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Day 01 : MADRAS / MAMALLAPURAM (80 kms) : Arrive
Madras. Transfer to Mamallapuram. Check into beach resort. Post lunch tour of the
7th century Pallava cave temples and monoliths, stone temples and sculptured rock
panels. Evening at leisure on the beach. Overnight Mamallapuram.
Day 03 : MAMALLAPURAM / KANCHIPURAM / MADRAS
(2 hrs) : Morning drive to Kanchipuram, the erstwhile capital of the
Pallavas and Cholas, visit its numerous temples dedicated to various Gods and Goddesses.
It is also home to the weavers of the famed Kanchipuram silks. Arrive Madras in
the afternoon. Check into hotel. Evening tour of Fort St.George, St. Mary's church,
the oldest Anglican church east of the Suez and the Basilica of St. Thomas, believed
to have been built by St.Thomas, the apostle. Also visit the Snake Park and the
Parathasarthy temple. Visit the interesting Madras crafts center - Dakshina Chitra.
Overnight Madras.
Day 03 : MADRAS / MADURAI : Morning flight
to Madurai. Transfer to hotel. Later proceed on city tour visiting the temples which
are a city within a city built in the Dravidian style, one for Shiva and other for
spouse Meenakshi. Also visit Teppa Kulu, a tank with an island temple. Overnight
Madurai.
Day 04 : MADURAI / PERIYAR (4 hrs): Proceed
by road to Periyar. Check into Spice Village set in the heart of the cardamom hills
of Kerala. The village lies just outside Periyar Tiger Reserve and a stay here is
a perfect way to appreciate the environment. This is a place for anyone who loves
nature to fill your lung with fresh air, to savour the rich fragrance of cinnamon
and cloves or to watch young elephants at the water's edge. Day at leisure to visit
nearby coffee plantations, spice gardens with pepper vines or a trek deep into the
tropical forest. Overnight Spice Village.
Day 05 : PERIYAR : Tour of Periyar wildlife sanctuary by boat or
elephant to view a rich variety of wildlife- tiger, elephant, wild boar, deer and
monkeys. Overnight Spice Village.
Day 06 : PERIYAR / COCHIN (3hrs) : Drive to Cochin.
Check into hotel. Evening sunset cruise to view Chinese fishing nets and the Bolghaty
island palace. Later view traditional Kathakali classical dance. Overnight Cochin.
Day 07 : COCHIN / KUMARAKOM (3 hrs) : Morning
city tour visiting the Dutch Mattancherry palace, and the Jewish synagogue. Later
drive to Kumarakom. Check into cottages of the
heritage Coconut Lagoon Resort situated
in the backwaters. Overnight Coconut Lagoon & day free to explore the backwaters
and the lake by quiet motor-boats and canoes through water channel or visit the
bird sanctuary on the opposite bank or just relax and enjoy "Pizhichic", a particularly
energising Ayurvedic oil massage.
Day 09 : KUMARAKOM / ALLEPPEY / KOVALAM:
Drive to Alleppey, also Known as the "Venice of the east" for a three hour backwater
cruise upto Kottayam. It gives a uniquely quaint view of the unspoiled village life
of Kerala, past lush green paddy fields, coconut and banana groves. From Kottayam
drive to Kovalam (2 hrs). Check into your beach resort.Overnight Kovalam.
Day 10 : KOVALAM: Full day at leisure to enjoy water sports etc.
Overnight Kovalam.
Day 11 : KOVALAM: Full day at leisure at the beach for independent
activities. Overnight Kovalam.
Day 12 : KOVALAM / TRIVANDRUM : Transfer to Trivandrum
to board flight to Delhi / Bombay.
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