South India Family Vacation Tour |
Day 01 Chennai:
Welcome on board at the Chennai airport/railway station meet out tour representative who will escort you to the cab to be driven to the hotel. Chennai the capital and the principal port-city of Tamil Nadu and regarded to be the ‘Gateway to the South’. It is most of the time called as the cultural capital of India for its deep-rooted traditions and heritage. Chennai was earlier called as Madras or Madaraspatanam. The charming features of Chennai are its allegiance to ancient traditions, no matter how modernized it has become at present. Check in hotel and later on move out for the local tour of the city. Visit Fort St. George, the government museum complex, MGR film city, Birla Planetarium, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Marina beach – the second longest beach in the world, Crocodile bank, etc. Later in the evening return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 02 Chennai – Kanchipuram:
Morning after breakfast, drive to the city of thousand temples – Kanchipuram. It is one of the seven most sacred cities of India and is also called as the ‘Varanasi of the South’. The city is a witness to the rise and fall of the Dravidian rulers and their style of architecture. In addition to being a pilgrimage centre, it was also the centre of learning, culture and philosophy. The temple town of Kanchipuram is famous for its temples and its hand woven silk and zari. On reaching Kanchipuram check in hotel and later on move out for the local tour. Visit the Ekambareshvara temple – dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vaikunta Perumal Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple, Devarajaswami Temple, Kailasnatha Temple, etc. Late in the evening return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 03 Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram:
Morning after breakfast, drive to Mahabalipuram also called as Mamallapuram. It was earlier a famous seaport which was found by the Pallavas however is today a fascinating archaeological site. The monuments of Mamallapuram, most of them rock-cut temple belong to the earlier phase of Dravidian temple architecture. There is a shore temple it is one of the oldest that has survived the ravages of time. On reaching Mahabalipuram check in hotel and later on move out for the local tour. Visit the Shore temple, the nine rock-cut cave temples, Crocodile bank, Thirukkalukundram, Tiger Caves – it houses a shrine of goddess Durga, Arjuna’s Penance – one of world’s largest and finest stone bas-relief, etc. Late in the evening return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 04 Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry:
Morning after breakfast, drive to Pondicherry – the charming coastal town with a few enduring pockets of French culture and an ashram. The architecture, cuisine and even the housing reflects the legacy of the French. Pondicherry also has an ancient history record of being home to Agastya Muni. On reaching Pondicherry check in hotel and later on move out for the local tour. Visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Raj Niwas, The Museum, the botanical garden, Auroville, the churches and temples, etc. Late in the evening return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 05 Pondicherry – Chidambaram:
Morning after breakfast, drive to Chidambaram – it is an important pilgrim centre and a holy place for the Shaivites. The city got its name from Chit Ambaram, which means the sky permeated with an atmosphere of intelligence and wisdom. This is one of the Pancha Linga Kshetras depicting Shiva in the Akasha Linga aspect. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Nateshwara or Lord Nataraja. On reaching Chidambaram check in hotel and later on move out for the local tour. Visit the famous Lord Nataraja Temple, Tillai Kaliamman Temple, Annamalai University, Poompuhar, Paavai Manram, Vaideeswaran Kovil dedicated to Lord Shiva, Srimushnam – the famous Vaishnava temple, Seerkazhi – popular temple associated with Gnana Sambandhar, Vadalur, Parangi Pettai – the Port Nova, Poompuhar Beach, etc. Late in the evening return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 06 Chidambaram – Thanjavur:
