|
South
India is made up of the 4 states of Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They all lie in the southern part of the Indian Peninsula and famous for
its natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage thus providing visitors a stimulating
experience. Temple architecture in South India has always been the expression
of belief, sometimes clearly structured, sometimes only loosely articulated,
the development of temple architecture in South India is 2000 years old. During
this Journey we see some of the finest temple which south India has to offer
like cave temples in Mahabalipuram and the most outstanding examples of Vijayanagar
temple architecture is the Minakshi Temple of Madurai. During this tour we enjoy
the vivid tropical vegetation as well as our Boat trips on backwaters. |
|
|
|
Day
01. Flight to India
Around Midnight
arrival in
Chennai (formerly Madras). The
cosmopolitan City and capital of Tamil Nadu
is the main gateway for travellers to South India. You are met by an
Indo Vacations representative and transferred to your Hotel.
Day 02. Chennai Excursion:
Mahabalipuram (about 64 km)
Today we
drive through the coastal route to
Mahabalipuram. In Mahabalipuram
we visit some of the 14 cave temples and 9 monolithic Rathas (temple
chariots) Pallavamala was the ruler who made the port famous in the
7th century and was largely responsible for building the temples. In
the afternoon we visit the St. George Fort which is near the harbour
area of Chennai. This fort was built by British during their presence
in 17th century.
Day 03. Chennai -
Chidambaram - Trichy (about 320 km)
Today
we drive to
Trichy (Tiruchirappali). Trichy
is the heart of Tamil Nadu, laying in the delta of Kaveri river. On
the way to Trichy we visit
Chidambaram. Chidambaram is regarded as holy town of great
importance among
Hindus. We visit here the famous
Natraja Temple which is dedicated to the dancing
Lord Shiva, a
favourite deity of the Chola kings.
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Mahabalipuram Temple |
Temple Tiruchirapalli, Srirangam |
|
|
Day 04. Trichy - Srirangam
- Tanjore - Madurai
(about 130 km)
Trichy the
land near the delta is very fertile and productive. This town Trichy
is so ancient that it was mentioned by Ptolemy in the 2nd century BC
by Alexandrian geographer. We climb the stairs to the famous Rock Fort
which was built on 84 m high rock in the centre of town in about 1660.
We also visit a Shiva and Ganesha temple and enjoy a wonderful view of
the surroundings from the top. After the visit of Rock Fort we drive
to Srirangam and visit the
Ranganathasvami Temple which is one of the largest temples in
India dedicated to god
Vishnu. After the
visit of Ranganathasvami Temple we proceed to Tanjore (Thanjavur).
Tanjore was the capital of great Chola empire who built more than 70
temples between 10th and 14th century. We visit here one of the world
heritage monument, Brihadeshwara Temple (11th century), which is also
known as big temple. After the visit of Brihadeshwara Temple we
proceed to Madurai.
Day 05.
Madurai - Periyar
(about
140 km)
Madurai, situated on the bank
of river Vaigai is also referred to as the Athens of the East. Madurai
has the most outstanding examples of Vijayanagar temple architecture
in the
Minakshi Temple, a
standing monument to the temple builders of the 16th and 17th century.
After the visit of Minakshi Temple we visit Tirumalai Nayaka Palace
which was built in the 1636 in the Indo-Mughal style. After the visit
we proceed to Periyar.
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Tanjore Temple |
Meenakshi Temple, Madurai |
|
|
Day 06. Periyar - Kumarakom
(about 120 km)
We start
our day by having a Boat ride on the lake of Periyar. The lake of
Periyar is the central point of the famous 780 sq.2
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary which was designated as a part of
project Tiger in 1973. After the Boat ride we drive through the Park
and observe the elephants, bison, sambar, wild oxen, wild boar and
spotted deer which are common here. In the afternoon we drive through
the mountains which are full of Cardamom and pass through the tea and
coffee plantations and proceed to
Kumarakom. In Kumarakom we enjoy the Boat ride trip through
the tropical vegetation on the backwaters.
