TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1: Chennai to Mamallapuram (55 km / 1.5 hour drive)
After check-out, take the short drive down to the beach resort town of Mamallapuram where you'll spend the next two nights. Spend the evening strolling through the town; later venture down to the beach and dine on fresh caught seafood.
Day 2: Mamallapuram
Spend the day sightseeing. By far and away, the most popular tourist attraction is Arjuna's Penance - one of the largest bas relief works of art in existence - carved out of the hillside rock it never fails to impress. Mamallapuram is famous as a pilgrimage town as well as being the seat of stone carving in South India and you'll see evidence of this especially on the way to the Five Rathas. Take time to enjoy the traditional South Indian thali lunch served on a banana leaf. Later, visit the Shore Temple, a rare item as it's the only monument in Mamallapuram "constructed" as opposed to being carved out of the rocky terrain of the town. Go to the beach and treat yourself to fresh fish in beachside restaurants while listening to the sounds of the surf.
Day 3: Mamallapuram to Kumbakonam (250 km / 5.5 Hour Drive)
Spend the morning driving to Kumbakonam and take the afternoon to see the sights. Take the Navagraha Temple Tour to see some of the more prominent temples of Kumbakonam. Kumbakonam, well known for its silk industry, is also a producer of great brass wares. Spend the evening as you like.
Day 4: Day trip to Tanjore
Spend the day touring Tanjore, famous for the giant Nandi bull statue at the Brahadeshwara Temple. Pay a visit to the Bronze Gallery at the Palace Museum, and take a short drive outside Tanjore to observe statue-making and glass painting at a nearby village. Later, return to Kumbakonam to spend the night.
Day 5: Tanjore to Madurai via Trichy (195 km / 4.5 hours)
Stop off in Trichy enroute to Madurai. Trichy, located on the banks of the Cauvery River, is famous for many ancient and popular temples and religious institutions. The highlight of Trichy is the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, the largest temple complex in India. Later, visit the Gandhi Market for a late lunch and spend the remainder of the afternoon driving to Madurai. During the evening, visit the Meenakshi Temple for it's nighttime ceremonies. Spend the night.
Day 6: Madurai
Explore Madurai via a Cycle Rickshaw - sit back while the rickshaw driver maneuvers through the narrow and lesser-seen alleyways and hidden lanes of the town. The rickshaw tour will take you to flower/fruit markets, spice vendors, brassware-makers and silk weavers. Spend the night.
Day 7: Madurai to Periyar (170 km / 4 Hour Drive)
Drive up into the Cardamon Hills of Kerala to the town of Thekkady, home to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided spice plantation tour along with an elephant ride.
Day 8: Periyar
Spend the day touring the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve. Take a guided jungle walk and enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar. The sanctuary has a rich diversity of vertebrates. The diverse forest types, vayals, marshes, and a large aquatic habitat together support a vast and diverse assortment of species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. The Tiger is found in all types of habitats though their density is much less in the evergreen forests. Though sighting one is difficult because of the thick vegetation, evidence like pugmarks, clawings, and scat are located throughout the reserve. The population is estimated to be between 35 to 40.
Day 9: Periyar to Alleppey (140 km / 4 hours)
Enjoy the downhill drive to the Alleppey backwaters and board your deluxe houseboat for an overnight cruise. All houseboats, regardless of category, have highly personalized service including an on-board chef who will no doubt create some of the best food you'll find on the entire tour. Meander around the boat, perch yourself on top and observe the peaceful way of backwaters life, pull up next to a fishing boat and buy a fresh catch, stop off for fresh coconut juice, relax in the back open-ended sitting room and drift away to the morning.
Day 10: Alleppey to Cochin (65 km / 1.5 hours)
Take the short drive over to the the harbor town of Cochin - the Spice Capital of the World whose origins of trading can be traced back to the time of the Pharoahs. Spend the day seeing the sights which may include a visit to the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica or a boat tour of the harbor islands .In the evening treat yourself to a Kathakali performance by the Chinese Fishing Nets overlooking the harbor islands. Enjoy a farewell meal at your hotel.
Day 11: Cochin Departure
After breakfast, you will be transferred to your point of departure.
Extend or Customize Your Tour: We would be happy to assist with additional travel and hotel arrangements. Changes to this tour can be added as an inclusive part of the package.
ACCOMMODATION CHOICES
Tour Price Includes
- Accommodations with breakfast are provided on twin sharing
- One overnight stay in Houseboat including ALL meals
- An AC Car/Driver will be provided for tour duration as specified in Itinerary
- An English-speaking Guide will be provided for sightseeing outings in Mamallapuram, Tanjore, Madurai, Periyar and Cochin
- Traditional South Indian lunch in Mamallapuram
- Bicycle Rickshaw Tour in Madurai
- Periyar Guided Trekking, Plantation Tour, and Elephant Ride
- Entrance fees to sightseeing spots
- Kathakali dance performance in Cochin
- Farewell dinner at hotel in Cochin
- All applicable taxes
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