Southern DelightsChennai * Mamallapuram * Pondicherry * Tanjore * Madurai Thekkady * Kumarakom * Houseboat * Cochin * ChennaiDay 1 Chennai You will arrive early morning at Chennai International Airport. Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, a representative will meet you as you exit the arrivals terminal building after which you would be transferred to your hotel. The East India Company established its presence in southern India on the Bay of Bengal in 1639 with the establishment of Fort St. George. The city of Chennai, formerly known as Madras, grew up around the fort area. It now serves as the capital of Tamil Nadu and is the fourth largest city in India, with over six million inhabitants. It sprawls over a large area yet, in spite of recent industrial growth, seems less congested than other large Indian cities. Its role as a trade centre is furthered by rail, road, and air connections in addition to its seaport. It presents both modern and traditional charm, its many British influences juxtaposed with Tamil-Hindu traditions. Upon arrival at hotel, proceed for check-in. Overnight at the hotel Day 2 Chennai - Mahabalipuram After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed for a sightseeing tour of Chennai.
Afternoon, you will be driven to Mahabalipuram (72 Kms / 1.5 hours), upon arrival check-in at hotel. Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), built in the 7th century, is an ancient Pallava port. Today it is the site of several antique sculptural marvels. Declared as the world heritage site by UNESCO, Mahabalipuram boasts of some of India’s most sublime rock-cut art. The town was earlier called Mahabalipuram, but was later renamed as Mamallapuram or the place of the great wrestler - Narasimhavarmam I. He made this port a flourishing trade center. The only shore temple, which remains here, is the spectacular two-spired shrine, which is unique in that it houses both Vishnu and Shiva in its sanctum. The Pallavas perfected the art of sculpting rocks to build temples without brick, mortar or timber. The open-air bas-reliefs, structured temples, man-made caves and the five monolithic “rathas” (chariots carved from single processions) reflect this art at its best. "Arjuna's penance" here is the world's largest bas relief measuring 27 meters by 9 meters. Overnight at the hotel
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Afternoon free to relax at the beach Overnight at the hotel Day 04 Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven from Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry (132 KMS / 3. 5 Hours), upon arrival check-in at hotel. Pondicherry has a rich French cultural heritage, having been the capital of the French colonies in India since the 17th century. The French legacy is visible in the well-planned town, neatly laid roads, wide and vibrant beaches, beautiful promenades, architecturally imposing churches and public buildings and the statues. Split into two parts, Pondicherry is, on one hand a bustling Indian Market town, and on the other hand, towards the sea, the streets are emptier, cleaner and decidedly European.
Overnight at the hotel
^^ TOP ^^ Day 05 Pondicherry – Pondicherry - Tanjore After buffet breakfast at hotel, you will be driven from Pondicherry to Tanjore (231 Kms / 6 hours), en-route stop at Chidambaram, the capital of the Cholas from AD 907 to 1310, Chidambaram lies 9 km north of the Coleroon River, the northern limit of the Kaveri delta. It is one of Tamil Nadu’s most important holy towns After visiting Chidambaram, continue your drive to Tanjore. Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel. About a thousand years ago, Tanjore, or Thanjavur was the capital of the powerful Chola dynasty. Today, it is the little town set amidst the lush green rice fields of the Cauvery delta. Magnificent temples, still bear witness to the splendour of Chola architecture. The Chola kings built the majority of Tanjore's (also known as Thanjavur) 93 temples. Overnight at the hotel Day 6 Tanjore – Trichy - Tanjore
Your sightseeing tour will start with visit to Brihadeeshwara Temple, built in the 10th century by Raja Chola. It is considered to be artistically the most perfect of Dravida temples. Besides the temple, you will visit the Palace most of which is in ruins housing the Tamil University Museum, the Art Gallery, the Saraswati Mahal Library which houses palm leaf & paper manuscripts. Afternoon, you will be driven for excursion tour of Trichy (55 KMS / 1.30 Hours) Tiruchirappalli, situated on the banks of the river Cauvery is the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu. It was a citadel of the early Cholas, which later fell to the Pallavas. Trichy is a fine blend of tradition and modernity built around the Rock Fort. Apart from the Fort, there are several Churches, Colleges and Missions dating back to the 1760s. The town and its fort, now in Trichy were built by the Nayaks of Madurai.