Day 07. Kumarakom
The whole day is today at leisure. One can enjoy the Ayurveda massage
in the hotel or have a walk in the nice tropical surroundings.
Swimming Pool of the hotel will be happy to welcome you for swimming
and relaxing.
Day 08. Kumarakom -
Kottayam - Alleppey - Cochin (about 80 km)
Today we enjoy a Boat trip for two hours through the narrow channels
of famous backwaters of Kottayam
and arrive in
Alleppey from where we proceed
further to Cochin.
Cochin is the most interesting
town in South India at Malabar Coast and is also known as Venice of
south. In Cochin we visit St.
Francis church, the oldest European church in India in which
the grave of famous sailor Vasco da Gama can be visited. After the
visit of St. Francis Church we have a walk through the Jewish area of
Mattancherry.
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Periyar Wildlife |
Alleppey |
|
|
Day 09. Cochin - Ooty
(about 280 km)
From the tropical coast of
Kerala we drive on the serpent
road and pass through the Tea plantation and eucalyptus forests of
mountains of Nilgiri and arrive in the city Ooty (Vdhagammandulam).
Ooty which was developed as hill station by British, lies at an
altitude of 2300 m. and still has British flair.
Day 10. Ooty - Mysore
(about 160 km)
Ooty (also known as the queen of
the blue mountains) is famous for its rolling hills covered in pine
and eucalyptus forests. Ooty has also a penalty of coffee and tea
plantations. We visit the famous and most beautiful botanical Garden
of Ooty which covers an area over 20 hectares and is planted with more
than a thousand varieties of plants, shrubs and trees including
orchids, fern and alpine. In the afternoon we pass through the betel
nut and pepper plantation and proceed to Mysore.
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Santa Cuz, Cochin |
Mysore Palace |
|
|
Day 11. Mysore -
Chennai (about 470 km)
Today we visit the most impressive and one of the largest city palaces
in India. The City Palace of Mysore "Ambar Vilas" is built in the
Indo-Saracenic style.
Mysore is famous for its Silk
and Sandalwood. We have an opportunity to see how incense is made and
how silk saris are woven by the local weavers. In the afternoon we
leave Mysore by train for Chennai.
Day 12. Flight to Home
Around Midnight flight from Chennai to home destination.
Tour Reservation
To get
more information or to book this tour please submit the
Query Form or send us an
e-mail
! Your booking will be
activated only after we get a reconfirmation from your side.
About
Hotels:
We
provide you the accommodation as per your budget mentioned above in
the table of hotels category for any of the booked tour. Hotels
provided by us are from budget to luxury class hotels. Luxury hotels
are all five stars or of above standard. Deluxe would be a
combination of 3 and 4 star Hotels and standard would be a
combination of 2 and 3 star or similar hotels. The criteria for
selecting hotels by us remains the best value of your money. We also
provide you wherever possible accommodation in heritage hotels.
Heritage Hotels are old Palaces, Forts and Grand mansions of
Maharajas which have been later renovated and converted into Hotels.
Rooms are decorated all individually. Rooms are comfortable,
romantic and present the flair of olden Maharaja days.
Our
Services Include:
Accommodation in double rooms on twin sharing basis with bath and
WC in the
chosen category.
Rooms on the departure day.
American/continental Breakfast.
Boat ride on the lake of Periyar.
Services of qualified local guides (English speaking or languages
of your choice)
at every place of sightseeing.
All Transfers and departures on arrival and departure by Indo
Vacations
representative.
All Transfers and Sightseeing throughout the tour by an
air-conditioned Car with
driver. For groups an
individual air-conditioned bus (Except Standard Hotels) will be
provided.
Exclusions:
Any kind
of Personal Expenses such as Tips, Laundry, Telephone Bills and
Alcoholic
beverages.
Camera Fees (Still or Movie).
Any Flight Charges.
Monument Entrances.
Unspecified Meals etc. |
