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Kerala Tours >>The Best of South India
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The Best
of South India
(Tamilnadu & Kerala)
Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Cochin
- Periyar - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Houseboats - Marari - Cochin (Duration
: 12 days)
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The delightful south; almost untouched by invasions throughout its history, the Indian heritage is more intact here than in other regions of the country. It is a land of magnificently carved temples, a land of the devout to the green paddy fields and a unique network of rivers , backwaters and lagoons and the land of spices.
| Day 1- Arrive Chennai |
| Assistance on arrival at Chennai International
airport, transfer to hotel, relax & overnight in Chennai. |
| Day 2- CHENNAI / MAHABALIPURAM |
| Morning, proceed for the city tour of Chennai (Madras), which is now known as Chennai and is one India’s four metropolises located on the Coromandel Coast, it is the gateway to south India and also an important harbour. Chennai has a blend of Dravidian and Gothic architecture in its buildings. It was the first citadel of the British. Tamil Nadu is a bastion of Hinduism, whose past endures into the present. Visit the St. George Fort built in 1640 A.D which now houses the Tamil Nadu State Legislature and Secretariat, San Thome Cathedral, which is said to contain the remains of St Thomas and the famous bronze Museum. Thereafter depart for Mahabalipuram. Arrive and check in to hotel. Overnight at hotel |
| Day 3- MAHABALIPURAM |
| Depart for of Kanchipuram, one of India's seven sacred Hindu cities. Historic capital of the Pallavas and thereafter the Cholas Also called as the city of thousand temples, it has magnificent temples of unique architectural beauty that bear eloquent testimony to its glorious Dravidian heritage. Notable being the Kailasnatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, finest example of Pallava architecture. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silk saris. Thereafter visit
Mahabalipuram, the ancient seaport city of Pallavas, known for its rock hewn temples with statues of gods and goddesses, monsters and angels, snakes, water nymphs and animals that crowd the rock to watch the descent of Ganges flow through Shiva's hair. Return to hotel and overnight |
| Day 4- MAHABALIPURAM / CHENNAI / COCHIN (Flight) |
| After breakfast transfer to Chennai Airport to connect flight for Cochin Upon arrival – met at the airport and transferred to hotel. Cochin - with a fine natural harbour, has been Kerala’s center of trade for innumerable centuries. With its beautiful setting on a cluster of islands, narrow Peninsulas and a long history, Cochin boasts of one of the oldest churches in India, 500 year old Portuguese houses, cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, the historical Palace built by the Portuguese, Jew town, complete with an immaculately preserved synagogues. Overnight at hotel. |
| Day 5- Cochin |
| After breakfast proceed for the sightseeing of Cochin - visiting the Fort area including the Dutch Palace, the Church of St. Frances and the Jewish synagogue. Cochin - now called 'Kochi' is the commercial hub of Kerala and a town of great historical importance. It has one of the finest natural harbours and is called the "Queen of the Arabian Sea". Rest of the day at leisure for souvenir shopping Witness the Kathakali dance show in the evening. Return to hotel and overnight. |
| Day 6- COCHIN / PERIYAR (3 hours) |
| After leisurely breakfast depart for Periyar. Arrive and check in to hotel. In the afternoon, proceed to visit the different farms to see how famous spices are grown for which the French, Dutch, Portuguese and British came to India. The spices found here are pepper, tea, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, turmeric, etc. Rest of the day at leisure Overnight at hotel. |
| Day 7- PERIYAR |
| Morning, visit the famous Periyar wildlife sanctuary on motorboat to see the wild Life - set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats of Kerala. Periyar - an artificial lake or reservoir created by a dam on Periyar River, which is the heart of the 777 sq. km Wildlife Sanctuary. Apart from the wild elephant, one can spot Asiatic Deer, Black Buck and some times even Tigers come to shores of the lake to drink water. Overnight at hotel |
| Day 8- PERIYAR / KUMARAKOM (3 hours) |
| After breakfast depart for Kumarakom. Arrive Kumarakom and check in to hotel. 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 In the afternoon, proceed to visit the Vembanad bird sanctuary – on the southern bank of Kavanar river, immediately opposite Coconut Lagoon is a small bird sanctuary where numerous species of birds, including Darters, Bitterns, Brahminy kites, Marsh Harries, Teals and several varieties of Herons roost. For an inquisitive bird watcher, it is always advisable to carry their binoculars at all times. A five-minute boat ride from Coconut Lagoon, followed by a short stroll on the other side will get you there. Return to hotel and overnight |
| Day 9- KUMARAKOM TO ALLEPPEY BY HOUSE BOAT |
| Morning at leisure. In the afternoon check in to House Boat. Proceed for an overnight cruise towards Allepey. The journey will take us through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters of Alleppey to Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets, typical villages and regattas (boats snakes) for which Kerala is very famous. Dinner will and Overnight on board |
| Day 10- ALLEPPEY / MARARIKULAM |
| Breakfast on board. Arrive Alleppey and transferred to Mararikulam. Time free to relax in the hotel. |
| Day 11- MARARIKULAM |
| Day at leisure for independent activities or near the beach. Overnight at hotel. |
| Day 12- MARARIKULAM / COCHIN (3 hours) / NEXT DESTINATION |
| Morning at leisure on the beach. Evening transferred to International airport in Cochin to connect flight for your next destination |
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