South Ward Ho (17 N / 18 D)
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Day 1 / Arrive Chennai
Arrive Chennai. Meet assist at the airport and transfer to
hotel. Day of leisure. Night stay in Chennai.
Day 2 / Chennai
Morning after breakfast proceed for sight seeing tour of
Chennai covering St.Thomas Church, Kapaleshwar Temple and
Fort St.George. Drive past the Marina Beach, the natural
sandy beauty and spacious promenade and beautiful gardens of
the beach attracts tourists visiting Chennai. Night stay in
Chennai.
Day 3 / Chennai
- Kachipuram - Mahabalipuram
Morning drive to Kanchipuram-- known as the Golden City of a
Thousand Temples, is one of the oldest towns in India. It is
famous for both its temples, many of them remarkably well
preserved and for its hand-woven silks. Kanchipuram is one
of the seven sacred cities of India and it is the only one
associated with both Shiva and Vishnu. Visit Ekambareshwar
Temple, Kailashnath Temple, Kamakshi Temple, the
Vaikunthaperumal Temple, all built in the 7th and 8th
centuries. With a weaving tradition dating back to the
Pallava era (when silk was the royal cloth), Kanchipuram is
justly famous for its particularly fine silk saris,
embellished with stunning patterns. Visit the local homes of
the weavers and watch them create magic out of silk thread
into saris.
Continue drive to Mahabalipuram & transfer to hotel. Later
proceed for city sightseeing.
Mahabalipuram - This is a small, quiet seaside resort with a
unique 7th-century Shore Temple, a lovely beach and some of
the most beautiful rock-cut temples in the world. Situated
on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, Mahabalipuram was already
a famous seaport in the 1st century AD. This town was a
workshop for temple building. Visit the seven pagoda-style
Shore temples, lashed by the waves of the sea and the seven
rathas or temple chariots, a group of monolithic monuments &
animal figures carved out of solid rock, the earliest known
examples of Dravidian architecture. They were constructed in
a single century-long burst of creative enthusiasm, starting
in the reign of Narasimhavarman 1 (AD 630-68). End the visit
by photography of the beautiful Shore temples at sunset.
Night stay in Mahabalipuram.
Day 4 / Mahabalipuram - Trichy
After breakfast drive to Trichy, short name of Trichurapalli,
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. Later city tour visiting Rock
fort and its temple at a height of over 23mts. Also visit
Srirangam and Jambukeshwar Temple. Night stay in Trichy.
Day 5 / Trichy - Tanjore - Madurai
Morning drive to Thanjavur (Tanjore)(104kms/03hrs) enroute
visiting the Brass factory at Kumbakonam. Tanjore once the
capital of Chola Kings, has the Brahadeswara temple(or the
big temple of God).The temple tower rises to a height of
15mts from a square base of 29 mts and then tapers off,
making a total of 66mts. Continue drive to Madurai. The
ancient city of Madurai, some 2600 years old is laid out in
the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the
Meenakshi temple in the centre. Arrive and transfer to
hotel. Night stay in Madurai.
Day 6 / Madurai
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. Situated on the banks of
the Vaigai River, Madurai is the ancient capital of the
Pandya Kings. Legend has it, that the divine nectar falling
from the locks of Lord Shiva gave the town its ancient name,
Madhurapuri—the land of nectar. Today, it is an important
business centre.
The crowning glory of Madurai is the Meenakshi Sundareshwara
Temple Complex, which is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, her
consort Lord Sundareshwara, and her celestial brother, Lord
Vishnu. The Meenakshi Temple has a thousand-pillared hall.
Also enjoy a 'light & sound Panorama' in Thirumala Naik
Temple or visit to Alagar hills & Thirupura Rock Temple. In
the evening, listen to the distinctive temple music at
Thiruppa Rakundram. Night stay in Madurai.
Day 7 / Madurai - Periyar Wildlife Santuary
Morning drive on a scenic route dotted with plantations of
rubber, cardamom, cocoa, green pepper and areca nut, to the
wildlife reserve at Periyar. Arrive Periyar and transfer to
hotel. Rest of the day free for walk around in the peaceful
town known for various Spice and coffee plantations. Night
stay in Periyar.
Day 08 / Periyar - Munnar
Early morning enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar to see wild
elephants. Afternoon drive to Munnar, the famous hill
station of Kerala. Arrive Munnar and transfer to hotel.
Night stay in Munnar.
Day 09 / Munnar
Day is free to relax and to walk around. Munnar is situated
near the Anaimudi Peak, the highest peak in the Western
Ghats.Also visit Rajamalai & Eravikulam National Park, 15Kms
from Munnar, this is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Thar,
a rare mountain goat (Hermitragas Hylocres). 2. Marayoor,
40Kms from Munnar, the only place in Kerala that lays claim
to the natural growth of Sandalwood. The Muniyara caves with
murals and relics from the New Stone Age Civilization. A
Children’s Park, spread across a hectare of land under the
canopy of a Single Banyan Tree, are of great interest to
tourists. Night stay in Munnar.
Day 10 / Munnar - Kumarakom
Morning drive to Kumarakom near Kottayam and stay in one of
the backwater resorts. The panoramic backwaters here offer
an ideal retreat to enjoy nature at its best. Night stay at
Kumarakom.
