Charm of South india
ITINERARY: CHARM OF KERLA & MAGIC AYURVEDA
Day 01 :Arrival at MADRAS
On arrival at Chennai you will be met and transferred to the Hotel.Chennai or Madras is the fourth largest metropolis in India . Located on a 17 km stretch of the Coramandel coast.Chennai is a city where the traditional and the modern blend in life everywhere, from ancient temple architecture to modern high-rise - with Indo-Saracenic and Victorian as stops along the way - from classical music and dance to discos throbbing to heady beats. Overnight stay at Chennai
charm of kerla
Day 02: MADRAS – MAHABALIPURAM (58 Kms 1 1/2 Hour) :Breakfast at Hotel. Morning city tour of Madras visiting Fort St George,Fort Museum,Sri Parthasarathy Temple & Kalakshetra...
Drive to Mahabalipuram. On arrival transfer to Hotel. Day free to relax on the beach. O/N Hotel.
Day 03 :MAHABALIPURAM/ KANCHIPURAM / MAHABALIPURAM ( 120 Kms 3 1/2 Hrs)
Mahabalipuram is one of the most exciting and memorable destinations, with rich tradition, history, piety and western annals. It is one of the popular tourist places, known for great architecture much visible in its rock carvings and monolithic sculptures. It also has the famous shore temple, the only one to have survived the wrath of nature. Also known as the Seven Pagodas (temples), six of them now lie drowned in the sea. The architecture of the temples at Mahabalipuram are inspired by the Pallava Art and were built during the period 830 - 1100 AD.Afternoon Drive to Kanchipuram.
Kanchipuram is a scared pilgrimage with many beautiful temples, one of the holiest places in India . The temples found here are grand and majestic. Some of the most important temples here are the Ekambaranathar Temple , built by the Pallavas and later reconstructed by the Chola and Vijayanagar kings, that makes excellent trip to Kanchipuram. This temple owns 11 stories and one of the tallest temple towers in South India . It is beautifully decorated with sculptures. Another sacred temple here is the Vaikunta Perumal Temple which dates back to the 8th century. It was built by Nandivarma Pallava. There are scenes from battle carved on the panels encircling the main parikrama of this Vaishnavite temple. These scenes depict the bravory of Pallava kings. Overnight stay at Mahabalipuram.
Day 04: Mahabalipuram/Pondicherry: (95 KMS - 2 Hrs)
Breakfast at Hotel. Drive to Pondicherry.Our Visit will include the Aurobindo Ashram, Raj Niwas - Governor House. Afternoon visit the MatriMandir at Auroville which is 10Kms from Pondicherry. Here we visit the Fraternity & Harmonie settlements which are the Art and Handicrafts centre.O/N at Pondicherry.
Day 05 :PONDICHERRY – TANJAVUR ( 177 Kms - 4 1/2 hrs)
After breakfast proceed to Tanjore.Enroute Visit Gangaikondacholapuram-Here one can see some beautiful sculptures including a huge Nandi,dancing Ganesha, a lion-headed well and stunning frieze depicting King Rajendra being crowned by Shiva & Parvati. Continue to Thanjore.
The ancient city of Thanjavur is the center of classical arts and music inspite of the advent of technology era.
Thanjavur is famous for its majestic temples and magnificent paintings and are usually centered on the Hindu Gods and Goddesses.Among the temples, most important is the Brahadeeshwarar temple, also known as the Big Temple of Thanjavur. This temple is an ideal example of the grandeur of Indian sculptural architecture. Another important attraction here is the Palace.
Overnight stay at Tanjavur.
Day 06: TANJAVUR- TRICHY ( 54 KMS 1 HOUR)
Breakfast at Hotel.Morning city tour of Thanjavur visiting the Brahdeeshwarar temple & Palace - which houses an art gallery,a Library & a hall of Music.. Proceed to Trichy. Afternoon visit the Rock Fort & Srirangam. O/N at Hotel.
