(13 Nights / 14 Days) Arr : Chennai-Mahabalipuram (02 nts) – Pondicherry (01 nt) – Tanjore (01 nt) – Karaikudi (02 nts) – Madurai (01 nt) – Thekkady (02 nts) – Kumarakom (01 nt) – Alleppey (01 nt) – Dep : Cochin (02 nts)
Leave your worries behind as you escape to a tranquil paradise. Experience the ancient shore temple at Mahabalipuram, before making your way to the former French colony of Pondicherry. Explore the fine architecture of the towns and temples. You will also visit wildlife sanctuaries, spice farms and take an enjoyable wooden boat ride.
HOTELS USED OR SIMILAR
| DESTINATION | STANDARD | DELUXE | EXCLUSIVE |
| MAHABALIPURAM | IDEAL BEACH RESORT | RADISSON BLUE TEMPLE BAY | FISHERMAN’S COVE |
| PONDICHERRY | HOTEL DEL’ORIENT | LE DUPLEX | MAISON PERUMAL |
| TANJORE | PARADISE RESORT | MANTRA VEEPATHUR | MANTRA VEEPATHUR |
| KARAIKUDI | CHETTINADU MANSION | THE BANGALA | CHIDAMBARA VILLAS |
| MADURAI | JC RESIDENCY | HERITAGE MADURAI | HERITAGE MADURAI |
| THEKKADY | WILDERNEST | HOTEL TREETOP | SPICE VILLAGE |
| KUMARAKOM | LAKE SONG | COCONUT LAGOON | COCONUT LAGOON |
| ALLEPPEY | DLX HOUSEBOAT | PREMIUM HOUSEBOAT | SPICE COAST CRUISE |
| COCHIN | FORT HERITAGE | MALABAR HOUSE RESIDENCY | BRUNTON BOATYARD |
COST INCLUDES:
+ Accommodation with Breakfast Basis in above mentioned hotels or similar
+ AC INDIGO/LOGAN for Standard Package
+ AC INNOVA for Deluxe & Exclusive Programme
+ All Meals in Houseboat
+ Local English Speaking Guide with Applicable Entrance Fees
+ Game Viewing Boat-ride at Lake Periyar
+ Spice Plantation Visit at Thekkady
+ Kathakali Dance show in a Local theatre at Cochin
+ All Taxes
Cost Does Not Includes:
Airfare, Visa, Travel Insurance etc.
Meals other than mentioned
Tips, telephone calls, laundry, shopping etc
Any other items other than mentioned above
You will be met on arrival in Chennai and transferred to a beach resort at Mahabalipuram for two nights. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax on the beach. A welcome dinner is arranged at a local restaurant.
Morning sightseeing of Mahabalipuram includes a visit to the ancient Shore Temple and the impressive rock carvings and reliefs from the mythological Indian epic known as the Mahabharata. The afternoon is at leisure with the option of a city tour of Chennai, which can be arranged at a supplement.
Drive South on the pretty East Coast Highway to the former French colony of Pondicherry (3 hours). Explore the colonial buildings, statues and churches on foot. Spend the night at a hotel / resort on the outskirts of the city.
A day’s drive inland to Thanjavur (6 hours), via Darasuram, home of the UNESCO World Heritage Airavetisvara Temple. In Thanjavur, visit the Brihadeeshwara Temple complex, its 62m high tower is the tallest of its kind in India. Stay at a resort, set in the suburbs, for two nights.
Morning visit Tanjore, home of the UNESCO World Heritage Airavetisvara Temple. In Tanjore we visit the Brihadeeshwara Temple complex, its 62m high tower is the highest in India. We continue on to Chettinad for two nights at a well appointed hotel.
Today we explore the sleepy village of Chettinad which is home to some fine mansions, each housing its own collection of antiques, furniture
and art.
Drive to the town of Madurai (4-5 hours), to visit the stunning Meenakshi Temple complex with its vast colourfully carved gopuram (towers) and bustling bazaars. Stay overnight at a hotel in the city.
In the morning, take a leisurely drive, across state borders, into ‘God’s Own Country’, Kerala. Arrive in the village of Kumily (4-5 hours), a base to visit Periyar Tiger Reserve , by early afternoon, for two nights’ stay at a hotel / resort near by.
Visit a spice plantation today; this offers an interesting insight into how various spices such as cardamom, cloves and cinnamon are grown, cultivated and processed. In the afternoon, take a boat trip on Lake Periyar, which offers the chance to see a variety of birds and wild elephants.
Descending from the Western Ghats, we drive to Kumarakom (4 hours), a sleepy village on the shores of Lake Vembanad, for an overnight stay at a backwater resort. The afternoon is at leisure.
Late morning, board a rice boat for an overnight cruise on Lake Vembanad and the backwaters, a region that, not only shelters some unique animal and bird life, but also lush paddy fields which are referred to as the ‘Rice Bowl of Kerala’. This is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level.
Depart after breakfast for Cochin (2 hours). Check-in to a hotel in Fort Cochin. In the evening, take a sunset cruise on the harbor, a signature Kochi experience for views of the Marine Drive and the landmark Chinese fishing nets.
Spend the morning taking in the sights of historic Fort Cochin . Explore the colonial streets, the Dutch Palace, with its murals of the Ramayana, the Jewish Synagogue and St Francis, the oldest church in India. In the evening, attend a Kathakali performance, a traditional dance drama in which the dancers wear elaborate costumes and make up.
Travel back to the UK today on Emirates via Dubai.
