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13 Nights – 14 Days to Trivandrum – Verkala
Alleppey – Periyar |
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Destinations Covered : Chennai – Kanchipuram
– Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry – Chidambaram –
Swamimalai – Darasuram - Tanjore – Trichy - Madurai
– Periyar - Munnar – Kumarakom - Alleppey – Cochin
Day 01 Arrive in Chennai
On arrival at Chennai airport our representative having
a placard displaying your name will meet you to pick you
up and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at hotel in
Chennai.
Day 02 Chennai – Kanchipuram –
Mahabalipuram [160 KM / 4 hours]
After breakfast, half day city tour of Chennai.
First of all visit the Museum to see the art and bronze
gallery. Drive through the Flower & Fruit Market, High
Court, Fort Museum, Marina Beach, Sant Thomas cathedral.
Afternoon, drive towards Kanchipuram, en route visit
Kanchipuram - ancient capital of the Pallavas, famous as
a city of 1000 temples that still has 124 shrines. The
first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th &
8th century & has painting on the walls. Visit
Ekambaswara, Kailasnatha, Sri Kamakshi & Vardarajaewamy
temples. Continue drive towards Mahabalipuram. Arrive
and check in to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 Mahabalipuram –
Pondicherry [100 KM / 2 hours]
After breakfast visit Mahabalipuram. Visit the
7th-century Shore temple which is surrounded by lush
gardens. Later visit the 7th- century Five Rathas. After
the visit drive to Pondicherry. Arrive and check in to
the hotel. Evening walk in the busy market of
Pondicherry.
Day 04 Pondicherry –
Chidambaram – Swamimalai [160 KM / 4 hours]
Morning after breakfast visit Pondicherry. Visit the
city and Sri Aurobindo Ashram the serene world of
distinct spiritual vibration and thus renowned as Sacred
Land. Later drive to Swamimalai. En route visit The
Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram. The roof of the sanctum
sanctorum is covered with gold plates. The presiding
deity of the temple is represented by air, one of the
five elements of the universe and is known as Akasa
Lingam. After the visit continue drive towards
Swamimalai. Arrive and check in to the hotel. Overnight
at the hotel in Swamimalai.
Day 05 Swamimalai – Darasuram -
Tanjore – Trichy [100 KM / 2 hours]
After breakfast visit Darasuram. The temple of
Airavatesvara in Darasuram, is one of the 4 biggest
temples erected by the Cola Dynasty with those of
Tanjore, Gangaikondacolapuram and Tribhuvanam. The
temple is a world heritage list of the UNESCO in 2004.
Continue drive towards Tanjore. Arrive and visit
Brideshwarar Shiva Temple at Tanjore, built by King Raja
Rajan from the year 985 AD - 1010 AD. This is one of the
superb temple architects of the Chola dynasty. Later
visit Raja Rajan art gallery to see bronze statures of
9th-16th century. After the visit drive to Trichy.
Arrive and visit Srirangam Vishnu temple. It has 21
gopurmas (towers); one of the gopurma is 73 meters,
highest in India. Overnight stay at the hotel in Trichy.
Day 06 Trichy – Madurai [135 KM
/ 3 hours]
After breakfast depart for Madurai. Arrive and check in
to the hotel. Rest of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel in Madurai.
Day 07 Madurai
Breakfast at the hotel and visit Madurai. Visit
Meenakshi temple, which is 1000 pillared Hall carrying
some beautiful sculptures of the seventeenth Century.
Also visit Tirumala Nayak Palace. This Palace was built
in 1636 by King Thirumalai Nayak with the help of an
Italian Architect. The building we see today was the
main Palace where the King lived. The original Palace
Complex was four times bigger than the present
structure. This palace consisted mainly of two parts,
namely Swargavilasa and Rangavilasa. Later in the late
evening attend Puja (worship) ceremony at Meenakshi
temple.
Day 08 Madurai – Periyar [145 /
3 and ½ hours]
After breakfast drive to Pariyar. Arrive and check in to
the hotel. In the afternoon take boat ride in the Lake
Periyar to watch animals in their natural habitat on the
water's edge. While cruising on Lake Periyar, you are
likely to see animals like Wild Boars, Sambars, Wild
Dogs, Langur Monkeys and Wild Elephants. Overnight at
the hotel in Pariyar
Day 09 Periyar – Munnar [110 /
3 hours]
After breakfast drive to Munnar. Arrive and check in to
the hotel. Rest of the day is free to explore the spice
market of Munnar. Overnight at Munnar.
Day 10 Munnar
Morning, after breakfast, visiting tea plantations,
Anamudi, Eravikulam National Park, Devikulam,
Mattupetty, Pallivasal, Pothamedu, Attukal etc. Rest of
the day at leisure. Overnight at Munnar.
Day 11 Munnar – Kumarakom [200
/ 4 hours]
Breakfast at hotel and drive to Kumarakom. Arrive and
check in to the hotel. Rest of the day is free at
leisure. Overnight at hotel in Kumarakom.
Day 12 Kumarakom – Alleppey
[backwaters cruise till Alleppey]
After breakfast visit the Kumarakom Bird sanctuary is
the most visited tourist venue in Kumarakom. This marshy
stretch of land is the natural habitat of various
species of birds. Migratory birds make this sanctuary
their home during the winter season.
In the afternoon check in to traditional Kerala house
boat for a cruise, which is totally a delightful
experience. Cruise through the palm fringed canals;
watch the Paddy fields, village folk; relax on board
hearing lullaby of the wind & waves. This mysterious
strip of emerald green land is stuffed with endless
miles of placid backwaters that appends to its charm.
Freshly cooked local food is served onboard. Dinner and
overnight stay at the houseboat.
Day 13 Alleppey – Cochin [60 /
1 hour]
Breakfast at the houseboat. Check out and drive to
Cochin. Arrive and check in to the hotel. Rest of the
day is free at leisure. In the evening attend Kathakkali
dance show. Overnight at the hotel in Cochin.
Day 14 Cochin – Abroad
After breakfast visit of Cochin including The Dutch
Palace at Mattancherry is renowned for its wall murals
depicting scenes from the Ramayana. The Jewish Synagogue
at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town. The
St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India.
In the late evening transfer to the airport to board the
flight for your onward destination.
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