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The Splendid Spa !!
Day 01 Chennai
Arrive at Chennai. You will be greeted on arrival at the Airport. Our representative will help you with your transfer to your hotel where you can relax. All the neighboring areas were merged into the city now known as Madras or as Chennai as it is officially known. Until Independence, Madras was the capital of what in British times was called the Madras Presidency, comprising nearly the whole of South India, including the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada speaking areas. Check in at hotel and stay overnight. Day 02 Chennai
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the resort. Proceed for city tour of Chennai in the morning after breakfast visiting Santhome Cathedral, Fort St. George, and Kapaleeswarar Temple. Santhome Cathedral. Built by Portuguese in the 14th and 15th century, this Cathedral is named after St. Thomas. Historically important, it is one of the pilgrimages for the Christian community. Fort St. George, one the first few bastions built by the east India company, marks the beginning of Chennai as a modern city. It occupies a place of pride and prominence in Chennai. This bastion achieved its name from St. George, the patron saint of England. The state legislature and the secretariat are located in Fort St. George. It houses the St. Mary's church the oldest Anglican Church in India which was built in 1680 and the tombstones in its The Fort Museum, once a building that housed Chennai's first lighthouse, first commercial bank and first 'club', is now a well-kept repository of tangible memories of early Madras. Kapaleeswarar Temple Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kapaleeswarar temple has inscriptions from the 13th century A.D. The temple 'Gopuram' (tower) is in the characteristic Dravidian style of architecture. The walls and pillars of temple have very delicate and intricate carvings which depict the scenes from Hindu mythology. Return back to the hotel and overnight at Chennai. Day 03 Chennai - Trichy
By Road Have a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel and later proceed for Trichy. Trichy: Tiruchirappalli, situated on the banks of the river Cauvery is the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu. It was a citadel of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas. Trichy is a fine blend of tradition and modernity built around the Rock Fort. Apart from the Fort, there are several Churches, Colleges and Missions dating back to the 1760s. The town and its fort, now in Trichy were built by the Nayaks of Madurai. This city has given great Tamil scholars whose contributions to the Tamil literature have been very significant. The most famous land mark of this bustling town is the Rock fort Temple, a spectacular monument perched on a massive rocky out crop which rises abruptly from the plain to tower over the old city. Rock Fort: The 83m high Rock Fort is the only outcrop in the otherwise flat land of the city. The rock is one of the oldest in the world-approximately 3.800 million years, which makes it as old as the rocks of Greenland and older than the Himalayas. The sheer abruptness of its rise is a thrill in itself, but the actual centre of attraction is not the fort itself, of which very little remains, but the temple at the summit. 344 steps hewn out of rock lead to the top where there are inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century.B.C. Overnight will be at hotel. Day 04 Trichy - Tanjore
By Road Enjoy leisurely breakfast at the hotel and later proceed for the tour of Srirangam. Srirangam: The district's most important pilgrim centre is located in an island just 7 kms from Tiruchi. Srirangam, surrounded by the waters of river Cauveri on one side and its tributary kollidam on the other, is a 600 acre island-town enclosed within the seven walls of the gigantic Sriranganathaswami Temple.Most of it dates from the 14th to 17th centuries, and many people have had a hand in its construction, including the Cheras, Pandyas, Cholas, Hoysalas and rulers from Vijayanagar. The largest gopuram in the first wall on the southern side was completed as recently as 1987, and now measures 73m. The main temple is dedicated to Vishnu. Later drive for Tanjore. Arrive at Tanjore and check in at the hotel Day 05 Tanjore
Enjoy leisurely breakfast at the hotel and later proceed for the sightseeing tour of The Palace,Saraswathi Mahal Library,The Art Gallery and the Saraboji Palace. The Palace: The Palace of Tanjore also makes an important tourist destination. The royal Palace near the massive Brihadeshwara temple is characterized by its vast corridors, large halls, shady courtyards and observation and arsenal towers. Built by the Nayak in the mid-16th century, the Palace was completed by the Marathas. The Durbar Hall of the palace still retains the grandeur of the bygone era. The palace also functions as a Royal Museum housing a diverse collection of royal remnants, compilations of the early 19th century, the king’s slippers, head dresses and hunting tools. Saraswathi Mahal library – Located just by the side of the art gallery, the Saraswati Mahal Library has a huge collection of about 30,000 palm leaf and paper manuscripts in Indian and European languages. It also has some Tamil works including treatises on medicine, and commentaries on works from the Sangam period. It was built during 1700 AD. You can visit the nearby museum that houses some interesting exhibits like the entire range of the Ramayana written on palm leaf. Checkout the time and entry fee before you visit the Saraswati Mahal library. The Art Gallery and the Saraboji palace – The Art Gallery is another must see of Tanjore. It has a rich collection of 250 Chola Bronze statues and 150 stone statues dating from the 9th to 12th century. These statues belong to the many groups namely the Bhairava, Umasahita Shiva, Kali and the Rama Lakshmana. You can have a look at all these wonderful collections by paying a nominal entry fee. large and excellent collection of chola bronzes, granite pieces. look for bhairavas, umasahista Siva, kali, somaskandha and the Ramalakshmana group.
