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| Duration | Destination | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| 19 days and 18 nights | India (Chennai, Vellore, Trichy, Madurai, Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom, Alleppey, Cochin, Kovalam, Kanyakumari, Rameshwaram, Chettinad, Thanjāvūr, Pondicherry) | India (Chennai) |
Day 1:
Arrive Chennai
On arrival at Chennai airport assistance & transfer to hotel (check in/out time 12pm).
Visit Fort St. George & St Mary`s Church inside the fort built by the British East India Company in 1640 AD. Kapaleeshwarar Temple a holy shrine of Lord Shiva originally built by the mighty Pallavas and rebuilt in 16th century by the Vijayanagar kings. Vadapalani Murugan Temple one of the most frequented places of worship for Hindus in Chennai. Government Museum built in the Indo-Sarcenic style it houses a rich collection of works of Raja Ravi Varma. Dakshinachitra Museum, one of the living-history museums. Santhome Cathedral a historical and ancient pilgrim centre, which was built during the 14th to the 15th century AD by the then reigning Portuguese. Drive Pass Marina Beach a 13kms long natural urban beach along the Bay of Bengal. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2:
Chennai - Vellore (140km) (B)
Drive to Vellore enroute stop at Kanchipuam. Visit Kailasanathar temple 8th century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Ekambareswarar temple an ancient temple dedicated to Siva, 2500 year old mango tree inside the temple has 4 branches each yields different varieties of mangoes. Varadharaja temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Vaikundhaperumal temple dedicated to lord Vishnu & Kamakshiamman temple the ultimate form of Goddess Parvati.
Drive to Vellore and check in at hotel. Later visit Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple situated at the foot of a small range of green hills. This temple is gilded with 1500kg of pure gold, double the dome of the Golden Temple at Amritsar. Also visit 16th-century Vellore Fort & Jalakandeswarar Temple inside the fort features with many ornate sculptures. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3:
Vellore - Trichy (280km) (B)
Drive to Trichy via visiting Tiruvannamalai a Hindu pilgrimage town. At the foot of sacred Arunachala Hill is the vast, ancient Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, with intricately carved gopurams (towers). Shiva is worshiped as Arunachalesvara and is represented by the lingam, with his idol referred to as Agni lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Unnamalai Amman. Continue drive to Trichy check in & overnight at hotel.
Day 4:
Trichy - Madurai (135km) (B)
Visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple the largest functional temple in the world. The temple complex along with the surrounding area covers a total area of 156 acres, there are 22 gopurams including India`s tallest 72 meters, 13 storey high. Many people have had a hand in its construction, including the Cheras, Pandyas, Cholas, Hoysalas and rulers from Vijayanagar. Rock Fort Temple the 83m high Rock Fort is the only outcrop in the flat land of the city. The rock is one of the oldest in the world-approximately 3800 million years, which makes it as old as the rocks of Greenland and older than the Himalayas. Also visit Jambukeswarar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, it houses five concentric walls, and seven gopurams.
Drive to Madurai check in at hotel. Later visit Meenakshi Temple one of the largest temple complexes in India built between the 16th to 18th centuries. Apart from the estimated 33 million sculptures there, the temple is absolutely absorbing with the endless rounds of ceremonies, prostration of countless devotees and glittering market stalls. Thirumalai Nayakar Palace built in 1636 AD by King Thirumalai Nayak, the palace depicts the perfect blend of Dravidian and Rajput styles. Also visit Alagar Koil, Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple & Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5:
Madurai - Munnar (160km) (B)
Drive to Munnar, check in at hotel. During the British rule in India, Munnar was the summer resort of the Government officials. The natural beauty, calmness and mild cold climate throughout the year make it the favorite tourist places. The tea estates, hills, lakes and forests inside Munnar range expose its beauty. Later tea estate visit and tea testing. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6:
Munnar (B)
Visit Pothamedu which offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. Mattupetty dam and its reservoir, a concrete gravity dam built between the hill ranges for water storage for hydroelectric projects. Rajamala a hill station in Eravikulam National Park a natural habitat of the Niligiri tahr 2695 Mts above sea level. Half the world`s population of the rare mountain goat or tahr which is fast becoming extinct, is now found here. Mattupedi Dairy Farm, famous for the Indo-Swiss Farm, a highly specialized dairy farm which comes under Indo-Swiss Livestock Project. Echo Point, go there and scream as loud as you can and wait for a minute to hear your echo back! Also visit Tea Museum to know more about the century old culture a lively glimpse of how the tea culture flourished across South India. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7:
Munnar - Thekkady (110km) (B)
Drive to Thekkady via Ramakkalmedu one of the windiest places in Asia and being so, one can find here a wind farm generating electricity. Visit Frog Rock, Turtle Rock and the highest twin-statue in Kerala called Kuravan & Kurathi. Evening watch Kalaripayattu (Martial Arts for self-defense) & Kathakali Dance show performance. Overnight at hotel.
