South Indian Pilgrimages

11NIGHTS/12DAYS PACKAGE

Cochin-Alleppey-Kumarakom-Thekkady-Madurai-Tanjore-Pondichery-Mahabalipuram-Chennai

Thanjavur (or 'Thanjai' or 'Tanjore') is 342 km from Chennai the capital of the state Tamil Nadu, India. Thanjai is considered to be the granary and 'rice bowl' of Tamil Nadu. It is the district headquarters by the same name. Pronounce : Than-jaa-voor. It is sometime referred as Tanjavur (wrong) or Thanjavoor. The name Thanjavur is derived from "Tanjan", a legendary asura in Hindu mythology. Thanjavur is one of the oldest cities in India and has a long and varied history dating back to Sangam period. The city rose into prominence during the rule of the Later Cholas when it served as the capital of the Chola empire. After the fall of the Cholas, the city was ruled by the Pandyas, Vijayanagar Empire, the Madurai Nayaks, the Thanjavur Nayaks, the Thanjavur Marathas and the British. It has been a part of independent India since 1947.

Places:

Cochin-alleppey-kumarakom-thekkady-madurai-tanjore-pondichery-mahabalipuram-chennai

Number of Days:

11 Nights & 12 Days

Details Itineraries:

DAY 1:On to Cochin Kathakali show by Evening

Arrival at Cochin and transfer to the Hotel.Evening get ready to visit the Kathakali Ambhi theatre to see a Kathakali performance with makeup demonstration.It will last for 3 hrs.

DAY 2:Experience Fascinating Cochin Historical Tour

Breakfast, and get ready for full day trip in and around Cochin that takes you to Fort Cochin and Mattancherry where you can trace the past of Cochin.

Visit the Jewish Synagogue at Mattancherry, considered to be the oldest in India. At Fort Cochin see the historic St. Francis Church built in 1510 by Portuguese priests.

Back to the mainland by noon. After lunch get ready for your final, and perhaps the most unforgettable, experience at Cochin. Set out on a country craft canal cruise. Amaze at life's pace (or lack of it) in rural Kerala. Get a closer look at coir processing, duck farming and the tapping of toddy (country liquor from coconut palms). Drink tender coconut water – perhaps the world's healthiest and sweetest natural drink. Or, get tipsy with a bottle of toddy.

After four hours of enchantment, it is time to get back to your hotel.

Enjoy dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 3:Onto Alleppey(Alapuzha) Check into the houseboat

In the morning Proceed to Alleppey to catch a House boat to Alleppey.

The traveling time to reach Alleppey is just 1.300 Hrs.

It is a full day cruise with night stay at the mid of Backwaters.

Meander through narrow canals, come across huge acres of paddy fields, cause a flutter among children of a coir processing village, take deviation to avoid a tiny island in the middle of your way, go past Chinese Fishing Nets…Overnight stay onboard.

DAY 4:Onto Kumarakom

After breakfast, wewill check out from the Houseboat & directly check into the Resort at Kumarakom – the spectacular and inviting backwater destination.Rest of the day at Leisure. Overnight stay

DAY 5:At Kumarakom Visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Again a day at Leisure along the Backwaters of Kumarakom. We now take you to view the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary located in an island in the backwaters. Watch exotic birds, the migratory Siberian Stork among them, lead their normal lives unaware of you or your binoculars.

Enjoy dinner and overnight stay at your resort.

DAY 6:Onto Thekkady Visit Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

After an early breakfast, we drive you to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Arrive at the Sanctuary by noon and check into your hotel.

Enjoy your lunch.

A little later, we take you on a memorable boat ride through Lake Periyar in the heart of the sanctuary. Come across elephants and bison grazing on the banks.

You can also opt for an elephant safari through the forest, if you are interested.

Enjoy your dinner at the hotel. Overnight at your hotel.

DAY 7:On to Madurai Visit Meenakshi Temple

After breakfast, we set out to Madurai. Sit back and relax in your coach seat. You are about to enter a very special city. Madurai is over 2500 years old and is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu. Ancient seat of learning, the city is planned in the shape of a lotus.

Check in to your hotel at Madurai by noon.

After lunch, in the afternoon, visit the famous Madurai Meenakshi Temple. There are four entrances to this amazing temple complex set in six hectares. Marvel at the truly majestic towers, twelve of them, pointing skywards at 45 to 50 metres.

