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- Category: South India
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Coast to Coast
Chennai | Mahabalipuram | Kanchipuram | Madurai | Periyar | Kumarakam | Alleppy | Kovalam
Tamilnadu & Andamans
Chennai | Madurai | Chettinad | Tanjore | Pondicherry | Mahabalipuram | Port Blair/Havelock Island/Chennai
Mystical South
Chennai | Kanchipuram | Mamallapooram | Pondicherry | Chidambaram | Tanjore | Trichy | Madurai | Trivandrum
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- Category: South India
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South India is frequently referred to as the Hindu heartland of India by prominent travel guides. It lies in the peninsular Deccan Plateau and is bounded by the Arabian Sea in the west, the Indian Ocean in the south and the Bay of Bengal in the east. The geography of the region is diverse, encompassing two mountain ranges, the Western and Eastern Ghats, and a plateau heartland. Adi Shankara coined the name Dravida in the 8th century as he called himself Dravida Shishu, meaning a child from South India. The term Deccan, an Anglicised form of the word "Dakhhin" which is a derived from the word dakshina meaning south, refers only to the area covered by the Deccan Plateau, a volcanic plateau that covers most of peninsular India excluding the coastal areas. The terms Karnād and Carnatic have long overgrown particular association with the plateau and refer to all of South India, including the coasts, the western of which is named the Carnatic coast. 10 Days from USD 999 onwardsChennai | Mahabalipuram | Kanchipuram | Madurai | Periyar | Kumarakam | Alleppy | Kovalam ITINERARY DETAILS
Day 1: Chennai/Mahabalipuram (2 hrs. drive)
A hectic day- long tour starts from early morning. The places to visit Chennai are Government Museum and National Art Gallery, Fort St. George and St. Mary's Church, Crocodile Breeding Farm, Gandhi Memorial, Kala- Kshetra and Mylapore Temple. Afternoon drive from Mahabalipuram. Visit Mahabalipuram Shore Temple- this temple is a rock-cut structure with rock carvings in the typical Dravidian forms of architecture and art. Besides, explore also the remnants of 124 rock-cut shrines and other monuments mostly excavated from deep sands. From there, we move on towards Kanchipuram, a manufacturing center for Silk Sari Weaving. Overnight at Mahabalipuram beach. Day 2: Mahabalipuram/Kanchipuram/Chennai (2 hrs. drive) Morning drive to Kanchipuram, the erstwhile capital of the Pallavas and Cholas, visit its numerous temples dedicated to various Gods and Goddesses. It is also home to the weavers of the famed Kanchipuram silks. Return to Chennai for the night. Day 3: Chennai/Madurai (by flight) Morning flight to Madurai. Later proceed on city tour visiting the temples which are a city within a city built in the Dravidian style, one for Shiva and other for spouse Meenakshi. Also visit Teppa Kulu, a tank with an island temple. Day 4: Madurai/Periyar (4 hrs. drive) Proceed by road to Periyar. Check into Spice Village set in the heart of the cardamom hills of Kerala. The village lies just outside Periyar Tiger Reserve and a stay here is a perfect way to appreciate the environment. This is a place for anyone who loves nature to fill your lung with fresh air, to savour the rich fragrance of cinnamon and cloves or to watch young elephants at the water's edge. Day at leisure to visit nearby coffee plantations, spice gardens with pepper vines or a trek deep into the tropical forest. Day 5: Periyar Tour of Periyar wildlife sanctuary by boat or elephant to view a rich variety of wildlife- tiger, elephant, wild boar, deer and monkeys. Day 6: Periyar/Kumarakom (4 hrs. drive) The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. A picturesque, clean village, Kumarakom is a tiny hamlet on the banks of a lagoon formed by the Vembanad lake. Check in to your resort where calm, emerald backwaters reflect hundreds of thousands of gently swaying palms where the primary attraction however, is its lazy ambience. After getting refreshed visit the bird sanctuary of Kumarakom and explore a whole new world of feathered species. For an inquisitive bird watcher it is an ideal place that echoes with the chirping of birds including a variety of migratory birds. Take a walk around the sanctuary while experiencing the sights and sounds of these birds. Kumarakom offers visitors many other leisure options. Enjoy the ethereal magic of nature. Day 07: Kumarakom to Alleppey (Houseboat) Morning after breakfast check in to a Houseboat and sail back to Alleppey passing through Chennamkery, Kainary, Pallathuruthy and Kuppapuram- all small backwater villages, to reach and Disemabrk at Alleppey. 