ITINERARY:
Chennai – Pondicherry – Tanjore – Karaikudi – Madurai – Munnar – Cochin – Bombay
Trip at a Glance
Chennai – This capital city of the state of Tamil Nadu, was founded by the British East India Company and is one of the leading metropolises and the largest amongst southern cities. It is a comparatively modern creation and the city retains much of its cultural charms and traditional aura of the Dravidian lifestyle. This gateway is an ideal point to head off anywhere into peninsular India. Being one of the earliest cities set up by the British, Chennai has marvelous buildings in elaborate Indo – Saracenic style – the Fort St.George, St. Mary’s church etc.
Number of nights : 2
Pondicherry – This former capital of French territories in India is often described as a sleepy provincial town, which retains a distinct Gallic flavor. French is still spoken amongst the older residents and the flavor is ostensibly present in the stately colonial mansions standing in tree-lined streets that are still known by their colonial names.
Number of nights : 2
Tanjore – The city of Tanjore lies in the fertile Kaveri Delta often referred to as the “rice bowl of
Tamil Nadu” For nearly a thousand years this great town dominated the political history of this region as the capital of three powerful dynasties. Today, Tanjore’s culture extends beyond temples and palaces, to encompass classical music and dance and is also a flourishing centre for bronze sculpture and painting.
Number of nights : 1
Karaikudi
Karaikudi and 74 other villages comprise Chettinad, the homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars – a prosperous banking community who ventured overseas to do business in Southeast Asia. Their legacies are the fascinating houses of Chettinad they built, which must be seen to be believed, and this alone would justify a trip to Chettinad.
Number of nights : 2
Madurai – Often referred to as the Athens of the East, Madurai is the oldest city in Tamil Nadu, both in history and mythology. Madurai the most famous of the temple towns of the south and is known for the Meenakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to Parvati and her consort Shiva, popular for it’s beautiful edifice and stunning architecture.
Number of nights : 2
Munnar – The picturesque little town of Munnar is located in 59000 acres of sprawling tea estates, and was once the summer resort of the British Government in South India. The name means “three rivers” and is derived from its location at the confluence of three mountain streams.
Number of nights : 2
Backwaters – One of the most memorable experiences for any traveler is the opportunity to cruise along the backwaters of Kerala. This breathtaking labyrinth of shimmering waterways, composed of lakes and canals, lined with dense vegetation, preserves the rural Keralan lifestyle which is completely cut off from the outside world.
Number of nights : 1
Cochin – Kochi, better known as Cochin, is Kerala’s most cosmopolitan city and also the main trading centre for spices and seafood. Built around a saltwater lagoon of the Arabian Sea, Cochin is a collection of narrow islands and peninsulas. While the mainland boasts of concrete shopping malls and fancy apartment buildings, the Fort area has an old world charm with its blend of Dutch, Portuguese and English bungalows and quaint narrow streets.
Number of nights : 2
Bombay – Reveling in its reputation as one of India’s most dynamic and trendy cities, Mumbai has metamorphosed from being a fishing settlement into a sprawling, bustling megalopolis. The “City of Dreams” home to people from all backgrounds and social strata exists in harmony. It is the city that never sleeps, that comes alive at the crack of dawn, the birthplace of Bollywood. A true-blue melting pot
Number of nights : 3
Day wise Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival Chennai
Meals Included: None
On arrival at the International Airport you will be met by a Travel Scope representative and transferred to the Hotel.
Overnight in Chennai.
Day 2 : Chennai
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast this morning drive to Madras Gymkhana Club for a game of Golf.
After Lunch drive along Marina Beach followed by a visit to Kapaleeshwar Temple and St Thomas Cathedral
Marina Beach connecting Fort St George and St Thomas Basilica (almost 5 kms) was built between 1881 and 1886. It has been described as “one of the most beautiful marine promenades in the world”.
Kapaleeshwar Temple-The site of a great Pallava port in the 7th and 8th centuries, Mylapore is today is one of the busiest parts of the city. This traditional quarter with its religious organizations, tiny houses and lively bazaars is dominated by the Kapaleeshwar Temple.
The St Thomas Cathedral is an impressive Gothic style structure built in 1898. It has an ornate interior and magnificent stained-class windows and a towering steeple.
Overnight in Chennai.
Day 3 : Chennai / Pondicherry (100 Km, 3 hours drive)
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast this morning you will commence your drive to Pondicherry. On arrival check into your hotel.Afternoon at your leisure.
Day 4 : Pondicherry
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today explore the former capital of French territories in India.
The town is laid out in a grid pattern with parallel streets cutting across each other at right angles Its main promenade running along the Bay of Bengal, formed part of the French Quarter, with its elegant mansions, tree-lined boulevards, parks, bars and cafes.
Overnight in Pondicherry
After lunch visit Auroville .
Auroville or the “City of Dawn” conceived as a utopian paradise by The Mother, Mirra Alfassa, was planned as a futuristic international city where people from different religions and nations would live together in peace. The meditation centre set in an area of 62 acres reflects the Mother’s spiritual beliefs – the marble chamber has a crystal placed inside it reflecting the sun’s rays.
