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 "Answer
the call of the bells and travels to South India. A peninsula
surrounded by three oceans, it is a region of great natural
beauty. There exist in this terrain a great number of temples
and temple cities, overwhelming in their detail of sculpture
and grandeur of scale. Many of them as much a part of everyday
life today as they were centuries ago"
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Duration:
08 Nights / 09 Days
Places to Visit:
Cochin - Kumarakom- Periyar- Madurai- Tiruchirapalli
- Thanjavur- Chidambaram - Pondicherry- Mamallapuram
- Kanchipuram - Chennai- Mumbai
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Day 01: Cochin - Kumarakom..... by surface
Arrive Cochin. Morning sightseeing tour of Cochin,
a port city with a rich past and bustling present. The Chinese,
Jews, Arabs and Europeans came here to trade and their influence
on Kochi and its people is still evident. Kochi is an attractive
city and the serene backwaters, golden sunsets, lagoons overhung
with feathery coconut palms, picturesque Islands-Vypeen, willingdon,
Ramanthuruth, Vallarpadam and Bolghatty - all contribute to
its beautiful cityscape. The interesting Jewish Synagogue
- the oldest in India, the Mattancherry Palace of the former
maharajas, also known as the Dutch palace, old British churches,
the Bolghatty Palace, are all worth seeing and make a visit
to Kochi a unique experience. Later transfer to Kumarakom,
and check-in at the hotel, evening free for leisure, overnight
stay.
Day 02: Cochin - Periyar .....by Surface
Morning transfer to Periyar (140 km / 3 hrs), best known for
its wild life, is a must-see for all visitors to Kerala. The
Periyar Lake lies at the heart of the sanctuary which is a
veritable paradise for all wildlife lovers. Where else can
one view the animals in their natural surroundings while cruising
on the lake, or better still come within a few feet of a herd
of wild elephants and still be at ease! The majestic gaur,
deer, wild boar and the distinctive Nilgiri langur are often
spotted along the lake as also water birds. On arrival check-in
at the hotel and afternoon wildlife viewing from a boat in
the Periyar lake, overnight stay.
Day 03: Periyar - Madurai......
by Surface
After breakfast proceed for Madurai (160 km / 5 hrs), the
ancient capital of Pandyan kings, is a sacred place. On arrival
check-in at the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Madurai.
Today, in the heart of the town stands the overwhelming Meenakshi
Sundareswarar Temple, also visit Tirumalai Nayak Temple, visit
Vandiyur Mariamman Tank, this is a huge temple tank measuring
304.8m on each side, with a mandapam at its center. Madurai
is also a business centre famed for its traditional handicrafts
in brass and bronze. Overnight stay.
Day 04: Madurai - Tiruchirapalli....
by Surface
After breakfast proceed by surface to Tiruchirapalli
(128 km / 3 hrs), city dominated by the Rock Fort, perched
on a massive rock that soars 83 meters upwards from the surrounding
plains. On arrival check-in at the hotel, afternoon sightseeing
tour of Tiruchirapalli, visiting Rock Fort Temple and Srirangam,
a picturesque island between the Cauvery river and its tributary
Kollidam, north of Tiruchirapalli. Sri Ranganathaswamy temple
here is one of the largest Vaishnavite temple in south India
built around the 13th and 14th centuries. With its 21 magnificent
towers and stone pillars covered with a profusion of carvings,
temple surrounded by seven walls within which the town itself
is located. Overnight stay.
Day 05: Tiruchirapalli
- Thanjavur...... by surface
Morning proceed for Thanjavur by surface (54 kms / 2 hrs),
on arrival check-in at the hotel, later sightseeing tour of
Thanjavur. Visit Brihadeeswara or the Big Temple of God, built
by the great Chola King Raja Raja (985 - 1012 AD), there are
excellent sculptural representations of the various forms
of Shiva and other associated gods and goddesses.
Also visit The Palace near the temple is a vast
building of masonary built partly by the Nayaks around 1550
AD and partly by the Marathas. Overnight stay.
Day 06: Thanjavur - Chidambaram - Pondicherry......
by Surface
After early breakfast proceed for Pondicherry, (210 km / 7 hrs),
en-route visiting Chidambaram, also called as Thillai, which
has the famous Natraja Temple with the roof of the sanctum-sanctorum
covered golden plates, is located at the centre of the town
covering an area of 40 acres. In this temple, postures from
the Bharatnatyam form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Natraja
is Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer. Arrive Pondicherry and check
in at the hotel. Evening visit Aurobindo Ashram, the city of
dawn, this ashram promotes Aurobindo's ideas in bringing about
a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit
and matter. Overnight stay.
Day 07: Pondicherry - Mamallapuram...... by Surface
Morning at leisure, later transfer to Mamallapuram (74 km /
2 hrs), on arrival check in at the hotel, afternoon sightseeing
tour of Mamallapuram, an ancient 7th century centre for Pallava
culture and arts, a beach resort, and cultural front. Visit
The Shore Temple, one of the oldest temples. Also visit The
Five Rathas, there are five monolithic temples, each created
in a different style, they are also known as the Pancha Pandava
Rathas - and four out of five rathas are supposed to have been
carved out of single rock. Arjuna's Penance, this is the world's
largest bas relief measuring 27m x 9m. This huge whale-backed
rock contain figures of gods, demigods, men beasts, birds and
almost all of the entire creation. Overnight stay.
Day 08: Mamallapuram - Kanchipuram
- Chennai ......by Surface
Morning proceed by surface to Kanchipuram (74 km / 2 hrs), known
as one of India's seven sacred cities. It has been a centre
of Tamil learning and culture and religious background for centuries.
Kanchi is also a well known centre of the finest silk sarees
made in the country. Kanchipuram has magnificent temples of
unique architecture beauty, Also visit Vardaraja Temple a massive
and impressive edifice. Other important temples are The Kamakshi
Amman Temple, the presiding deity Lord Vishnu is depicted in
sitting, standing and reclining positions.Continue your journey
to Chennai (72 km / 2 hrs), on arrival check-in at the hotel,
overnight stay.
Day 09: Chennai - Mumbai - Flight Back Home...... by Surface/
Flight
Morning sightseeing tour of Chennai,
captures the cultural kaleidoscope of South India with its
ancient traditions, festivals, fine crafts, classical music
and dance. Having begun as a British settlement 350 years
ago, The Kapaleeswarar temple, the Parthsarthy Temple is another
masterpiece, built originally by the Pallavas in the 8th century.
The Fort St. George built in 1640 AD, the first bastion of
British power in India and St. Thomas Mount where the Apostle
St. Thomas was martyred in 72 AD, are other fascinating facets
of the city's heritage. Late afternoon transfer to Chennai
airport to catch flight for Mumbai or Delhi
Assistance on arrival at Mumbai/Delhi and transfer to International
airport for flight back home.
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