Tamil Nadu – Magical South – 12N / 13D

Magical South : 12N/13D

Day 01   Chennai
Arrive Chennai, the gateway of South India.  You will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel to relax.
Half a day sightseeing of Chennai.  Visit Government Museum, Fort St.George, Fort Museum, St Mary’s Church, San Thome Cathedral, Kapaleswara temple, drive past the Marina beach  and a bit of shopping, if you are interested.
Overnight at Chennai.

Day 02   Mahablipuram
Breakfast at Hotel.
Today you will visit Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram.
In the evening explore the sunny beach.
Ovenight at Mahabalipuram.

Day 03   Pondicherry
Breakfast at Hotel.  Drive to Pondicherry,  the French Town.
Proceed for a sightseeing of Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville, Paper Industry,  Government Museum, Chunambar Boat House – where facilities for boating, canoeing are available  The backwaters and luxuriant greenery on both sides of the river provide an idyllic setting for boating.  Later in the evening relax in the beach that runs along the city.
Overnight at Pondicherry.

Day 04   Tanjore
Drive to Tanjore.  Later proceed for sightseeing of Big temple, the Palace, and the ancient Saraswathi Mahal Library.
Overnight at Tanjore.

Day 05   Trichy
Breakfast at Hotel and drive to Trichy.  It is a fine blend of temples and monuments and one of the largest city.  Visit the Rock fort temple and Srirangam temple.
Overnight at Trichy.

Day 06   Madurai
Breakfast at Hotel and proceed to Madurai – a rich cultural heritage centre.
Full day sightseeing of Madurai.  Visit 1000 pillared Meenakshiamman temple, Tirumalai Nayak’s Palace, Gandhi Museum, Alagarkoil, Koodal Azhagar temple. Overnight at Madurai.

Day 07   Madurai / Periyar
Drive to Thekkady  also known as Periyar (150 kms).  Drive thru’ the dense rubber.  Check in to your resort by Noon.  A boat ride in Lake Periyar is the best way to view  wild life sanctuary.  Later visit spice plantations (Coffee & Cardamom) etc.  Evening if time permits proceed for an Elephant ride. Overnight at Resort.

Day 08    Periyar / Kumarakom
Morning after breakfast proceed to Kumarakom. Take a trip to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, something you shouldn’t miss.   This sanctuary is rich with a number of noteworthy species include the Dater or Snake Bird, Little Cormorant, Night Heroin, Golden- backed woodpecker, Crow Pheasant, White Breasted Water Hen and Tree Pie etc.   The best time for this is between November and March, when a flock of migratory birds from Siberia make it their winter home. At the fourteen-acre bird sanctuary one can glimpse many a rare bird – some of which, sadly, may not be around forever.
Watch the sun breaks out with a smile and stretch its presence across the river.  Optional Sunset cruise, a ride in one of  hotel boats and watch how a waterfowl comes to life. Overnight at Backwater resort.

Day 09    Kumarakom / Allepey
Breakfast at Hotel.  Drive to boat jetty point to board your houseboat.
2 Nights Cruise Alleppey – Alumkadavu
The most fascinating and enjoyable route available. Cruise through the punnamada lake… admire the old chavara bhavan…traditional nalukettu houses… enjoy panoramic view of paddy fields… visit the ancient champakkulam church…view the snake boats…visit the historical temple of ambalappuzha and the ancient buddhist image of karumadikkutan. At kumarakody memorial recall the celebrated malayalam poet kumaran asan who drowned there. Enjoy the view of chinese fishing nets at kayamkulam pozhy. Cruise through alumkadavu lake…visit india’s most famous living woman saint matha amrithanandamayi. Drop by at the coir village…observe the processes that go into making coir.

Day 11    Alamkadavu / Kovalam
Morning after breakfast procees to Kovalam, on the way sight seeing in Trivandrum visiting zoo, Sree Chitra Art Gallery, Museum etc, Check in to your resort by After noon. Evening spending time at Kovalam Beaches. Overnight at Resort.

Day 12    Kovalam
Day free for Leisure activities – sunbathing or Ayurvedic massages, etc. The surf here is ideal for surf riding and the water invites the visitor to ride the “Catamaran” or log with the fisherman, or to take a cool swim. Nearby is the Beach centre of aquatic sports. Rest of the day free to relax & exploring the beach.

