| Budget Tours:
Asia
>
India
>
Chennai
|
|
Down the Malabar Coast
With
Indus Travels Inc.
Departing from
Chennai
,
India
|
Down the Malabar coast is a 09 Nights / 10 Days programme to give you a combination of Colonial town of Cochin , temples, backwater and nature in South India .The tour starts at Cochin a city built around a cluster of many small Islands which has a European sprit and the architecture has influences of the Portuguese ,Dutch and the English. After a couple of days we move on to Kovalam, a small resort adorned with beautiful beaches with lingering palms. Kovalam is one of the best beach resort in South India. From here you drive to reach the vibrant temple town of Madurai to visit its famous temple and the ever, on going ceremonies, rituals that give you an impression of the religion and beliefs of the people of this country. Leaving the plains we head into the Western Ghats (mountains) to the wild life sanctuary of Periyar. Elephants, Bisons, wild boars, otters and numerous varieties of water birds can be sighted. On the last day we take a scenic route through Tea and Spice Plantations to board the boat for the backwater trip .This tour takes around small lakes and canals along numerous villages hovering the people who live on the water. The tour ends in Cochin.
**DAY 01 - ARR. CHENNAI AND TRANSFER TO MAMALLAPURAM (65KMS / 1.5HRS)**
Upon arrival in Chennai, our Executive will meet you at the Airport followed by transfer from Airport to Hotel.
**DAY 02 - MAMALLAPURAM (05 Hrs)**
Morning sightseeing of Mamallapuram where you visit the Famous world heritage monuments of The Shore Temple (built in 7th century), The Arjuna`s Penance (Bass Relief), Five Rathas (symbolises equality of men & women) and many cave temples. Afternoon visit out skits of Mamallapuram with visit to Crocodile farm (inhabits more than 2000 no`s of crocodiles) & Tiger cave (a rock cut shrine dating from 7th century).
**DAY 03 - MAMALLAPURAM – KUMBAKONAM – TANJORE (240 Km / 8 Hrs)**
Morning transfer to Kumbakonam enroute visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram (famous Shiva temple) with its beautiful high towers full with many small sculptures depicting stories of old epics. Proceed to visit Darasuram temple (built in memory of the White elephant – AIRAVATH from the gods family), the temple has its original name as “Airavatheshwar temple”. You break for lunch at Kumbakonam town and further head to Tanjore and Check-in to hotel.
**DAY 04 - TANJORE – TRICHY – MADURAI (205kms / 7 hrs)**
Morning visit the world famous Brihadeshwar temple (houses one of Asia’s biggest nandi –the bull). The temple built by the cholas is very special for its architecture. The most exiting is that the temple does not have a shadow falling on ground at any time of day but falls on its own body. Then visit the Bronze gallery at palace museum and proceed to Trichy. At trichy you visit the famous Srirangam temple dedicated to god Vishnu. The colorful front tower is added beauty to this temple. You break for lunch in trichy and head to Madurai the oldest city of Tamilnadu state.
**DAY 05 - MADURAI (04hrs)**
Morning leave for Meenakshi temple at Madurai. The temple is dedicated to Goddess parvathi (wife of Shiva) and she at this temple is known as Meenakshi (the limpid fish-shaped yes). The 1000 pillared hall (actually has only 985 pillars) depicts a lot of beautiful sculptures depicting stories from Epics like Mahabaratha / Ramayana etc. Then visit the Palace of King Thirumalai Nayak built in 1636 (indo saracenic). The most imposing remnant is a huge Audience hall opening in to a courtyard with elaborately ornamented arches. Return to Hotel and free afternoon for own activities. Evening visit to Meenakshi temple for the night ceremony where God Shiva (Meenakshi`s husband) is taken in a palanquin to the bedroom of Meenashy. This is a daily procession and next day early morning before sunrise God Shiva is brought back to his shrine with in the temple complex. God shiva here is known as Sundareshwar. The temple has its full name as
“ Meenakshy Sundareshwar “ temple.
**DAY 06 - MADURAI – PERIYAR/THEKKADY (170 Km / 04 Hrs)**
Morning after breakfast, you drive to Periyar (also known as Thekkady). The name periyar comes after the Dam made here by the English in 1895. A wild life reserve hence is an ideal place to track down wild life such as Elephants, Bison, Deer and numerous other varieties of birds. The landscape here is with very tropical and you will be surrounded by tea, coffee & other spices. A small walk in to the forest early morning & the boat ride in the evening through the lake in to the wild life sanctuary are very interesting. Plantation tour at this is an added attraction.
**DAY 07 PERIYAR – ALLEPPEY (BACKWATERS) 145 Km / 07 Hrs**
Checking out of Hotel you drive down hill through the beautiful landscape of tea gardens to reach the land of backwaters Alleppey. This belt between Kottayam and Alleppey is criss-crossed by canals and beautiful palms. Canoes with huge sails still transport people and you can find vegetable sellers, fisherman and other household materials being brought door to door by small wooden boats. This whole area is surrounded with coconut palms and, lush green Rice fields. The major cropping here is of coconut and it is said that the name for this place KERALA was from the old name of coconut as KERA. This trip enables you to learn/ know more on life of people who are dependent on backwaters.
**DAY 08 DEPARTURE TRANSFER TO COCHIN (65KMS – 1.5HRS)**
Check-out from Hotel according to flight timing and drive along the beautiful roads with both sides full of coconut palms to reach the International Airport at cochin to connect flight back home (OUR SERVICES END HERE).
Not Included: OPTION 1: Budget Category Hotels: Per person package price: USD 289Single room supplement: USD 59OPTION 2: Deluxe Category Hotels:Per person package price: USD 439Single room supplement: USD 189Accommodation is provided on twin sharing & room only basis.
|
| Tour Details |
| About
Indus Travels Inc.
|
| FAQ's For
Indus Travels Inc.
|
| Ask A Question |
| Tour Advice |
| Tour Category:
Bus Tours
|
| Fitness Required: Low |
| You should bring: | | Optional Inclusions- Excursion to Kancheepuram from Mamallapuram (70 kms): Renowned for its famous temples, beautifulSculptures and pillar halls. - A visit to the tea factory (15kms) at Periyar is worth visiting and charges are very minimal. |
| |
| Company :
Indus Travels Inc.
|
| Days: 9 |
| Departs :
Chennai
|
|
Cheap Accommodation
|
|
|
|
|
| Budget Tours:
Asia
>
India
>
Chennai
|