Duration : 11 Nights / 12 Days
Place to See : Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Chennai - Madurai - Periyar - Kumarakom - Houseboat - Allepey - Cochin
Day 01 : Arrive Chennai
Assistance upon arrival at airport followed by transfer to hotel for overnight.
Day 02 : Chennai - Mahabalipuram
Driving Time :- 01 HR. Distance :- 50 kms.
Morning tour briefing during breakfast followed by half-day sight seeing in Chennai. The history of Chennai began 25 years before the British reached Bombay and 50 years before they arrived in Calcutta. During the city tour one visits the lovely 16th century church of Our Lady of Expectations, the Kapaleeswarar Temple, the government museum which houses a vast collection of the best south Indian bronzes as well as archaeological remains from excavations at the Amravati Buddhist stupa; the National Museum and the Fort St. George. Inside the fort you can stroll through the pages of history. Lord Clive house is still there, and lord Wellesley who later became the duke of Wellington also lived here. Inside the fort also visit the oldest Anglican Church in India, St. Mary's church constructed in 1680. Afternoon drive to Mahabalipuram. Upon arrival check into hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Hotel
Day 03 : Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram
Driving Time :- 45 Minute. Distance :- 26 Kms
After breakfast full day excursion to Kanchipuram which is famous for its good quality silk and silken saris that it produces. This is one of the seven sacred cities of India. Its temples are spectacular and the gopums ( Temple Gates) can be seen from miles away. Return to Mahabalipuram in the afternoon. Mahabalipuram, the second capital and sea port of the pallava kings of Mahabalipuram, the first Tamil dynasty of any real consequences to emerge after the fall of the Gupta Empire. It is famous for its shore temples and rock carvings most of which were built and carved between 630 AD and 728 AD. Visit the rock sculptures, the shore temples and the bas-relief called the penance of Arjuna. Overnight at Hotel
Day 04 : Mahabalipuram - Chennai - Madurai Flight
After breakfast drive to Chennai. Transfer to the airport for a connecting the flight to Madurai. Arrive in Madurai and transfer to the hotel. Madurai is one of South India's oldest cities and has been a center of learning and pilgrimage for centuries. Madurai is an ancient city and Tamil and Greek documents record its existence from 04th century BC. Upon arrival at Madurai, check into hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure for individual activities. Overnight at Hotel
Day 05 : Madurai
Madurai is a large city famous for the Meenakshi temple. The whole city is laid out in the shape of a lotus flower with the temple in the center. The High Point is the hall of a thousand pillars, which was built around 1560. The Temple complex occupies an area of six hectares. It has some 12 towers from 45 meters to 50 meters. Afternoon is spent in the market place. Other places of interest are the Tirumalai Nayak Palace, The Mariamman Teppakkulam Tank and the temple Art Museum. Half-day city tour in the afternoon. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 : Madurai - Periyar
Driving Time :- 03 Hrs. Distance :- Approx.. 130 Kms
After breakfast drive to Periyar. Periyar is really a reservoir behind a dam on the Lake Periyar, which has a hydroelectric powerhouse. The area around the reservoir is a game reserve, where one could probably see elephants and deer. Afternoon boat ride on the Lake. Rest of the day at leisure or for individual activities. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 : Periyar - Kumarakom
Driving Time :- 05 - 06 Hrs. Distance :- Approx.. 200 Kms,
After breakfast drive to Kumarakoram. The voyage takes you to the rich green, sleepy little village Kumarakom on the Vembanad Lake. This village provides boating, fishing and sight seeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. On arrival check into hotel and Rest of the day leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 : Kumarakom
The full day is at leisure to laze around at the resort. One can opt for an ayurveda massage as well at the spa or just watch the ripples in the water. Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 : Kumarakom - Houseboat Cruise
Morning drive down to the jetty to commence a backwater cruise. The whole day is spent on the houseboat exploring the backwaters. The backwaters form a specially attractive and economically valuable feature of Kerala. They include lakes and ocean inlets, which stretch irregularly along the coast. Overnight at houseboat.
Day 10 : Houseboat - Allepey - Cochin
Driving Time :- Allepy - Cochin :- 01 and ½ Hrs. Distance :- 70 Kms.
The houseboat cruise finishes at Allepey. Alight from houseboat at Allepey and drive to Cochin. Cochin is truly a museum city and they are found in the most abundant quantities at fort Cochin. Fort Cochin is believed to be the oldest European settlement in India. Vasco da Gama first arrived in Cochin in 1502. He returned again in 1524 as the Portuguese viceroy of the Indies. He died here and was buried in St. Francis church, the first European church in India. You can still visit his gravestone. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening see a Kathakkali dance drama which is a must while in Cochin. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 : Cochin
Full day is spent visiting the various Museums and Palaces in abundance in Cochin. Also visit the Dutch Palace built by the Portuguese in the middle of the sixteenth century. Afternoon, Harbor cruises at the Cochin harbor. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 : Cochin Departure
Morning at leisure. In time transfer to the airport for onward flight.
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