15 Days: Tamil Nadu / Kerala Tour
Tamil Nadu is a unique destination which is highly noted for its history, culture, art, architecture, custom, tradition, music, dance, natural resources, hill stations etc. make this destination a must to visit. It is rightly called as "The Land of Temples". It is a state at the southern tip of India sharing its borders with Pondicherry, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. It is the second most industrialized state in India. Tamil Nadu's history dates back pre-historic times and it was the home of three famous kingdoms the Cheras, the Cholas and the Pandyas. Apart from the three kingdoms Tamil Nadu was also ruled by the Pallavas, the Vijayanagar Kings, and the British.
Tamil Nadu is very famous for its gigantic and artistic temples in Kancheepuram, Trichy, Tanjore, Kumbakonam and Madurai. World Heritage Monuments like Mamallapuram, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Darasuram and Tanjore attracts millions of foreign tourists to Tamil Nadu.
Kerala, one of the smallest states in the Republic of India, was formed in 1956. It has an area of 15,005 sq. miles [38,863 sq. kms], about one percent of the total land area of India. The state stretches for about 360 miles along the Malabar Coast on the western side of the Indian peninsula; its width varies from 20 to 75 miles. It is bordered by the states of Karnataka on the north, Tamil Nadu to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west (map). The state has 14 districts and the capital is Trivandrum [now Thiruvananthapuram]
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| Day 01 |
Arrival at Chennai Airport. Upon arrival meeting & assistance and transfer to hotel.
Chennai, the gateway to southern India, established in 1639 by the East India Company, is one of the oldest cities of the country. Overnight stay at hotel. |
| Day 02 |
Chennai City Tour.
After breakfast proceed for the local sightseeing of Chennai. Overnight stay at hotel. |
| Day 03 |
Chennai - Mamallapuram - Kancheepuram
After breakfast proceed to Mamallapuram (60 kms / 90 minutes), a wonderful combination of Heritage Monuments and Empty Stretches of sandy beaches. After lunch at a local restaurant proceed to Kancheepuram (65 kms / 2 hrs), which is one of the seven sacred cities of India. Temples of Ekambareswara and Kailasanathar are of interest. Kancheepuram is also famous for its silk sarees. Overnight stay at hotel.
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| Day 04 |
Kancheepuram - Pondicherry
Morning after breakfast drive to Pondicherry (145 kms/3.5 hrs). Pondicherry is a former French colony on the sea with French street names, croissants and Indian policemen in French-like uniforms. Overnight stay at hotel. |
| Day 05 |
Pondicherry - Tanjore
Morning after breakfast transfer to Kumbakonam, enroute visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram (famous Shiva temple) with its beautiful high towers full with many small sculptures depicting stories of old epics. Later proceed to visit Darasuram temple (built in memory of the White elephant - AIRAVATH from the god's family), the temple has its original name as "Airavatheshwar Temple". You break for lunch at Kumbakonam town and further head to Tanjore and Check-in to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel. |
| Day 06 |
Tanjore
Morning after breakfast visit the world famous Brihadeshwar temple (houses one of Asia's 2nd biggest Nandi - The Bull). The temple built by the Cholas is very special for its architecture. Then visit the Bronze gallery at palace museum. Overnight stay at hotel. |
| Day 07 |
Tanjore - Trichy
Morning after breakfast proceed to Trichy (55 kms/1.5 hrs) situated on the banks of Kaveri River is a blend of history and tradition as well as pilgrim centre. It is famous for Ranganath temple at Srirangam. After lunch at a local restaurant enjoy city tour of Trichy covering Rock fort and its temple at a height of over 83mts, Srirangam and Jambukeshwar Temple. Overnight stay at hotel. |
| Day 08 |
Trichy - Madurai
Morning after breakfast proceed to Madurai (145 kms/3.5 hrs) and upon arrival visit Sri Meenakshi Temple and Thirupparankundram Murugan Temple. The Meenakshi Amman Temple dominates the city evolved around it. The temple is mainly dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and also to Lord Shiva (as Sundareshwar). Later visit Thirupparankundram which is dedicated to Lord Muruga, is noted for its inner sanctum that is cut out of the hard rock. Overnight stay at hotel.
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| Day 09 |
Madurai - Thekkady
Morning after breakfast proceed to Periyar (140 kms/4 hrs) which is the best place to observe the game. There are many animals to see, including herds of elephants, bison's and packs of wild boars etc. Enjoy the boat ride on Lake Periyar and view the wildlife. Overnight stay at hotel. |
| Day 10 |
Thekkady - Kumarakom
Morning after breakfast proceed to Kumarakom and enjoy your stay in river side resort. Overnight stay at hotel. |
| Day 11 |
Kumarakom
Full day free at resort hotel. Overnight stay at hotel. |
| Day 12 |
Kumarakom - Alleppey
Morning after breakfast proceed to Alleppey to board the houseboat at around 12 .00 noon. Your own personal crew drives the boat into the backwaters and anchors in a serene location for lunch prepared on the boat to your taste. After lunch you sail past the numerous canals passing extensive paddy fields, villages etc. We leave the following morning at 10.00 am after breakfast. Overnight stay at hotel. |
| Day 13 |
Alleppey - Cochin
Morning after breakfast proceed to Cochin (65 kms/1.5 hrs) and stay. Overnight stay at hotel. |
| Day 14 |
Cochin
Morning after breakfast proceed for city tour of cochin, a city built around a cluster of many small Islands. It has a European sprit and the architecture has influences of the Portuguese, Dutch and the English. One of India's oldest church St.Francis is situated here and it is here that Vascodagama was buried in 1524. Close by the church there is a basilica of Santa Cruse, which was made in 1902. In the South East of Fort Cochin is Mattancherry and is used to be the Dutch palace. In the South of Fort Cochin is the Jewish Synagogue of 16th century. There is an Island called Bolgatty and it is here the palace of the Dutch Governor is situated. Kathakali is the traditional dance of Kerala and is taken from the old epics. The extremely beautiful makeup & facial expressions from the great epics of Ramayana and Mahabaratha keeps every traveler spellbound. |
| Day 15 |
Depart Cochin
After breakfast transfer to the airport to connect flight to your next destination. |
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Service Ends… Relationship Continues… |
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