Morning after breakfast, drive to Thanjavur. It was earlier the capital of the Chola, Nayak and the Maratha rulers. The city got its name as per the dying request of the demon, Thanja who was destroyed by Lord Vishnu. It is also referred as the ‘City of Refuge’ and is also popularly known as the ‘Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu’. The city has reached its zenith becoming the centre of Tamil learning and culture during the Chola rule. There are rare specimens of old art and architecture, inscriptions and paintings created centuries ago. On reaching Thanjavur check in hotel and later on move out for the local tour. Visit the Brihadishwara temple one of the finest contributions by the Chola dynasty, the Palace Building, Saraswati Mahal, Sangitha Mahal, Karundhittangadi Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kuthanur – rare temples of goddess Saraswati, Manora, Poovanoor, Thiruppugalur dedicated to Lord Shiva, etc. Late in the evening return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 07 Thanjavur – Tirchy:
Morning after breakfast, drive to Tirchy - it is the forth largest town of Tamil Nadu. It is situated on the banks of the river Kaveri. The town and the rock fort temple were built by the Nayaks of Madurai. The rock fort temple looms at a spectacular height of 83 mts. on a massive rocky outcrop. This rock claims to be oldest in the world and is regarded to be older than the Himalayas. The Uchipillaiyar temple is the rock fort temple dedicated to Lord Ganesh is the main attractions here. On reaching Tirchy check in hotel and later on move out for the local tour. Visit the Rock Fort, St. John’s Church, Vayalur, Sri Ranganathaswamy temple, Jambukeshwara temple, Thiru Erumbur – a famous where Lord Shiva is worshipped, etc. Later on return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 08 Tirchy – Madurai:
Morning after breakfast, drive to Madurai, one of the ancient most cities of India. It is one of south India’s oldest cities and has been a centre of learning and pilgrimage for centuries. The city is said to be blessed by Mauram (nectar) from Lord Shiva’s lock. Sri Meenakshi Amman located at the heart of the city is the famous tourist attractions here. It is the best example for the Dravidian style of architecture. The gopurams are covered with beautiful profusion of multicolored images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical figures. Madurai is popularly known as the ‘Temple Town of South India’. On reaching Madurai check in hotel and later on move out for the local tour. Visit the Meenakshi Amman Temple, Tirumalai Nayak Mahal, Mariamman Teppakulam tank, the government museum, etc. Late in the evening return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 09 Madurai – Kanyakumari:
Morning after breakfast, drive to Kanyakumari. The place got its name from the Virgin Deity. It is a place where the three great seas, the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, leave an indelible impression. Thousands of visitors assemble on the tip of the sea shore to get the view of the sunset. Particularly on the Full moon day sunset and moon rise can be seen simultaneously. It is one of the best views of nature. The city is also famous for the temple Parashakti popularly known as Kanya Kumari Amman. On reaching Kanyakumari check in hotel and later on move out for the local tour. Visit the Kumari Amman Temple, Konerishwarar Temple – it is about thousand years old and is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Gandhi Memorial, Vivekananda Memorial, Tiruvalluvar Statue – a huge statue of Tamil Savant Poet has been instatlled on the minor rock adjacent to Vivekananda Memorial, St. Mary’s Church, Guganathaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Muttam, etc. Later on return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 10 Kanyakumari – Trivanduram – Kovalam:
Morning after breakfast, drive to Kovalam via Trivanduram. It is the capital city of Kerala. The city got its name from Tiru Anantha Puram, which means the city of Anantha, referring to Vishnu as Padmanabhaswamy. It is a beautiful sea-side city built on seven hills. Visit Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kavadiar Palace, Government Museum, Chacha Nehru Children’s Museum, Zoological Garden, Veli Tourist Village, Thiruvallam – a temple dedicated to Lord Parasurama, etc. Later on proceed towards Kovalam. It was ones the fishing village and now the paradise for beach lovers on arrival check in beach resort rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy water spots or you can take an Ayurvedic massage and Sun bath and over night stay at resort.
