KERALA WITH SOUTHERN TEMPLES

Tour Duration :11Nights/12Days
Destinations Covered :Cochin - Kumarakom - Periyar - Trichy - Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram - Chennai

Day 01 Arrive Cochin
Arrive into Cochin, where you will be met at the airport by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day at Leisure. Overnight in Cochin.

Day 02 Cochin

After breakfast, you will be taken for a guided sightseeing tour of Cochin. Tour will include, The Mattancherry Palace was built by the Portuguese in 1557 and renovated by the Dutch after 1663, hence it’s other name, Dutch Palace. The Jewish synagogue, Cochin Harbor where the Chinese fishing nets present a wonderful sight. You will also be escorted to St Francis church, Fort Kochi Beach, Hill Palace. In the evening you will be taken to Kathakali dance performance. Kathakali is a traditional dance form of India,particularly Kerala. The dancers are dressed in very colorful and elaborate costumes. This dance has a lot of facial expressions and articulate body movements. Overnight in Cochin.

Day 03 Cochin – Kumarakom
After breakfast, you will start your drive to Kumarakom. Kumarakom is a small village that is a cluster of little islands. Kumarakom is best known for its mangrove forests, coconut groves and emerald green paddy fields. Kumarkom is perfect for a lazy and laid back holiday. On arrival in Kumarakom, check in at the hotel. Entire day at leisure for rest or to utilize Arurveda treatment facilities. Overnight in Kumarakom.

Day 04 Kumarakom – Periyar
After breakfast, start your drive to Periyar. Periyar is wildlife sanctury and is famous as one of the best places to see the Asian Elephant. Periyar has an artificial lake called Periyar Lake, which hosts numerous migratory birds every year. On arrival in Periyar, check into the hotel. Overnight in Periyar.

Day 05 In Periyar
Early morning, you will start exploring the wildlife rich Periyar. Take a boat ride on the Periyar lake to photograph the migratory birds along with other flora and fauna. You may get a chance to see any of the following inhabitants of Periyar Sanctury, the elephant, the bison, Gaur, Sambar deer, Barking deer, Mouse deer, Nilgiri langur, Bonnet macaque, Lion-tailed macaque leopards, Jungle cats, Wild dogs and the tiger. Later, taken to a guided visit to the nearby spice plantation of pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and several other spices, grown in the Periyar hills. Overnight in Periyar.

Day 06 Periyar –Madurai
After breakfast start your drive to Madurai. The city of Temples is known for its rich heritage, culture and historical background. The city is most famous for the Meenakshi Temple, Tirumalai Nayaka Temple and the Temple Art Museum. On arrival in Madurai, check in at the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Madurai.

Day 07 Madurai – Trichy
After breakfast, you will be taken for a guided sightseeing tour of Madurai. You will visit, Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple, Tirumalai Nayakar Mahal( The Royal Palace), Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam The Gandhi Museum, Thirupparankundram. Ancient Koodal Azhagar Shrine. After these visits, you will start a drive to Trichy. On arrival in Trichy, check into the hotel. Overnight in Trichy.

Day 08 Trichy- Pondicherry
After breakfast, you will be taken for a guided sightseeing tour of Trichy. You will visit Rock Fort Temple which stands on a 84 m high rock in the centre of the town. Cave-shrines and temples are built on the rock. From the Top one can enjoy the panoramic views of Trichy. Ranganathswamy Temple Dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, the temple is known as a sacred site which dates back two thousand years. After your sightseeing you will start a drive to Pondicherry. On arrival in Pondicherry, check in at the hotel. Overnight at Pondicherry.

Day 09 Pondicherry- Mahabalipuram
After breakfast, you will be picked taken for a guided sightseeing tour of Pondicherry. This would include, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Aurobindo Hand Made Paper Factory and The Pondicherry Museum. After this sightseeing tour you will start a drive to Mahabalipuram. On arrival in Mahabalipuram, check into the hotel. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

Day 10 Mahabalipuram – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram
After breakfast, you will be taken for a guided sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. Mahabalipuram is a site of many ancient sculptural marvels. The best examples are the five monolith chariots, the pride of Mahabalipuram. The various panels on the walls depict scenes from Hindu mythology and fables from the Panchtantra. The Mahabalipuram ruins, date to the seventh century and consist of a cave temple, shore temple, rock-carved temple chariots and bas-reliefs. Later visit Kanchipuram, where the Tour includes visits to Kamakshi Amman, the Kailashanathar Temple and the Ekambareshwar temple. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

Day 11 Drive Mahabalipuram- Chennai
After breakfast start your drive to Chennai. Chennai, earlier known as Madras, is the fourth largest metropolis in India. On arrival in Chennai, you will check into the hotel. In afternoon you will be taken for a guided sightseeing tour of Chennai which would include, Fort St. George, The fort houses St. Mary's Church, Fort Museum, Marina Beach and Santhome Cathedral Basilica, Overnight in Chennai.

Depart Chennai
After Breakfast, morning at leisure. In the afternoon you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.