Tour Duration : 19 Nights/ 20 Days
Places to Visit : Chennai - Pondicherry - Tanjore-Trichy
- Madurai - Periyar - Varkala
- Alappuzha - Munnar - Cochin - Mumbai
Day 1 : Abroad - Chennai
Arrive
Chennai International airport.
On arrival, the guest will be met by our representative and check in to the
hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 2 : Chennai
Madras - the sprawling and gracious city on the "Bay of Bengal"
is the fourth largest city in India. Visit the Fort St. George once a stronghold
of the British, San Thome Cathedral, Marina Beach and the beautiful Mylapore
temple. Overnight at hotel
Day 3: Chennai - Pondicherry
After breakfast drive to
Pondicherry (162 km), enroute visit Kancheepuram
and Mahabalipuram.
Kancheepuram - known as the Golden City of a Thousand Temples, is one
of the oldest towns in India. It is famous for both its temples, many of them
remarkably well preserved and for its hand-woven silks. Kanchipuram is one of
the seven sacred cities of India and it is the only one associated with both
Shiva and Vishnu. Visit Ekambareshwar Temple, Kailashnath Temple, Kamakshi Temple,
the Vaikunthaperumal Temple, all built in the 7th and 8th centuries. With a
weaving tradition dating back to the Pallava era (when silk was the royal cloth),
Kanchipuram is justly famous for its particularly fine silk saris, embellished
with stunning patterns.
Mahabalipuram - is famous for its unique 7th?century Shore Temple, a
lovely beach and some of the most beautiful rock - cut temples in the world.
Situated on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, Mahabalipuram was already a famous
seaport in the 1st century AD. This town was a workshop for temple building.
Visit the seven pagoda - style shore temples, 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, starting in the reign of Narasimhavarman 1 (AD 630?68).
Continue drive to Pondicherry.
Upon arrival in Pondicherry - check into the hotel
Overnight at hotel
Day 4 : Pondicherry
Pondicherry,
was a far-flung outpost of the French maritime empire till the 1950's. It is
so different from the rest of Tamil Nadu that one feels that one has entered
another country! This busy coastal town is divided roughly into two: the old
White Town of elegant French houses, restaurants & administrative buildings
and the Black Town west of the canal where India takes over again. Pondicherry
has a gentle laid back charm, which helps you to soothe your soul.
Afternoon
tour of Pondicherry - visiting Botanical garden, Eglise De
Sacre Coeur De Jesus and Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Later visit township of Auroville
or the city of Dawn. Designed by a French architect Roger Arger, it is an entirely
new concept in education and urban living.
Overnight at hotel
Day 5 : Pondicherry - Tanjore
After breakfast drive to
Tanjore (177 kms).
Upon arrival in Tanjore - check into the hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Tanjore - was the capital of the Chola
Empire from the tenth to the fourteenth centuries. A Chola king, Raja Raja Chola,
who held the throne from 985 to 1016, built the greatest of the empire's 74
temples, the Brahadeeswarar, with its soaring tower over the inner sanctum.
This tower rises more than 62 meters (200 feet). On its dome rests a single
block of granite weighing 80 tons.
Overnight at hotel
Day 6 : Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai
After breakfast drive to
Madurai (178 kms) enroute visit
Trichy
City tour of Trichy - visit the 'Rock Fort Temple' which rises abruptly
to a height of 273 ft. A steep staircase cut into the rock leads upto the Fort.
At the first level are the remnants of a huge hall blasted into ruins in 1772.
The next storey is the Mathrubhuteshwarer Shrine dedicated to Shiva. Finally
at the top of the hill, the 'Uchhi Pillayar Koil' - a Ganesh Temple offering
a commanding view of the city.
Thereafter continue drive to Madurai.
Upon arrival in
Madurai - check into the hotel
Evening
visit of the Meenakshi temple - to attend the night ceremony at the temple
at 9 PM. This is a ceremony that takes place every evening when the temple bronze
of Lord Shiva is carried to the bedchamber of Parvati. The procession is accompanied
by religious prayer and temple music.
Overnight at hotel
Day 7 : Madurai
Morning, visit the
Meenakshi temple one of the biggest temple complexes
in India - 46 ft. long by 790 ft broad built in the 17th Century. It is a rectangular
twin shrine:- the southern temple dedicated to Meenakshi (the consort of Shiva)
and the other to Shiva. The high point of the Meenakshi temple is "Hall
of Thousand Pillars". Also visit the palace of
Tirumala Nayak which
is an example of the architectural mastery of the Nayaks - a blend of Hindu
and Saracen architecture. It's enormous roofed arcade supported by 48 foot high
stoned pillar still stands. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at hotel
Day 8 : Madurai - Periyar
Morning drive to
Periyar (177 kms)
Upon arrival at Periyar - check into hotel
Periyar
-
Sprawling across 777 sq. kms. of the Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats, Thekkady
is the home to one of the largest wildlife reserves in India. Alive with exotic
flora and vibrant wildlife, it is the perfect getaway tucked away among hills.
