Luxury Travel
» South India Highlights Tour
South India Highlights Tour
Duration: 14 Nights / 15 Days
Destinations: Chennai - Mahabalipuram -
Kanchipuram - Trichy - Tanjore - Madurai - Thekkady - Kumarokom - Backwaters
- Alleppey - Cochin - Mumbai
Day 01: Chennai
Compass Representative will meet and assist you upon your arrival at the Chennai
International Airport. Transfer to your hotel. Check in at hotel in Chennai.
Overnight will be at Chennai.
Day 02: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (By road 60 km / 2 hr)
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Chennai visiting Museum (Closed on Fridays
and holidays). Drive through the flower and fruit market, High Court, Fort Museum,
Marina Beach, San Thom Cathedral and Snake Park.
Proceed for Mahabalipuram by surface.
Visit Kanchipuram, ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000
temples that still has 124 shrines. Kanchipuram is also famous for silk.
Overnight will be in Mahabalipuram.
Day 03: Mahabalipuram
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for sight seeing of Mahabalipuram - famous for the seven pagodas. Here,
on the seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples, which
are the examples of Dravidian style of architecture.
Enjoy the day at the beach.
Overnight will be at the hotel.
Day 04: Mahabalipuram - Trichy (By road 240 km / 5 hr)
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Drive to Trichy a famous temple town in South India.
Situated on the banks of river Kaveri, Tiruchirappalli, the fourth largest city
in the state was a citadel of the early Cholas, which later fell to the Pallavas.
Trichy came to be occupied in turn by the Nayaka of Madurai, the Marathas, the
Nawabs of Carnatic, the French and finally the British. But it was under Nayakas
of Madurai that Trichy flourished and prospered in tit's own right and grew
to be the city that is today. Trichy is fine blend of tradition and modernity
built round the rock fort Apart from the fort there are several Churches, Colleges
and Missions dating back to the 1760s. With Excellent infrastructural facilities
Trichy will serve as a good base to explore the South of Tamilnadu.
Overnight will be in Trichy.
Day 05: Trichy - Tanjore - Madurai (By road 240 km / 6 hr)
Start sightseeing after breakfast.
Visit the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Ganapathi, 434 steps cut out into
the rock side and interspersed with shrines, lead to the temple. Visit SRIRANGAM,
a massive temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu sprawled on a Island in CAUVERY RIVER
which contains within its walls a Bazaar (TRADITIONAL MARKET OF INDIA) as well.
Gaze up at the twenty-one magnificent towers of the temple surrounded by seven
walls.
In the afternoon drive to Tanjore also known as Thanjavur (The rice bowl of
TAMIL NADU). Proceed for sight seeing of Tanjore. Visit the famous Chola Temple
of Brihadeeshwara - A WORLD HERITAGE MONUMENT. Its bronze and handicrafts make
Tanjore one of the highlights of the tour to South India. The majesty of the
palaces and art gallery attached to the temple is really awe-inspiring. It is
also famous for the silk.
Later leave for Madurai by surface and en route visit Karaikudi (Chettinad).
Madurai is over 2500 years old and is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu
- Ancient seat of learning. The city is planned in the shape of a lotus.
Check into the hotel by noon. Overnight will be at Madurai.
Day 06: Madurai
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Visit the famous Madurai Meenakshi temple (dedicated to the consort of Lord
Shiva with its towering GOPURAMS) - There are four entrances to this amazing
temple complex set in 6 hectares. Beat some of the stone pillars in the complex
with any hard object and feel incredible on hearing sweet metal sounds. The
total number of pillars in the temple is a staggering one Thousand.
Enjoy the sightseeing of this town during the day and later in the evening relax
at the hotel.
Overnight will be in Madurai.
Day 07: Madurai - Thekkady (Periyar) (By road 180 km / 4 hr)
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed to Thekkady.
The river Periyar is the longest river in Kerala. This is the only perennial
river in South India with clean water. The river occupies an important place
in the history of Kerala. In the Sangam age Tamil epics such as Chilapathikaram,
'Akananuru', 'Purananuru' etc much has been said about this mighty river, formerly
known as the 'Choorni Nadi' or 'Thamraparni Nadi' (Sukasandesam -stanza 66).
A land route existed in the Sangam age from Mussuris (present-day Kodungalloor)
to Madurai, which passed near the banks of the river Periyar. The capital of
the old Chera Empire presumably existed on the banks of the river Periyar. It
is believed that there was a flood in the 4th century AD that severely damaged
the areas along the Periyar and the people living there had to escape to safer
locations, abandoning their homes and livelihoods. The flood of AD 1341 resulted
in the closing of Kodungalloor port and the opening of a new port at Kochi.
The
huge landslide that began in the high ranges as a result of the heavy downpours
sent massive flows of mud and sand which created an Island at the 'Azhimugham'
of the Periyar which is now known as the Vyppin Islands.
Visit spice plantations like cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates
etc. on cycle. Stop at the local market "KUMILY" and pick up some
fragrant spices.
Overnight will be spent at Thekkady.
Day 08: Thekkady
After early breakfast start for the Nature Trek into the forest.
