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India Tour Packages
South India Tours is in many respects, the most 'Indian' part of the country. A true home of Indian vegetarianism, the Aryans, Mughal invaders and even the British had very minimal influences on the art and culture of the Dravidian south and as a result the architecture and lifestyle of the people in this part of India has hardly changed over time.
Day 01: Kochi
Arrive Kochi. On arrival transfer to hotel. Night stay at Cochin.
Day 02: Kochi
After breakfast sightseeing of Cochin. Cochin is one of the most interesting towns in South India. A trading port since Roman times, it was on the main trade route between Europe and China. Fort Cochin occupies the South promontory on the seaward side of the Bay. Sightseeing tour of Cochin to visit.Fort Kochi: A leisurely walk through the city is the best way to discover historic Fort Kochi. An obscure fishing village that became the first European township In India, Kochi has an eventful and colorful history. The town was shaped by the cultural influences of the Dutch and later the British. The result of these cultural influences are seen in the many examples of Indo-European architecture that still exist here.
Chinese fishing nets : These huge cantilevered fishing nets are the legacy of one of the first visitors to the Malabar coast. Erected here between 1350 and 1450 ad by Traders from the court of Kublai Khan, these nets are set up on teak wood and bamboo poles. The best place to watch the nets being lowered into the sea and the catch being brought in, is the Vasco da Gama square, a narrow promenade that runs along the beach.
St. Francis Church : Built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan Friars, this is India's oldest European Church. This was initially built of timber and later reconstructed in stone. It was restored in 1779 by the Protestant Dutch and converted to an Anglican church by the British in 1795. Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1524 before his remains were moved to Lisbon, Portugal.
Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) : Built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi, the palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch. On display here are beautiful murals depicting scenes from the epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, and some of the Puranic Hindu legends. The palace also houses Dutch maps of old Kochi, royal palanquins and the coronation robes of former maharajas of Kochi.
Synagogue : Constructed in 1568, this is the oldest synagogue in the commonwealth. Destroyed in a shelling during the Portuguese raid in 1662, it was rebuilt two years later by the Dutch.
Bolghatty Island : This island is famous for its palace of the same name.. The Bolghatty Palace was built in 1744, by the Dutch and later taken over by the British. Today it is a hotel run by the Kerala Tourism, with a small golf course and special honeymoon cottages.
Willington Island : Named after Lord Willington, a former British viceroy of India, this man-made island is surrounded by beautiful backwaters. The island is the site of the city's best hotels and trading centers, the port trust and the headquarters of the southern naval command. In the evening watch Kathakali-the spectacular dance drama of Kerala. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03 - 04: Cochin - Munnar [150 kms 3 hrs 30 minutes]
After breakfast leave for Munnar. On arrival check in at Abad Copper Castle Munnar.
Overlooking the salubrious surroundings of the Anayirangal Lake, the luxury hotel Fort Munnar offers a breathtaking panorama of gentle slopes and sheer drops and a spectacular view of the coffee, tea and cardamom plantations. The hotel is conceived under the concept of eco-friendly holidaying. Fort Munnar with its colonial architecture blends with nature, surrounded by enormous trees, enchanting hills and foliage. The forests surrounding Fort Munnar are home to exotic spices that have been reaching all parts of the world from time immemorial.
Munnar, the erstwhile 'Summer Capital of the British', has become the most sought after holiday destination in South India. It is the luxuriant gift of nature to the Western Ghats, the eastern border of Kerala, 5000ft above sea level. Dense forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and major cash crop plantations cover most of this region. Munnar abounds in animals like elephants and Nilgiri Tahrs and rich biodiversity teeming with flora and fauna. Among the exotic flora found in the forests here is the "Neela Kurinji" . This flower which bathes the hills in blue every 12 years, will bloom next in 2006 A.D
Day 05: Munnar
Breakfast. Sightseeing of Munnar to visit Mattupetty Dam, Waterfalls, tea plantation, Eravikulam National Park
Day 06: Munnar - Periyar [ 110 Kms, 3 hrshours]
Breakfast. Proceed to Periyar. On arrival check in at the Silver Crest Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary - one of the well maintained wild life sanctuaries of South India. Situated on the banks of an artificial lake formed with the construction of an irrigation dam the sanctuary is spread out over an area of 777 sq kms. Now declared as a tiger reserve, this sanctuary is the best place to see the wild elephants, bison's, wild dogs, deer's, water birds and occasionally tigers. Afternoon visit to Spice plantation and later boating on Periyar Lake. Over Night at Hotel
Day 07:
Day Free at Periyar for local sightseeing. Overnight Stay at Periyar.