Afternoon
boatcruise on the Lake of the famous Periyar wildlife sanctuary
to see wild life. Periyar Lake or reservoir created by a dam on Periyar River
is the heart of the Wildlife Sanctuary wild elephants, Asiatic Deer, Black Buck
and even Tigers come to shores of the lake for a drink.
Overnight at hotel
Day 9 : Periyar - Varkala
Morning drive to
Varkala (220 km).
Upon arrival in Varkala - check into the hotel.
Afternoon visit the Portugese church of Anjengo dated to the time of occupation,
which maybe the Elanchoros of the geography of Ptomempee (2nd century A.D.).
Also visit the English Fort constructed in 1695 A.D. by the English 'East India
Company', which play an important role in the war of Mysore in 18th century.
Overnight at hotel
Day 10 : Varkala - Alappuzha
Morning drive to to be at
Alappuzha in time to witness the famous boat
race.
Upon arrival to Alappuzha - check into the hotel
The
Snake Boat Races of Kerala is a magnificent fiestas that brings alive
the tranquil backwaters. Snake boat races are held in connection with Onam,
the harvest festival in August/September. Scores of long snake boats and other
smaller crafts participate in these events. It is the largest team sport in
the world, a sport that signifies the excellent team spirit, integration and
amity of the people of this backwater country.
Usually a snake boat is manned by four helmsmen, 25 singers and 100 - 125 oarsmen
who row in unison to the fast rhythm of the vanchipattu (song of the boatman).
Thousands of people crowd the water's edge to cheer the huge black crafts as
they slice through the waters to a spectacular finish.
The snake boat races are preceded by colourful water parades.
Overnight at hotel
Day
11 : Alappuzha
Full day at The Snake Boat Race festival
"Payippad Boat Race Payippad
near Harippad Alappuzha District ".
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race, the most colourful water sport in Kerala, is conducted
at PUNNAMADA LAKE in Alleppey on the second saturday of every August/September
each year. This prestigious cultural event of Kerala, which has been attending
people from all over the world. Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a festival for the
people of Alleppey. Though it is a festival, the attraction about this is the
sportive sprits among the participants of the race.
Several Boat races are taking place in several parts of Kuttanad and other parts
of Alleppey. But today despite all the other water festivals and functions this
particular event has gained popularity and attraction for many people.
This trophy was named as NEHRU TROPHY was awarded to the winners of the boat
race which is a unique feature of community life and is gift to the people of
Alleppey.
This aquatic festival fosters a sense of unity and fraternity and sports man
spirit event and attaching foreign tourists also.
In the year 1952, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin.
On his way to Alleppey from Kottayam he was given a roaring reception by the
people of Alleppey, escorted by the huge snake-boats. Having gone through the
tremendous excitement of sailing in a snake-boat popularly known as Chundan,
Jawaharlal Nehru donated a rolling trophy to be awarded to the winner. The trophy
is a replica of a snake-boat in silver, placed on wooden abacus on which the
following words of Panditji are inscribed above his signature.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 : Alappuzha
Full day sightseeing tour around Alappuzha area.
FISHING - Alappuzha is a great centre of fisheries. 'Chakara' a rare
marine phenomenon in which a large number of fish throng together in the early
days of May to August is a peculiarity of Purakkad, one of the main fishing
centres on the
coast
of the Arabian Sea. This is in fact a fishermen's fiesta.
COIR - The district is the major centre of coir and allied products.
There are about 4000 production units including a few big factories with mechanized
looms. Alappuzha retains monopoly in coir production and exports.
AMBALAPPUZHA-SREEKRISHNA TEMPLE - Amabalappuzha Sreekrishna Temple on
the Kollam-Alappuzha Highway is called the Dwaraka of the South. It is frequented
by thousands of devotees especially during the annual festival, which falls
in April every year. 'Ambalappuzha palpayasam' the devotional delicacy of the
temple is renowned for its unique taste. Ambalappuzha is also famous for the
traditional visual martial art of Kerala, Velakali.