In the afternoon, proceed for the boat ride at Periyar. Today you can visit
the rare species of plants and animals. Take a jungle walk and enjoy nature.
Proceed for an ELEPHANT RIDE (provided elephants are available on this day as
they are rounded up in the morning and released in the evening).
In the evening relax at resort. Overnight will be in Thekkady.
Day 09: Thekkady - Kumarokom (By Road 175 km in 5 hr)
Proceed to Kumarokom after breakfast.
Arrive at Kumarokom, after a journey of approx. 5 hours enjoying the beauty
of the traditional Keralian houses.
The village of Kumarokom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake,
and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary
here, which is spread across 14 acres, is a favorite haunt of migratory birds
and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo,
wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live there in flocks
are a fascination for visitors. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarokom
sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.
An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarokom offers visitors many other leisure
options. Boating and fishing facilities are available at Kumarokom. An unbelievably
beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut
groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with while
lilies - this is Kumarokom.
Reach and visit the Bird Sanctuary. Check in at Hotel.
Spend the night relaxing at Kumarokom.
Day 10: Houseboat Cruise
Breakfast would be at the resort.
Enjoy the morning at the resort taking a rejuvenation massage. Board the houseboat
in the afternoon for a cruise in the backwaters.
Our boat awaits and we begin a thrilling and colorful boat ride through the
'backwaters' to Ambalaphuza, all sitting on the deck to see more! The term 'backwaters'
actually refers to the extensive network of rivers, lakes, canals and lagoons
that lace the coastal plain interior coastline and stretch from Cochin almost
down to Trivandrum. Small canoes, elderly sailboats, coconut-laden barges, tiny
skiffs full of school children, Chinese-style Junks and thatch-covered country
craft are common sights.
Lunch will be served on the boat freshly prepared by the crew.
In the evening the boat will anchor by the lush paddy fields and enjoy the tranquility
of the water around.
Dinner would be laid out in the boat. Spend night on houseboat.
Day 11: Aleppey - Cochin (By Road 60 km in 1 hr)
Breakfast will be on the boat.
Proceed to Aleppey.
Aleppey (Alappuzha) is famous for its boat races, houseboats, coir products,
fish and lakes. Alappuzha remains prominent on the tourist trial of Kerala as
one of the major centres for backwater boat trips. "Kuttanad" in Alappuzha
is one of few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. Kuttanad
is a land of lush paddy fields and is called the 'Rice Bowl' of Kerala. Kuttanad
stretches for 75 Km sandwiched between the sea and the hills.
Disembark from the boat and proceed to Cochin.
The eventful history of this city began when a major flood in AD 1341 threw
open the estuary at Kochi, till then a land locked region, turning it into one
of the finest natural harbors in the world. Kochi thus became a haven for seafaring
visitors from all over the world and became the first European town-ship in
India when the Portuguese settled here in the 15th century.
The Dutch wrested Fort Kochi from the Portuguese in AD 1663 and later in the
last phase of the colonial saga, the British took over, the town in 1795. During
1660's, Fort Kochi peaked in stature as a prime commercial centre and its fame
spread far and wide - variously as a rich trade centre, a major military base,
a vibrant cultural hub, a great ship building centre, a centre for Christianity
and so on. Today, centuries later, the city is home to nearly thirteen communities.
In the early evening proceed for a private harbor cruise. Enjoy watching the
dolphins, the fishing island and the Bolghatty Palace. Cruise till the mouth
of the sea and enjoy the sunset.
Overnight will be at Cochin.
Day 12: Cochin
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed to Cochin.
Proceed for a sightseeing tour of FORT COCHIN. A few interesting sites included
in the tour are the Chinese fishing nets along the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa
Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow, Jewish Synagogue,
Mattancherry Palace, etc. Learn the operation of the interesting Chinese fishing
nets erected on teak wood and bamboo poles which work on the principle of balance.
Records say they were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450. Vasco Da Gama
Square, the narrow promenade that parallels the beach, is the best place to
watch the nets being lowered and pulled out of the sea.
Enjoy the KATHAKALI DANCE PRESENTATION in the evening. This will be the best
way to end your tour of South India.
Day 13: Cochin - Mumbai (By Air)
Flight No : IC 596
Airlines : INDIAN AIRLINES
Aircraft : AIRBUS 300
Departure : 0935
Arrival : 1115
Breakfast will be at hotel. Transfer to the airport for flight to Mumbai. Reach
and transfer to hotel.
For the rest of the day you'll be taking a sightseeing tour of Mumbai which
has a very distinct and appealing culture of its own.
The places covered will be MAHALAKSHMI TEMPLE, HANGING GARDEN, TOWER OF SILENCE,
CHOWPATTY AND PRINCE OF WALES MUSEUM.
Overnight will be in Mumbai.
Day 14: Mumbai
Breakfast will be in the hotel.
Spend the day in last minute shopping and relaxing at the beautiful and famous
hotel.
Overnight will be in Mumbai.
Day 15: Mumbai - Home
We will meet you at very early morning.
Transfer in time to the airport for flight back home with sweet memories of
India very early in the morning.
TOUR END
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