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| ::Itineraries:: |
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| South
India Tour |
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Vision
of Nature and Spirituality
Bombay
- Cochin - Alleppey - Kumarakom - Munnar - Periyar -
Madurai - Tanjore - Pondicherry -
Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Chennai
14 Nights - 15 Days
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01
Day: Arrival Mumbai:
Meeting and assistance on arrival at the International airport, our representatives welcome and escort you by a private car and transfer to the hotel, whilst the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative would hand over the documents and brief the tour programme to you. Overnight at the hotel.
02 Day: Mumbai:
After breakfast takes a sight seeing tour of
Bombay, drive to Gateway of India and from here
cruise by motorboats 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 presentations
of the 9 marvelous sculptured panels, set on
the walls are 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.
Note: Elephanta Caves and Prince of
Wales museum are closed on every Monday.
03 Day: Mumbai -
Cochin (By Air):
After breakfast check out the hotel and transferred
to the domestic airport to board the morning
flight for Cochin. On arrival transfer to the
hotel. After relaxation take sightseeing tour
this evening a memorable experience in any journey
in Kerala is a Boat Trip along the Palm Fringed
Lakes & Backwaters of the Area; we enjoy
this extraordinary excursion today. As we sail
along the shady canals we see cantilevered Chinese
fishing nets, Bolghatty palace, From the launch,
we enjoy use of narrow produced - Laden dugouts
& the everyday life of families living on
narrow spits of land between the waters, cruise
till the mouth of the sea and enjoy sun set.
Overnight
04 Day: Cochin:
After breakfast take a city tour of Cochin,
Oasis state of Kerala & on to the Malabar
Coasts & Kochi (formerly Cochin), one of
the India's most colourful cities. This inter,
connected series of Islands & shoreline
presents a vivacious blend of Cultures &
Religions; visiting FORT COCHIN. A few interesting
sites included 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. In
the evening enjoy the Kathakali, one of India's
most famous Classical dances. Lavish Costumes
& Exotic makeup & Masks intensify the
beauty of the dancers, intricate moments. Overnight
at Cochin.
05 Day: Cochin -
Alleppey (64 Kms 1 ½ hrs) Backwaters
tours through sailing boat to Kumarakom:
After breakfast checkout and drive for Alleppey,
on arrival embark at the houseboat. The day
for the journey of backwaters in the boat, through
the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters
of Alleppey by regattas (snake boats) for which
Kerala is very famous, while sailing enjoy palm
fringed narrow canals winding through the vast
expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets
lined up along either side of the canals are
panoramic sights one can never forget. The Chinese
fishing nets, the reminiscent of our past trade
links, are also found on the way. Flocks of
duck swimming around the banks and tiny birds
flying across the sky remains as enduring pictures
reflecting the charm of this tourist land, you
also enjoy fishing from the houseboats, evening
enjoy sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats,
moving towards Kumarakom. The Houseboats have
generated electricity; sitting cum dinning area,
separate bedroom with attached English toilets,
sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a Chef,
and Srank (Driver). Overnight at the houseboat.
06 Day: Kumarakom:
After breakfast, disembark from the houseboat
and drive to Kumarakom - for the nature-lover.
Here in this backwater town, you can laze in
a canoe amidst sylvan surroundings where the
only presence is yours and the egrets. Later
visit at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, located on
the banks of the Vembanad Lake, to see bird
viewing where numerous species of birds, including
Darters, Bitterns, Brahminy kites, Marsh Harries,
Teals and several varieties of Herons roost
are found. For an inquisitive bird watcher,
it is always advisable to carry their binoculars
at all times. Return to hotel, Make sure you
do not miss out on Karimeen and fresh toddy
the favourite fresh water food and the local
wine. Overnight stay at Kumarakom.
07 Day: Kumarakom
- Munnar (120 kms 3 ½ hours):
After an early breakfast drive to Munnar, on
arrival transfer to the hotel, Munnar is located
at the Idukki district of Kerala State in India.
The word "Munnar" means three rivers.
3 mountain streams (Madurapuzha, Nallathanni
and Kundala) are joining together here. During
the British rule in India, Munnar was the summer
resort of the Government officials. The natural
beauty, calmness and mild cold climate throughout
the year make it the favorite tourist places.
There are about 30 tea plantations in and around
Munnar. The tea estates, hills, lakes and forests
inside Munnar range exposes it's beauty. The
Munnar hills are covered by tea plants, which
make Periyar the feeling of seeing a wide green
carpet. Later take visit at Rajmalai Wild Life
sanctuary - this is the only sanctuary in India
where Indian Ibex’s are found, followed
by visit at Kannan Devan Hills from here you
can have a panoramic view of Munnar Tea Estates
& the Lake of Munnar. Overnight at the hotel.
08 Day: Munnar:
After breakfast you can opt to visit to Mattupetty
is famous for its highly specialized dairy farm,
the Indo-Swiss live stock project. Over 100
varieties of high yielding cattle are reared
here. Visitors are allowed into three of the
eleven cattle sheds at the farm, followed by
visit to Pothamedu which offers an excellent
view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations
in Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain
and the breathtaking scenery here is ideal for
trekking and Long Mountain walks. Later visit
at Devikulam (7 km from Munnar). This idyllic
hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora
and fauna and the cool mountain air is a rare
experience. The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral
waters and picturesque surroundings is a good
picnic spot. The lake is also ideal for trout
fishing. Return to the hotel for overnight stay
at Munnar.
Optionally you can visit Eravikulam National
Park (15 km from Munnar) the park is 97 sq.
km, situated in the Devikulam Taluk and is home
to the Nilgiri Tahr. Considering the ecological,
faunal, floral, geo-morphological and zoological
significance, it was declared as a National
park in 1978. The park is breathtakingly beautiful
and is easily comparable to the best mountain
ranges found anywhere in the world. Later return
to the hotel for overnight at Munnar.
