Day 01 : Chennai
Welcome
by our representative at Chennai Airport who escorts you to the hotel. After
refreshments and rest for the whole day. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 02 : Excursion to Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram
Full day Excursion to Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram. Kanchipuram, 50 kms
away from Chennai finds place on the global map because of the wonderful
craftsmanship of the Kanchi weavers, the makers of what is perhaps the
finest silk fabric in the world. Proceed to Mahabalipuram (45 kms), the
place blossomed under the creative forces of time between the 5th and 8th
centuries. Today, the shore temple, the largest bas-relief in the world
called Arjuna's Penance and the famous and beautiful mandapams are what
identify this sleepy town. Overnight at hotel
Day 03 : Chennai - Madurai
After breakfast, full day sight seeing of Chennai, which includes the
gorgeous Marina Beach, the second longest in the world, Fort St. George, the
oldest fort in Chennai and the beautiful Kapeleeswar Temple of Lord Shiva,
Victoria Art Gallery, Bronze Gallery and Madras Museum. Proceed to serene
Santhome Cathedral, St. Mary's Church, National Art Gallery and have fun at
Birla Planetarium, Anna Zoological Park and Peoples Park. Stop for a brief
visit to Kalakshetra and Theosophical Society. Later transfer to airport to
board the flight for Madurai, flight # 9W 3519, dep. at 19:05 hrs and arr at
20:25 hrs. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 04 : Madurai
Madurai is one of the oldest cities of southern India. It has been a centre
of learning and pilgrimage, for centuries. After breakfast, visit Shree
Meenakashi temple, a riotously baroque example of dravidian architecture.
Tirumalai Nayak Palace, build in 1636 in Indi-Saracenic style, and the
Gandhi Museam, containing memorabilia of the father of the nation. Continue
to Mariamman Teppakkulam Tank. Built in 1646, the tank is fed by underground
channels from the Varigai River. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 05 : Madurai - Periyar
After
breakfast, drive to Periyar, 140 kms and 03 hrs, which is most scenic while
you drive down through Tea and spice plantations through the green and blue
hills. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 06 : Periyar
Morning take a Boat safari in lake Periyar inside the Periyar National Park
Later visit the major attractions of Thekkady. You can also visit a spice
plantation today. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 07 : Periyar - Trivandrum - Kovalam
Morning drive to Kovalam which is 190 kms. and 4 hrs drive. Enroute you can
visit Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala State. Visit Padmanabhaswamy Temple,
Zoological Park, Napier Museum, Sri Chitra Art Gallery, Science &
Technology Museum, Veli Lagoon, Shanmugham Beach, Aruvikkara Dam and Neyyar
Dam SMSM Institute. Check into hotel for overnight stay.
Day 08 : Kovalam
Kovalam has three small crescent beaches. Lighthouse beach is the southern
most. The visitors travel to this beach to spend time. Bounded by
restaurants and lodging houses, it is a perfect place for a pleasant stay.
The lighthouse on southern end of the beach, offers a fantastic view across
to the Vizhinjam mosque. Hawah and Samudra are the second and third beaches.
Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Later free time for leisure on the
beach. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 09 : Excursion to Kanyakumari enroute visiting Padmanabhapuram
Palace
After breakfast, excursion to Kanyakumari, the tip of peninsular India
where 3 seas -Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal meet. Enroute
visiting Padmanabhapuram Palace_well known for wooden works. Visit
Kanyakumari Temple, Gandhi Memorial and Vivekananda Memorial. Evening visit
the spectacular Sunset. Drive back to Kovalam hotel.
Day 10 : Kovalam
Full day is free for leisure at the beach. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 11 : Kovalam - Alleppey - Houseboat
After
breakfast, drive to Alleppey, which is 130 kms. and 3 hrs drive. Upon
arrival at Alleppey, board the houseboat. Cruise along the backwaters by day
and dock at a picturesque location by night. This is undoubtedly one of the
most relaxing experiences to watch Kerala life at work as you watch the
world go by. All meals will be provided on board. Overnight on board.
Day 12 : Houseboat - Kumarakom
After having breakfast, disembark the houseboat. Transfer to the hotel at
Kumarakom. Afternoon visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. This Bird Sanctuary on
the southern bank of the 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. Overnight in
hotel.
Day 13 : Kumarakom - Cochin
After breakfast, drive to Cochin, which is 65 kms. and 02 hrs drive. Upon
arrival transfer to the hotel. Day free for leisure or to explore the city
by own. Evening watch Kathkali dance performance. Overnight in hotel.
Day 14 : Cochin - Bangalore
Morning proceed for sight seeing of Cochin visiting Dutch Palace, Jewish
Synagogue, St. Francis Church, Bolghatty Palace and Willingdon Islands,
Chinese Fishing Nets, Santacruz Cathedral (Basilica) etc. Evening connect
flight # IT 2454 dep. at 16:50 hrs and arr. at 18:05 hrs. Upon arrival
transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 15 : Bangalore
Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka, is a veritable melting pot of
various races and cultures. This Garden City has well - laid out parks,
gardens, long avenues of blossoming trees and salubrious climate. After
breakfast, proceed for full day city tour of Bangalore. Visit Aquarium, Bull
Temple, Fort & Tippu's Palace, Ulsoor Lake, Lal Bagh, Venkatappa Art
Gallery, Cubbon Park, Vidhana Soudha, Vishveswaraya Industrial &
Technological Museum, Venkatappa Art Gallery etc. Overnight at hotel.
Day 16 : Bangalore - Mysore
After
breakfast, drive to Mysore, which is around 140 Kms 4 hrs drive. Transfer to
Hotel. Day free to explore the place. Evening you can excursion to Vrindavan
Gardens. Overnight stay at Hotel
Day 17 : Mysore
Full day city tour visiting Mysore Palace, St. Philomena's Church, Shri
Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Mysore Zoo, Chamundeshwari Temple.
Srirangpattnam, Cauvery Fishing Camp, Krishna Raja Sagar Dam etc. Overnight
at hotel
Day 18 : Mysore - Bangalore Out
After breakfast, drive to Bangalore airport (40 kms and 03 hrs drive) to
board flight for onward destination.
