South India Tours
South India Architecture and Backwater Tour
Duration : 12 Days / 11
Nights
Destinations Covered : Bangalore -
Chennai- Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Periyar -
Quilon - Cochin
Day 01 : Arrive Bangalore
You will be received
by our representative at the airport, who will then escort you to the hotel.
Overnight in the hotel.
Day 02 : In BangaloreIn the morning
after breakfast proceed for a full day sightseeing tour with our guide. The
highlight of the tour is the visit to the Vidhan Saudha, Nandi Temple, Lal Bagh
and Botanical Garden. Overnight in the hotel at Bangalore.
Day 03 :
Bangalore - ChennaiAfter breakfast transfer to the railway station to
board a train for Chennai. On arrival our representative will receive and
transfer you to the hotel. Overnight in the hotel at Chennai.
Day 04
: In ChennaiAfter breakfast our guide takes you to the full day
excursion to Mahabalipuram, which was famous as a major seaport of the great
Pallava Kings between the 8th and 10th century. Mahabalipuram is noted for its
rock carvings and the Shore Temple. Return to Chennai in the evening. Overnight
in the hotel at Chennai.
Day 05 : Chennai - PondicherryIn the
morning after breakfast drive to Pondicherry en-route stop at Mahabalipuram for
sightseeing. In the afternoon visit Aurbindo Ashram, which is 10 kilometers
north of Pondicherry. The ashram promotes Aurbindo's ideas in bringing about a
synthesis of Yoga and modern science to unite the spirit and matter. After lunch
visit Auroville a unique experiment in international living and in creating a
new environment where men and women of all nationalities live together in
harmony. Overnight in the hotel at Pondicherry.
Day 06 : Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Tanjore
In
the morning after breakfast drive to Tanjore, en-route visit Chidambaram, which
is famous for the Nataraja temple with the root of the sanctum-sanctorum covered
with golden plates. The temples adorns the sculpture, which depicts various form
of Bharatnatayam dance. Later, drive to Thanjavur visiting the Brass factory at
Kumbakonam. Upon arrival check-into the hotel. Overnight in the hotel at
Tanjore.
Day 07 : Tanjore - Trichy In the morning explore the
famous Chola Temple of Brideshwar at Tanjore and then drive to Trichy, which is
situated on the banks of Kaveri River. The place is a melting pot of history and
tradition. Trichy is a pilgrim center and famous for Ranganath Temple at
Srirangam. Upon arrival check into the hotel. In the afternoon explore the
temples of Trichy with our guide. The prominent temple in Trichy are the Rock
Fort Temple and Srirangam Temple. Overnight in the hotel at Trichy.
Day 08 : Trichy - Madurai After breakfast drive to Madurai, a
bustling city packed with pilgrims, businessmen, bullock carts and legions of
rickshaw pullers. After lunch explore the famous Meenakshi Temple with our
guide. The temple is a superb example of the Dravida School of Architecture and
is popular for its beautifully carved and gigantic gateways. Overnight in the
hotel at Madurai.
Day 09 : Madurai - PeriyarAfter breakfast
drive to Periyar. On arrival check into the hotel. In the afternoon our guide
will take you on a spice plantation tour. The tour will be followed by a boat
ride on the Periyar Lake. The boat ride is a fine way of enjoying the wildlife
of Periyar wildlife sanctuary. You come across various animals on your boat
ride. Overnight in the hotel at Periyar.
Day 09 : Periyar - Quilon
After breakfast drive
to Quilon, which is a four-hour descent through rubber, cardamom and concount
plantations, bringing you to the tropical plains of Kerala. Afterwards enjoy a
fascinating 3-hrs cruise on the famous backwaters from Kottayam to Allepey and
get a wonderful view of village life along the banks. Later, a short drive will
take you to Quilon, which is popular for cashew, coir and marine products.
Overnight in the hotel at Quilon.
Day 10 : In QuilonThe day
is free to relax at the hotel. Overnight in the hotel at Quilon.
Day
11 : Quilon- CochinAfter breakfast drive to Cochin. Upon arrival check
into the hotel. After fresh-up visit the Jewish Synagogue and the Dutch Palace.
Overnight in the hotel at Cochin. Later, we organize a Kathakali Dance
performance for you. Before the performance you will be taken to the green room
where you can see the dancers dressing up for the performance. The dressing up
for the Kathakali is the most exciting and important part of the dance. You see
the dancers applying natural colors to their face, hands and feet. Our guide
will brief you about the nitty-gritty of the traditional dance. Overnight in the
hotel at Cochin.
Day 12 : Cochin - Flight Back HomeAfter
breakfast transfer to the airport to catch a flight back home.
Tour ends.
South India Architecture and Backwater Tour
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