'Venice of the East', a small town placed south of Cochin is highly visited as a finishing point jetty. Stay your night at a houseboat at Alleppey. Overnight Houseboat. Day 08: Alleppey to Kovalam (4 ½ hrs. drive) After morning breakfast enjoy rest of the day at leisure on the houseboat. Later drive to Kovalam, enjoying the lovely view of the coast areas, coconut trees and the green lagoons. Later beach tours of Kovalam, considered to be the finest beach resort in the world. Enjoy the lovely surrounding and the picturesque view of the Light House beach, the largest and the most popular beach in Kovalam and Samudra Beach. Also enjoy the lovely view of the Arabian waves embracing the virgin sands as well as enjoy various water sports in a pleasant and exciting way. Day 09: Kovalam Go for a ful day sightseeing tour of Trivandrum the capital city of Kerala to pay visit to some of the exciting tourist attractions including Napier Museum, Kuthiramalika Museum and Sri Padmanabha Temple. Rest of the after enjoy along the pristine beaches of Kovalam and surf the cool breeze as well as enjoy the bliss of the warm water of the Arabian Sea. Day 10: Kovalam - Trivandrum - Departure Drive to Trivandrum Airport to connect flight for onwards destination. Inclusions: Room with breakfast + air-conditioned car with driver + English speaking/language guide/naturalist for all sightseeing& safari. |
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- Category: South India
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This tour takes you from the exotic fragrance of sandalwood and jasmine in Karnataka to that of eucalyptus and tea in the Blue Mountains, culminating in the coconut groves and water ways of Kerala, upto the golden beaches of Goa. 13 Days from USD 1250 onward.Bangalore | Hassan | Mysore | Ooty | Coonoor | Cochin | Goa ITINERARY DETAILS
Day 1: Bangalore
Drive through the garden city with its numerous avenues of jacaranda, gulmohar and cassia. Visit the Bull temple, and Tipu's summer palace & numerous parks &The Vidhan Sauda and downtown commercial center. Day 2: Bangalore/Hassan (4 hrs. drive) Drive to Hassan via Protima Bedi's dance village. Post lunch visit to Sravanabelagola to see the statue of Gomatesvara, 1 7m tall erected in 980 AD. Check into hotel. Post lunch tour of the famous Hoysala temples of Halebid and The Chennakesava temples of Belur. Day 3: Hassan/Mysore (2 ½ hrs. drive) Drive to Mysore via Srirangapatnam. Visit fort, Tipu Sultan's palace and The Gombaz. Evening at leisure to visit the beautiful Brindavan gardens. Day 4: Mysore Visit the spectacular Amber Vilas city palace and Nandi Bull at the Chamundi hills. Later visit sandalwood oil factory and Mysore silk factory. Day 5: Mysore/Ooty (4 hrs) Drive to Ooty, passing through lush forests of Bandipur and Madumalai wildlife sanctuary from where the road climbs up to Ooty Through eucalyptus and tea plantations. Check into hotel. Later visit the Botanical gardens and Toda tribal village. Evening at leisure to stroll around the lake. Day 6: Ooty Day free to enjoy the lake side or the gardens of the beautiful hill station. Day 7: Ooty/Coonoor (1 hr. drive) Early morning drive to Dodabefta peak, the highest in The Nilgiris & then drive to Coonoor. Check into hotel. Rest of day at leisure to visit Sims park, and enjoy cool walks Through tea estates or drive to Lambs' Rock for a view of the plains. Day 8: Coonoor/Cochin (6 hrs) Morning at leisure. Later board The Blue Mountain Express mountain mini train down to mettupalayam passing through interesting valleys & tea plantations and then drive to Cochin. Day 9: Cochin Full day tour of Mattancherry palace, Jewish synagogue and a back-water cruise to Bolghatty palace. Also view Chinese fishing nets. Evening view traditional Kathakali classical dance recital. Day 10: Cochin/Goa Transfer to airport to board morning flight to Goa. Day at leisure on the beach for independent activities.
