Day1:Arrive Chennai
Assistance on arrival at Chennai International airport, you will
be met & transferred to hotel by our representative.
Day 2: Chennai
Morning, proceed for the city tour of Madras, which is now known
as Chennai and is one India’s four metropolises located on
the Coromandel Coast, it is the gateway to south India and also
an important harbour. Chennai has a blend of Dravidian and Gothic
architecture in its buildings. It was the first citadel of the British.
Tamil Nadu is a bastion of Hinduism, whose past endures into the
present. Visit the St. George Fort built in 1640 A.D which now houses
the Tamil Nadu State Legislature and Secretariat, San Thome Cathedral,
which is said to contain the remains of St Thomas and the famous
bronze Museum. Overnight at hotel
Day 3 : Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)
Morning drive to Mahabalipuram, enroute visit Kanchipuram, one of
India's seven sacred Hindu cities. Historic capital of the Pallavas
and thereafter the Cholas Also called as the city of thousand temples,
it has magnificent temples of unique architectural beauty that bear
eloquent testimony to its glorious Dravidian heritage. Notable being
the Kailasnatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, finest example of
Pallava architecture. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silk saris.
Later proceed to Mahabalipuram, the ancient seaport city of Pallavas,
known for its rock hewn temples with statues of gods and goddesses,
monsters and angels, snakes, water nymphs and animals that crowd
the rock to watch the descent of Ganges flow through Shiva's hair.
Overnight at the hotel in Mahabalipuram.
DAY 4: Mahabalipuram - Chennai - Cochin (By air)
Morning transfer to Chennai Airport to connect flight for Cochin
Upon arrival – met at the airport and transferred to hotel.
Cochin - with a fine natural harbour, has been Kerala’s center
of trade for innumerable centuries. With its beautiful setting on
a cluster of islands, narrow Peninsulas and a long history, Cochin
boasts of one of the oldest churches in India, 500 year old Portuguese
houses, cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, the historical Palace
built by the Portuguese, Jew town, complete with an immaculately
preserved synagogues. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Cochin
Morning proceed for the sightseeing tour of Cochin - visiting the
Fort area including the Dutch Palace, the Church of St. Frances
and the Jewish synagogue. Cochin - now called 'Kochi' is the commercial
hub of Kerala and a town of great historical importance. It has
one of the finest natural harbours and is called the "Queen
of the Arabian Sea". Rest of the day at leisure for souvenir
shopping. Witness the Kathakali dance show in the evening. Overnight
at the hotel.
Day 06: Cochin - Periyar (180 kms - 3 hours)
Morning depart for Periyar. Arrive and check in to hotel. In the
afternoon, proceed to visit the different farms to see how famous
spices are grown for which the French, Dutch, Portuguese and British
came to India. The spices found here are pepper, tea, cinnamon,
clove, cardamom, turmeric, etc. Rest of the day at leisure Overnight
at hotel.
Day 07: Periyar
Morning, visit the famous Periyar wildlife sanctuary on motorboat
to see the wild Life - set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats
of Kerala. Periyar - an artificial lake or reservoir created by
a dam on Periyar River, which is the heart of the 777 sq. km Wildlife
Sanctuary. Apart from the wild elephant, one can spot Asiatic Deer,
Black Buck and some times even Tigers come to shores of the lake
to drink water. Overnight at hotel
Day 08: Periyar - Kumarakom (130 kms - 3 hours)
Morning depart for Kumarakom. Arrive Kumarakom and check in to hotel.
Kumarakom slumbers on the banks of the famous Vembanad Lake, which
is a part of Kuttanad ('granary' of Kerala). The Vembanad Lake with
its majestic canals, streams and distributaries along its banks
weave an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web. In the afternoon,
proceed to visit the Vembanad bird sanctuary – on the southern
bank of Kavanar river is a small bird sanctuary where numerous species
of birds, including Darters, Bitterns, Brahminy kites, Marsh Harries,
Teals and several varieties of Herons roost are found. For an inquisitive
bird watcher, it is always advisable to carry their binoculars at
all times. Return to hotel, relax and overnight.
Day 09: Kumarakom - Alleppey (By Houseboats)
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon check in to House Boat. Proceed
for an overnight cruise towards Alleppey. The journey will take
us through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters of Alleppey
to Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of
paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets, typical villages and regattas
(boats snakes) for which Kerala is very famous. Dinner will be served
on board. Overnight in the houseboats.
Day 10: Alleppey - Mararikulam
Arrive Alleppey and transfer to Mararikulam. Time free to relax
in the hotel.
Day 11: Mararikulam
Day at leisure for independent activities or near the beach. Overnight
at hotel.
Day 12: Mararikulam - Cochin (60 kms - 1 to 2 hours) - Back
home
Morning at leisure on the beach. Evening transferred to International
airport in Cochin to connect flight for your next destination.
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