Day 01: Home Mumbai (Bombay)
Assistance on arrival at Mumbai International airport by our representative,
transfer to hotel. Relax & overnight at the hotel.
Day 02: Mumbai (Bombay)
Morning take a sight seeing tour of Mumbai (Bombay), drive to Gateway
of India and from here cruise by motor boats to Elephanta Caves.
A flight of 100 steps takes you to the top of the hill where it
is set. The caves houses large pillars that seem to hold the ceiling
which is made of cross beams. The picturesque presentation of the
9 marvelous sculptured panels, set on the walls is awe-inspiring.
The most famous of the panels is the Trimurthi, or triple-headed
Shiva, where the God is depicted as the destroyer, the preserver
and the creator. Later in the afternoon cruise back to Gateway of
India, one can have lunch at the Taj Hotel or other several good
Restaurants like Leopold & Mondegar serving continental cuisines.
Later visit Prince of Wales Museum, Parliament House, Marine Drive,
Jain Temple, Hanging Gardens, Return back to the hotel for overnight.
Day 03: Mumbai - Chennai
Morning transfer to airport to board the flight for Chennai at 0900
hrs, assistance on arrival in Chennai at 1045 hrs, transfer to hotel.
Later in the day take a sight seeing tour of Chennai including Marina
Beach, the second longest beach in the world. The St. George Fort,
built in 1653, is currently used as the state governments
secretariat. Santhome Cathedral was built around 14th/15th century
and is another colonial structure worth visiting. Dedicated to Lord
Shiva, the Kapaleeswara Temple is the oldest temple in Chennai.
Another important temple in the city dedicated to Lord Krishna is
Parthasarthy Temple. The Snake Park has a large collection of snakes
and many other reptiles. Evening free for individual activities,
overnight at the hotel.
Day 04: Chennai Kanchipuram Mahabalipuram - Chennai
Morning visit Kanchipuram this is one of Indias seven
sacred cities and one of its loveliest temple towns also known for
its handloom silks. Visit Kailasnathar, Vaikuntaperumal, Ekambareshwara,
Kamakshiamma and Sakiswarar Temples. Later in the day visit Mahabalipuram
known for its Pallava Art and its beautiful long beach, visit Cave
Temples, Rathas Arjunas Penace and Shore Temples, after sun
set drive back to the hotel for overnight.
Day 05: Chennai Chidambaram - Tanjore (150 Kms
3 hours)
Morning checkout and drive to Tanjore, enroute visit Chidambaram
which is one of the foremost Saivite shrines; the very name Kovil
refers to Chidambaram, where Natarajan is enshrined in the Chit
Sabha or the Hall of Consciousness, in the Ananda Tandavam (Dance
of Bliss) pose. Chidambaram is one of the Panchabhoota Stalams signifying
the 5 elements of wind (Kalahasti), water (Tiruvanaikka), fire (Tiruvannamalai),
earth (Kanchipuram) and space (Chidambaram). The Moovar (Sambandar,
Appar and Sundarar) as well as Manikkavacakar have sung praises
of Chidambaram. Several literary works praise the glory of Chidambaram.
Chidambaram is one of the 5 dance Halls of Shiva (Kanakasabhai).
The five dance halls are Chithambram, Madurai, Tiruvalankadu, Tirunelveli
and Kutralam.
Late continue driving to Tanjore, on arrival transfer to hotel.
Afternoon, visit Tanjore (Thanjavur) which was the ancient capital
of Chola kings. Visit the Brihadeshwara temple which was built by
Raja and is termed as the crowning glory of Chola temple architecture.
This temple is one of the monuments in India with World Heritage
listing. Also visit the Thanjavur Palace which was constructed in
1550 and has huge corridors, spacious halls, observation and arsenal
towers.
Day 06: Tanjore Trichy (50 kms 1 hour)
Morning checkout and drive to Trichy, on arrival transfer to hotel.
Later in the afternoon visit Trichy the most famous landmark of
this bustling town - the Rock Fort Temple, a spectacular monument
perched on a massive rocky outcrop which rises abruptly from the
plain to tower over the old city. It is reached by a flight of steep
steps cut into the rock and from its summit you get a fantastic
view of the town plus its other main landmark, the Sri Ranganathanswami
Temple. This temple is one of the largest and most interesting temple
complexes in India, built on an island in the middle of the Cauvery
River and covering a staggering 2.5 sq km and Jambukeshwara Temples.
Evening drive back to hotel or take a walk through old city particularly
big bazar street and China bazar. Overnight in Trichy.
Day 07: Trichy - Madurai (165 kms 3 hrs)
Morning checkout and drive to Madurai, on arrival transfer to hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Madurai visiting Meenakshi Temple,
Tirumalai Nayak Palace and Vandiyur Mariamman Teepakulam where annual
float festival takes place. Overnight at hotel in Madurai.
Day 08: Madurai Periyar (150 kms- 3 hrs)
Morning checkout and drive to Periyar, on arrival transfer to hotel.
Take a boat ride in Periyar lake at 1500 hrs to see the wild animals
on the bank of the lake especially elephants who comes to bathe
with their siblings. Evening visit Spice Plantations & Market,
overnight in Periyar.
Day 09: Periyar Kumarakom (130 kms - 3 hours)
Early morning take a boat ride again in the Periyar Lake, later
checkout & drive to Kumarakom back water country, on
arrival transfer to resort overlooking the Vembanad Lake. Enjoy
the ambiance of Kumarakom, visit Kumarakom bird sanctuary which
houses different species of migratory birds. Early evening take
a rice boat cruise in the canals of Kumarakom. Overnight in Kumarakom.
Day 10: Kumarakom Alleppey (By Houseboats)
Morning board the houseboat cruise for Alleppey for an overnight
journey, enjoy the cruise in Vembanad Lake. 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
(snake boats) for which Kerala is very famous. The Golden Star Deluxe
houseboats have Sitting Area, Dinning Area, Sun Deck to enjoy sunset
and fishing, Bed room with double & twin bed with attached English
toilets and running hot & cold water. Breakfast, Lunch &
dinner will be served on board the houseboats, overnight cruising
in the Vembanad Lake.
Day 11: Alleppey Kovalam (175 kms 4 hours)
Breakfast will be served on board, arrive Alleppey Jetty at 0900
hrs, assistance on arrival transfer drive to Kovalam, on arrival
transfer to beach resorts, rest of the day free to relax at the
beach resort.
Day 12: Kovalam
Morning take a sight seeing tour of Trivandrum City in the morning
covering the Padmanabhaswamy Temple & Palace, Chaitra Art Gallery
and Napier Museum. After lunch take an excursion tour to Cape Camorin
(Kanya Kumari) 84 kms, Kanyakumari the south-most tip of
India where the three seas Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of
Bengal meet. Visit Vivekananda Rock and Kumari Amman Temple, enjoy
Sunset over the Indian Ocean and drive back to Kovolam. Enjoy Kathakali
dance performance before you dine. Overnight at the beach resort.
Day 13: Kovalam
Day free to relax at the beach resorts one can take ayurvedic massages
available at the resort, overnight in Kovalam.
Day 14: Kovalam - Mumbai (Bombay) (By air at 1335 hrs /
arr at 1500 hrs) Back home.
Morning drive to Trivandrum for half an hour, on arrival transfer
to airport to board the flight for Mumbai (Bombay) at 1335 hrs,
assistance on arrival in Mumbai (Bombay) at 1500 hrs, transfer to
hotel. Day free to relax, after farewell dinner transfer to International
airport to board the flight back home.
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