10 NIGHTS/11 DAYS IN SOUTH INDIA
PRICE FROM 11 375 NIS FOR A COUPLE SHARING A ROOM, INCLUDING BREAKFAST
FLIGHTS ARE NOT INCLUDED
Day 1 Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram (145 Kms drive)
Arrive at the Chennai airport (Assuming your flight arrives in the morning), where our representative will receive you and transfer you to Mahabalipuram (enroute visit Kanchipuram)
Kanchipuram is the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambareswarar, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks.
Upon arrival in Mahabalipuram, check in at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (100 Kms drive)
Breakfast in the hotel.
Drive to Pondicherry, upon arrival check in at the hotel.
In the evening enjoy a rickshaw-ride in the French colony (Timings: anytime between 0900-1700 hours).
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 Pondicherry
Breakfast in the hotel.
A sightseeing tour of Pondicherry, visiting Auroville, Aurobindo ashram, beach etc…
In the evening, we will take you to a South Indian family, where we will interact with the host & see their lifestyle along-with having dinner with them.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 Pondicherry – Kumbakonam (140 Kms drive)
Breakfast in the hotel.
Later drive to Kumbakonam. Upon arrival in Kumbakonam, check in at the hotel. Enjoy a village walk in the Kumbakonam village, where you will witness local life of the villagers.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 Kumbakonam – Madurai (220 Kms drive)
Breakfast in the hotel.
Later drive to Madurai: Situated on the banks of river Vaigai, Madurai is more than 2,500 years old and has a rich cultural heritage and history. Madurai was an important cultural and commercial centre even as early as 550 AD. Madurai was the capital city for the great Pandya kings.
On arrival proceed to check in at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 Madurai
Breakfast in the hotel.
Later a sightseeing tour of Madurai: Madurai's main attraction is the famous Meenakshi temple located in the heart of the old town, a riotous baroque example of Dravidian architecture with gopurams (towers) covered from top to bottom with a breathless profusion of multi-colored images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical figures. The temple complex is a city within a city and one can spend days exploring its labyrinthine corridors and halls. Another attraction is the Thirumalai Nayak Palace (1636) restored by Lord Napier, dance drama concerts are performed daily
In the evening, you will once again proceed to the Meenakshi temple complex to witness the evening Aarti ceremony in which Lord Shiva is carried in a palanquin accompanied by musicians, temple singers and priests to the temple of his consort Parvati to spend the night.
Special note:Non- Hindus are not allowed inside the inner sanctum of the temple.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7 Madurai – Thekkady (150 Kms drive)
Breakfast in the hotel.
Later drive to Thekkady or Periyar.
The name Thekkady, brings to mind images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice-scented plantations. Moreover, the flora and fauna of the Periyar wildlife sanctuary is absolutely thrilling. The wildlife sanctuary here is the natural habitat of a wide variety of animal species. The Periyar Lake is a paradise for nature lovers. It gives you an opportunity to observe the wild animals roaming in the jungle. The greatest attraction of Periyar Lake, however, is the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake. Moreover, the Sanctuary Watch Tower situated in the forest interior gives you a panoramic view of the park.
Other attractions of the sanctuary are the Sambhar, Bison, Spotted Deer, Tigers, Leopards, Malabar Flying Squirrels, Stripe necked Mongooses, etc. There are over 260 species of birds here including Nilgiri Wood Pigeons, blue-winged Parakeets, White bellied Tree Pies, Laughing Thrushes and Fly Catchers.
Upon arrival proceed to check in at the hotel.
In the evening, enjoy the Kalaripayattu show (traditional martial art of Kerala, which is known to be the oldest martial art of the world). (Timings: 1700 hours for 1 hour)
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8 Thekkady
Breakfast in the hotel.
Later proceed for a boat ride in Periyar river (Timings & Duration – 0730 am, 0930 am, 1115 am, 1345 pm & 1530 hrs and duration will be one hour, sometimes get 15 minutes more)
Periyar National Park, also known as Periyar Tiger Reserve, is in the mountainous Western Ghats of Kerala, southern India. This wildlife sanctuary is home to tigers and a significant elephant population, as well as rare lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer, leopards and Indian bison. In the park's north, Periyar Lake is popular for boat rides. Farther north, spice plantations surround the town of Kumily.
After that proceed for a Spice plantation visit along with a guide. (Timings: anytime between 0900-1800 hours)
After the plantation tour back to hotel and leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 Thekkady – Alleppey (128 Kms drive)
Breakfast in the hotel.
Later drive to Alleppey & check in at the Houseboat or Kettuvallam.
Kettuvallams are huge, tapering barges which were traditionally used to cargo rice and other goods across Kerala. It has a portion covered with bamboo and coir serving as kitchen and rest rooms for the crew. These boats are entirely built without the use of nails. Planks of jack wood are woven together with coir ropes and coated with a black resin made from boiled cashew kernels
Modern-day Kettuvallams called houseboats, carry finished bedrooms, modern toilets, cosy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony where tourists can laze on cushions. Sections of the carved roof of wood and plaited palms open out to provide shade and allow an uninterrupted view. Most of the boats are piloted by local oarsmen. Some are powered by engines. Gliding on serene backwaters, visitors can witness an unspoilt Kerala
Overnight at the Kettuvallam/Houseboat.
Day 10 Alleppey – Cochin (66 Kms drive)
Breakfast in the houseboat. Disembark & drive to a village tour in Kumarakom (0830 leave from the houseboat, the tour duration will be 2-3 hours)
The Village tour will include: Tuk Tuk ride, Coconut Plucking, Toddy Tapping, Fishing, coir making, Sari and Dhoti wearing demo etc…
After the village tour, proceed towards Cochin.
In the evening, you will be taken to a Kathakali dance centre where you will witness the most elaborate of the dance forms in southern India. Here you will witness the artists readying themselves up with the make up for the final performance. Kerala owes its transnational fame to this nearly 300 years old classical dance form, which combines facets of ballet, opera, masque and the pantomime. It is said to have evolved from other performing arts like Kootiyattam, Krishnanattam and Kalarippayattu. Kathakali explicates ideas and stories from the Indian epics and Puranas. Presented in the temple precincts after dusk falls Kathakali is heralded by the Kelikottu or the beating of drums in accompaniment of the Chengila (gong).
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 Cochin (Departure - Assuming your flight is in the evening, we will plan a sightseeing tour of Cochin this morning)
Breakfast in the hotel.
You will first proceed to Mattancherry and visit the oldest Jewish Synagogue (Closed on Saturdays & All the Jewish holidays)in India, built in 1568; it was destroyed by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the Dutch a century later.
You will also visit The Dutch Palace (Closed on Fridays)- which was built in 1555 and its coronation hall and murals at Ramayana are noteworthy features.
Chinese fishing nets: The cantilevered fishing nets line the entrance to the harbour mouth. Chinese traders are believed to have originally introduced them in the 14th century although today parts of the nets are known by Portuguese names. Your next stop will be St. Francis Church, originally named after Santo Antonio and dedicated to him as the Patron Saint of Portugal, St. Francis Church is the first church to have been in the new European influenced tradition.
Price Includes:
- Traditional welcome at the airport
- Welcome drink on arrival in the hotel
- Breakfasts