Day 07 :TRICHY - MADURAI (128 Kms 3 Hrs)
Breakfast at Hotel. Proceed to Madurai.Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India , with a history dating all the way back to the Sangam period of the pre Christian era. The Sangam age or the Golden age of Tamil literature – produced masterpieces way back in the Pre christian era and in early 1st millennium . Madurai was the seat of the Tamil Sangam or Academy of learning. The entire city of Madurai , is built around the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple – the temple par excellence. Concentric rectangular streets surround the temple, symbolizing the structure of the cosmos.Afternoon visit the famous Meenakshi Temple & Tirumalai Nayak Mahal at Madurai.Drive to Thekkady - Lake Periyar.
Overnight stay at Madurai magic ayurveda
Day 08 :MADURAI – THEKKADY (140 Kms 4 Hrs)
Breakfast at Hotel .Drive to Thekkady - Lake Periyar.
Thekkady; is situated on the Western Ghats in Kerala; This spectacular and scenic drive takes you through gentle hills which are punctuated with vast expanses of tea , rubber and coffee plantations, meandering upwards to the aromatic forests where spice grows in abundance. The park has a picturesque lake in the heart of the sanctuary where herds of elephants and sambar, gaur and wild pigs can be spotted. Periyar also harbors the leopard, wild dog, barking deer and a variety of birds such as the darter, cormorant, grey heron and ibis. Overnight stay at Thekkady.
Day 09: THEKKADY/KUMARAKOM: ( 114 Kms 3 1/2 Hrs)
An early morning boat ride on the lake gives visitors an opportunity to experience the wildlife of this region.
You can enjoy a cruise in the Periyar Lake to spot the herds of elephant and Other wild animals.Return to Hotel for Breakfast. After breakfast depart by road to Kumarakom .Enroute we stop at Kanjirappally for Lunch. This place is famous for the rubber plantation. Continue to Kumarakom.This tiny village is located on the edge of Vembanad Lake - On arrival checkin at the Hotel. Afternoon free .You can swim,fish,go boating or opt for a rejuvenating Ayurvedic massage ( at an extra cost). O/N at Hotel.
Day 10: KUMARAKOM/HOUSEBOAT:
Step Gingerly into a traditional 'Ketuvallam' rice boat for an overnight cruise. Watch the eddies of water swirling around in your wake as you drift gently along Kerala's backwaters.On the way we stop to visit various Churches &Villages. All meals & O/N on Houseboat.
Day 11 : HOUSEBOAT – COCHIN(75 Kms 1 Hrs)
Morning drive to Cochin
Cochin, where people have all things different than ours and they are more beautiful and better – Marco Polo.
Once a much prized pawn between the Portuguese, Dutch and English, Coilum or Cochin in the Southern Indian state of Kerala has a history of being a premier port along the fabled “spice route” to the east. Fort Cochin was a great emporium of trade, a harbor filled with ships, streets crowded with merchants and warehouses stored with goods from every port of Asia and Europe . Beginning with the Chinese and Arabs in the 13th century, the Portuguese arrived in 1500 A.D. followed by the domination of the Dutch and British. A large number of trading communities exist with 14 different languages spoken at a time
Afternoon city tour of Cochin visiting Fort Cochin,Spice markets,Synagogue & Chinese Fishing Nets. Evening enjoy a a Kathakali Dance performance at the Theatre.Overnight stay at Cochin.
Day 12 :COCHIN/KOVALAM (239 Kms - 5 Hrs)
Breakfast at Hotel. Drive to Kovalam. Day Free to relax on the beach.
Day 13: Kovalam Day Free to relax on the beach.
Day 14: Kovalam/Trivandrum Airport/Mumbai (Flight)
Breakfast at Hotel. Transfer to Airport. Fly to Trivandrum. On arrival transfer to Hotel. Room for wash and change. Transfer to International Airport.
Day 15 :Departure Bombay
And Many More Tailor made Itineraries