Day 8:
Thekkady - Kumarakom (140km) (B)
Visit Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on a boat. The tropical evergreen and deciduous forests teeming with elephants, bison, sambar deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, tiger and wild boar along with various species of snake including cobras, vipers, kraits and many non-poisonous snakes is a wildlife lover`s dream. A variety of birds such as grey jungle fowl, Malabar grey hornbill, woodpeckers and bulbuls also have found a home in this sanctuary. Afterwards take a spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. You could stop at the local market and pick some fragrant spices.
Drive to Kumarakom check in & overnight at hotel.
Day 9:
Kumarakom - Alleppey (B,L,D)
Transfer to Alleppey boat jetty to board houseboat and sail through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters. While sailing enjoy palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals, the panoramic sights one can never forget. Pass through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done below sea level. Alleppey is referred as the Venice of the East, due to canals, backwaters, and lagoons. Boats are the main mode of transportation here, you can see Shikara boats, small motor boats, passenger boats, cargo boat, and houseboats. Evening enjoy sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats. The Houseboats have generated electricity, sitting cum dining area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a chef & driver. Overnight in houseboat.
Day 10:
Alleppey - Cochin (60km) (B)
Drive to Cochin check in at hotel. City tour of Cochin the lovely seaside city flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. You will find here a unique mix and match of traditional as well Western architecture and lifestyle. Visit Fort Cochin a charming seaside area known for its Dutch, Portuguese & British colonial architecture and elaborate bamboo fishing nets at Fort Kochi Beach. St. Francis Church was the original burial site of explorer Vasco da Gama. Upscale eateries and chic cafes serve Keralan specialties, and quaint shops sell cotton clothing and handmade souvenirs. Heritage buildings house contemporary art galleries. Also visit Jewish Synagogue & the Mattancherry Dutch`s Palace. In the evening enjoy Kathakali, a traditional dance form of Kerala with lavish costumes, exotic makeup, masks etc. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11:
Cochin - Kovalam (200km) (B)
Drive to Kovalam check in at hotel. Rest day free and easy for personal activities & relax on the beach. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12:
Kovalam (B)
City tour of Trivandrum. Visit Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple embellished in gold-plated covering, the temple sanctom is opened only to Hindu. Attukal Temple, rich in cultural heritage and adorned by impeccable Tamil architecture. The city has a rich tradition of nurturing art and culture since ancient times, witness same by visiting Museums. Napier Museum, renowned for its fine collection of sculptures, paintings and musical instruments. Kuthira Malika built in the 1840 is an iconic monument that gives you a curious insight into the glorious history of Kerala. The museum houses artifacts like the ethnic jewelry that was once worn by the queens, wooden paintings and carvings, armory and idols made of the purest metal. Sri Chitra Art Gallery a perfect place for art lovers housing some of the famous work of Raja Ravi Verma and art objects belonging to the Mughals, Rajputs and Tanjore art schools. Drive through famous beaches which include Shankumugham Beach, Kovalam Beach, Vizhinjam Beach & Light House Beach Road. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13:
Kovalam - Kanyakumari (80km) (B)
Drive to Kanyakumari check in at hotel.
Visit Vivekananda Rock Memorial built on the site where Vivekananda attained enlightenment, located at about 500 meters east of the mainland of Vavathurai and can be accessed by regular ferries. The Shripada Mandapam has a study hall and a museum, where you can explore Vivekananda`s life and work in depth. Vattakottai Fort, a seaside fort largely made of granite blocks. The historical fort provide a panoramic view of the Bay of Bengal Sea on one side and majestic hills of the Western Ghats on other. Kumari Amman Temple believed to be built by Lord Parshuram 3000 years ago to worship Devi Kanyakumari who is the reincarnation of goddess Parvati, on the coast rising above the sea level while affording a beautiful view of foamy water touching the temple walls (only hindu can enter the temple). Kanyakumari Beach, the beautiful hue-changing beach on the confluence of three water bodies: Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea. Miraculously, here you can see that the water of three seas does not mix, you can distinguish between the turquoise blue, deep blue, and sea green waters of the three seas, though the colors keep changing with the season and the day`s weather. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14:
Kanyakumari - Rameshwaram (310km) (B)
Drive to Rameshwaram, check in at hotel.
