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South India Cultural Tour
South India Cultural Tour
Covered Destination : Chennai - Pondicherry - Thanjavur - Trichy
- Madurai - Rameswaram - Trivandrum - Kanyakumari - Alleppey - Kumarakom
- Periyar - Munnar - Cochin
Duration : 16 Nights / 17 Days
Day 01 : Arrival Chennai
On arrival at Chennai, you will be received by our representative for assistance
at the airport and transfer to your
pre-booked Deluxe
/ Luxury hotel. Afternoon, take sightseeing tour of Chennai city.
Overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 02 : Chennai
Today after a leisurely breakfast, you will take full day excursion to Mahabalipuram
& Kanchipuram. Overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 03 : Pondicherry
Today in morning, you will be driven to Pondicherry after breakfast. Check-in
to your pre-booked deluxe / luxury hotel on arrival and set out on a sightseeing
tour around the city. Visit the famous Aurobindo Ashram and Museum besides
other attractions of Pondicherry before returning for an overnight stay
at the hotel.
Day 04: Thanjavur
You will be driven to Thanjavur after breakfast. Around afternoon, visit
some interesting tourist attractions like the Brihadeshwara Fort and Temple,
Thanjavur Palace and Museum. Return for an overnight stay at your pre-booked
deluxe / luxury hotel in Thanjavur.
Day 05: Trichy
Travel to Trichy by road after breakfast. Check-in to your pre-booked
deluxe / luxury hotel on arrival and rest awhile before visiting the Rock
Fort Temple, Srirangam Temple and the Jambukeshwara Temple. Return for
an overnight stay at your hotel in Trichy. Overnight stay will be at your
hotel.
Day 06: Madurai
After a sumptuous breakfast drive to Madurai, one of the holiest cities
in India. Visit the famous Meenakshi Temple, Tirumala Palace and the Gandhi
Museum in the afternoon. Over night stay at Madurai hotel.
Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India, with
a history dating all the way back to the Sangam period of the pre Christian
era. The glory of Madurai returned in a diminished form in the earlier
part of this millennium; it later on came under the rule of the Vijayanagar
kingdom after its ransack by the ravaging armies of Delhi (Malik Kafur).
During the 16th and 18th centuries, Madurai was ruled by the Nayak Emperors,
the foremost of whom was Tirumalai Nayakar. The Sangam period poet Nakkeerar
is associated with some of the Tiruvilayaadal episodes of Sundareswarar
- that are enacted as a part of temple festival traditions even today.
Day 07: Madurai - Rameswaram
Explore temple city Madurai on the fifth day of your tour. Also drive
to Rameswaram, town that is intimately connected to the legend of Ramayana.
Visit the famous temple, nestling on the seaside. Overnight stay will
be at Madurai.
Day 08: Trivandrum
Drive to Trivandrum in the morning and spent the day at your leisure.
You can either explore Trivandrum, or relax at the hotel.
Day 09: Trivandrum - Kanyakumari
After a hearty breakfast, drive to Kanyakumari, the southernmost point
in India. Visit the attractions of Kanyakumari including Amman Temple
and the Vivekananda Rock. Later drive back to Trivandrum for overnight
stay.
Day 10: Alleppey
Drive through green coastal belt and cashew plantations and reach Alleppey-
the central hub of Backwater network. Stay in a traditional Kerala house
opening right over the Vembanad Lake surrounded by banana plantations.
Day free to relax with the option of a herbal oil massage. Also relish
the wonderful Kerala cuisine in ethnic way.
Alleppey: Alappuzha, formerly named as Alleppey,
in Kerala is one of the major backwater destinations. The thrilling boat
race awaits you at Alleppey or Alappuzha. Imagine to just lazing on a
houseboat or enjoying fishing in Alleppey Kerala. Kuttanad is also known
as the 'rice bowl' of the state, Kerala India. Alleppey is a captivating
destination in Kerala India that provides backwaters, traditional Kettuvallooms
(house boats), beaches, boat race, swaying palms, gourmet delight and
many more.
Day 11: Kumarakom
Sail through the backwater canals and reach Kumarakom- an island with
a beautiful bird-sanctuary and extremely serene atmosphere. Stay at Taj
Garden Retreat- a wonderful resort providing restored tharawads as idyllic
rooms.
Kumarakom slumbers on the banks of the famous Vembanad
Lake, which is a part of Kuttanad ('granary' of Kerala). The Vembanad
Lake with its majestic canals, streams and distributaries along its banks
weave an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web. The gorgeous green
of the fringed palms ripple in the blue waters and blend into wavelets.
The entire state of Kerala is blessed with plenty of rivers and the resources
of many are still untapped. The waterways of Kerala play a main role in
the economy of the state links remote villages and islands with the main
land. The water ways provide a cheap and economical mode of transport.
