|
Day 01: Home Chennai (Madras)
Assistance on arrival at Chennai International airport by our
representative, transfer to hotel. After freshen up 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. overnight at the hotel.
Day 02: Chennai Kanchipuram Mahabalipuram
Morning morning checkout & drive to Mahabalipuram enroute visit Kanchipuram – this is one of India’s seven
sacred cities and one of its loveliest temple towns also known for
its handloom silks. On arrival in Mahabalipuram transfer to beach
resort. After freshen up 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 Arjuna’s Penace and Shore Temples, after sun
set drive back to the hotel for overnight.
Day 03: Mahabalipuram – 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 04: 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 05: 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 06: 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 07: 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 08: 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 09: 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 10: 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 11: Kovalam
Day free to relax at the beach resorts one can take ayurvedic massages
available at the resort, overnight in Kovalam.
Day 12: Kovalam - Chennai (By air at 1330 hrs / arr at 1430
hrs) - Back home.
Morning free to laze at the beach resort, afternoon transfer to
Trivandrum airport to board the flight for Chennai at 1330 hrs,
assistance on arrival in Chennai at 1430 hrs, time free for shopping
or individual activities in Chennai, later transfer to International
airport to board the flight back home.
|