After the tour of Trichy, return to your hotel at Tanjore. Overnight at the hotel
^^ TOP ^^ Day 7 Tanjore – Madurai After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven from Tanjore to Madurai (170 KMS / 4 Hours) Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel.
Afternoon, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Madurai City - The temple town is unique in that all its temples are living temples and it remains a major religious centre attracting pilgrims the year round. Madurai's main attraction is the famous Meenakshi temples in the heart of the old town, a riotously baroque example of Dravidian architecture with gopurams (towers) covered from top to bottom with a breathless profusion of multi-colored images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical figures. The temple complex is a city within a city and one can spend days exploring its labyrinthine corridors and halls. Another attraction is the Tirumalai Nayak Palace (1636) restored by Lord Napier, dance drama concerts are performed daily. Return to your hotel after the tour. Overnight at the hotel Day 8 Madurai – Thekkady
In the afternoon, proceed to Periyar National Park to view the wildlife by boat Situated within the confines of the Western Ghats in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve is one of the most captivating wildlife parks in the world. The park has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Herds of elephant and sambar, gaur and wild pigs and wander down to the lakeside and can be observed from the launches that cruise the lake. Periyar also harbours the leopard, wild dog, barking deer and mouse deer. On the rocky outcrops along the lake, monitor lizards can be seen basking in the sun. Return to the hotel after your boat ride. Evening explore local spice markets. Overnight at the hotel
^^ TOP ^^ Day 9 Thekkady –Kumarakom After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to Kumarakom (135 kms / 3 Hours) and upon arrival proceed for check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon is at leisure or enjoy Ayurvedic Massage (on direct payment basis) to rejuvenate your body and soul. Overnight at the hotel Day 10 Houseboat
An onboard chef will be at your service. He will local cuisines for you and you can also learn the same. Overnight onboard houseboat
^^ TOP ^^ Day 11 Alleppey - Cochin After buffet breakfast disembark Houseboat and proceed to Cochin (60 KMS / 2 Hours). Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel. Kochi, or more familiarly, Cochin is a city of many parts. Around for a long, long time, Kochi played a pivotal role in the development of shipping and trade in the region. Kochi's prime location on the west coast, its fine bay and protected harbour made it popular with seafarers and merchant ships who made frequent stops to stock up on spices, coffee and wood enroute to the rich markets of Europe and West Asia. And so down the ages, Kochi prospered as a busy port city and commercial centre. Its seafront is still extremely relevant to Cochin and to India: it houses a Naval Base and one of India’s busiest ports. It’s twin city, Ernakulum, is an important railhead and industrial centre. Cochin's history is a bright tapestry - many coloured threads woven through centuries together present the fabric of the present. Its involvement with the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British are evident in the architecture of city buildings, the old durbar hall is the spice in the dish! Modern day Kochi may be a busy port and shipping centre but it has many attractions for ordinary tourists. Later you will proceed to explore the city thoroughly: it’s bound to have you hooked, just like it had the Jews, visit Cochin City. You will first proceed to Mattancherry, where you will visit the oldest Jewish Synagogue in India, built in 1568; it was destroyed by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the Dutch a century later.
From the Chinese fishing nets you will visit St. Francis Church, originally named after Santo Antonio and dedicated to him as the Patron Saint of Portugal, St. Francis Church is the first church to have been in the new European influenced tradition. Originally a wooden building was replaced by the present stone building. Vasco De Gamma died on the site in 1524 and was originally buried in the cemetery. 14 years later his body was removed to Portugal. The church was renamed St. Francis in 1663. You will also be visiting The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry, which was built in 1555 and its coronation hall and murals at Ramayana are noteworthy features.
