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South India Tours |
Duration : 09 Nights / 10 Days
Destinations covered : Cochin - Kumarakom - Periyar - Spice Plantations -
Madurai - Tanjore - Pondichery - Chennai
Day 01: Cochin
Arrival at Cochin International Airport
Exact flight details to be advised
Meet, greet and assist by our airport representative
Transfer to Cochin & check in hotel
Afternoon Half Day Cochin City tour
Cochin also known as the Queen of Arabian Sea, was once a major centre of commerce and trade with the British, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch etc.
In this short tour of cochin we will be visiting Chinese fishing nets (The Chinese fishing nets are fixed land installations for an unusual form of fishing. Each structure is at least 10m high and comprises a cantilever with an outstretched net suspended over the sea and large stones suspended from ropes as counterweights at the other end. Each installation is operated by a team of up to six fishermen).
Jewish synagogue (known as once of the oldest orthodox Jewish Synagogue in the commonwelth nations & also visit the Deutch Palace(Mattanchery Palace) which is famous for it’s mural paintings.
Overnight at, Cochin
Day 02: Kumarakom
After Breakfast drive to Kumarakom (1 ½ hrs drive)
Arrive Kumarakom and check in your hotel, Kumarakom
Check in from 1200 hrs onwards
Kumarakom
When nature is all you need to recuperate, Kumarakom is undoubtedly the most invigorating, fascinating paradise in Kerala, God's own country.  The slender coconut palms standing here, there and everywhere, its never ending paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters, mangroves nesting birds of a hundred varieties can peacefully calm and invigorate your mind with renewed inspiration for your vocation and life. That is the pristine beauty of Kumarakom.
Kumarakom the charming emerald peninsula jutting into the ever-effervescent Vembanad Lake takes you into the heart of the scenic lake where you'll come across plenty of traditional country crafts, boats and canoes. The fresh water of the lake runs into the mainland making a labyrinth of lagoons, brooks, canals and waterways.
The backwater houses a variety of species of both fauna and flora. They are rich with marine life namely the exclusive 'Kumarakom Karimeen' (pearl spotted fish), Konju (tiger prawns), Njandu (crabs), Chemeen (prawns) and many more
Rest of the day at leisure or own activities
Overnight in Kumarakom
Day 03: Kumarakom
Breakfast at the hotel
Full day at leisure or own activities
Overnight in Kumarakom
Day 04: Periyar
Breakfast at the hotel
After breakfast transfer to Periyar (3 ½ hrs drive)
Arrive Periyar & check in your hotel
Evening boat cruise at Periyar Lake
Periyar is one of the largest wildlife reserves in India; the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is more popular as a tiger reserve. A boat ride on the splendid Periyar lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary
Overnight at hotel, Periyar
Day 05: Spice Plantations
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning visit of Spice Plantations
Over twelve varieties of spices are cultivated in and around Kumily. The spice plantation tour covers spice plantations such as cardamom, pepper, vanilla, clove, nutmeg etc. and also some ayurvedic plants and herbs. The duration of the trip is normally one to two hours. The service of an experienced guide will give full and detailed explanation of the plants and its uses. Also visit a tea plantation during the tour.
Later proceed for Madurai (3 ½ hrs drive)
Arrive Madurai & Check in your hotel
Check in from 1200 hrs onwards
Afternoon sight seeing of Madurai
One of South India's great temple towns, Madurai is synonymous with the celebrated Meenakshi Temple. Situated on the banks of river Vaigai, Madurai has a rich cultural heritage passed on from the great Tamil era more than 2500 years old. Madurai was an important cultural and commercial centre even as early as 550 AD. It was the capital city for the great Pandya kings.
The Pandyan King Kulasekarar built a great temple and created a lotus shaped city around the temple. On the day the city was to be named, as Lord shiva blessed the land and its people, divine nectar (Madhu) was showered on the city from his matted locks. This city was henceforth known as Madhurapuri. Madurai is famous for Jasmine Flowers.
Overnight in Madurai
Day 06: Tanjore
Breakfast at the hotel
After Breakfast proceed to Tanjore (4 hrs drive)
Enroute visit Trichy
Trichy (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. This city has given great Tamil scholars whose contributions to the Tamil literature have been very significant. 
The most famous land mark of this bustling town is the Rockfort Temple, a spectacular monument perched on a massive rocky out crop which rises abruptly from the plain to tower over the old city. It was one of the main centers around which the wars of the Carnatic were fought in the 18th century during the British-French struggle for supremacy in India.