The water ways of Kuttanad is now a big attraction for tourist. It is
incredibly different experience to cruise in the backwaters in country
boats, absorbing the beauty of Kerala villages. The scenery flashes up
vivid contrasts of breath-taking greens and deep blues. Boat rides are
available for tourist and others at nominal rates.
Day 12: Periyar
Today after a leisurely breakfast, you will be driven to Periyar and
upon arrival, check -n at your pre-booked Deluxe / Luxury hotel. Afternoon,
you will take sightseeing tour by boat over Lake Periyar to view the wild
life. Overnight will be at the hotel.
Periyar: One of the well known wildlife
sanctuaries in the south, Periyar sanctuary attracts a large number of
nature lovers every year. Also called the Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary,
this place is ideal for watching the animals in their natural habitat.
The forest here slopes into the manmade lake at the bottom of the hill.
This lake serves as the waterhole for the animals and they come here to
drink or take a dip. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar and even tigers can be spotted
here.
There are boat services which takes the visitor around the lake. The best
season to visit the park is between October and June. Spread over 777
sq.km of the Cardamom Hills of Western Ghats, the Periyar sanctuary is
located 137 km from Madurai.
Although an excursion on the splendid artificial lake is the standard
way to experience the sanctuary, you can also walk around with the local
guide in a small group. Wild Elephant herds come to the lake to frolic
in the water.
Other attractions of the sanctuary are the Sambhar, Bison, Spotted Deer,
Tigers, Leopards, Malabar Flying Squirrels, Stripe necked Mongooses, etc.
There are over 260 species of birds here; including Nilgiri Wood Pigeons,
blue-winged Parakeets, and White bellied Tree Pies, laughing Thrushes
and Fly Catchers.
Day 13: Periyar
Visit the National Park on boat over Periyar Lake where several wild
animals congregate at different times.
Day 14: Munnar
After a picturesque drive through jungles, waterfalls and spice plantations,
reach the high ranges of Munnar- the highest and the most beautiful tea
growing region in the world. Visit a tea estate and factory after some
leisure.
Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams namely
Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala.
This hill station, located at an altitude of 1600 m above sea level, was
once the summer resort of the erstwhile British government in South India.
Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes and holiday
facilities make this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found
in the forests and grasslands is the 'Neelakurinji'.
This flower which bathes the hills in blue every twelve years will bloom
next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in south India, Anamudi,
which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking
Day 15: Cochin
Drive to Kochi- the cultural and commercial hub of Kerala. Watch a spectacular
Kathakali performance along with its make-up process. Evening will be
free to explore the vibrant markets.
Cochin set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas,
the port city of Cochin (Kochi) (Queen of Arabia) reflects the eclecticism
of Kerala perfectly. With a rich past and a bustling present, it has been
the business hub of the region from the very early days after Alleppey
(Alappuzha).
Cochin consists of mainland Ernakulam, the islands of Willington, Bolgatty
and Gundu in the harbor, Fort Cochin and Mattancherry on the southern
peninsula, and Vypeen Island north of Fort Cochin, all was linked by ferry
but now some islands have bridges. The influence of Chinese, Jews, Arabs
and Europeans is evident in Cochin and its people. The oldest church in
India, 500-year-old Portugese houses, old tiled houses built in the Chinese
pagoda style, the famous Chinese fishing nets, a Jewish community whose
roots go back to the Diaspora, synagogues and mosques all tell the fascinating
story of this harbor town. The harbor is still at the heart of the city
and pepper, sea food, rubber and coir mats and matting are exported from
here. Despite this, Cochin is an attractive city with serene creak &
lagoons overhung with feathery coconut palms and picturesque islands.
The older parts of Fort Cochin and Mattanchery are an unlikely blend of
medieval Portugal, Holland and an English country village grafted onto
the troppical Malabar coast. Cochin is one of India's largest ports and
a major naval base.
Day 16: Cochin
You will take sightseeing at Fort Kochi. Visit the Mattancherry palace,
Jewish synagogue, Jew town, old spice markets, St. Francis church, Santa
Cruz Basilica and Chinese fishing nets. In the evening visit Kalari center
to witness Kalaripayattu - Ancient Kerala martial art.
Day 17: Back home
In morning, after a leisurely breakfast you will be transferred to airport
for flight to Mumbai / Delhi and then connecting flight home.
The tour includes:
a) Accommodation in the prescribed category of hotels on twin sharing
basis with breakfast on regular basis.
b) A/c Transport of high standards with soft beverages and mineral water
served during drives with compliments.
c) Entrances at all the monuments and services of an excellent personal
guide at all the destinations.
d) Assistance upon arrival and departure by our skilled representatives
at all destinations.
e) Meals as prescribed
f) All internal flights and Train (1st Ac).
Exclusions:
a) International Flight From Your Country to India and Back.
b) Any tips for the porters, drivers or the tour guides.
c) Any drinks and beverages during the paid meals, if not specified.
Kerala Cultural Tour Reservation
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