Kathakali represents a synthesis of all that is best in dance, drama and music and has been recognized by connoisseurs of art, the world over as a `total art form of immense sophistication and power’. It is the impression created by make-up and the costumes that make Kathakali a visual par excellence. Return to your hotel after the dance performance. Overnight at the hotel Day 12 Cochin – Chennai Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Afternoon you will be transferred to Cochin airport to board your flight for Chennai. Departure: Cochin at: 1205 Hours By: 9W 3530 (Jet Airways)
Upon arrival, you will be met by a SITA representative, who will transfer you the International airport for your flight to back home. ********** END OF TOUR ********** ^^ TOP ^^ QuotationOPTION 1 # SUPERIOR CLASS HOTEL SELECTION
The above are per person costs and in US $ Dollars OPTION 2 # FIRST CLASS HOTEL SELECTION
The above are per person costs and in US $ Dollars ^^ TOP ^^ Inclusions & ExclusionsOUR QUOTE INCLUDES: -
THE ABOVE QUOTE DOES NOT INCLUDE: -
SPECIAL NOTES: -
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Firstly you will visit, Fort St. George, which is presently is being used by the Tamil Nadu Government. Within the compound is a museum holding many remembrances of the East India Company and the British period. From the British hold of centre, you will proceed to Mylapore, which was inhabited in the 16th century by the Portuguese; visit the San Thome Church, named for the Christian disciple (“Doubting Thomas”) who lived and taught here in the first century. Also visit Kapaleeswarar Temple, honoring Shiva, dates back to the 13th century AD and is the biggest temple in Chennai. You will also drive past the Marina Beach, the second longest in the world, stretching for several miles.
After buffet breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram with its picturesque location on a rocky outcrop between the beach and a lagoon is a happy combination of history, good beaches, hassle-free tourism and fabulous fish and lobster! Mahabalipuram is renowned for its series of charming rathas and the spectacular carved relief depicting Arjuna’s Penance. The magnificent Shore Temple, built by king Rajasimha in the seventh century, is a unique temple that houses the shrines of both Shiva and Vishnu while the Varaha Cave is a rock-cut mandapam with two incarnations of Vishnu—Varaha and Vamana—besides scenes of kings and queens. The Krishna Mandapam has a bas-relief of Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill in his fingertips. Other important attractions of Mahabalipuram include the Mahishasuramardini Cave, Kotikal Mandapam, Ramanuja Mandapam, and the Dharmaraja Cave.
Later you will proceed for sightseeing tour of Pondicherry - visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, located on Rue de la Marine, is the most popular attraction in Pondicherry. The Ashram was founded by Sri Aurobindo Ghose in 1926. Sri Aurobindo, the poet philosopher founded the Ashram to help man reach the zenith of his evolution through spiritual exercises and yoga, combined with physical activity and productive work.
After buffet breakfast proceed to visit Tanjore city.
Visit the Rock Fort, which is a landmark of Trichy. The rock is one of the oldest in the world-approximately 3.800 million years, which makes it as old as the rocks of Greenland and older than the Himalayas. A climb of 434 steps leads to the ancient temple of Ganapati on top and a further climb to a Shiva Temple. You will visit Sri Rangan Temple.
One of the oldest cities in South India, Madurai has been the centre of learning and pilgrimage for centuries. Spread along the rocky banks of the river Vaigai in the state of Tamil Nadu, this modern industrial city is today famous as a temple town.
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven from Madurai to Thekkady, which is also known as Periyar (140 KMS / 3.30 Hours). Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel.
In the lush backwaters of Kottayam in Kerala, lies a veritable paradise, which is called Kumarakom, or the 'Venice of the East'. Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields, and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget. Kumarakom is Keralas heartland of lagoons, palm fringed lakes, and paddy fields, inter-linked with hundreds of winding canals, with the typical low slung country boats that carry everything from people to fish, rice and coconuts to the milkman and newspaper boy, local politicians and priests to wedding parties.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will embark Houseboat A sojourn in Kettuvallams, the House boats of Kerala, offers a panoramic view of one of the most picturesque aspects of the God's Own Country. One can cruise in it through the palm-fringed backwaters, throughout a night in waxing moonlights. The lullaby of the waves and the dazzling delights of the moonlit night can be experienced by spending a couple of nights aboard the Kettuvallam. The traditional houseboat of Kerala is one of the most enduring images of the backwaters. These houseboats are converted version of the "Kuttanadan Kettuvallams".
From Jewish Synagogue you will visit Chinese fishing nets. The cantilevered fishing nets line the entrance to the harbour mouth. Chinese traders are believed to have originally introduced them in the 14th century although, today parts of the nets are known by Portuguese names.
In the evening, you will visit a local theatre to watch Kathakali dance performance.