The city is a thriving commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is famous for artificial diamonds, cigars, handloom cloth, glass bangles and wooden and clay toys
Arrive Tanjore & check in your hotel
Check in from 1200 hrs onwards
Afternoon visit of Tanjore
Thanjavur lies to the east of Trichy and has the reputation as the "Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu". The Tamil University, set up recently is situated here and is devoted to the growth of Tamil literature and language.
One of the best temples in South India, the Brihadeeswarar Temple or the Big Temple built by the greatest Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola, is that dynasty's finest contribution to Dravidian temple architecture.
If the Big Temple is an ancient landmark of Thanjavur, the Tamil University a Temple of learning could be spoken of, as its modern counterpart with its impressive temple-like facade along with its library housed in a circular building resembling the architectural style of India's parliament
Overnight in Tanjore
Day 07: Pondichery
Breakfast at the hotel
After breakfast proceed to Pondichery (4 hrs drive)
Arrive Pondichery & check in your hotel
Afternoon visit of Pondichery
This restored, attractive, former French colony exudes a Mediterranean aura, with its chic streets, elegant houses, ornamental gardens and the Hotel de Ville. Being a small and quiet enclave of Tamil Nadu, it has imbibed the Tamilian culture.
Pondicherry is oval-shaped, with streets aligned at right angles. The skillfully planned township is distinguished by a 3 km long esplanade, which skirts the town and encloses the tourist attractions. Visit the Gandhi Museum and other attractions.
Overnight in Pondichery
Day 08: Chennai
Breakfast at the hotel
After breakfast proceed to Chennai via Mahabalipuram (4 hrs drive)
Visit Mahabalipuram
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! Despite the many visitors, drawn by the former Pallava dynasty town, the place is friendly, relaxed, and the villagers are remarkably unperturbed by their crowds of visitors.
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 one of the many rock-cut caves in Mahabalipuram.
The Krishna Mandapam has a bas-relief of Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill in his fingertips.
Later Drive to Chennai & check in your hotel
Overnight in Chennai
Day 09: Chennai
Breakfast at the hotel
Full day visit of Chennai
The capital city of Tamil Nadu - Chennai (Madras) - has many tourist places to offer to the tourists visiting Madras. The most important tourist attractions in Madras include Marina Beach, the second longest beach in Asia;
St. George Forte, St. Mary's Church, Parthasathy Temple, Kapaleeswarar Temple, Guindy National Park/Snake Park, Santhome Cathedral, the Birla Planetarium, Elliot Beach, Valluvar Kottam, National Art and Government Museum, Anna Zoological Park, Kalakshetra and the Theosophical Society.
Marina Beach: Made in 1880's, the Marina Beach is well sprawled over 13 kms of area is the longest beach in Asia and turns quite picturesque in the evenings. Marina beach adjoins the Bay of Bengal and is ideal for watching the dawn and dusk.
St. George Forte: The British people built the St George Forte, another principal landmark in Madras, in 1653. The fort also houses a museum with a vast collection of British and French antiques and other artifacts. Presently the fort turned museum is used as the state secretariat. Within the precincts of the fort stands the St. Mary's Church, the first church in India.
Parthasarthy Temple: Out of the numerous temples in Madras, the Parthasarthy temple of Lord Krishna dates back to 8th century. Originally built by Pallavas, the temple was refurbished by the Vijaynagar Kings in the 16th century. Guindy National Park: To see the rare and varied snake species found in India, one should visit the Guindy National Park and Snake Park near the Guindy station near Madras. The smallest National Park in the country, it is covered with the dry evergreen scrub and thorn forests. The animals found in the park include theblack buck, chital, jackal, pangolin and a variety of bird species.
Kapaleeswarar Temple: Another most frequently visited temple in Madras, the Kapaleeswarar Temple, the oldest temple of Madras dedicated to Lord Shiva, was built in the 13th century. This temple is dedicated to Kapaleeswarar and Karpagambal (Shiva and Parvati). This 300 years old temple attracts huge crowds of tourists during the festival season in the temple.
Lunch enroute at local restaurant
Overnight in Chennai
Day 10: Chennai
Breakfast at the hotel (depends on the hotels restaurant timing)
Check out and transfer to Airport
Check out at 1200 hrs
Late check out is subject to appoval and is chargeable extra.
Departure transfer to Chennai International airport
Exact flight details to be advised
Departure assistance
End of Tour |
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