Temple bells & Spices

  • 11 Nights / 12 Days
  • Validity: 1st Oct 15 to 31st Mar 16
  • Chennai
  • Kanchipuram
  • Mahabalipuram
  • Pondicherry
  • Tanjore
  • Madurai
  • Periyar
  • Kumarakom
  • Alleppey
  • Cochin

Destinations

  • Day 01: Arrive in Chennai
  • Day 02: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (140 Km / 3 Hrs)
  • Day 03: Mahabalipuram
  • Day 04: Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry via Auroville (100 Km / 2 Hrs)
  • Day 05: Pondicherry - Tanjore (230 Km / 4-5 Hrs)
  • Day 06: Tanjore - Madurai via Trichy (180 Km / 4 Hrs)
  • Day 07: Madurai
  • Day 08: Madurai - Periyar (150 Km / 4 Hrs)
  • Day 09: Periyar - Kumarakom (145 Km / 4 Hrs)
  • Day 10: Kumarakom - Alleppey (Overnight Houseboat)
  • Day 11: Alleppey - Cochin (65 Km / 1.5 Hrs)
  • Day 12: Depart Cochin

Hotels

  • Chennai: Hotel Greens Gate

  • Mahabalipuram: Silversands Beach R

  • Pondicherry: Abirami Residency

  • Tanjore: P L A Residency

  • Madurai: MMR Gardens

  • Thekkady: Michaels Inn

  • Kumarakom: Paradise Resort

  • Allepey: Standard Houseboat

  • Cochin: Senate Hotel

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1 Arrive in Chennai
  • Namaste – Welcome to India. You will be assisted at the Airport and escorted to the hotel for check-in.

  • Today we take a tour of Chennai, visiting Fort St. George, the first bastion of British power in India.

  • Overnight at the Hotel – Chennai.

Day 2 Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (140 Km / 3 Hrs)
  • Today we drive down to Kanchipuram, one of the seven holy cities in the country. Visit Kailasanatha Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple.

  • Drive to Mahabalipuram. Check in to the hotel.

  • Overnight at the Hotel – Mahabalipuram.

Day 3 Mahabalipuram
  • Mahabalipuram is world renowned for its beautiful Shore Temple & other temples. Visit Shore Temple, one of the oldest temples in South India. Arjuna's Penance is the world's largest bas-relief. Next we visit Rathas, Monolithic Temples fashioned as Chariots.

  • Overnight at the Hotel – Mahabalipuram.

Day 4 Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry via Auroville (100 Km / 2 Hrs)
  • Today we drive to Auroville near Pondicherry. The community of Auroville consists of Indian & International Residents. Upon arrival visit Matri Mandir which was designed to be the spiritual & physical centre of Auroville (Temple is opened between 1530-1630 hr).

  • Further drive to Pondicherry, the land of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, the serene world of distinct spiritual vibration & thus renowned as Sacred Land.

  • Overnight at the Hotel - Pondicherry.

Day 5 Pondicherry - Tanjore (230 Km / 4-5 Hrs)
  • Post breakfast drive to Tanjore - called the Rice Bowl of Tamilnadu. Thanjavur is well-known for its exquisite handicrafts like the Art Plate, Pithwork, Bronze Icons, Thanjavur Paintings & the classical South Indian Musical Instruments.

  • Later we visit Brihadeshwara Temple, also known as Big Temple.

  • Overnight at the Hotel - Tanjore.

Day 6 Tanjore - Madurai via Trichy (180 Km / 4 Hrs)
  • Drive to Madurai enroute visit Trichy. Start with Srirangam Temple surrounded by the waters of the River Kaveri and its tributaries. Later we visit Rock Fort.

  • Continue the drive to Madurai.

  • Overnight at the Hotel - Madurai.

Day 7 Madurai
  • Visit Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple.

  • See the Evening Aarti at the templethe highlight of the tour.

  • Overnight at the Hotel - Madurai.

Day 8 Madurai - Periyar (150 Km / 4 Hrs)
  • Today we drive to Periyar (Thekkady), one of India's most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries, Notable among the inhabitants are the Tigers, Majestic Asiatic Wild Elephants & Distinctive Nilgiri Langur.

  • In the evening we go for a Spice Plantation Tour.

  • Overnight at the Hotel - Periyar.

Day 9 Periyar - Kumarakom (145 Km / 4 Hrs)
  • In the morning, at sun rise we take a boat ride to view the wildlife in the sanctuary on Lake Periyar. After two hours of wildlife viewing we get back to the hotel for breakfast.

  • Later we drive to Kumarakom. Furthermore, Vembanad Lake is home to several types of marine life like the Karimeen (Pearl Spotted Fish), Chemeen (Prawns) & Konju (Tiger Prawns).

  • Overnight at the Hotel - Kumarakom.

Day 10 Kumarakom - Alleppey (Overnight Houseboat)
  • Today you can visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. There are two seasons for birds: between October & February there are Cormorants, Teals, & other Ducks & from February to July there are Darters (Snake Birds), Night Herons, Egrets, & Siberian Storks. It also has Golden Backed Woodpecker, Crow Pheasant, White-breasted Water Hen, Tree Pie, etc.

  • In the evening we go for a Spice Plantation Tour.

  • Later we board the houseboat, locally called Kettuvallam, cruise around beautiful backwaters of Kumarakom to Alleppey to observe & experience the daily life of the villagers along the backwaters.

  • Overnight on the Houseboat.

Day 11 Alleppey - Cochin (65 Km / 1.5 Hrs)
  • Checkout from the houseboat and drive to Cochin. Its cosmopolitan character is reflected in the buildings & structures representing different regions of the world.

  • Visit the Jewish Synagogue (remains closed on Friday and Saturday), built in the year 1568. Also visit the Chinese Fishing Nets. In the evening see Kerala's most popular classical dance - Kathakali.

  • Overnight at the Hotel - Cochin.

Day 12 Depart Cochin
  • On time transfer to Airport to board your flight for your onward journey.

Inclusions

  • Accommodation for 11 nights on Double sharing basis

  • Daily Breakfast at all places

  • All meals at Allepey Houseboat

  • Intercity transfers and sightseeing by 01 Private A/C Indigo.

  • Services of English speaking guide as per the sightseeing

  • Driver Allowance, toll, parking fee, Night halt charges, inter- state permit

  • All hotel Taxes.

  • All transport taxes.

  • Government Service Tax

Exclusions

  • Any other services or meals which are not mentioned in the above "Includes" section.

  • Expense of personal nature such as tips, laundry, telephones, beverages etc.

  • Air fares charges if any.

  • Monument entrance fees