Overnight at the hotel Day 06 Tanjore - Madurai
By Road Have a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel and later proceed for Madurai. Madurai: One of South India's great temple towns, Madurai is synonymous with the celebrated Meenakshi Temple. Situated on the banks of river Vaigai, Madurai has a rich cultural heritage passed on from the great Tamil era more than 2500 years old. Madurai was an important cultural and commercial centre even as early as 550 AD. It was the capital city for the great Pandya kings. The main temple is dedicated to Vishnu. Even muslims are said to have prayed here after the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire. Non-Hindus are not allowed into the gold - topped sanctum, but they are allowed into the sixth wall. The whole place is fascinating. Bazaars and Brahmins' houses fill the space between the outer four walls.The Temple occupies an area of six hectares. There are 12 temple towers (Gopurams). The outer towers are the landmarks of Madurai. The enormous temple complex is dedicated to Shiva, known here as Sundareshvara and his consort Parvati or Meenakshi. In the evening visit the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva. Enjoy the EVENING AARTI which could be the highlight of the tour. Return to the hotel and relax. Overnight will be at Madurai Day 07 Madurai
Enjoy leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Today we take you for sightseeing tour of the most wonderful architectural temples of Madurai visiting the Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple, Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, Gandhi Museum, and Thirumalai Nayak Palace. Overnight at the hotel. Day 08 Madurai - Periyar
By Road Start your day with a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel. Later proceed for Periyar (Thekkady). Briefing (Periyar): The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across 777 sq km, of which 360 sq km is thick evergreen forest. The Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Noted for its geomorphology, diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar Lake - an artificial lake, at Thekkady. In addition to elephant rides, cruises on the lake and treks to the ruined Mangala Devi temple - a beautiful old stone temple situated in the heart of the Thekkady forest, this sanctuary offers the unique opportunity to watch and photograph wild elephants at close quarters. Proceed for an evening boat cruise in Periyar Lake. The most enjoyable part of seeing the wildlife is going around the lake in a boat. From the safety of a boat you can witness herds of wild elephants coming down to water and swim. The other prominent fauna to be seen are Tiger, Sambar, Barking deer, Mouse deer, Nilgiri Tahr, Wild Pigs, Wild dogs, Porcupine, Lion-tailed macaque, Malabar Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Sloth Bear, Gaur and Black Langur (Monkey). Tigers and Leopards seldom come to the lakeside by day. On arrival, check in at the hotel and relax. Evening will be at your own leisure. Day 09 Periyar
Enjoy breakfast at the resort. Start your day with experiencing the wild life with a boat ride at Lake Periyar from where you can witness different species of animal and birds. Also see the elephants coming down to the lake in search of water during the morning and evening time. Afternoon visit Spice Plantations like cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. and also visit the famous Spice Market on your way back to the hotel. Spend night at Periyar. Day 10 Periyar - Kumarakom
By Road Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Later proceed for Kumarakom enjoying the beauty of the traditional Kerala houses. You will also pass through rolling tea gardens and rubber plantations. An unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with while lilies - this is Kumarakom. Enjoy a visit to the BIRD PARK. Check into a traditional houseboat of Kerala Style and go on a leisurely backwater cruise along the lake on a thatched houseboat towards Alleppey. The backwaters act as a vital waterway for the transport of goods, people and their produce are often the only link between isolated villages and crowded towns. In Kerala, the total expanse of backwater stretches over 1500 km, with a network of 44 rivers, lagoons and lakes from north to south. Day 11 Alleppey - Kovalam
By Road Enjoy a leisurely break fast on board and cruise through the backwaters watching the children going to school and the village markets opening. Disembark the houseboat at Alleppey. Briefing (Kovalam): Kovalam went through a gradual metamorphosis from an obscure fishing village to a contemporary holiday destination. Though frequented often, the very beautiful Kovalam beach glows in its un-spoilt beauty and offers a relaxing holiday to a tired and wandering soul. Reach and check in at the resort. Day will be free to explore and relax at the beach. Overnight will be in Kovalam.
Day 12 Kovalam
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the resort. Today you can go for an Ayurvedic massage at the resort. Overnight will be in Kovalam Day 13 Kovalam
Have a relaxed morning at the resort and enjoy your breakfast. Rest of the day will be at your own leisure. You can relax and spend time at the beach. Overnight will be at the resort.
Day 14 Kovalam - Cochin
By Road
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Later proceed for Cochin Day 15 Cochin - Back Home
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Later proceed for sightseeing tour of Cochin. Chinese Fishing Nets: Legend has it that the Chinese Fishing Nets were introduced in Fort Kochi by the Chinese explorer, Zheng He. The Chinese Fishing Nets work on the principal of balance. They were brought from the court of Chinese emperor, Kublai Khan and have been in operation here since that time only. The Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi, located in the Kochi city of Kerala, make up a very popular tourist attraction. They are fixed land installations, which are used for a very unique and unusual method of fishing. Operated from the shore, these nets are set up on bamboo and teak poles which work on the principal of balance and held horizontally by huge mechanisms, which lower them into the sea. They look somewhat like hammocks and are counter-weighed by large stones tied to ropes. |
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