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Southern Sojourn 9N/10D

 

Southern Sojourn

 

Overview

The Kerala tours packages covers all the traits of the region like scintillating backwaters, captivating sun rise and enchanting landscapes. The angelic beauty of Kerala charms all and bequeaths the onlooker with a peaceful essence that lasts long after the vacation as well. The palms swaying, birds singing, traditional houseboats rowing across crystal clear waters and local fishermen using fishing nets the scene at Kerala is full of life. Enjoy sightseeing at tourist jewels of South India. Visit Madurai's Meenakshi Temple, Rock temples of Mamallapuram. Touch the southernmost tip of India in Kaniyakumari. Experience peace & tranquillity on your backwater cruise in Kerala.

 

Tour Highlights:

  • Experience history, tradition and natural splendour at Chennai.
  • Visit Madurais Meenakshi Temple, Rock temples of Mamallapuram.
  • Explore the exquisite temple structures in Madurai, the Cultural Capital of Tamil Nadu & the revered Temple City.
  • Rejuvenate with smooth houseboat cruise on crystal clear backwaters in Kerala.
  • Venture till the tip of the country and visit Kanyakumari.
  • Rejuvenate in the lap of natures bounty at Kovalam beaches.
  • Lush green vegetation, scintillating backwaters and gliding on them in traditional houseboats the scenery at Alleppey is divine.
  • Enjoy evening performance of Kathakali- an ancient classical dance drama form in Kochi.

 

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Chennai | Mamallapuram | Kovalam | Kanyakumari | Alleppey | Kochi | Madurai

Day 1: Chennai Upon your arrival at the airport, meet our representative awaiting just outside the arrival hall, past the customs area & currency shops. Most of the international flights land late in the night and therefore nothing is planned for the day. Back at hotel our representative will brief you about the tour starting next day.

British East India Company founded Chennai as a trading post in 1639 and the city has since then emerged as a centre of education, commerce and industries. While the heart of the city values business and commercial activities, the south Mylapore is decked with age old temples and other sightseeing attractions. Towards the north the city is laced with some crowded streets lined with interesting architecture of both Hindu and Jain temples. There are some vibrant bazaars also. With beauteous ornamented temples with grand sculptures and other holy shrines tended by priests, Chennai is a popular destination amongst both devotees and travellers.

Day 2: Chennai Start your tour of the city by visiting Gandhi memorial- a graceful edifice constructed in the memory of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Next on the city tour you will come across Kalakshetra, a cultural academy dedicated to the preservation of traditional values of Indian art. The academy founded in 1936 trains in the classical forms of performing art forms such as Bharatnatyam dance and Gandharveda music. While in the vicinity a visit to the temple town of Mylapore is a must. A visit to this town will provide an opportunity to visit a 7 CE construction, Kapaleashwarar Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva the temple the temple looks magnificent with its beautifully carved Gopurams (upper part of the temple) and extravagant temple festivals. A drive past picturesque Marina Beach in the evening will conclude the days activities.

Day 3: Chennai - Mamallapuram/Mahabalipuram (Driving Time: 55kms/1.5hrs approx) After breakfast drive to Mamallapuram is planned for the day. Situated down south of Chennai and overlooking the Bay of Bengal this is an ancient seaport. This coastal retreat captivates all with its breathtaking views of long stretches of silvery sands the view is only enhanced further with the presence of volcanic rocks by the shore. The town has been regarded as a jewel of a sculpture centre ever since 5th century during Pallava dynasty when most of its temples were constructed. Enjoy the sightseeing of rock cut outs, shrines. The carvings on rock depicting demons, gods and animals are poetic in nature. Out of many the Shore Temple overlooking the sea is the most intriguing sight for it entices every onlookers eye with its exquisite ornately carved figures. Arjunas Penance and Krishna Mandapa are two of the massive rock structures. All this and interesting rock cut caves has won Mamallapuram the title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One can also indulge in water activities at its beaches before returning to the hotel in the evening.

Day 4: Mamallapuram - Madurai (Flight Time: 55kms/1.5hrs approx) After breakfast you will be transferred to the Chennai airport to catch flight to Madurai. Afternoon tour this Cultural Capital of Tamil Nadu. The city full of colorful bazaars, throngs of pilgrims and exhilarated religious processions, Madurai is the place to get intimate with the cultural ethnicity of South India. The main crowd puller is the beautiful Meenakshi Temple here. The temple dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi it is one of the finest and grandest specimen of Dravidan architecture. The musical pillars are what fascinates the most, these are carved out of single block of granite and are constructed in a unique way so that when tapped let out a musical note. Also, the temple Hall of a Thousand Pillars is now converted into a museum showcasing treasures of antiques. The evening closing ceremony in which image of Shiva is carried in procession to Goddess Parvatis shrine is magnificent with chanting of priests, drummers and torch bearers echoing the entire ambiance.

