| Tour
Packages
"Answer
the call of the bells and travels to South India.
A peninsula surrounded by three oceans, it is a
region of great natural beauty. There exist in this
terrain a great number of temples and temple cities,
overwhelming in their detail of sculpture and grandeur
of scale. Many of them as much a part of everyday
life today as they were centuries ago"
| Duration:
08 Nights / 09 Days
Places to Visit: Cochin - Kumarakom-
Periyar- Madurai- Tiruchirapalli - Thanjavur-
Chidambaram - Pondicherry- Mamallapuram -
Kanchipuram - Chennai- Mumbai |
Day 01:
Cochin - Kumarakom..... by surface
Arrive Cochin. Morning sightseeing tour of Cochin,
a port city with a rich past and bustling present.
The Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans came here
to trade and their influence on Kochi and its people
is still evident. Kochi is an attractive city and
the serene backwaters, golden sunsets, lagoons overhung
with feathery coconut palms, picturesque Islands-Vypeen,
willingdon, Ramanthuruth, Vallarpadam and Bolghatty
- all contribute to its beautiful cityscape. The
interesting Jewish Synagogue - the oldest in India,
the Mattancherry Palace of the former maharajas,
also known as the Dutch palace, old British churches,
the Bolghatty Palace, are all worth seeing and make
a visit to Kochi a unique experience. Later transfer
to Kumarakom, and check-in at the hotel, evening
free for leisure, overnight stay.
Day 02: Cochin - Periyar
.....by Surface
Morning transfer to Periyar (140 km / 3 hrs), best
known for its wild life, is a must-see for all visitors
to Kerala. The Periyar Lake lies at the heart of
the sanctuary which is a veritable paradise for
all wildlife lovers. Where else can one view the
animals in their natural surroundings while cruising
on the lake, or better still come within a few feet
of a herd of wild elephants and still be at ease!
The majestic gaur, deer, wild boar and the distinctive
Nilgiri langur are often spotted along the lake
as also water birds. On arrival check-in at the
hotel and afternoon wildlife viewing from a boat
in the Periyar lake, overnight stay.
Day 03: Periyar - Madurai......
by Surface
After breakfast proceed for Madurai (160 km / 5
hrs), the ancient capital of Pandyan kings, is a
sacred place. On arrival check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Madurai. Today, in
the heart of the town stands the overwhelming Meenakshi
Sundareswarar Temple, also visit Tirumalai Nayak
Temple, visit Vandiyur Mariamman Tank, this is a
huge temple tank measuring 304.8m on each side,
with a mandapam at its center. Madurai is also a
business centre famed for its traditional handicrafts
in brass and bronze. Overnight stay.
Day 04: Madurai - Tiruchirapalli....
by Surface
After breakfast proceed by surface to Tiruchirapalli
(128 km / 3 hrs), city dominated by the Rock Fort,
perched on a massive rock that soars 83 meters upwards
from the surrounding plains. On arrival check-in
at the hotel, afternoon sightseeing tour of Tiruchirapalli,
visiting Rock Fort Temple and Srirangam, a picturesque
island between the Cauvery river and its tributary
Kollidam, north of Tiruchirapalli. Sri Ranganathaswamy
temple here is one of the largest Vaishnavite temple
in south India built around the 13th and 14th centuries.
With its 21 magnificent towers and stone pillars
covered with a profusion of carvings, temple surrounded
by seven walls within which the town itself is located.
Overnight stay.
Day 05: Tiruchirapalli
- Thanjavur...... by surface
Morning proceed for Thanjavur by surface (54 kms
/ 2 hrs), on arrival check-in at the hotel, later
sightseeing tour of Thanjavur. Visit Brihadeeswara
or the Big Temple of God, built by the great Chola
King Raja Raja (985 - 1012 AD), there are excellent
sculptural representations of the various forms
of Shiva and other associated gods and goddesses.
Also visit The Palace near the temple is a vast
building of masonary built partly by the Nayaks
around 1550 AD and partly by the Marathas. Overnight
stay.
Day 06: Thanjavur - Chidambaram
- Pondicherry...... by Surface
After early breakfast proceed for Pondicherry, (210
km / 7 hrs), en-route visiting Chidambaram, also
called as Thillai, which has the famous Natraja
Temple with the roof of the sanctum-sanctorum covered
golden plates, is located at the centre of the town
covering an area of 40 acres. In this temple, postures
from the Bharatnatyam form of dance are depicted
in sculpture. Natraja is Lord Shiva as a cosmic
dancer. Arrive Pondicherry and check in at the hotel.
Evening visit Aurobindo Ashram, the city of dawn,
this ashram promotes Aurobindo's ideas in bringing
about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, so
as to unite the spirit and matter. Overnight stay.
Day 07: Pondicherry - Mamallapuram......
by Surface
Morning at leisure, later transfer to Mamallapuram
(74 km / 2 hrs), on arrival check in at the hotel,
afternoon sightseeing tour of Mamallapuram, an ancient
7th century centre for Pallava culture and arts,
a beach resort, and cultural front. Visit The Shore
Temple, one of the oldest temples. Also visit The
Five Rathas, there are five monolithic temples,
each created in a different style, they are also
known as the Pancha Pandava Rathas - and four out
of five rathas are supposed to have been carved
out of single rock. Arjuna's Penance, this is the
world's largest bas relief measuring 27m x 9m. This
huge whale-backed rock contain figures of gods,
demigods, men beasts, birds and almost all of the
entire creation. Overnight stay.
Day 08: Mamallapuram -
Kanchipuram - Chennai ......by Surface
Morning proceed by surface to Kanchipuram (74 km
/ 2 hrs), known as one of India's seven sacred cities.
It has been a centre of Tamil learning and culture
and religious background for centuries. Kanchi is
also a well known centre of the finest silk sarees
made in the country. Kanchipuram has magnificent
temples of unique architecture beauty, Also visit
Vardaraja Temple a massive and impressive
edifice. Other important temples are The Kamakshi
Amman Temple, the presiding deity Lord Vishnu is
depicted in sitting, standing and reclining positions.Continue
your journey to Chennai (72 km / 2 hrs), on arrival
check-in at the hotel, overnight stay.
Day 09: Chennai - Mumbai
- Flight Back Home...... by Surface/ Flight
Morning sightseeing tour of Chennai, captures the
cultural kaleidoscope of South India with its ancient
traditions, festivals, fine crafts, classical music
and dance. Having begun as a British settlement
350 years ago, The Kapaleeswarar temple, the Parthsarthy
Temple is another masterpiece, built originally
by the Pallavas in the 8th century. The Fort St.
George built in 1640 AD, the first bastion of British
power in India and St. Thomas Mount where the Apostle
St. Thomas was martyred in 72 AD, are other fascinating
facets of the city's heritage. Late afternoon transfer
to Chennai airport to catch flight for Mumbai or
Delhi
Assistance on arrival at Mumbai/Delhi and transfer
to International airport for flight back home. |