| Day
01/ ARRIVE CHENNAI
Arrive Chennai. Pick up at airport by tour executive and transfer.
A day of leisure.
Day 02/ SIGHTSEEING, CHENNAI
The
sublime view of the fourth largest city of India unrolls pomp
to visitors. The cosmopolitan capital of Tamil Nadu is a mélange
of colours, moods, cultures and religious fervour.
Day 03/ DEPARTURE, CHENNAI
Entrain
on Vaigai Express. Destination: Madurai. Pick up at railway
station by tour executive and transfer. A day of leisure.
Day 04/ SIGHTSEEING, MADURAI
Situated
on the banks of the Vaigai River, Madurai is the ancient capital
of the Pandya Kings. Today, it is an important business center.
The crowning glory of Madurai is the Meenakshi Sundareshwara
Temple Complex, which is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, her
consort Lord Sundareshwara, and her celestial brother, Lord
Vishnu. The Meenakshi Temple has a thousand-pillared hall.
In the evening, listen to the distinctive temple music at
Thiruppa Rakundram.
Day 05/ MADURAI, PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
On
the fifth day, travel to Periyar, best known for its 800 sq.
km wildlife sanctuary. The Periyar Lake lies at the heart
of the sanctuary. Take an elephant ride around this lake to
see tigers, deer, wild dogs, lion-tailed macaque, Malabar
squirrel and sloth bears. The lake attracts all kinds of water
birds. In the vicinity are lofty observation towers, and a
medieval palace, now a hotel. A quick lunch at Thekkady and
back to Periyar crowns the day
Day 06/ PERIYAR, ALLEPPEY RICE BARGE (HOUSE- BOAT)
Early
morning view by boat before leaving by car to the rice barges—originally
cargo boats but now refurbished as comfortable live-in houses
on boat. Two men using tall bamboo poles push the barge through
the water and they notch up a speed of 18-20 km/day. Facilities
on the boat include lounge + dining area, double bed with
mosquito net, bathroom with WC and wash basin. Pretty, thatched
awnings let in the breeze, while lanterns provided at night
create a magical ambience.
Days 07 & 08/ THE FASCINATING BACKWATERS OF KERALA
From
Alleppey to Thottapally Village, on your own house-boat, through
a unique network of lakes, coconut shaded canals and estuaries,
offers an exhilarating experience. This is the best way to
experience the tranquility of Kerala and reach the wonderful
coastline of Kochi, a splendid cluster of islands.
Days 08 - 09 & 10/ SIGHTSEEING, KOCHI
One
of the largest ports of India, Kochi is a cluster of islands
and narrow peninsulas. Here you can see the oldest church
in India, congested Portuguese-built colonies, Chinese fishing
nets, an ancient “white Jewish” community who settled here
1000 years ago, a fabulous 16th century synagogue, a palace
which contains the most beautiful murals, and the oldest European
fort in India.
Day 11/ COONOOR
Drive
to the hill-station of Coonoor, which, along with Udhagamandalam
(popularly called Ooty), is called the Twin of the Nilgiris.
Rest of the day in leisure.
Day 12/ SIGHTSEEING, OOTY & COONOOR
Gorgeous hill-top views, endless walks and cool, cool weather
throughout the year make the 12th day rejuvenating for the
mind and body. The waterfalls are simply amazing and there
is a mini-gauge railway train too.
Days 13 - 14 & 15/ MYSORE, KARNATAKA
Drive
north to Mysore. The city got its name from Mahishasura, the
buffalo headed demon king. Chamundeswari, an incarnation of
Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva, killed the demon. It is also
the capital of sandalwood, musk and rosewood.
Day 16/ FROM MYSORE TO CHENNAI
Transfer
and entrain to Chennai. Pick up and transfer.
Day 17/ EXCURSIONS– MAMMALAPURAM / KANCHIPURAM
It is a retreat amidst natural beauty. The monuments are hewn
out of solid rock, though ravaged by the sea and the wind.
The Shore Temple is one of the oldest in South India. Early
rock-cut temples excavated from the hillside have large carved
panels depicting scenes from the Mahabharata and the Goddess
Durga killing the buffalo-headed demon. A Crocodile Farm nearby
is quite interesting.
71km south of Chennai, Kancheepuram is called the land of
a thousand temples.The Ekambareswara Temple, a Shiva shrine,
depicts the Lord as Prithvi or Earth. The temple is famous
for its 1000-pillared hall, which is a huge ornamental chain
carved out of a single piece of stone. Other famous temples
are the Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati,
Sri Vaikuntha Perumal Temple, Kailashnathar Temple and the
Devarajaswamy Temple built on an elephant shaped rock.
Day 18/ BACK TO CHENNAI
Transfer
to city hotel. Spend the day in shopping the rare art and
artefacts of south India.
Day 19/ DEPARTURE FROM CHENNAI
Transfer
to airport and “au revoir”! _______________________________________________________________
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