Day 5: Madurai - Kovalam Surface Travel. On arrival at Kovalam transfer to already pre-booked hotel, an enchanting strip of golden sands laced with the rich greenery of coconut palms, just 16 kms from Thiruvanantapuram. This internationally renowned beach town is a favourite haunt of tourists looking to spend laid-back vacations amidst beauteous environs. The town known as Paradise of South India appears soothing to the eye with its stretches of balmy sands and endless parallel lanes of coconut groves. The calm bay of blue waters is the ideal location to tie that hammock or to indulge in playful castle making competitions. Enjoy refreshing walks on the silvery sands of Kovalam beaches.

Day 6: Kovalam- Kanyakumari (Driving Time: 87kms/2hrs approx) As the day progresses at Kovalam a refreshing morning walk on the beach is followed by a drive to the Southernmost part of India known as Kannyakumari. Touch the southern tip of India Kanyakumari is situated at the confluence of the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. The name of the place has been christened after Goddess Kanyakumari Amman making it a famous pilgrimage. One is lured by the pristine spectacles of sunrise and sunset. You too will witness the panoramic views of sunset here in Kanyakumari today. Devote a full day to explore the southern tip of Indian Subcontinent- Kanyakumari. Also visit the small temple dedicated to Kanyakumari, or the youthful form of the primeval energy Shakti (Mother Goddess) is located on the seashore, in the town known by the same name.

Day 7: Kanyakumari - Kovalam (Driving Time: 87kms/2hrs approx) Return in the morning to Kovalam. A former favourite jaunt of hippies, this tropical beach town is known for its picture perfect looks, traditional fishing villages providing a refreshing India tour experience. Swimming and bathing here is very refreshing and also the safest. So much so that one can keep walking about 100 meters into the sea without losing hold of the ground. The underwater magic here is most enchanting which are visible as you snorkel deep inside the ocean. Day free for relaxation at the sun-kissed beach here.

Day 8: Kovalam - Alleppey (Driving Time:172kms/.4.5hrs approx) Morning depart for Alleppey a town with picturesque canals, backwaters, beaches and lagoons, once described as the list of places known as Venice of the East by Lord Curzon. The most popular destination of Kerala renowned for its angelic beauty and picture perfect looks, this backwaters town is base for most houseboat action in the province. While sailing these canal routes you will come across scenes from everyday life at Kerala such as villages, paddy fields, coconut palms, fisherman and more. This is where the renowned aquatic festival Nehru Trophy Boat Race is organized and where people cruise on traditional houseboats to soak in some flavor of tropical village life and the tranquility of backwaters. Enjoy backwaters boat ride amidst lush green vegetation at Alleppey.

The highlight of the tour will be a journey on the crystal clear backwaters while cruising on a traditional houseboat, Kettuvallam. This is the undoubtedly the best way to travel across Kerala backwaters for this way one gets to travel at ones own speed and thus to enjoy the pristine environs of the region completely at peace. Enjoy a comfortable Kettuvallam houseboat for a day cruise. These houseboats now exist in ultrachic style and are comparable to nothing less than floating cottages having ample space and equipped with state-of-the-art amenities ensuring pure luxurious stay amidst most tranquilizing environs of Kerala backwaters.

Day 9: Alleppey - Cochin/Kochi (Driving Time: 65kms /2hrs approx) Depart early morning for Kochi, arriving at the hotel there in mid-morning and spending the afternoon sightseeing. A vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of Indian peninsula, Cochin is an important port city ideally called the Gateway to Kerala. Full day sightseeing tour of Cochin will commence today post lunch. Shortly after lunch you will set on an exciting sojourn to various historic and political sites of the city. On today's sightseeing tour you explore St. Francis Church and Jewish Synagogue and more. Believed to be the oldest church in India, it was built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan monks. Jewish Synagogue is the synagogue housing The Great Scrolls of Old Testament. The Mattancherry Palace features Kerala murals displaying Hindu temple art, portraits of former Kings of Kochi. Also visit & Chinese fishing net exhibiting a unique method of catching fish by local fishermen by lining the net by the sea front.

Day 10: Cochin/Kochi (Driving Time: 30kms/50 min approx) Day at Kochi will be free for leisure. The city has emerged as a significant commercial and industrial hub of the state and on your drive to the hotel you will come across various local industries such as coir making, toddy tapping, spice producing and pot making and more. The city situated on a cluster of islands is owner of one of the best natural harbours in the world. Today you retire to your hotel room for night stay. Evening will come to end as you watch a Kathakali dance performance which is the precursor of major classical forms of dances of South India.

Your trip ends back in Cochin where the morning begins with a breakfast. Guided by our representative you will reach Airport in time to board your flight back home.

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