01 |
CHENNAI / MAHABALIPURAM
Arrive in Chennai and drive 60 kms /1 hr. to Mahabalipuram for overnight in a Beach Resort. In the morning we relax at the beach and afternoon we do some sightseeing of Mahabalipuram, comperatively a smaller township. The main highlight is Shore Temple built in 7th cantury, which is now a World Heritage site. We visit the temple and Arjuna‘s Penance beautifully carved on a high rock of 29 m long and 7 m high. We also visit Rathas Temple which were built in mid 7th century. |
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02 |
MAHABALIPURAM / PONDICHERRY
After breakfast we drive 90 km/2 hrs. to Pondicherry, identified as ancient Vedapuri (town of Sages). After lunch we do sightseeing of Aurobindo Ashram started in 1926 by Shri Auribindo, a Bengali Revolutionary Philosopher. We also visit Maitri temple which claims to have membership of over 160 countries. |
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03 |
PONDICHERRY
In the morning we drive 12 km southwards to a fishermen village called Thraval Kuppam from where we start our beach walk. First 2 hr, we pass through the fisher men’s village. The smell of fish all around the village makes our walk interesting! Nonetheless, this is a chance to know how the fisher men live on coasts. We then start our beach walk of 8 km which ends at Paradise Island . This Island is cut off by a back water river. Its an ideal unspoilt beach where we do swimming at the end of our walk . We take a boat ride for about 10 min. and meet our bus on the other side of the back water river and drive back to our hotel. Rest of the day is free to explore French and Tamil colonies of Pondichery. |
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04 |
PONDICHERRY / THANJAVUR
Drive 200 kms/5 hr to Thanjavur which is known for the Big Temple of Shiva and also glass paintings. En route we visit Vaithaleesaram Temple known for Palm Leave Astrology. Palm Leaves were supposed to have been written by 18 saints in Sanskrit in ancient times. Tamil King got them translated in old Tamil language. Realising the worth of this precious treasure Britishers auctioned these Palm Leaves Books, which were bought back by the locals from the neighbouring villages as they did not want this precious culture of their go somewhere else. |
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05 |
THANJAUR / MADURAI
Morning we visit Brihadeshwara Shiva Temple, also known as Big Temple, which is a crowning glory of Chola Dynasty, built by Raja Raja (985 – 1014). A 63 m dome high encloses an enormous Shiva Lingam, a single piece granite stone weighing 81 tonnes. A statue of Nandi (Shiva’s Bull) of a single granite rock of 6 m long guards the entrance. After visiting Temple we drive 195 kms/5 hrs to Madurai spread along the banks of the rocky bed of the Vaigai River. Madurai is an ancient city - Tamil, Greek and Roman documents record its existence from the 4th century BC. Here we visit Meenakshi Temple, which is an outstanding example of Vijayanagar Temple architecture, built in 1560. Madurai is one of the most important centers of Tamil culture. Pandyan Dynasty made Madurai their capital from 6th century. Cholas and Nayak Dynasty made their own contributions in shaping the history of Madurai. |
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06 |
MADURAI / MUNNAR
Drive 140 kms / 5 hrs through the plains of Tamil Nadu, followed by hills of tea plantations with super landscape of Kerala. Munnar (1524 M) is famous for its tea, pepper and rubber plantations, and has come up as a popular hill station in recent years. Highest peak of South India “Ana Mudi (2694 m)” is here. Overnight in hotel |
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07-11 |
MUNNAR / PERIYAR
Trekking between Munnar and Periyar through Tea and Spice plantations. Overnight in Tents. Overnight in Periyar is in Hotel. |
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12 |
PERIYAR
In the morning we visit Periyar National Park by boat on the lake encompassing 26 sq km area. Apart from other wild animals such as Tiger, Wildbore, Bison, Sambar and spotted dear which are found in the Park, Periyar is primarily known for Wild Elephants. In addtion there are 246 species of birds and 112 species of butterfiles. In the afternoon we make a trek of about 3 hrs in the wild forest together with our guide from Wildlife Department. While trekking we have a chance of spotting some wildlife and wild elephants. |
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13 |
PERIYAR / VAGAMON
From Kumily (Periyar) we drive 65 km / 3 hr to Vagamon through tea plantation and beautiful rolling hills. Afternoon we trek for 3 hrs. through the tea plantation around Vagamon. Vagamon is a new destination which is going to be kept as Biosphere Zone by Forest Department due to its prestine unspoilt natural beauty. Rolling hills of Vagamon have a wide horizon which makes them more fascinating. Overnight in hotel. |
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14 |
VAGAMON
We start our 6 hr round trek from the hotel. From the hotel first 45 min we climb the small hill called “Moon Hill” from where we have a nice view of Vagamon town and rolling hills which are comparable to Scottish hills. We can also see the Iddukki Dam from the top. From Moon Hill we trek further on the ridge of the hill for 2 hr and reach tea factory which we can visit. After tea factory the trek passes through tea plantations, then gradual descent to Vagamon town. After visiting town we can walk to hotel which is 3 km from the town. Overnight in hotel. |
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15 |
VAGAMON / COCHIN
Drive 120km / 4 hrs. to Cochin. Cochin City was shaped by the Portuguese, the Dutch and later Britishers. Culture influence of Indo European architecture is evident from exiting buildings. Afternoon we visit Fort Cochin, Chinese Fishing Nets, Jewish Synagogues and Spice Markets. In the evening we witness Kathakalli Dance which is a classical dance from Kerala. |
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16 |
COCHIN / ALLEPPEY / HOUSE BOAT
Drive 60 km/ 1 hr 30 min to Allepey. After reaching Allepey we check in our Hose Boat. We enjoy the calm and quietude of back waters while the Boat is slowly being rowed through villages situated on both sides of back water canals. Overnight in House Boat. |
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17 |
HOUSE BOAT / PALLATHURTHY / THRIKUNNAPUZHA
We have our breakfast in the House Boat . After breakfast we take the local boat for a Day Cruise to Thrikunnapuzha, a small island lying between the backwaters of Alappuzha and Kollam. Every day there is a local boat going from Allepey to Kollam and vice versa which is for 6 hr journey one way through beautiful canals having villages and scenic spots on the way. This journey of our is in a private local boat and is very rewarding. Overnight in hotel located by the side of back water canal. |
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18 |
THRIKUNNAPUZHA / KOVALAM
After breakfast we drive 3 hr to Kovalam. Kovalam is a beach town situated 25 km South of Trivandrum. We check in a Beach Hotel. Rest of the time at leisure on the beach. |
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| 19 |
KOVALAM
Day free at beach with option of Ayurvedic massage. |
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| 20 |
KOVALM / TRIVANDRUM / DEP.
Transfer to the airport for onwards departure.
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