09 Day: Munnar -
Periyar: (110 kms 3 ½ hours):
After breakfast checkout and drive to Thekkaddy,
on arrival transfer to the hotel, later visit
at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary one of India's
biggest wildlife sanctuaries covering 777 sq.
Km (300 Sq. miles) is a Tiger Reserve. Its centre
piece, the man-made Periyar Lake at the height
of 2000 ft. covers 26 sq. km, running through
the forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala,
discover the park, animals found here include
elephant, sambar, gaur and wild
boars and birds like ibis and grey heron. The
visit is done in a boat to view animals with
a bit of extra luck we may be able to see the
rare tiger as well. Later in the evening take
a spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom,
cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. on
your way back to the hotel, you could stop at
the local market and pick up some fragrant spices.
Overnight at Periyar.
10 Day: Periyar
- Madurai (140 kms - 3 hours):
After breakfast checkout the hotel and drive
to Madurai On arrival transfer to the hotel.
After relaxation take a sightseeing of Madurai
visiting the Meenakshi Sundareshwar, one of
the largest temple complex in India built between
the 16th and 18th centuries. Apart from the
estimated 33 million sculptures there, the temple
is absolutely absorbing with the endless rounds
of ceremonies, prostration of countless devotees
and glittering market stalls, followed by visit
to Tirumalai Nayak Palace, Koodal Alagar Temple
and Vandiyur Mariamman Teepakulam where annual
boat festival takes place. Overnight at the
hotel in Madurai.
11 Day: Madurai
- Trichy- Tanjore (160 kms 3 ½ hours):
After early breakfast checkout and drive to
Tanjore. En route visit to Trichy take sightseeing
tour of the city, most famous landmark of this
bustling town - the Rock Fort Temple, a spectacular
monument perched on a massive rocky outcrop,
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 - Mysore Temples.
After visit continue to proceed to Tanjore.
On arrival transfer to the hotel. After relaxation
take a sightseeing tour of Tanjore visiting
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. Return to the
hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
12 Day: Tanjore
-Pondicherry: (175 kms 4 hours):
After breakfast check out the hotel and drive
to Pondicherry, en route visiting south Indian
villages and stopping en route to see the lifestyle
of Dravidian community. After visit Continue
to proceed to Pondicherry, on arrival transferred
to the hotel. After some relaxation take a sightseeing
tour of Pondicherry the world-famous Sri Aurobindo
Ashram is situated here. The Auroville complex
is the brainchild of "The Mother".
The late French woman devotee of Sri Aurobindo
to whom the spiritual authority was passed on
after the death of Mr. Aurobindo. Then visit
Pondicherry museum, old city optionally one
can go for local market for shopping. Later
return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
13 Day: Pondicherry
- Mahabalipuram (95 kms - 2 hours):
After breakfast checkout and drive to Mahabalipuram.
On arrival transferred to the hotel. After relaxation
take a sightseeing tour of the city, built in
the 7th century, this ancient city is said to
be a sculptor's delight, boasting of some of
India's most sublime rock-cut art, for which
it is now a World Heritage site, visit the seven
pagoda-style Shore temples, Rathas, Arjuna's
Penance, Krishna Mandapa, Shore Temple, Mahishasurmardini
Cave, Varaha Mandapa and Mandapam, lashed by
the waves of the sea and the seven rathas or
temple chariots, a group of monolithic monuments
& animal figures carved out of solid rock,
the earliest known examples of Dravidian architecture.
They were constructed in a single century-long
burst of creative enthusiasm. Return to the
hotel for overnight stay.
14 Day: Mahabalipuram
- Kanchipuram - Chennai (130 kms - 2 hours):
After breakfast drive to Kanchipuram (65 kms
½ hour drive), this is one of India’s
seven sacred cities and one of its loveliest
temple towns also known for its handloom silks,
followed by visit to temples Kailasnathar, Vaikuntaperumal,
Ekambareshwara, Kamakshiamma and Sakiswarar,
you can do shopping of silk cloth market and
weavers homes. Later continue to proceed to
Chennai (76 kms 1 ½ hour drive). On arrival
transfer to the hotel. Evening free for leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
15 Day: Chennai
- Hometown (By Air):
After breakfast sight seeing tour of Chennai
city, visiting Marina Beach, the second longest
beach in the world. The St. George Fort, built
in 1653, is currently used as the state government’s
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 optionally
you can visit flower and fruit market. Return
to the hotel for check out the hotel and transfer
to the airport to board the scheduled flight
to your hometown. On departure the tour concludes
with happy memories.
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Important
Note:
1. Customized Tour:
Above tour programme can be customized, as per the preference
by the guest in terms of arrival dates, departure dates
and destinations, no. of days etc., it will be your
individual tour not sharing with other person or a group
tour.
2. Our Services:
We provide individual customized tour packages with
2, 3, 4, 5, 5 star deluxe hotels as well as standard
and luxury heritage hotels and palaces with air - conditioned
car accompanied by English speaking driver through out
the tour (right from your pick up from the airport till
you departure to home town) for all transfers, sightseeing,
intercity travel, city tour with services of English/multilingual
guide, domestic air/train ticketing, special interest
tour with all kind of travel related services.
3. Tour Cost:
Tour cost depends on 3 major factors: A) How many people
are traveling together? B) Travel period, as the hotels
are having different rates during low and high season.
C) Preference of hotel category or budget per person
per day.
4. Group Tours:
The above tour programme can be executed for group tours,
if the guest or any travel agency forms a group in their
own country. Conducting and forming a group tour in
India with different nationals is not feasible.
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