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Ancient Memories of South India

Destination Covered : Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Chidambram - Trichy - Madurai - Periyar - Alleppey - Cochin - Kovalam

Inclusions

  • Daily breakfast.
  • Accommodation on twin sharing basis.
  • All transfers & sightseeing by dedicated vehicle.
  • Permit fees & hotel taxes (as per itinerary).

Itinerary

  • Day 01 : Chennai

    Fly from your country to Chennai. Arrive & check in at Radha Park Inn or similar hotel for overnight stay.

  • Day 02 : Chennai

    Sightseeing of Chennai, the first British major settlement in India. Visit Kapaleeswara temple, St. Thomas Church, Art Gallery, Fort St. George and Marina beach - the longest beach in Asia. Return to Hotel for overnight stay.

  • Day 03 : Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (130 Km, 05 hours)

    In the morning, depart for Mahabalipuram. Visit Kanchipuram, once the Golden city of India. En-route, visit the Shiv Kanchi and Vishnu Kanchi temples there. Continue your drive to Mahabalipuram. Arrive & check in at Hotel for overnight stay.

  • Day 04 : Mahabalipuram

    Visit the 6-8th century Pallava rock-cut caves, Pancha Ratha temples and the Black Pagoda – the 7th century shore temple where both, Vishnu & Shiva are enshrined under one roof. Also, see the soapstone workers in the market who design and make sculptures. The afternoon is free to stroll at the sea beach. Overnight stay at Hotel.

  • Day 05 : Mahabalipuram - Chidambaram - Gangaikondacholapuram - Tanjore

    In the morning, depart for Tanjore. Your first stop will be at Chidambaram to visit the Golden Nataraja temple. Afterwards, drive to Gangaikondacholapuram – the capital of the Cholas. Its major attraction is the great Shiva temple. The speciality of the temple is that the rays of the sun falling on Nandi (Shiva's bull) reflects onto the Shivalingam from sunrise to sunset. Your next stop will be at Kumbakonam water tank. It is believed that once every 12 years, waters of nine sacred rivers including the Ganges meet here. During those days, thousands of pilgrims dip into the tank to wash off their sins. The next stop is at the 13th century Shiva temple at Darasuram. Finally, reach Tanjore. Arrive and check in at Hotel for overnight stay.

  • Day 06 : Tanjore - Trichy (56 Km, 01.1/2 hours)

    In the morning, leave for a sightseeing tour of Tanjore. Visit Brihadeeshwara (Shiva) Temple, built by the great king Rajaraja I Chola. This is one of the superb examples of architecture of the Chola era. Afterwards, visit the Rajaraja Art Gallery to see the impeccable bronze statues of 9-16th century. Return back to the hotel for lunch. After some rest, drive to Trichy. Arrive & check in at Hotel. Visit the fortress-like Srirangam Vishnu Temple which has 21 huge spires. Afterwards, visit the Rock Fort. A 344 step-climb takes you 83 metres to the summit, which has a Puranic Vinayaka temple. Return to your Hotel for overnight stay.

  • Day 07 : Trichy - Madurai (131 Km, 03 hours)

    In the morning, depart for Madurai. Arrive and check in at Hotel Taj Garden Retreat or similar hotel. In the afternoon visit 1the 6th century Thirumalai Nayakar Palace. Afterwards, visit the Meenakshi temple – the biggest in India. The temple has two main shrines dedicated to the goddess Parvati as Meenakshi and the other to Sundarar (Shiva). The domes of both the shrines are covered with heavy gold plates. You can also see the Hall of Thousand Pillars built in the 16th century, where many poetic events took place. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

  • Day 08 : Madurai - Periyar (140 Km, 04 hours)

    In the morning, depart for Periyar. Arrive and check in at Hotel Spice Village Holiday Resort. In the afternoon, go on a special visit to the Spices Garden to watch different varieties of spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, clove, vanilla, ginger, etc. Vasco da Gama, the first European to land at the Malabar Coast had come in search of spices, after the route through Constantinople was closed. Afterwards, visit the Periyar Tiger Reserve by boat to watch animals such as tiger, panther, leopard, bison, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boar, wild elephants and many birds. Return to Hotel for overnight stay.

  • Day 09 : Periyar - Houseboat Cruise - Kumarakom

    In the morning, drive to Kumarakon to board the Houseboat Cruise in the backwaters of Kerala. Watch the traditional Kerala way of Overnight stay with full meals at Houseboat cruise.

  • Day 10 : Houseboat Cruise - Alleppey - Cochin (60 Km, 01.1/2 hours)

    The Houseboat will drop you at Alleppey to board your vehicle to Cochin. Arrive there and check in at Hotel Casino or similar hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Chinese fishing nets and St. Francis' Church, one of the oldest Churches in the East built by the Europeans in 1503 A.D. Later in the afternoon, watch traditional Kathakali dances. Overnight stay at Hotel.

  • Day 11 : Cochin - Kovalam (235 Km, 05 hours)

    In the morning, leave for Kovalam Arrive & check in at Hotel Samudra. Relax and enjoy yourself at the beach.

  • Day 12 : Kovalam (Trivandrum) - Chennai (By Flight)

    We escort you to Trivandrum Airport to board your flight to Chennai. After a little sightseeing & dinner there, transfer to Chennai International Airport to board the flight back to your country. We hope you would have pleasant memories of South India.

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