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South
India is made up of the 4 states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil
Nadu. They all lie in the southern part of the Indian Peninsula and famous for
its natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage thus providing visitors a stimulating
experience. Temple architecture in South India has always been the expression
of belief, sometimes clearly structured, sometimes only loosely articulated,
the development of temple architecture in South India is 2000 years old. During
this Journey we see some of the finest temple which south India has to offer
like cave temples in Mahabalipuram and the most outstanding examples of Vijayanagar
temple architecture is the Minakshi Temple of Madurai. During this tour we enjoy
the vivid tropical vegetation as well as our Boat trips on backwaters. |
Day
01. Flight to India
Around Midnight arrival in Chennai (formerly Madras).
The cosmopolitan City and capital of Tamil Nadu is the main gateway for
travellers to South India. You are met by an Indo Vacations representative and
transferred to your Hotel.
Day
02. Chennai Excursion: Mahabalipuram
(about 64 km)
Today we drive through the coastal route to Mahabalipuram. In Mahabalipuram we
visit some of the 14 cave temples and 9 monolithic Rathas (temple chariots) Pallavamala
was the ruler who made the port famous in the 7th century and was largely responsible for building the temples.
In the afternoon we visit the St. George Fort which is near the harbour area of Chennai.
This fort was built by British during their presence in 17th century.
Day
03. Chennai - Chidambaram - Trichy (about 320 km)
Today we drive to Trichy (Tiruchirappali). Trichy is the heart of
Tamil Nadu, laying in the delta of Kaveri river.
On the way to Trichy we visit Chidambaram.
Chidambaram is regarded as holy town of great importance among Hindus.
We visit here the famous Natraja Temple which is dedicated to the dancing Lord Shiva,
a favourite deity of the Chola kings.
Day
04. Trichy - Srirangam - Tanjore - Madurai
(about 130 km)
Trichy the land near the delta is very fertile and productive. This town Trichy is so
ancient that it was mentioned by Ptolemy in the 2nd century BC by Alexandrian geographer.
We climb the stairs to the famous Rock Fort which was built on 84 m high rock in the centre of
town in about 1660. We also visit a Shiva and Ganesha temple and enjoy a wonderful view of
the surroundings from the top. After the visit of Rock Fort we drive to Srirangam and visit
the Ranganathasvami Temple which is one of the largest temples in India dedicated to god Vishnu.
After the visit of Ranganathasvami Temple we proceed to Tanjore (Thanjavur).
Tanjore was the capital of great Chola empire who built more than 70 temples between 10th and 14th century.
We visit here one of the world heritage monument, Brihadeshwara Temple (11th century), which is also known as big temple.
After the visit of Brihadeshwara Temple we proceed to Madurai.
Day
05. Madurai -
Periyar (about 140 km)
Madurai, situated on the bank of river Vaigai is also referred to as the Athens of the East.
Madurai has the most outstanding examples of Vijayanagar temple architecture in the Minakshi Temple,
a standing monument to the temple builders of the 16th and 17th century.
After the visit of Minakshi Temple we visit Tirumalai Nayaka Palace which was built in the 1636 in the Indo-Mughal style.
After the visit we proceed to Periyar.
Day
06. Periyar - Kumarakom
(about 120 km)
We start our day by having a Boat ride on the lake of Periyar. The lake of Periyar is the central point of
the famous 780 sq.2 Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary which was designated as a part of project Tiger in 1973.
After the Boat ride we drive through the Park and observe the elephants, bison, sambar, wild oxen,
wild boar and spotted deer which are common here.
In the afternoon we drive through the mountains which are full of Cardamom and pass through the tea and coffee
plantations and proceed to Kumarakom.
In Kumarakom we enjoy the Boat ride trip through the tropical vegetation on the backwaters.
Day
07. Kumarakom
The whole day is today at leisure. One can enjoy the Ayurveda massage in the hotel or have a walk
in the nice tropical surroundings.
Swimming Pool of the hotel will be happy to welcome you for swimming and relaxing.
Day
08. Kumarakom - Kottayam - Alleppey - Cochin (about 80 km)
Today we enjoy a Boat trip for two hours through the narrow channels of famous backwaters
of Kottayam and arrive in Alleppey from where we proceed further to Cochin.
Cochin is the most interesting town in South India at Malabar Coast and is also known as Venice of south.
In Cochin we visit St. Francis church, the oldest European church in India in which the grave of famous sailor
Vasco da Gama can be visited. After the visit of St. Francis Church we have a walk through the Jewish
area of mattancherry.
Day
09. Cochin - Ooty (about 280 km)
From the tropical coast of Kerala we drive on the serpent road and pass through the Tea plantation and eucalyptus forests of mountains of Nilgiri and arrive in the city Ooty (Vdhagammandulam).
Ooty which was developed as hill station by British, lies at an altitude of 2300 m. and still has British flair.
Day
10. Ooty - Mysore (about 160 km)
Ooty (also known as the queen of the blue mountains) is famous for its rolling hills covered in pine and eucalyptus forests. Ooty has also a penalty of coffee and tea plantations.
We visit the famous and most beautiful botanical Garden of Ooty which covers an area over 20 hectares and is planted with more than a thousand varieties of plants, shrubs and trees including orchids, fern and alpine.
In the afternoon we pass through the betel nut and pepper plantation and proceed to
Mysore.
Day
11. Mysore - Chennai (about 470 km)
Today we visit the most impressive and one of the largest city palaces in India. The City Palace of Mysore "Ambar Vilas" is built in the Indo-Saracenic style.
Mysore is famous for its Silk and Sandalwood. We have an opportunity to see how incense is made and how silk saris are woven by the local weavers.
In the afternoon we leave Mysore by train for Chennai.
Day
12. Flight to Home
Around Midnight flight from Chennai to home destination.
Tour Reservation
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About
Hotels:
We
provide you the accommodation as per your budget mentioned above in
the table of hotels category for any of the booked tour. Hotels
provided by us are from budget to luxury class hotels.
Luxury hotels are
all five stars or of above standard. Deluxe would be a combination of
3 and 4 star Hotels and standard would be a combination of 2 and 3
star or similar hotels. The criteria
for selecting hotels by us remains the best value of your money. We
also provide you wherever possible accommodation in heritage hotels.
Heritage Hotels are old Palaces, Forts and Grand mansions of Maharajas
which have been later renovated and converted into Hotels. Rooms are
decorated all individually. Rooms are comfortable, romantic and
present the flair of olden Maharaja days.
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