JOURNEY TO THE SOUTHERN BACKWATERS TAMIL NADU & KERALA
Duration : 11 Nights / 12 Days
This itinerary covers the following destinations : Chennai - Mahabalipuram
- Cochin - Periyar - Kumarakom - Mararikulam.
Day
1 : Reach Chennai
Arrival at Chennai. Welcome by our representative with flower garlands - Namaste! Transfer to the hotel.
Day 2 : Chennai / Mahabalipuram
The next morning, proceed for the city tour of Madras, which is now known as Chennai and is one India's four metropolitans located on the Coromandel Coast, it is the gateway to south India and also an important harbour. Chennai has a blend of Dravidian and Gothic architecture in its buildings. It was the first citadel of the British. Tamil Nadu is a bastion of Hinduism, whose past endures into the present. Visit the St. George Fort built in 1640 A.D which now houses the Tamil Nadu State Legislature and the Secretariat, San Thome Cathedral, which is said to contain the remains of St Thomas and the famous bronze Museum. Thereafter depart for Mahabalipuram. Arrive and check in to the hotel.
Day 3 : Mahabalipuram
In the morning, depart for the tour of Mahabalipuram - it is a small, quiet seaside resort with a unique th-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. The seven rathas or temple chariots, and the seven pagoda-style shore temples built here at Mahabalipuram are the earliest known examples of Dravidian architecture, and were constructed in a single century- thanks to the long bursts of creative enthusiasm, starting in the reign of Narasimhavarman 1 (AD 630-68).
In the afternoon, visit Kanchipuram, which is one of the oldest towns in India, 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 Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
Return to the hotel.
Day
4 : Mahabalipuram/ Chennai / Cochin (Flight)
After breakfast leave for Chennai Airport to catch your flight for Cochin and once you reach Cochin, you shall be transferred to the hotel. Cochin, with a fine natural harbour, has been Kerala's centre of trade for innumerable centuries. With its beautiful setting on a cluster of islands, narrow Peninsulas and a long history, Cochin boasts of one of the oldest churches in India, 500 year old Portuguese houses, cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, the historical Palace built by the Portuguese, Jew town, complete with an immaculately preserved synagogues.
Day 5 : Cochin
Proceed for the serene beauty of Cochin starting with a visit to the Fort area including the Dutch Palace, the Church of St. Frances and the Jewish synagogue. Cochin - now called 'Kochi' is the commercial hub of Kerala and a town of great historical importance. It has one of the finest natural harbours and is called the "Queen of the Arabian Sea". Rest of the day at your disposal for the local market and later witness an enchanting Kathakali dance show in the evening.
Return to the hotel in the evening.
Day 6 : Cochin / Periyar (3 hours)
In the morning,depart for Periyar. In the afternoon, get set for a spicy treat to the farmlands which grow Indian spices for which the French, Dutch, Portuguese and the British came to India. The spices found here are pepper, tea, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, turmeric, etc. Rest of the day is at your disposal.
Day
7 : Periyar
The next morning, visit the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on a motorboat to see the wild Life - Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats, in God's Own Country, Kerala, is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. Periyar wildlife sanctuary has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary.
Set out to discover the Periyar National Park, where you may spot gaur, wild pigs, sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, dole or Indian wild dog and very rarely, a tiger. There are, now, an estimated 40 tigers here. Four species of primates are found at Periyar - the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri langur, common langur and bonnet macaque. Periyar also happens to be the habitat of the elusive Nilgiri Tahr, which is rarely to be seen.The birdlife here, comprises of darters, cormorants, kingfishers, the great Malabar Hornbill and racket-tailed drongoes. The reptilian population boasts Of monitor lizards, which can be spotted basking in the sun, on the rocks along the lakeshore. Visitors who trek into the Periyar National Park often see a pythons and sometimes even a king cobra.
Return to Hotel.
Day 8 : Periyar / Kumarakom (3 hours)
The next morning,depart for Kumarakom. On arrival, you check in to the hotel. Kumarakom slumbers on the banks of the famous Vembanad Lake, which is a part of Kuttanad ('granary' of Kerala). The Vembanad Lake with its majestic canals, streams and distributaries along its banks weaves an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web. In the afternoon, proceed to visit the Vembanad Bird Sanctuary - on the Southern bank of Kavanar River. Just opposite thet river you will find the Coconut Lagoon, which is a small bird sanctuary where numerous species of birds, including darters, bitterns, brahminy kites, marsh harries, teals and several varieties of herons roost, are found sunbathing. For an inquisitive bird watcher, it is always advisable to carry their binoculars at all times. A five-minute boat ride from Coconut Lagoon, followed by a walk on the other side will get you there.
Return to the hotel.
Day 09 : Kumarakom / House Boat
Morning at leisure.
Later in the afternoon, transfer to the Jetty and check in to the House Boat for an overnight journey towards Alleppey. Lunch on board and depart for Alleppey, this journey will take you through the tropical countryside and enchanting backwaters of Alleppey to Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets, typical villages and regattas (snake boats) for which Kerala is very famous. Dinner and overnight in the House Boat.
Day
10 : House Boat / Mararikulam
Breakfast on board. Reach Alleppey and transfer to Mararikulam. Give yourself sometime to relax in the hotel.
Day 11 : Mararikulam
Have the entire day at leisure to take advantage of the facilities provided at your resort. Take a dip in the pool or be more adventurous and swim in the sea. The calm and sandy beach is always there for a tranquil nap afterwards.
The resort also offers the opportunity for a relaxing Ayurvedic massage.
Day 12 : Mararikulam / Cochin (3 hours) / Onward Destination
Start your day at the beach as your background and spend the day basking in the sun. In the evening leave for the International airport in Cochin to catch your flight for your onward destination.
Contact us today and let us know your requirement. We will be more than happy to assist and serve you.