Beat some of the stone pillars in the complex with any hard object and feel incredible on hearing sweet metal sounds. You now know why they are called musical pillars. By the way, the total number of pillars in the temple is a staggering one thousand.

Enjoy a light and sound spectacle and back to the hotel by 8 p.m.

Enjoy a fine dinner.

You had an exciting day. Go to bed early.

DAY 8:To Tanjore Visit Brahadeswara temple

In the morning get ready for departure to Tanjore
Enroute visit the Rock fort Temple at Trichy
Reach Tanjore by noon
we take you on a tour of this historic town. Ancient capital of the Cholas - one of the greatest dynasties of South India - Tanjore is dotted with no fewer than seventy-four temples. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch at the resort.

In the evening, we visit the Brahadeswara Temple - a World Heritage Monument. Enjoy the architecture. Also be awed by the majesty of the palaces and art gallery attached to this temple.Back to the Hotel by evening. Overnight stay.

DAY 9:On to pondicherry Visit Aurobindo Ashram

After breakfast, we drive to Pondicherry - a city with a unique Anglo-French background.
Reach Pondichery with in 3 Hrs.
Check into your resort and relax.

After lunch, visit the world famous Aurobindo Ashram - abode of the twentieth century saint and philosopher Sri Aurobindo.

Later, visit Auroville town - an oasis of peace and enlightenment designed by the French architect, Roger Anger. You would find the town living up to its designer's mission of making people realize the merits of human unity.

Back to your resort by evening.
Enjoy dinner and a deep sleep in the comforts of your room

DAY 10:On To Mahabalipuram Enroute visit to Kancheepuram

In the morning you will be transferred to a dream beach resort at Mamallapuram.Enroute you can visit the Temples at Kancheepuram.
Check into the Resort & Relax Overnight stay

DAY 11:At Mahabalipuram

On a sightseeing tour, marvel at the stone-made sculptures, caves, chariots and temples of the Pallava period.

You will also visit Arjuna's Penance - the largest bas-relief in the world.

In the morning after break fast, set out to enjoy the seventh century town, which has a vast beach line. Overnight stay at the Resort

Day 12:To Chennai Catch Return Flight

Today you will be directly transferred to Chennai Airport (1.30 Hrs)to catch the Return flight to Home

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13 NIGHTS/14DAYS

Chennai – Kancheepuram – Mamallapuram(Mahabalipuram) – Pondicherry – Tanjore – Trichy – Madurai – Periyar – Backwaters (House Boat) - Kumarakom – Cochin – Kovalam – Trivadrum

Pondicherry also known as "Pondi", and now officially called Puducherry is a city and capital of the Pondicherry union territory of Southern India.Pondicherry is well connected from all sides. Chennai is situated 160 km north of the city. Getting to Pondicherry involves a three hour road journey from Chennai. One can get a bus from CMBT in Koyambedu or from Thiruvanmiyur or Guindy. You can be sure of a seat only from CMBT in Koyambedu.

Places : Chennai – Kancheepuram – Mamallapuram(Mahabalipuram) – Pondicherry – Tanjore – Trichy – Madurai – Periyar – Backwaters (House Boat) - Kumarakom – Cochin – Kovalam – Trivadrum

Number of Days : 13 Nights & 14 Days

Details Itineraries:

Day 01: Arrival- Chennai

Arrival in Chennai and transfer to the Hotel. Afternoon sightseeing of Chennai. Visit National Art gallery,St Thomas mount,Little mount shrine,Kabaleeswasr Temple etc (Overnight at the hotel)

Day 02: Chennai – Kanchipuram - Mahablipuram.

Morning drive to Mahabalipuram. Enroute sightseeing of Kanchipuram.Visit kalilsanatha temple, Ekambaranatha temple etc at Kancheepuram. At Mahabalipuram visit Arjuna's penance, Rathas, Shore temples, Krishnamandapam etc (Overnight at the hotel)

Day 03: Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry

Morning drive to Pondicherry. On arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon, visit Auroville and Sri Aurobindo Ashram. (Overnight at the hotel)

Day 04: Pondicherry- Tanjore

Morning drive to Tanjore, enroute sightseeing of Gangaikonda cholapuram, Darasuram & Brihdashwara temple. (Overnight at the hotel)