Day 11 / Kumarakom - Alappuzha
Morning drive a short distance before switching over to a
boat for a through many canals and waterways up to Alleppey.
The backwater cruise in a country boat is the best way to
explore the villages and rural life. In Alleppey you will be
taken aboard your floating houseboat, a different boat with
a bedroom and en-suite rest room for your comfort. Enjoy
unlimited surfing on backwaters, sip a coconut, get
disturbed by only the chirping of birds and occasional
ripples in water and savor mouthwatering delicacies prepared
in front of you by your Kitchen crew. Spend the night on
board the houseboat. Enjoy a cruise on the backwater through
a maze of canals and lagoons and enjoy freshly caught fresh
water fish cooked to your taste on board. Night stay in
Allapuzha.
Day 12 / Alappuzha - Cochin
Morning drive to Cochin (225Kms drive). The Commercial
Capital of Kerala, and the most cosmopolitan of Kerala’s
cities, Cochin is a fascinating blend of cultures. Arrive &
transfer to hotel.
Later proceed for sightseeing in Cochin covering:
1. The Hill Palace Museum, a fully-fledged archeological
museum and Kerala’s first ever Heritage Museum are the main
attractions (closed on Mondays).
2. Chinese Fishing Nets, this unique style of huge
cantilevered fishing nets were erected between 1350 and 1450
AD by traders from the Court of Kubla Khan, a Chinese King.
3. Santa Cruz Basilica, this historic church was built by
the Portuguese and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV
in 1558. Pope John Paul II proclaimed the Church a Basilica
in 1984.
4. The Jewish Synagogue, constructed in 1568, this is the
oldest Synagogue in the Commonwealth (closed on Saturdays &
Jewish Holidays).
The area around the Synagogue, called Jew Town, is the
centre for Spice & Handicraft shops.
5. Mattanchery Palace (Dutch Palace), built by the
Portuguese in 1557 and presented to the Regent of Kochi
(closed on Fridays).
Night stay in Cochin.
Day 13 / Cochin - Ooty
After breakfast drive to Ooty. Arrive and transfer to hotel.
Evening free to explore the beautiful & ravishing beauty of
Ooty. Also visit Zotanical Garden: A variety of exotic and
ornamental plants adorn this garden which is the venue for
the Flower show held in May every year. Night stay in Ooty.
Day 14 / Ooty
Day free to relax and explore the surroundings. It is one of
the most popular hill resorts in southern India at an
elevation of 7216 ft. above sea-level. The Eastern Ghats are
mighty and attractive while the Western ghats have wooded
loveliness. Nature unfolds itself in and around Ooty in a
myriad of profiles, each one with a distinctive grandeur and
individuality.
Night stay in Ooty.
Day 15 / Ooty - Mysore
Morning drive to Mysore. The city got its name from
Mahishasura, the buffalo headed demon king. Chamundeswari,
an incarnation of Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva, killed the
demon. It is also the capital of sandalwood, musk and
rosewood. Mysore emerged as the capital of the Wodeyar
kings, in 1399 AD. The original wooden palace was destroyed
in a fire in 1897 during a marriage ceremony. Henry Erwin, a
British architect, designed the new palace and handed it
over to the king in 1911-12, at a cost of Rs. 4.2 million.
Though royalty no longer exists in its accepted form, the
descendants of the royal family still live here. The palace
is a blend of Indo-Saracenic, Mogul and Hindu architecture
styles. The entire effect is magnificent. Other attractions
include the Lalit Mohan Palace, at the foot of the Chamundi
Hill. E. W. Fritchley, a British architect, built it in
1931. Then there is the Jagan Mohan Palace, built by
Krishnaraj Wodeyar IV in 1861 as a royal auditorium. Today,
it is a famous art gallery, containing royal paintings.
Night stay in Mysore.
Day 16 / Mysore
After breakfast, visit the places you must have been longing
to visit: Sir Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery – Housed in the
Jag Mohan Palace, this gallery has a collection of exquisite
paintings dating back to 1875. St. Phenomena's Church –
Built in the Gothic style, one of the largest churches of
the country. Chamundi Hills – Right on the top of the hill,
Brindavan Gardens – Witness the exuberant beauty of
Brindavan Gardens. Night stay in Mysore.
Day
17 /
Mysore-
Banglore
After breakfast drive to Bangalore enroute visiting
Sirangapatnam - capital of warrior – King Hyder Ali & his
son Tipu Sultan, has magnificent monuments that are well
worth a visit. Set & refresh in hotel then go to visit
Mysore Palace : Once the residence of the Woodeyars, Built
in 1912 in the Indo – Saracenic style, this palace exudes a
grandeur that is unmatched. The Golden royal Elephant, the
Durbar hall.. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Night stay in
Bangalore.
Day 18 / Banglore - Departure
After breakfast checkout from hotel and proceed to visit the
city of Gardens: You will see Vidhan Sudha – It houses the
State’s Legislature and Secretariat, Nandi Temple - One of
Oldest temple, popularly known as the Bull temple, etc.
Later transfer to airport to board the flight back home.