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South India Tours
Exclusive South India Tour
Exclusive South India Tour
Places
to See : Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Tanjore - Madurai -
Periyar - Kumarakom - Houseboat - Marari - Cochin - Mumbai
Duration : 18
Nights / 19 Days
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 - Mahabalipuram Later 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:
Tanjore Relax 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 - Varkala Morning 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 - Kumarakom
Morning 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 : Kumarakom Morning 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 :
Kumarakom
Marari 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 : Marari Marari 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 - Cochin Late 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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