Day 05: Tanjore-Trichy

Morning drive to Trichy. Afternoon sightseeing of Srirangam & Rock fort Temple. (Overnight at the hotel)

Day 06 : Trichy – Madurai

Morning drive to Madurai. On arrival check in hotel. Afternoon sightseeing of Madurai Includes the Meenakshi Temple and Tirumalai Nayakar Palace.(Overnight at the hotel)

Day 07: Madurai – Periyar

Drive to Periyar. On arrival, check in to the hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on the lake to see the animals in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at close quarters. (Overnight at the hotel)

Day 08: Periyar – Kumarakom

Morning plantation visit and then on drive to Kumarakom. On arrival, check in to the hotel. The rest of the day can be spent at leisure.
(Overnight at the hotel)

Day 09: Alleppey – A C Deluxe House Boat

Board the traditional houseboat at Alleppey and start the long and meandering ride through the unique backwaters of Kerala in a thatched roof houseboat. The houseboat is an improvisation of the large country barges, which were an essential part of the land's ethos in days gone by. The kettuvalloms (houseboats) are comfortably furnished with an open lounge, one/two/three bath attached AC bedrooms and a kitchenette, and are extremely eco friendly. Every houseboat is manned by a crew - cook, guide and oarsman. Winding through the vast expanse of the paddy fields and tiny hamlets and palm fringed narrow canals is an unforgettable experience Night at the houseboat.

N.B. (Regarding House Boat)
1. In A/C House Boat, A/C will be switched on inside the bed room from 9pm to 6 am.
2. Check in / check out time for House Boat: 12 noon - 9 am
3. House boat will be moving from 12 noon to 5pm and 8 am to 9 am.
4. Between 5 pm and 8 am House boat will be anchored to near the shore.
5. Food in HB is normally Non Veg. If you require only Veg food inform before the tour commence.

Day 10: Alleppey- Cochin

On disembarking in Alleppey, drive to Cochin, on arrival, check in to the hotel. In the afternoon enjoy the tour of the city, taking in all the major sights and attractions. Visit the St. Francis Church, The oldest church constructed by the Portuguese in 1510 A.D., Chinese Fishing nets, which were first brought to Kerala by the Chinese traders from KublaKhans court, Dutch Palace built by the portuguese and presented to the Raja of Cochin. (Overnight at the hotel)

Day 11: Cochin – Trivandrum- Kovalam

Morning drive to Trivandrum. Afternoon sightseeing tour in Trivandrum, visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple: The temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu the landmark of the city. Later drive to reach Kovalam. (Overnight at the hotel)

Day 12: Kovalam – Cape Comorin (Kanyakumari) Kovalam

Full-day excursion to Cape Comorin (Kanyakumari), the Sucheendram Temple en route.after Sunset, back to Kovalam Hotel.(Overnight at the hotel)

Day 13: Kovalam

Full day free at Beach.The day is at your disposal.(Overnight at the hotel)

Day 14: Departure-Trivandrum

Transfer to Trivandrum airport, with assistance, for your onward flight to Home

Morning after breakfast transfer to airport or railway station. Tour ends with sweet memories...

Package Include : 07 Nights accommodation. Daily Breakfast. Indica car for Sightseeing and excursions as per itinerary. All Currently applicable taxes.

Package Exclude : Air fare / train fare. Any meals other then those specified in 'Cost Includes'. Expenses of personal nature such as tips, telephone calls, laundry, liquor etc. Any other item not specified in 'cost includes'. Guide & Entrance fees during sightseeing. Any increase in taxes or fuel, leading to increase in surface transportation and land arrangements, which may come into effect prior to departure. 3.09% Government service tax.

OUR DESTINATIONS

India is among the most colorful nations of the world and boasts of a rich history, culture and heritage. To get the most of your trip to India, it would be a good idea to equip yourself with useful information before you set out for a journey of a lifetime.

To explore India, you need a valid passport and visa to India. Carry them at all times while enjoying a vacation in India. Notify your country's embassy or consulate in case your passport is stolen or lost.

One needs additional permits to go to certain destinations in India such as Andaman Islands, Gujarat, Ladakh, Kerala, and more. Check with your travel agent or embassy while planning your visit.

15-Day visa extensions are granted under exceptional circumstances. If you intend to stay longer than 3 months on non-tourist visas there is a registration requirement. This registration makes the bearer eligible for domestic ticket prices