Day 13    Departure Transfer
Transfer to Trivandrum Airport to connect flight.

Magical South : 12N/13D

Day 01 Chennai
Arrive Chennai, the gateway of South India. You will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel to relax.
Half a day sightseeing of Chennai. Visit Government Museum, Fort St.George, Fort Museum, St Mary’s Church, San Thome Cathedral, Kapaleswara temple, drive past the Marina beach and a bit of shopping, if you are interested.
Overnight at Chennai.

Day 02 Mahablipuram
Breakfast at Hotel.
Today you will visit Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram.
In the evening explore the sunny beach.
Ovenight at Mahabalipuram.

Day 03 Pondicherry
Breakfast at Hotel. Drive to Pondicherry, the French Town.
Proceed for a sightseeing of Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville, Paper Industry, Government Museum, Chunambar Boat House – where facilities for boating, canoeing are available The backwaters and luxuriant greenery on both sides of the river provide an idyllic setting for boating. Later in the evening relax in the beach that runs along the city.
Overnight at Pondicherry.

Day 04 Tanjore
Drive to Tanjore. Later proceed for sightseeing of Big temple, the Palace, and the ancient Saraswathi Mahal Library.
Overnight at Tanjore.

Day 05 Trichy
Breakfast at Hotel and drive to Trichy. It is a fine blend of temples and monuments and one of the largest city. Visit the Rock fort temple and Srirangam temple.
Overnight at Trichy.

Day 06 Madurai
Breakfast at Hotel and proceed to Madurai – a rich cultural heritage centre.
Full day sightseeing of Madurai. Visit 1000 pillared Meenakshiamman temple, Tirumalai Nayak’s Palace, Gandhi Museum, Alagarkoil, Koodal Azhagar temple. Overnight at Madurai.

Day 07 Madurai / Periyar
Drive to Thekkady also known as Periyar (150 kms). Drive thru’ the dense rubber. Check in to your resort by Noon. A boat ride in Lake Periyar is the best way to view wild life sanctuary. Later visit spice plantations (Coffee & Cardamom) etc. Evening if time permits proceed for an Elephant ride. Overnight at Resort.

Day 08 Periyar / Kumarakom
Morning after breakfast proceed to Kumarakom. Take a trip to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, something you shouldn’t miss. This sanctuary is rich with a number of noteworthy species include the Dater or Snake Bird, Little Cormorant, Night Heroin, Golden- backed woodpecker, Crow Pheasant, White Breasted Water Hen and Tree Pie etc. The best time for this is between November and March, when a flock of migratory birds from Siberia make it their winter home. At the fourteen-acre bird sanctuary one can glimpse many a rare bird – some of which, sadly, may not be around forever.
Watch the sun breaks out with a smile and stretch its presence across the river. Optional Sunset cruise, a ride in one of hotel boats and watch how a waterfowl comes to life. Overnight at Backwater resort.

Day 09 Kumarakom / Allepey
Breakfast at Hotel. Drive to boat jetty point to board your houseboat.
2 Nights Cruise Alleppey – Alumkadavu
The most fascinating and enjoyable route available. Cruise through the punnamada lake… admire the old chavara bhavan…traditional nalukettu houses… enjoy panoramic view of paddy fields… visit the ancient champakkulam church…view the snake boats…visit the historical temple of ambalappuzha and the ancient buddhist image of karumadikkutan. At kumarakody memorial recall the celebrated malayalam poet kumaran asan who drowned there. Enjoy the view of chinese fishing nets at kayamkulam pozhy. Cruise through alumkadavu lake…visit india’s most famous living woman saint matha amrithanandamayi. Drop by at the coir village…observe the processes that go into making coir.

Day 11 Alamkadavu / Kovalam
Morning after breakfast procees to Kovalam, on the way sight seeing in Trivandrum visiting zoo, Sree Chitra Art Gallery, Museum etc, Check in to your resort by After noon. Evening spending time at Kovalam Beaches. Overnight at Resort.

Day 12 Kovalam
Day free for Leisure activities – sunbathing or Ayurvedic massages, etc. The surf here is ideal for surf riding and the water invites the visitor to ride the “Catamaran” or log with the fisherman, or to take a cool swim. Nearby is the Beach centre of aquatic sports. Rest of the day free to relax & exploring the beach.

Day 13 Departure Transfer
Transfer to Trivandrum Airport to connect flight.