Visit Ramanathaswamy Temple one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples with world longest corridor and immaculate carvings on pillars. The lingam in the Rameshwaram Temple was installed by Lord Rama but, the construction was led by several rulers over the centuries. Inside the temple, there are two lingams Ramalingam and Shivalingam (only Hindu can enter temple sanctum). Lakshmana Tirtham constructed in the loving memory of Lord Lakshman, brother of Lord Rama. Several wonderful sculptures of Lord Lakshmana have been carved out from marble and the temple has the statues of lord Rama and Goddess Sita too which signifies the spirit of unitedness that exisited between them. Also visit to Adams Bridge the chain of reefs, sandbanks and islets that almost connects Sri Lanka with India. According to legend, this is the series of stepping stones used by the monkey army, lead by Hanuman to cross the ocean in a bid to rescue Sita from the clutch of Ravana. Overnight at hotel.
Day 15:
Rameshwaram - Chettinad (150km) (B)
Drive to Chettinad check in at hotel. Chettinad the region well known for its 19th-century mansions, whose wide courtyards and spacious rooms are embellished with marble and teak. Construction materials, decorative items, and furnishings were mostly imported from East Asian countries and Europe. The marble was brought from Italy, chandeliers and teak from Burma, crockery from Indonesia, crystals from Europe and wall-to-wall mirrors from Belgium. Many of these mansions were built using a type of limestone known as Karai. They were built by men who once traded in everything from salt to gems. But in the mid-20th century, most Chettiar families moved to cities. Their palatial homes were left in the custody of caretakers, who maintained them for those rare occasions, such as weddings or Pongal, the Tamil harvest festival, when the family came to visit. Overnight at hotel.
Day 16:
Chettinad - Thanjavur (100km) (B)
Drive to Thanjavur check in at hotel.
Visit Brihadeshwara Temple, built in the 10th century it is an outstanding example of Chola architecture and is listed in UNESCO world heritage site. The shrine is a 216 feet structure, the sanctum is dotted with paintings from the Chola and Nayak periods and the statue of Nandi the Bull welcomes at the entrance. Vijayanagar Fort built by Nayaks and partly by Maratha rulers during the early 1550 AD. Thanjavur Art Gallery, located in the Thanjavur Palace has an exquisite collection of ancient sculptures and coins. Saraswathi Mahal Library another section of the Palace where over 30,000 palm leaf and paper manuscripts are preserved. Overnight at hotel.
Day 17:
Thanjavur - Pondicherry (180km) (B)
Drive to Pondicherry via visiting The Great Living Chola Temples at Darasuram a storehouse of art and architecture with 85 feet high vimana. The front mandapam itself is in the form of a huge chariot drawn by horses. The temple has some exquisite stone carvings. The main deitys consort Periya Nayaki Amman temple is situated adjacent to Airavateshwarar temple. And Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple built in Tamil style of architecture with a square plan. The temple complex includes Nandi Mandapa, Alankar Mandapa, Maha Mandapa, Mukha Mandapa and Ardha Mandapa. Also visit Nataraja Temple dedicated to the dancing posture of Lord Shiva at Chidambaram. Constructed during the 10th century when Chidambaram used to be the capital of the Chola dynasty, the architecture of temple represents the link between arts and spirituality.
Arrive Pondicherry check in & overnight at hotel.
Day 18:
Pondicherry - Chennai (160km) (B)
Visit Aurovil an experimental community founded in 1968 by the spiritual leader Mirra Alfassa as a town where people from all over the world could live in harmony. Its focal point is the Matrimandir, a futuristic, spherical temple covered in gold discs. Pondicherry Museum it houses a fantastic collection of bronze sculptures of god and goddess, a wide gathering of temple lamps, handicrafts and art. Drive pass or walk through stunning French Quarters, charming mustard streets, colonial villas and vibrant Tamil settlements. Besides a very picturesque view of the lovely alleys and narrow lanes, you can also marvel at the gorgeous architecture of the French colonial settlements which include French consulate, Raj Nivas, Government Square, Churches & French schools.