KARUMADI - Karumadi, three Kms. east of Ambalappuzha, has a statue of
Budha called Karumadikuttan, a perennial source of interest for the tourists.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 13 : Alappuzha
Aranmula Boat Race Aranmula, Pathanamthitta
Here are some of the most exhilarating moments from one of Kerala's most popular
water fiestas. The Aranmula vallomkali, held on the Aranmula river in Pathanamthitta
district, is part of the Onam celebrations. Unlike the other boat races of Kerala,
is not a contest but a retracing of a ritualistic journey undertaken to the
Aranmula temple in days gone by.
Traditionally, the Thiruvonasadya (the grand Onam feast) was the ritual offering
to the deity of the temple. Vegetables, cereals and other provisions for this
elaborate feast were brought to the temple in a procession of snake boats. The
vallom (canoe) carrying the offerings was called the Thiruvonachilavuthoni (literally,
the canoe that carries the offerings for the Thiruvonasadya).
Today, the Aranmula Vallomkali, held on the Uthruttathi asterism (the deity's
birthday) of the month of Chingam, is conducted along the route traced centuries
ago.
Thousands of excited people throng the waterside to cheer the majestic crafts
that slice through the waters with hundreds of oarsmen roaring in rhythm to
the boatmans songs.
The oldest boat races still conducted with much enthusiam are the Champakulam
vallomkali and the Payippadu vallomkali held in Alappuzha district. The excitement
growing social participation, in these water fiestas have led to similiar sporting
events being organised at various other locations in the state. Among these
are the Nehru Trophy Boat Race which is today a national event, the Neerettupuram
vallomkali held on the river Pamba and the Pulinkunnu vallomkali on the Pulinkunnu
river.
Overnight at hotel
Day 14 : Alappuzha - Munnar
Morning drive to
Munnar (180 km)
Upon arrival in Munnar- check in to the hotel.
Munnar - is the beautiful hillstation housing world's highest tea-growing
estates. Beyond these estates are rich tropical forests that houses an assortment
of wildlife such as Nilgiri Langur, Sambhar, Gaur, Elephant and Lion-tailed
Macaques. Afternoon visit the popular
tea estates.
Overnight at hotel
Day 15 : Munnar
Morning, visit
Ervikulam National Park (16 kms) - it is the home of the
endangered Nigiri Tahr (a type of mountain goat) that roams on a stretch of
grassland or is seen climbing the pinnacles of the undulating hills.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel
Day 16 : Munnar - Cochin
Morning drive to
Cochin (160 km)
Upon arrival in Cochin - check into hotel
Evening witness the
Kathakali dance performance - Kathakali is a unique
dance which has a 2000 year old history with more than 100 different 'mudras'
or gesture depicting deities, demons, heroes, heroines and kings - each based
on episodes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, the two epic Indian myths.
Overnight at hotel
Day
17 : Cochin
Morning tour of
Cochin or "Kochi"- the palm green, commercial
captial of Kerala is known as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea". From
time immemorial, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British & Portuguese seafarers followed
the sea route to Kochi & left their impression on the town. Modern Kochi
is thus a splendid mosaic of these myriad influences. Visit the Dutch Palace,
the Jewish Synagogue, the Church of St. Francis, the Bolghatty Palace &
the famous Chinese fishing nets.
Afternoon free for
a stroll in Jew town
Overnight at hotel
Day 18 : Cochin - Mumbai
Late morning transfer from hotel to the railway station for train to
Mumbai.
| Leave: Cochin |
at 1030 hrs |
by IC-166 |
| Arrive: Mumbai |
at 1215 hrs |
|
On arrival in Mumbai, the guests will be met by our representative and transferred
to the hotel Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel
Day 19 : Mumbai
Morning, one hour boat ride across Mumbai Harbour brings you to the lush green
Elephanta Island. Here, visit some of the huge and intricately carved
Elephanta
Caves that date back to the 8th century. The rows of massive columns cut
into solid rock from three magnificent avenue leads to the outstanding three-headed
sculpture representing Brahma-the Creator, Vishnu-the Preserver and Shiva-the
Destroyer. Dedicated to Shiva, the beauty and power of these phenomenal sculptures
depicting the various manifestations of Shiva is overpowering.
Afternoon,
City tour of Mumbai - the great port city with its Victorian
Gothic buildings from the British Raj Era mingling with the modern. The tour
includes
Gateway of India overlooking the Harbour, the
Towers of Silence,
Marine Drive and the
Dhobi Ghat, the unique and colourful outdoor
'laundry'. Also visit
Mani Bhawan, a small museum dedicated to the life
and works of Mahatma Gandhi, and the bustling Crawford Market.
Later in late evening transfer to the International airport for your flight
back home.
Day 20 : Abroad - Mumbai
Depart : Mumbai
