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Best of South India Tour(Duration - 12 Days/11 Nights) |
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Destination Covered: Chennai, Chidambaram, Trichy, Srirangam, Tanjore, Madurai,
Periyar, Kumarakom, Cochin, Ooty,
Mysore. |
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DAY 01: Fight to India (Chennai)
 Around Midnight
arrival in Chennai (formerly Madras). The cosmopolitan City and
capital of Tamilnadu is the main gateway for travellers to South
India.You are met by an Vinayak Holidays representative and
transferred to your Hotel.
DAY 02 : Mahabalipuram Excursion
Today we drive through the coastal route
to Mahabalipuram. In Mahabalipuram we visit some of the 14 cave
temples and 9 monolithic rathas (temple chariots) Pallavamala was
the ruler who made the port famous in the 7th century and was
largely responsible for building the temples. In the afternoon we
visit the St. George Fort which is near the harbour area of Chennai.
This fort was built by British during their presence in 17th
century.
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DAY 03: Mumbai - Chennai - Chidambaram - Trichy (about 320 km)
Today we drive to Trichy
(Tiruchirappali). Trichy is the heart of Tamilnadu, laying in the
delta of kaveri river. On the way to Trichy we visit chidambaram.
Chidambaram is regarded as holy town of great importance among
Hindus. We visit here the famous Natraja Temple which is dedicated
to the dancing Lord Shiva, a favourite deity of the chola
kings. |
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DAY 04: Srirangam - Tanjore Madurai (about 130 km)
This town Trichy is so ancient that it was
mentioned by Ptolemy in the 2nd century BC by Alexandrian
geographer. We climb the stairs to the famous Rock Fort which was
built on 84 m high rock in the centre of town in about 1660. We also
visit a Shiva and Ganesha temple and enjoy a wonderful view of the
surroundings from the top. After the visit of Rock Fort we drive to
Srirangam and visit the Ranganathasvami Temple which is one of the
largest temples in India dedicated to god Vishnu. After the visit of
Ranganathasvami Temple we proceed to Tanjore (Thanjavur). Tanjore
was the capital of great chola empire who built more than 70 temples
between 10th and 14th century. We visit here one of the world
heritage monument, Brihasdisvara Temple (11th century), which is
also known as big temple. After the visit of Brihadeeswara Temple we
proceed to Madurai.
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DAY 05: Madurai - Periyar(about 140 km)
Madurai, situated on the bank of river Vaigai is
also referred to as the Athens of the East. Madurai has the most
outstanding examples of Vijayanagar temple architecture in the
Minakshi Temple, a standing monument to the temple builders of the
16th and 17th century. After the visit of Minakshi Temple we visit
Tirumalai Nayaka Palace which was built in the 1636 in the
Indo-Mughal style. After the visit we proceed to our hotel in
Periyar. |
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DAY 06: Periyar - Kumarakom (about 120 km)
We start our day by having a Boat ride on the lake
of Periyar. The lake of Periyar is the central point of the famous
780 sq.2 Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary which was designated as a part
of project Tiger in 1973. After the Boat ride we drive through the
Park and observe the elephants, bison, sambar, wild oxen, wild boar
and spotted deer which are common here. In the afternoon we drive
through the mountains which are full of Cardamom and pass through
the tea and coffee plantations and proceed to Kumarakom. In
Kumarakom we enjoy the Boat ride trip through the tropical
vegetation on the backwaters. |
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DAY 07: Kumarakom
The whole day is today at leisure. One can enjoy the
Ayurveda massage in the hotel or have a walk in the nice tropical
surroundings. Swimming Pool of the hotel will be happy to welcome
you for swimming and relaxing. |
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DAY 08: Kumarakom - Kottayam - Alleppey - Cochin (about 80 km)
Today we enjoy a
Boat trip for two hours through the narrow channels of famous
backwaters of Kottayam and arrive in Alleppey from where we proceed
further in a bus to Cochin. Cochin is the most interesting town in
South India at Malabar Coast and is also known as Venice of south.
In Cochin we visit St. Francis church, the oldest European church in
India in which the grave of famous sailor Vasco da gama can be
visited. After the visit of St. Francis Church we have a walk
through the Jewish area of mattancherry.
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09: Cochin - Ooty (about 280 km)
From the tropical
coast of Kerala we drive on the serpent road and pass through the
Tea plantation and eucalyptus forests of mountains of Nilgiri and
arrive in the city Ooty (Vdhagammandulam). Ooty which was developed
as hill station by British, lies at an altitude of 2300 m. and still
has British flair.
DAY 10: Ooty - Mysore (about
160 km)
Ooty (also known as the queen of the blue mountains) is
famous for its rolling hills covered in pine and eucalyptus forests.
Ooty has also a penalty of coffee and tea plantations. We visit the
famous and most beautiful botanical Garden of Ooty which covers an
area over 20 hectares and is planted with more than a thousand
varieties of plants, shrubs and trees including orchids, fern and
alpine. In the afternoon we pass through the betel nut and pepper
plantation and proceed to Mysore. |
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DAY 11 : Mysore - Chennai (about 470 km)
Today we visit
the most impressive and one of the largest city palaces in India.
The City Palace of Mysore "Ambar Vilas" is built in the
Indo-Saracenic style. Mysore is famous for its Silk and Sandalwood.
We have an opportunity to see how incense is made and how silk saris
are woven by the local weavers. In the afternoon we leave Mysore by
train for Chennai. |
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DAY 12: Flight to Home
Around Midnight flight to home destination. |
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| This Tour Includes |
- Accommodation on twin sharing
basis
- Daily breakfast
- Transfers by exclusive chauffer
driven car throughout the tour
- All fuel, taxes and driver allowance
& night halt charges
- Cost includes sharing room with
breakfast
- All transfers & tours by
aircon coaches/cars
- English speaking local guides
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| This Tour Excludes |
- Meals and all other expenses
are not included in the cost.
- Rates are valid till 30 April,
2008.
- Hotels foreseen are of heritage/Five
Star/Three Star category.
- Check-in/out time is 1200 hrs
at all the places.
- Camera Fees applicable is not
included.
- 4.9% Service Tax (by Indian Government)
applicable.
- Afternoon Lunch is not included
in any of these packages.
- Tips to porters at airports
and hotels are excluded.
- Visa formalities and health
requirements are excluded.
- Entrance fees at monuments,
meals, expenses of a personal nature.
- All domestic flights are excluded.
Packages mentioned in this website cover distances
by road. Flight usage is optional and chargeable extra.
- Insurance/Personal casualities meals are excluds.
- Any Air Fare/Bus/ Train/Flight Fare are excluds.
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This is an
indicative itinerary, which can be fully customised to meet your requirements
and budget. |
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