, and communications. Visit the Santhome Cathedral Church , St. Thomas Mount and Fort St. George . Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 02 IN CHENNAI
Morning after breakfast, full day excursion to Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram. Mahabalipuram - a quite seaside resort with a unique and glorious 7 th century Shore Temple and some of the most beautiful rock-cut caves in the world. Visit the Krishna , Varaha and Mahishasura Mardhini Mandapas besides the famous stone bas-relief, Arjuna's Penance. Kanchipuram was under the Pallavas from the 6th to 8th century AD and later became the citadel of the Cholas, Vijayanagar Kings, the Muslim and the British. It has been a centre of Tamil learning, cultural and religious background for centuries. Kanchipuram has magnificent temples of unique architectural beauty bearing eloquent testimony to its glorious Dravidian heritage. All the religious cities in India support one of the two sects in Hinduism - Vaishnavism and Shaivism, but Kanchipuram has blended itself equally to both the sects, dividing itself into Vishnu Kanchi, surrounding the Varadaraja Temple, and Shiva Kanchi, surrounding the Ekambareshwar (also spelt as Ekambareshwa) Temple , while the Kamakshi Amman Temple stands in between as a place of Shakti worship. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03 CHENNAI-PONDICHERY
Morning after breakfast drive to Pondichery (160 kms/4 hrs approx) and upon arrival check-in at the hotel Later sightseeing tour of Pondichery. Pondichery - a former French colony oozes a Mediterranean aura with classy streets, stylish houses and ornamental gardens, is famous for pleasant weather and easy paced life. Visit the serene atmosphere of Aurobindo Ashram, which was founded by Sri Aurobindo in 1926 and has attained international reputation for its spiritual tenets including yoga and modern science of living. The Botanical Gardens, conceived in 1826, boast a variety of rare and exotic plants from India and abroad, and take a stroll on the beaches of Pondichery. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 PONDICHERY-TANJORE
Morning depart by surface to Tanjore en route visiting Chidambaram & Kumbakonam. Chidambaram - situated between two rivers in a 40 acre temple - complex, lies the temples of Chidambaram, one of the oldest, most venerated and magnificent temples of South India . Shiva Natraja or the Dancing Shiva stand in his cosmic dance pose in the golden rooted sanctum sanctorum. Flanking the temple are 108 sculptured illustrations of Bharat Natya Shastra. In Akash Lingam hidden by a veil, lies the real secret of Chidambaram. Kumbakonam is a very important Temple City of South India. Kumbakonam is one of the Oldest Towns in Tamil nadu and is famous for its Mahamaham festival. In the 7th Century it was the Capital of Chola Kings. Visit the Kumbeshwaran Temple . Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05 TANJORE - TRICHI - MADURAI
Morning after breakfast, s ightseeing tour of famous Tanjore city, visit the beautiful Chola Temple of Brihadeeshwara. The temple is capped by a monolithic cupola made of a single granite block weighing 80 tons, which was taken to the top with the help of a 6 kms long ramp, an old technique used by the Egyptians for building pyramids. Its bronzes and handicrafts make Tanjore one of the highlights of a visit to South India . Afternoon depart by surface to Madurai en route visiting Srirangam Fort at Trichy, located on an island 5 kms from Trichy, is Srirangam. Surrounded by the Kaveri river is a 600 acre island town enclosed within the seven walls of the gigantic Sri Ranganathaswami temple. There are no less than 22 Gopurams, one of which is the tallest in India . The 72 m high 13-tiered gopuram dominates the landscape for miles around. The Rock Fort situated on the banks of the Kaveri River , Trichy's most famed landmark is an 84 m high rock, one of the oldest in the world approx. 3,800 million years old. The attraction is not for the fort itself but the temple at the summit. 344 steps hewn out of rock lead to the top where are the inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century B.C. Later continue your drive to Madurai and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06 IN MADURAI
Morning sightseeing tour of Madurai . Known as Athens of the East, Madurai is the second largest city on the banks of the River Vaigai. The city is believed to be more than 2500 years old. The city got its name from the drops of nectar (Mathuram) that fell from Shiva's locks when he came to bless its people for constructing a temple for him. Madurai where the people wake up to the chant of hymns is proud of the magnificent Meenakshi-Sundareswara Temple . Of its 12 gopurams, four of the tallest stand at the outer walls of the temple. The 48.8 m high southern gopuram is the most spectacular and has over 1500 sculptures. In the Ashta Shakti Mandapam inside the Meenakshi temple, the sculpted pillars tell the story of the beautiful princess of Madurai and her marriage to Lord Shiva. Evening witness the Night ceremony at the Madura Meenakshi Temple . Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 07 MADURAI-PERIYAR
Morning depart by surface to Periyar (137 kms/4 hrs) crossing over the Tamil Nadu-Kerala boarder to enter into the Gods own Country. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Periyar sanctuary spread over an area of 777 sq km, has about 35 tigers and leopards. However, sighting a tiger in Periyar is a rare occurrence. The park encompasses a 26 sq km artificial lake and is the home of sambars, wild boars, elephants and antelopes, which can be seen on the banks of the river during a boat cruise. Periyar, otherwise, blessed by Nature has enormous tea, coffee, pepper and cardamom plantations and has lush green hills. Afternoon boat-cruise on Lake Periyar to view wildlife. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08 PERIYAR-COCHIN
Morning after breakfast, depart by surface to Cochin en route visiting the Spice Plantations of Thekkady. Upon arrival check-in hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Kochi ( Cochin ) - an important port city with a famous Jewish settlement and Synagogue, the Dutch Palace , the Chinese Nets, the Church of St Francis and the Tomb of Vasco da Gama. We will also include a visit to a School in Cochin during your sightseeing tour to show you and explain how the education system prevails in India . Evening witness a Kathakali Dance Drama Performance. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 09 COCHIN - QUILION
Morning depart by surface to Quilon, an old seaport town on the southwestern Arabian Sea coastline of India . A great trade center of Kerala, the city has changed its name frequently and was known as Kollam and Quilon at various points of time. A must if you travel to Kerala, Quilon stands along the Ashtamudi Lake and is a major attraction for its elegance and architectural beauty. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 IN QUILON
Breakfast at the hotel. Later proceed to the Lake side to witness the spectacular Aranmula Boat Race and the cultural activities arranged for this event. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 QUILON - KOVALAM
Morning after breakfast depart by surface to Kovalam.Upon arrival check- in hotel. Thirty years ago, Kovalam was a hippy idyll: a picture perfect tropical beach; a traditional fishing village providing fresh fish, fruits and toddy (coconut beer). Today this tiny beach is the focus of a multi-million dollar business, drawing thousands of tourists for a week dose of ozone, UV and a refreshing Indian Experience. Kovalam was brought to the public eye by the Maharaja of Travancore. Over the past three decades, the place has been well developed, and now figures prominently on the world tourism map. Kovalam is just 16 kms away from Trivandrum.Today Kovalam beach is known as the " Paradise of the South. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the resort. |
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Day 12 IN KOVALAM
Breakfast at the resort. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the resort.
Day 13 IN KOVALAM
Breakfast at the resort. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the resort.
Day 14 IN KOVALAM
Breakfast at the resort. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the resort.
Day 15 KOVALAM - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Morning after break fast depart by surface to Thiruvananthapuram airport to board flight to back to home.
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