South India Tour Packages
Kumarakom – Thekkady
Duration: 15 Nights 16 Days
Destination covered: Chennai – Pondicherry-Tanjore – Kodaikanal – Periyar- Kumarakom – Kovalam - Trivandrum
Day 01: Arrive Chennai (Madras)
Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together.
After immigration and custom formalities, we are assisted and driven through the
city to our hotel.
Overnight: - Hotel in Chennai (2 Nights)
Day 02: Chennai
We take an excursion to the World Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram. This group of
sanctuaries, founded by the Pallava kings, was carved out of rock along the Coromandel
Coast in the 7th and 8th centuries. It is known especially for its rathas (temples
in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries), giant open-air reliefs and
thousands of sculptures to the glory of Shiva. On our return we tour Chennai, culturally
one of the richest cities of India. Our tour of Chennai starts with a visit to The
National Art Gallery, Built before 1789,the museum was established in 1857 and contains
on of the best collection in the country of bronzes. including the famous icon of
Natraja. St. Mary's Church-Built in 1680, is India' s oldest surviving British church.
Day 03: Chennai / Pondicherry (Drive: -132 km)
After breakfast we drive to Pondicherry, situated on the Coromandel Coast of South
India._Pondicherry, was the capital of French India, before it attained its independence.It
also, traces its origin to Saint Agasthya, what attracts most travelers to Pondicherry
is the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The ashram, founded by Sri Aurobindo in the year 1926,
the spiritual tenets of which combine yoga and modern science, are popular within
India and abroad.
Overnight: - Hotel in Pondicherry
Day 04: Pondicherry / Tanjore (Drive: - 150 km)
After breakfast we drive to Thanjavur, popularly known as Tanjore. The town is famous
for its distinctive style, "Krishna" is the most popular deity depicted,
and in the Tanjore school his skin is white, rather than the traditional blue-black.
Tanjore was the ancient capital of the Chola Kings whose origins go back to the
beginning of the Christian era. Our afternoon tour of World Heritage Site of Tanjore
includes in the Shri Brihadishwara temple built by "Raja-Raja" in 1010,
which is the crowning glory of Chola temple architecture. The temple, set in spacious
grounds, has several pillared halls and shrines. Inscriptions record the names of
dancers, musicians and poets a reminder of the significance of this area to the
development of the arts. We end our tour of Tanjore with a visit to the Tanjore
Palace & Museum Overnight: - Hotel in Tanjore (1 Night)
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Day 05: Tanjore / Tiruchirapalli / Madurai (Drive: - 200 km)
In the morning we drive to Madurai. En –route we visit Tiruchirapalli - Trichy,
a town deeply immersed in Hindu religion and home to some outstanding Dravidian
temple architecture. We begin our tour with a visit to the Rock Fort Temple, the
maze of the Mathurubhuteshwar Shrine and various other local temples followed by
a visit to some local villages and see the rural life of Southern India.
Overnight: - Hotel in Madurai (2 Nights)
Day 06: Madurai: -
The life of Madurai revolves around the magnificently carved Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar
Temple. The Meenakshi Temple has a thousand pillared 'Mandapam'. Among these are
the musical pillars, carved of a single granite rock, that produce music when tapped.
Madurai is culturally rich city crammed with shops, street markets, pilgrims.
Day 07: Madurai / Kodaikanal (Drive 166kms)
A scenic and refreshing drive conveys us to the peaceful hill station of Kodaikanal
located at the top of the Palini Hills. Upon arrival we take a boat ride on Kodaikanal
Lake giving us a unique opportunity to experience the landscape.
Overnight: Hotel in Kodaikanal (1 night)
Day 08: Kodaikanal / Periyar (Drive 150kms)
An interesting day ahead as we drive past beautiful spice and tea gardens stopping
to see the tea estates and learn about the process of growing tea. Later we drive
to the Wildlife Sanctuary of Periyar. We boat on the manmade lake at the bottom
of the hill. The forest here slopes into a manmade lake at the bottom of the hill
and the lake serves as the waterhole / swimming hole for the animals. Elephants,
Gaur, Sambhar and even tigers can be spotted. Overnight: Hotel in Periyar (1
nights)
Day 09: Periyar / Cochin (Drive: - 185kms)
In the morning we drive to Cochin. Arrive Cochin and check in Hotel. In the evening
we enjoy Kathakali Dance performance. Overnight: Hotel in Cochin (2 nights)
Day 10: Cochin
Today we explore Cochin, the commercial capital of Kerala, with one of the finest
natural harbors in the world. Ancient mariners from Arabia, China, Holland, Britain
and Portugal have all left their mark on this beautiful island city, often referred
to as the Venice of the East. Here we tour the Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church,
the Jewish Quarter with its old synagogue and take a boat tour to visit the Bolghatty
Palace and observe the fascinating Chinese fishing nets in action.
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Day 11: Cochin / Kumarakom ( Drive: - 70 km)
In the morning we drive to Kumarakom. An unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove
forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting
waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. Situated on the Vembanad Lake, in
this small water world you will come across plenty of traditional country crafts,
boats and canoes that will take you into the heart of the scenic lake. The resorts
offer comfortable accommodation and exclusive leisure options like an Ayurvedic
massage, yoga, meditation, boating, fishing, angling and swimming. The Kumarakom
Bird Sanctuary located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, an ornithologist's paradise,
is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter,
heron and teal. A cruise along the Vembanad Lake is the best way to experience the
Sanctuary. We start with a boat ride to visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Those
adventurous enough may indulge in water sports such as windsailing and water skiing.
For those looking to relax, try a canoe ride on the still waters. Overnight: -
Hotel in Kumarakom (1 Night)
Day 12: Kumarakom / House Boat
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon we board the traditional rice boats - "Ketuvallam"
and begin our journey through the picturesque backwaters and small lakes relaxing
in the tranquility of Kerala's beautiful scenery. Experience the way of life and
activity of the local people. Overnight: House Boat (1 night)
Day 13: House Boat / Kovalam (Drive: - 175 km/ 05 HOURS)
Arrive at Alleppey and drive to Trivandrum.We visit the beautiful Temple of Padmanabhaswamy,
the Chitra Art Gallery and Napier Museum. From here we proceed to Kovalam Beach
on the Malabar Coast. The palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, promise
a relaxed stay. Evening enjoy the cultural program.
Overnight: Hotel in Koala (3 nights)
Day 14: Kovalam
Free Day on the beach. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of
white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky
promontories make this beach an incredible paradise. Kovalam is an internationally
renowned beach of Kerala, with three adjacent crescent beaches. Kovalam has been
a favorite haunt of tourists. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created
a beautiful Bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this
beach are plenty and diverse - sunbathing, swimming, ayurvedic rejuvenating massage.
Catamaran cruising etc.
Day 15: Kovalam / Kanniyakumari / Kovalam
We enjoy a visit to the "Lands End" of India: Kanniya Kumari is the southernmost
tip of peninsular India where the waters of the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean
and the Arabian Sea meet. A place from where one can see spectacular sunrises and
also colorful sunsets. On balmy evenings, one can watch the sun set while the full
moon is rising in another part of the sky.
Days 16: Kovalam / Trivandrum / Home
Today we are transferred to Trivandrum airport for our flight to onward destination.
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