Drive to Chennai enroute stop at Mahabalipuram. Visit Monolithic Temples Five Rathas an excellent examples of the evolution of Dravidian style architecture. Krishnas Butterball a gigantic granite boulder resting on a short incline. 7th century Cave Temples cut and decorated with panels in the Mamalla style. Shore Temple built with blocks of granite in 7th century during the rule of King Narsimha-Varman II Rajasimha the temple complex consisting of two Siva temples and a carving of Anantasayana Vishnu. The Arjuna`s Penance an enormous rock-cut relief, one of the largest in the whole world.
Continue drive to Chennai check in & overnight at hotel.
Day 19:
Chennai - Departure (B)
As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.
• Assistance on arrival at airport.
• 18 Nights accommodation in selected price category hotels.
• Meal as per day plan (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)
• Private air conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.
• English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.
• Monuments entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.
• Bottled drinking water in car.
• Government taxes.
• Any flight tickets.
• Camera charges at monuments.
• Meals other than mentioned in day plan.
• Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.
• Gratuities & optional activities.
• Anything not mentioned in inclusions.
| Day | Overnight | Itinerary highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chennai | Chennai International Airport (MAA), Chennai - Chennai Airport |
| 2 | Vellore | |
| 3 | Trichy | |
| 4 | Madurai | |
| 5 | Munnar | |
| 6 | Munnar | |
| 7 | Thekkady | |
| 8 | Kumarakom | |
| 9 | Alleppey | |
| 10 | Kochi | |
| 11 | Kovalam | |
| 12 | Kovalam | |
| 13 | Kanyakumari | |
| 14 | Rameshwaram | |
| 15 | Chettinad | |
| 16 | Thanjāvūr | |
| 17 | Pondicherry | |
| 18 | Chennai | |
| 19 | Chennai International Airport (MAA), Chennai - Chennai Airport |
| Place | 3 Star hotels | 4 Star hotels | 5 Star hotels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai | Raj Park/ MGM East Woods or similar | The Raintree/ Accord Metropolitan or similar | ITC Grand Chola/ The Leela Palace or similar |
| Vellore | Hotel Khanna Fiesta/ POPPYS Anukula Residency or similar | Regency Sameera Vellore by GRT Hotels/ Fortune Park or similar | |
| Trichy | Red Fox Hotel/ Grand Gardenia or similar | Sangam Hotels or similar | |
| Madurai | Astoria by Sparsa/ Madurai’s Residency or similar | GRT Regency/ Fortune Pandiyan Hotel or similar | Courtyard by Marriott/ The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai or similar |
| Munnar | Fort Munnar/ Abad Copper Castle or similar | Nature Zone Jungle Resort/ Fragrant Nature Munnar or similar | Chandys Windy Woods/ Tea County or similar |
| Thekkady | Abad Green Forest/ Hotel Treetop or similar | The Elephant Court/ Cardamom County or similar | Spice Village/ Carmelia Haven Resort or similar |
| Kumarakom | Abad Whispering Palm/ Cocobay Resort or similar | Eastend Lake Song/ Goldfield Lake Resort or similar | Coconut Lagoon/ The Zuri or similar |
| Alleppey | Deluxe Houseboat (ATDC Houseboat/ Dream Boats) or similar | Preminum Houseboat (Abad Premium Houseboats/ Rainbow Premium Houseboats) or similar | Xandari Riverscapes/ Lakes & Lagoons/ Spice Route Premium or similar |
| Kochi | The Dune Hotel/ Abad Plaza or similar | Casino Hotel/ Le Maritime or similar | Xandari Harbour/ Le Meridien or similar |
| Kovalam | Harmonia Beach Resort/ Sagara Beach Resort or similar | Esturay Island Resort/Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel or similar | Raviz Kovalam/ Vivanta by Taj - Green Cove or similar |
| Kanyakumari | Sea Shore/ Hotel Seaface or similar | Anantya Resorts/ Annai Resorts and Spa or similar | |
| Rameshwaram | Daiwik Hotel or similar | Hyatt Place Rameswaram or similar | |
| Chettinad | Chidambara Vilas/ Chettinadu Mansion or similar | Visalam Cgh Earth or similar | |
| Thanjāvūr | Grand Gardenia/ Oriental Towers or similar | Sangam Hotels/ Ideal River View Resort or similar | Svatma or similar |
| Pondicherry | Shenbaga Hotel/ Annamalai International or similar | Le Pondy/ The Windflower Resort & Spa or similar | Palais De Mahe/ La Villa or similar |
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