Day 08: Periyar - Alleppey - Kollam
After breakfast leave for Allepey [ 140 Kms, 04 hours ] to take boat cruise to Kollam. Evening arrive at Kollam and leave for Kovalm [ 90 Kms, 02 hours. On arrival check in at the Udaya Samudra.
Day 09: Kovalam
Breakfast. Later city sightseeing tour of Trivandrum to visit Napier Museum, Sree Chitra Art Gallery, Kuthiramalika Royal Palace. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Trivandrum
Breakfast. Relax at the hotel. Transfer to Delhi to catch a flight for Delhi.
Day 01:Chennai
Arrive Chennai. Transfer to Hotel.
Day 02: Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram
Morning arrive Chennai. Transfer to hotel. Full day tour of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram (64 kms from Chennai) is the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks. The city of Mahabalipuram is famous for the seven pagodas. Here on the seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples which are the examples of Dravidian style of Architecture.
Day 03: Mahabalipuram
Morning city tour. Visit the Museum to see the Art and Bronze Gallery (Closed on Fridays and Public holidays). Drive through the Flower and Fruit market, High court, Fort museum, Marina Beach, Santhome Cathedral and Snake park. Check-out at 1200 hrs from the hotel. Late evening transfer to rail-station for Madurai night train. Night on board train.
Day 04: Madurai
Morning arrive Madurai and transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit 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. Afternoon free. Overnight stay at Madurai.
Day 05: Periyar
Morning drive to Periyar National Park. Set up in 1934,it extends to 777 square kms & forms part of the high mountain ranges, the Western Ghats. Wild life can be seen while cruising on Periyar Lake in a motor boat. Amongst the animals which can be seen are elephants, wild boar, sambar, tiger, leopard, wild dog, langur monkeys, etc. Overnight stay at Periyar.
Day 06: Trivandrum
Drive to Trivandrum viewing the scenin beauty en route. Kerala is lush green and is full of lakes and water. Overnight stay at Trivandrum.
Day 07: Kanyakumari - Kovalam
Day free in Trivandrum or optional tours to Cape Comorin (Kanya Kumari - the southern most part of India) or nearby places like Kovalam beach, etc.
Day 08: Cochin
Morning drive to Cochin visiting the Kerala villages en route.
Day 09: Cochin
Morning tour of Cochin. Cochin is the natural harbor created by the famed underwater Malabar mud-banks whose quality ensures that the rougher the seas are outside the calmer the waters are within the Harbour. Vasco-de-Gama placed it on the world map. It has a Jewish synagogue, Portuguese churches, mosques & Hindu temples. Watch the Chinese Fishing Nets. Checkout at 1200 hrs. Transfer to rail station for Bangalore night train. Night on board.
Day 10: Bangalore
Morning arrive Bangalore and transfer to hotel. Afternoon city tour. In this Garden City - visit the Lal Bagh with a variety of old trees, fountains, lotus pools, terraces & an assortment of tropical and sub-tropical herbs. Also see the Maharaja's Palace & Government Buildings. Overnight Bangalore.
Day 11: Mysore
Morning drive to Mysore. Afternoon free. Overnight stay at Mysore.
Day 12: Mysore
Morning visit the Palace of the Maharaja built in 1911 - 1912. The palace is of harmonious syntheses of the Hindu and saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures which are magnificent. Visit the Art Gallery; drive up to Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple and a panoramic view of Mysore. On the way back, see the Nandi Bull. Afternoon free. Overnight stay at Mysore.
Day 13: Chennai
Morning free. Transfer to rail-station for Chennai train. Arrive Chennai & transfer to hotel.
Day 14: Chennai/Departure
Transfer to airport. End of our services.
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