Day 5 : Pondicherry / Tanjore (180 Kms, 4 hours drive)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today morning depart 0800 AM to Chidambaram 70 kms / 1 Hour 45 Min
0945 : Arrive Chidambaram. This place is very Sacred, It is believed Lord Shiva has performed his cosmic dance in a traditional Temple Town where history merges with mythology. The focal point of the town is the awe inspiring Nataraja Temple build in the 09th century to honour their patron deity Shiva as Nataraja. The Lord of Dance. The Temple has 04 Gopurams and one of them features detailed sculptures of the 108 hand and feet movement of the classical Bharata Natyam Temple Dance
Visit Darasuram Airaveteshwara Temple – Unesco World Heritage Monument. Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built by the Chola King in the 12th Century
Overnight in Tanjore
Day 6 : Tanjore / Karaikudi (3 Hours Drive)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we proceed to see Brihadeshwara Temple and the museum. This monumental granite temple, the finest example of Chola architecture is now a UNESCO World Heritage site
The Archeological Museum located in the Temple courtyard displays, among other things, photographs of the temple before restoration.
Continue drive to Karakudi. On arrival check into your hotel. This evening will be at your leisure.
Overnight in Karakudi.
Day 7 : Karaikudi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore chettiar Mansions on own. The whole day drive around this area in Villages such as Kotayur, kandanur,Pallathur to see bautifull old Chettiars Mansions and have lunch at the Saratas Villa an old mansion restored into a nice hotel by 2 french architects in kanadukathan, where there is also the Raja Palace. Overnight in Karaikudi.
Day 8 : Karaikudi / Madurai (2 hours drive)
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning drive to Madurai. On arrival check into your hotel.
This evening visit the Meenakshi Temple to witness the closing ceremony, where the idols of Sundareshwar (Lord Shiva) and his consort Meenakshi (Parvati), are taken in a procession and confined to the bedchamber.
Overnight in Madurai
Day 9 : Madurai / munnar (3 hours drive)
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a leisurely breakfast drive to Munnar. On arrival check into your hotel.
Thereafter begin your exploration of Munnar with a visit to Eraivikulam National Park to see the endangered Nilgiri Tahr (stocky goats). Visit of Tea Museum (closed on Mondays).
This will be followed by a drive through winding roads of tea and spice plantations. En route stop at different locations so as to visit day-to-day activities in Tea Plantations, interact with workers and villagers and to take pictures of the beautiful and peaceful hills.
Overnight in Munnar.
Day 10 : Munnar
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast this morning drive to the High Range Club for a game of Golf.
Remainder of the day will be at your leisure.
Overnight in Munnar.
Day 11 : Munnar / Alleypey (220 Km, 6 hours drive)
Meals Included: Breakfast,dinner
After early breakfast this morning, you will transfer from Munnar to Alleppey through the scenic roads.
Commence your journey to explore the backwaters of Kerala on board your private houseboat at the Pallaturuthy boat jetty. Spend the day exploring the tranquil backwaters.
This bewildering labyrinth of shimmering waterways, composed of lakes, canals, lined with dense vegetation preserves rural Keralan lifestyle that is completely cut off from the outside world. While on the cruise you will get to witness the real culture and lifestyle of Kerala countryside. Stops include a short walk to see the Karumadi Kuttan Statue – a half cut statue of Buddha, which is installed into a small chorten like structure.
While on the cruise you will get to witness the real culture and life style of Kerala countryside.
Lunch and dinner will be on board.
Overnight on board.
Day 12 : Alleypey / Cochin (60 Km, 1.5 hour drive)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After lunch you will return to the Pallaturuthy boat jetty and transfer through the scenic back roads to Cochin. On arrival check-Into your accommodations.
Later this afternoon you will proceed on a sunset cruise of Cochin Harbor.
Overnight in Cochin
Day 13 : Explore Cochin
Meals Included: Breakfast
Morning Play Golf at CIAL Golf in Cochin 7430 yards with 18 holes.
After Lunch begins with a short walk through the Chinese fishing nets, and a visit to St. Francis Church – the first European Church built in India.
You will then continue by car to the 16th Century Mattancherry Palace. Walk through the antique market to the Paradesi Synagogue – the oldest synagogue in India. (Closed on Friday and Saturday)
Overnight in Cochin
Day 14 : Cochin / Bombay (Flight)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to Cochin Airport to board flight for Mumbai.
On arrival at the Mumbai Airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to the Hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Mumbai.
Day 15 : Bombay
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast. Play golf at Bombay Presidency Club which has 18-hole 70 par and 6148 yards long course.
Free for Lunch.
In the afternoon visit of Mumbai Markets – This experience will take you through the sprawling and colorful markets of Mumbai. The journey starts at the historic Crawford Market, then onto the market stalls around Membadevi Temple, Zaveri Bazaar (Jewelers market) followed by the antique market of Chor Bazaar (Thieves market).
Overnight in Mumbai
Day 16 : Bombay
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast you will be transferred with assistance to the airport to board your onward flight.
End of Services