Day 11 Kovalam:
Morning after breakfast, drive out for the local tour of Kovalam. Visit the Kovalam beach. Kovalam has 4 main beaches namely Ashok Beach, Samudra beach, Eve’s beach, Light house beach all within short walking distance from each other provide visitors with their fill of sun, sea and sand. This is the reason Kovalam has become an international tourist destination for beach lovers in India next to Goa. Get involved in the adventure sports like swimming, skiing, sun bathing and so on. Late in the evening return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 12 Kovalam – Alleppey:
Morning after breakfast, drive to Alleppey – it is another important backwater destination of Kerala and also called as rice bowl of Kerala. Alleppey is also called as Alappuzha and is famous for boat race. On reaching Alleppey check in houseboat to experience an unimaginable and unforgettable experience of Kerala Backwater’s which is called as Jewel’s of Kerala .Yes you are right to day you will be boarding a House boat for 24 hrs backwater cruise first let me explain the special feature’s of a House boat .House Boat was called as Kettuvallam long back this boats were used to transport rice and Coir around the backwaters now this has become the main attraction of Kerala each houseboat is of excellent construction and luxurious furnishing with exquisite flooring, hull and valavara (canopy). They are in top cruise worthy condition. With a sun deck, spacious living/dining area. with attached toilets. Houseboat is usually manned by a crew, comprising a cook, a guide and oarsman. While aboard you can avail similar facilities offered in a star hotel. All meals will be served inside the house boat dinning hall by afternoon 12.00pm board the house boat for a backwater cruise covering Alleppey and Kumarakom backwaters and over night stay at house boat.
Day 13 Alleppey – Thekkedy:
Morning by 9.00am house boat at Alleppey and board the cab to drive to Thekkedy. It is also known as Periyar, it is 190kms from Cochin. Thekkedy is noted for its wildlife and scenic beauty. The Main attractions of Thekkedy is “Periyar wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve” it is India’s most successful wildlife protection project covering an area of nearly 800 sq km. On arrival Thekkedy check in resort rest of the day is at leisure evening you can take an Elephant ride around Periyar Lake and over night stay at Thekkedy.
Day 14 Thekkedy:
Morning after breakfast, drive out for the local tour. Visit Mullaiperiyar Dam across the Periyar river .Periyar wild life sanctuary one of the most popular ways to see the sanctuary is to take a boat around Periyar lake . Periyar wild life sanctuary one of the most popular ways to see the sanctuary is to take a boat around Periyar lake .Periyar wild life is also famous for Elephants and over night stay at resort.
Day 15 Thekkedy – Munnar:
Early Morning check out hotel and drive to Munnar heading towards Munnar the road Winds its way through endless tea plantation you can see as though a green carpet is spread over a huge area to welcome you to this beautiful hill station .Munnar is a nature rich place there are enchanting high ranges ,lakes streams and lovely view of low flying clouds and mist filled valleys . Munnar is situated at the confluence of three rivers at a height of 6000 ft .Munnar is the highest town in Kerala and lies at the heart of Tea country .On arrival Munnar you will be checking in resort and rest of the day is at leisure and over night stay at resort.
Day 16 Munnar:
This morning after breakfast at resort move out for an in and around local tour of Munnar .Visit Anaimudi Mountain this is the highest peak of South India. Eravikulam National Park this lies to the north of Munnar on the slopes of Anaimudi .visitors are limited to a small section of the sanctuary near to he entrance to protect the rare flora and fauna of the region .The Main attraction of the park is Nilgiri Tahr one of the rarest Mountain goats in the world . Mattupatty Dam& Lake , Top Station this place lies at the east of Munnar .Mattupatty Dam has created a large lake that extends back to the hills you can hire boats to explore the waters further. On the way back to resort visit View point and Munnar town Were you can buy Tea Powder ,Cardamom etc and over night stay at resort .
Day 17 Munnar – Cochin:
Morning after breakfast, drive to Cochin. It has a magnificent natural harbor almost in the center of the city. Cochin is also called as Kochi it has long been a magnet for traders its architecture shows influences of each Successive arrival from Portuguese to the Dutch to the British the main attraction of Cochin which you will covering in the local tour is Chinese fishing nets, Fort Kochi, St Francis’s Church, Santa Cruz Cathedral, Mattancherri Palace, Willington Island etc and over night stay at the hotel.
Day 18 Cochin:
Morning after breakfast, drive to Cochin airport/railway station to proceed towards your onwards destination.