Day 11 & Day 12: Goa Morning at leisure on the beach. Post lunch tour of Old Goa to visit sightseeing. Evening Santa Monica boat cruise. Overnight Goa. Day 13: Goa/Delhi (by flight) Transfer to airport for afternoon flight to onwards destination. Inclusions: Room with breakfast + air-conditioned car with driver + English speaking/language guide/naturalist for all sightseeing & safari. |
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- Category: South India
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The Kerala Tamil Nadu Tour takes you on a tour to visit the most astonishing tourist destinations in mesmerizing Kerala and Tamil Nadu. While on the tour enjoy being at Kumarakom the place that is much known for rubber plantation and exotic birds. Explore Mahabalipuram and Madurai for the world famous temples. The Kerala backwaters have been known for their mesmerizing and alluring charms spread across the whole area. 15 Days from USD 1485 Chennai | Mahabalipuram | Pondicherry | Tanjore | Chettinad | Madurai | Cochin | Kumarakom | Alleppy | Cochin | Sultan Battery | Mysore | Bangalore ITINERARY DETAILSDay 1: ChennaiChennai (or Madras as it was known earlier) is the capital of Tamil Nadu. Chennai has the different face of India - classical, ancient, gentle. Definitely touched by colonialism but not ravaged by wars and intensely aware of its roots and traditions. Day 2: Chennai to Mahabalipuram via Kanchipuram (3 hrs. drive) After breakfast, proceed to visit the finest examples of ancient South Indian architecture - Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram temples. The major tourist attractions of Kanchipuram covering Kailasanthar temple, Ekambareshwarar temple, Vardarajanperumal temple and the Sakkiswarar temple. Mahabalipuram is famous for its rock-cut shore temples. Day 3: Mahabalipuram/Pondicherry (2 hrs. drive) Proceed to Pondicherry , which carries a strong whiff of the French presence in India. This erstwhile French colony on the east coast of South India merged with the rest of the country in 1954. Legend says that Pondicherry is the place where St. Agasthaya settled down. Day 4: Pondicherry After breakfast drive to visit Aurbindo Ashram, the city of dawn, which is 10kms north of Pondicherry. This ashram promotes Aurbindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter. After lunch at hotel, visit Auroville - a unique experiment in international living and in creating a new environment where men and women of all nationalities live together in harmony. Day 5: Pondicherry/Tanjore (3 hrs. drive) After breakfast drive to Chidambaram also called as Thillai, which has the famous Natraja temple with the root of the sanctum - sanctorum covered with golden plates is located in the centre of the town covering an area of 40 acres. In the temple, postures from the Bharatnatayam form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Natraja is Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer. After lunch, drive to Thanjavur enroute visiting the Brass factory at Kumbakonam. Tanjore once the capital of Chola Kings, has the Bragadeswara temple. Day 6: Tanjore/Chettinad (1½ hrs. drive) Morning drive to Chettinad. Chettinad is the ancestral home of the Nattukottai Chettiyars, a prosperous banking community successful in the oversea business markets in South and Southeast Asia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. There are a total of 76 villages and Karaikudi is the largest one. Chettinad is famous for its houses for its unique, spicy, and very tasty cuisine. Day 7: Chettinad/Madurai (2 hrs. drive) Morning drive to Madurai. Afternoon visit to the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering gopurams (rising high above the surrounding country side). Later, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace - A gracious building in the Indo saracenic style, famous for the Stucco work on its domes & arches. Also visit the Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple. Day 8: Madurai/Cochin (6 hrs. drive) After breakfast drive to Cochin. Day at leisure. Day 9: Cochin The major tourist attractions of Cochin include the Marine Drive, Fort Kochi and the Hill Palace, Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica and the Pallipuram Fort & The Chinese fishing nets. Day 10: Cochin/Kumarakom (1 hrs. drive) After breakfast, we drive straight to Kumarakom. The Kumarakom village is situated on the banks of Vembanad Lake. The scenic beauty and meandering lagoons and backwaters of Kumarakom are sure to mesmerize you thoroughly. As you reach Kumarakom, check-in at one of our listed hotels. After resting for a while at your hotel room, pay visit to the Bay Island Driftwood Museum. The museum showcases great collection of quality driftwood articles holding high artistic values, prepared through an innovative modern art technique. Day 11: Kumarakom/Kottayam/Alleppey [Houseboat] (1 hr. drive) Post breakfast leave for Alleppey in a houseboat for an overnight cruise. Before reaching Alleppey, stop mid-way at Kottayam. The Kerala backwaters have been known for their mesmerizing and alluring charms spread across the whole area. While cruising along the backwater feast your eyes on the lush green padded fields, palm fringed costal lines and enjoy the majestic scenery. Refresh yourself by relaxing for a while in the beautiful houseboat of witness the sunset on this floating villa. Stay the night at the houseboat. Day 12: Alleppey/Cochin (1 hr. drive) Leave houseboat at Alleppey & drive to Cochin for tour of the famous Mattancherry Palace, St. Francis Church and the Jewish Synagogue. Enjoy the spectacular view of giant Chinese Fishing Nets being lowered on the famous Vasco-da-Gama Square. Day 13: Cochin/Sultan Battery (6 