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| With so much to offer, there is something for all tastes. India takes pride in its rich cultural heritage characterised by its magnificent temples and the historic forts and palaces |
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This tour provides a comprehensive insight into the Dravidian history, culture and architecture. The combination of visit to magnificent temples, historical French town of Pondichery, game reserve of Periyar and backwaters of Cochin, provides a fascinating theme throughout the tour. The journey offers an experience to stay in Munnar, a hill resort in the midst of tea and cardamom plantation. The tour finally ends with a few days of relaxation at the fine Mararikulam beach.
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Chennai ~ Pondichery ~ Swamimalai ~ Tanjore - Trichy ~ Madurai
Thekkady ~ Munnar ~ Cochin ~ Mararikulam ~ Trivandrum |
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Day 1 Chennai
Arrive Chennai in the morning. Afternoon tour of the City. Overnight at the Ambassador Pallava.
Day 2 Chennai to Pondichery
Morning drive to visit the Shore temple in Mahabalipuram. Continue on to Pondichery. Afternoon tour visiting the Aurbindo Ashram and the French quarter. Overnight at the Le Dupleix Hotel.
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Day 3 Pondichery to Swamimalai
After breakfast leave for Pitchavaram and take a boat ride to see mangroves and Port Nova, a former
Portuguese and Dutch port. Continue to Swamimalia visiting enroute Chidambaram. Evening cultural
program. Overnight at the Sterling Resort.
Day 4 Swamimalai
Morning visit the town, famous for iconography and craftsmen producing Chola style bronzes. Visit the richly decorated temples at Darasuram and Kumbakonam.
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Day 5 Swamimalai to Trichy
After breakfast drive to Tanjore, the cultural capital of the region, famous for Tajore School of
painting. Visit the magnificent Brihadeeswara temple complex where you can also see 1000
year old paintings. After lunch drive to Trichy. Overnight at the Jenny’s Residency.
Day 6 Trichy to Madurai
Trichy, the land of Three Headed Demon is a living example of a temple town. Early morning drive to
Kaveri River to witness the Hindu rituals. Visit the magnificent Shrirangam island temple complex and the Rock Fort Temple. After lunch drive to Madurai. Overnight at the Madura Park Inn.
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Day 7 Madurai
Morning city tour visiting the Thirumalai Nayak Palace and Shree Meenakshi temple, an excellent
example of Dravidian architecture. Afternoon at leisure. Evening return to Meenakshi temple and
visit the colourful temple market.
Day 8 Madurai to Thekkady
Drive to Thekkady. Afternoon game viewing by boat in the Periyar National Park, noted for its
Elephant herds and a rich variety of bird life. Overnight at the Taj Garden Retreat Spice Village.
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Day 9 Thekkady to Munnar
Early in the morning game viewing. Drive to Munnar, a hill resort in the midst of Cardamom
and tea plantations. Munnar is a major centre for tea industry in Kerala. Afternoon explore the
town. Overnight at the Club Mahendra Lake View.
Day 10 Munnar to Cochin
Morning visit tea and spice plantations. Later drive to Cochin. Evening see the Kathakkali dance performance. Overnight at the Trident Hilton.
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Day 11 Cochin
Morning tour of Cochin, known as the Venice of the East. Visit the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue,
Fort Cochin and St France’s Church. In the evening a Sunset harbour cruise to see the Bolgahtty Island and the Chinese fishing nets.
Day 12 Cochin to Mararikulam
Drive to Allepy and take a boat to Kottayam. The cruise takes over 3 hours passing along most
picturesque narrow canals and waterways. Drive to Mararikulam. Overnight at the fine Marari
Beach Resort.
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Days 13 & 14 Mararikulam
At leisure by the beach.
Day 15 Mararikulam to Trivandrum
Drive to Trivandrum. Remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight at the Muthoot Plaza Hotel.
Day 16 Depart Trivandrum
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
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| International Flights: We would be pleased to assist you in arranging very competitive flights from the UK including regional airports. |
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