ENCHANTING SOUTH INDIA 12 DAYS FROM $2,284 US Details below or
click here for more information INQUIRY FORM
Southern India - vastly contradictory to the Moghul North. Explore an India few visitors see with its richly historic cities, traditional folkways and lush tropical temples and villages.
DAY 1 - Arrive Chennai Upon arrival at Chennai International airport after clearing immigration and customs, you will be met and assisted by our representative and transferred to the hotel. (Check-in 12:00 noon)
Hotel Taj Coromandal or Similar
DAY 2 - Chennai
In the morning following breakfast, visit Kapaleeshwar temple. This ancient shrine dedicated to Shiva is centrally located and among the area's most popular landmarks. Lord Shiva once pinched off one of the heads of Brahma to arrest his pride. A crestfallen Brahma came to this place, installed a Siva Lingam and did penance. The Lingam is known as Kapaleeswarar. At noon, visit National Art Gallery and Government Museum, which houses a fine collection of items in various sections of geology, archaeology, numismatics, anthropology, botany and zoology Later, visit Marina Beach which extends from Fort St. George all the way to Mahabalipuram.
Hotel Taj Coromandal or Similar - B
DAY 3 - Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram
After morning breakfast proceed to Kanchipuram. This ancient capital of the Pallavas, famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. After visiting Kanchipuram proceed for Mahabalipuram. Upon arrival in Mahabalipuram, check-in at the hotel & later visit the city of Mahabalipuram famous for the seven pagodas.
Hotel Radisson Blu Temple Bay or Similar - B
DAY 4 - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry
Morning drive to Pondicherry a charming coastal town that was formerly a French colony and still has a few touches of French culture. Upon arrival check-in at hotel. Afternoon proceed for sightseeing tour to the French Tamil quarter and the world famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram a spiritual center founded on modern sciences and yoga.
Hotel Le Pondy or Similar - B
DAY 5 - Pondicherry - Tanjore
After breakfast depart for the Great Chola Capital Tanjore (The Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu). On arrival check-in to your hotel at Tanjore and proceed for sightseeing to the world famous Brihadeshwar temple. The temple built by the cholas is very special for its architecture. The most surprising is that the temple does not have a shadow falling on ground at any time of day but falls on its own body.
Hotel Sangam or Similar - B
DAY 6 - Tanjore - Trichy
After breakfast, check-out of hotel and drive to Trichy. On arrival check-in and proceed for sightseeing of Trichy 'a town situated on the banks of river Cauvery' visiting the famous "Sriranganathaswami temple" at Srirangam. It is surrounded by seven concentric walls and 21 towers called "Gopurams". At the next place we visit the 'Rock fort temple' at the main town. A 437 rock cut steps will reach us to the Ganesh Shrine, a view of entire Trichy town from here is breath taking.
Hotel Sangam or Similar - B
DAY 7 - Trichy - Madurai
After breakfast, drive to Madurai the old city of Tamilnadu. 'Madhuram' means 'sweet' in Sanskrit. Depart from hotel after breakfast and drive to Madurai - the old city of Tamilnadu. 'Madhuram' means 'sweet' in Sanskrit. On arrival check-in to hotel. At noon, we do the sightseeing tour of Madurai visiting the famous Meenakshi Temple. People are blessed by the temple elephant. Further more visit the Tirumalai Nayak palace and Gandhi Museum. Later return to the hotel.
Late evening visit Meenakshi temple for the Aarti ceremony with a fanfare where the Lord Shiva is lead to the bedroom of his wife, Meenakshi.
Hotel The Gateway (Heritage) or Similar - B
DAY 8 - Madurai - Periyar
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Periyar (also known as Thekkady). The name Periyar comes after the Dam made here by the English in 1895. On arrival at Periyar check in to the hotel. At noon, we would leave for guided plantation tour, nearby. In the evening enjoy the most popular boat trip at the National Park. There are many animals to see, including herds of elephants, bison's and packs of wild boars that roam through the woods and parade along the shores of the lake just before sunrise and sunset.
Spice Village Resort or Similar - B
DAY 9 - Periyar - Houseboat
After breakfast in the hotel drive to backwaters. On arrival we would be boarding our houseboat from Kumarakom jetty. During the cruise, you would also be able to drop in at some villages to check out the techniques and procedure involved in coir making. Lunch and dinner would be onboard, and you would be spending your night in the mid of the lake.
On-Board Premium Houseboat - B, L, D
DAY 10 - Houseboat - Alleppey - Cochin
After leisurely breakfast on board disembark at Alleppey jetty, which is also known as Venice of the East because of the narrow canals and backwaters. Transfer to Cochin.
Arrive Cochin and check into the hotel. In the evening visit the famous dance drama of Kerala, the "Kathakali". This dance can be characterized by grotesque gesticulations, amazing costumes and very extensive make-up. The stories are mostly taken from the epics Mahabharatha and Ramayana.
Hotel Le Meridien or Similar - B
DAY 11 - Cochin
After breakfast, proceed for sight seeing tour of Cochin visiting-'The Jewish Synagogue' at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town, 'The St. Francis Church', the oldest European Church in India, 'The Santa Cruz Basilica' originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese, 'The Dutch Palace and Spice market at the narrow streets. Later return to hotel and in the evening visit the 'Chinese fishing nets' huge cantilevered fishing nets believed to have brought to Kochi by Chinese traders.
Hotel Le Meridien or Similar - B
DAY 12 - Depart Cochin
Transfer to the airport as per your flight schedule to board the flight for your onward journey. B
INCLUSIONS:
* A representative for assistance on arrival and departure transfers
* 11 nights hotel accommodation on twin sharing basis in base category of rooms "or similar"
* Meals as per itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) Daily Buffet Breakfast, except at houseboat which is on Full Board
* All transfers, excursions and sightseeing will be by air-conditioned Toyota Innova or Tempo Traveler according to the number of pax
* Entrance fees at all monuments / parks, road taxes, parking fees, fuel surcharge, interstate taxes
* Kathakali dance show (01 time)
* Boat ride on Periyar Lake to view animals (01 ride)
* Local English-speaking guide for the sightseeing and excursion tours
* Mineral water in the vehicle through-out the tour
* Departure gift
* Welcome kit with all relevant documents pertaining to the tour
* All currently applicable taxes
EXCLUSIONS:
* Any Insurance
* Optional sightseeing you may choose while on any tour
* Any other meals or beverages not included per itinerary
* Tipping, laundry, telephone/fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure tax etc.
* Airline excess baggage
* International flight
* All the other services which are not mentioned in the inclusions
HOTELS USED (or Similar):
* Chennai: GRT Grande: First
Taj Coromandal: Deluxe
* Mahabalipuram: MGM Beach Resort: First
Radisson Blu Temple Bay: Deluxe
* Pondicherry: Le Pondy: First
Le Pondy: Deluxe
* Tanjore: Sangam: First
Sangam: Deluxe
* Trichy: Sangam: First
Sangam: Deluxe
* Madurai: GRT Regency: First
The Gateway: Deluxe
* Thekkady: Cardamom County: First
Spice Village: Deluxe
* Alleppy: Houseboat: First
Houseboat: Deluxe
* Cochin: Trident: First
Le Meridien: Deluxe
IMPORTANT NOTE:
- Extra supplements apply during Christmas/New Years
- Any hike in taxes, entrance fees to monuments, fuel or guide charges levied by govt. of India, shall be charged extra
Departures: January - March
October - December
Prices: From approx $2,284 US per person based on
double occupancy More
Tours and Cruises Available For more information please complete the INQUIRY
FORM