hrs. drive) The Sultan Battery is a watchtower built by Tipu Sultan to watch the entry of warships into the Gurpur River. It has a marvelous construction and gives a feeling of a minuscule fortress with its many apertures for rising cannons all around. The battery, was erected in black stones and the structure is well adorned with equipment’s for shooting canons. Day 14: Sultan Battery/Mysore (2 hrs. drive) Morning drive to Mysore. This fort was the stronghold of Tippu Sultan, son of Hyder Ali. Tippu made a last minute ditch against the British in 1799 before surrendering his kingdom. Among the many fort buildings still intact, are Tippu's airy summer palace and his tomb at the Darya Daulat Bagh (garden). Here,is also the celebrated Sri Ranganatha Temple. Visit the palace of the Maharaja built in 1911-12. The palace is of harmonious syntheses of the hindu and saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and culptures which are magnificent. Visit the Art Gallery; drive upto Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple and a panoramic view of Mysore. On the way back, see the Nandi Bull. Day 15: Mysore/Bangalore (3 hrs. drive) Drive to Bangalore for onward flight. Inclusions: Room with breakfast + air-conditioned car with driver + English speaking/language guide for all sightseeing. |
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- Category: South India
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South India Tours are extremely popular among visitors. With tourist destinations that include Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. South India tours also comprise of best of beach tours, exploring hills and tea estates. For a more audacious holiday in South India, holiday seekers can visit Bandipur as well as Mudumalai National Parks. For a city feel, Chennai and Bangalore are suggested for your holiday in South India. We have offered several tour packages and holidays to wonderful South that you can book. On your next holiday, you can choose a holiday in South India out of our several tour packages for unlimited fun. 12 Days from USD 1180 onwardsChennai | Pondicherry | Tanjore | Munnar | Marari | Cochin ITINERARY DETAILS
Day 1: Chennai
Chennai (or Madras as it was known earlier) is the capital of Tamil Nadu. It is also the third largest metropolis in India. Chennai has the different face of India - classical, ancient, gentle. Definitely touched by colonialism but not ravaged by wars and intensely aware of its roots and traditions. Chennai itself has largely remained a business city - the automobile industry, International giants included, has seen advancement in particular in the last few years. Day 2: Excursion to Mahabalipuram (1½ hrs. drive) After breakfast full day excursion to Mahabalipuram sightseeing which includes the Thirukadalmallai, Shore Temple, Pancha Pandava Rathas, Arjuna's Penance, Caves, and Krishna's Butterball. Day 3: Chennai/Pondicherry (3 ½ hrs. drive) Proceed to Pondicherry, which carries a strong whiff of the French presence in India. This erstwhile French colony on the east coast of South India merged with the rest of the country in 1954. Legend says that Pondicherry is the place where St. Agasthaya settled down. Day 4: Pondicherry After breakfast drive to visit Aurbindo Ashram, the city of dawn, which is 10kms north of Pondicherry. This ashram promotes Aurbindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter. After lunch visit Auroville - a unique experiment in international living and in creating a new environment where men and women of all nationalities live together in harmony. Day 5: Pondicherry/Tanjore (3 hrs. drive) Drive to Chidambaram also called as Thillai, which has the famous Natraja temple with the root of the sanctum - sanctorum covered with golden plates is located in the centre of the town covering an area of 40 acres. In the temple, postures from the Bharatnatayam form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Natraja is Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer. After lunch, drive to Thanjavur enroute visiting the Brass factory at Kumbakonam. Tanjore once the capital of Chola Kings, has the Bragadeswara temple. The temple tower rises to a height of 15mts from a square base of 29 mts and then tapers off, making a total of 66mts. Day 6: Tanjore/Munnar (5 hrs. drive) Embark on a fascinating journey to Munnar enjoying the stunning panoramic view of the Cardamom hills & green carpets of tea plantations enroute. Spend the rest of the day at leisure walking around the estate. Day 7: Munnar A morning sightseeing trip of Munnar; visiting the Eravikulam National Park where you can see the very rare mountain goats locally called the Nilgiri Tahr, the Mattupetty Dam & Dairy Farm, Old Munnar Town, the town market etc. Day 8: Munnar/Marari Beach After breakfast transfer to Marari Beach. It is a seaside town known for its beautiful beach name Marari Beach or Mararikulam beach. It is one of the most beautiful beach destinations in India. Mararikulam, the sleepy little village is about 11 kms from Alappuzha & is an idyllic location for a vacation. Rest of the day free at the marari beach resort. Day 9 & Day 10: Marari Beach Full day at the beach and the ayurvedic health center. Day 11: Marari Beach/Cochin The major tourist attractions of Cochin include the Marine Drive, Fort Kochi and the Hill Palace, Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica and the Pallipuram Fort.
Day 12: Cochin After breakfast transfer to Cochin airport in time to connect flight for onward destination. Inclusions: Room with breakfast + air-conditioned car with driver + English speaking/language guide/naturalist for all sightseeing & safari. |
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