South India The Peninsular India is an unlimited experience of rich and vibrant culture and lush topography. The area that dates historically to some of the oldest tribal settlements in the world today boasts of a very grown civilization, a multitude of ancient languages, various classical dances and rhythmic musical recitals, vibrant attires, unforgettable countryside, spell bounding temples, serene romanticism of backwaters, serenity of Cardamom and Nilgiri Hills. No wonder they call it God s Own Country. Monday 4 August 2008 Coimbatore Madurai 0800 Start from Coimbatore, drive towards Madurai (about 225kms/05-06hrs). 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. We check into the hotel. 1400 Lunch at the Hotel 1500 Visit Sri Meenakshi Temple. With its huge gopurams towering over the city, the life of Madurai revolves around the Meenakshi Sundareswar Temple, dedicated to Meenakshi, the lovely consort of Shiva or Sundareswar, as he is known here. Originally built by the Pandya king Kulasekhara in the 13th century, it attained its present splendor only in the hands of the Nayaks, 400 years later. Time Permitting we go and witness the 'light & sound' show at Thirumalai Naykar Palace. 1900 Dinner at the hotel Overnight at Hotel Supreme or similar.
Tuesday 5 August 2008 Madurai Kanyakumari 0700 (after an early breakfast) drive towards Kanyakumari (about 255kms/06-07hrs) Kanyakumari is located at the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent. It was earlier known as Cape Commorin. It is bound on the west by the Arabian Sea, south by the Indian Ocean and east by the Bay of Bengal. The town is named after the goddess Kanyakumari who was worshipped by a legendry sage Parshuram credited to be the founder of the state of Kerala check into the hotel. 1300 Check in followed by Lunch at the hotel. 1430 We visit the Vivekananda Rock, located offshore. We take ferry ride to the rock where Swami Vivekananda meditated 1900 Dinner at the hotel Overnight at Hotel Singaar or similar. Wednesday 6 August 2008 Kanyakumari - Kovalam 0800 Breakfast at the hotel 0900 Drive to Kovalam (about 90kms/03hrs) Enroute visit the Padmanabhapuram Wooden Palace. The Padmanabhapuram Palace, about 60 km from Tiruvananthapuram, was once the home of the Royal family of Travancore.It is one of the biggest palaces in India with intricate carvings and beautiful woodwork.travancore, which was a princely state for over 400 years, included a large part of present-day Kerala and the western part of Tamil Nadu.
Though the palace is now in the State of Tamil Nadu, it was once the traditional home of the royal family of Travancore, so it is maintained by the Government of Kerala. 1300 Arrival and check in followed by Lunch. 1400 Spend time at the Kovalam Beaches 1900 Dinner at the Sagara Beach Resort. Overnight at Sagara Beach Resort or similar. Thursday 7 August 2008 Kovalam Allepey 0700 Breakfast at the hotel. 0830 Drive to Allepey (about 5 hours) Arrive by 1300 hours. Board the Ferries and Cruise along the backwaters of Kerala. Lunch and snacks on the ferry. We return back to the hotel for Dinner. Overnight at Hotel Arcadia or similar. Friday 8 August 2008 Allepey - Thekkady 0700 Early Breakfast at the hotel 0800 Drive to Thekkady (about 190kms/05 hours), Arrive and check into the Hotel Silver Crest by the afternoon.
Lunch at the hotel. 1500 We go for a nature walk in the Periyar National Park. In the evening enjoy a Kathakalli performance at the local Kalari Centre. 1900 Dinner at the hotel Overnight at Hotel Silver Crest or similar. Saturday 9 August 2008 Thekkady 0700 Breakfast at the hotel 0800 We leave to explore the Periyar wildlife sanctuary and go on a ferry boat ride of the manmade Periyar Lake, 1300 Lunch at the hotel 1500 We tour the nearby Spice plantations to know more about the spices of Kerala and also visit a Tea factory nearby to have a close look of tea processing. 1900 Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Hotel Silver Crest or similar.
Sunday 10 August 2008 Thekkady - Kochi 0630 Early Breakfast 0730 We take the scenic drive to Kochi (about 210kms/05-06hrs). Arrive for a late lunch. In the afternoon visit the Hill Palace Museum. Thripunithura Hill palace, the largest archaeological museum in Kerala and the erstwhile official residence of the Kochi Royal Family, was built in 1865. Hill Palace is situated at a distance of about 12kms from Kochi on Ernakulam- Chottanikkara route. The palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style of Kerala and is surrounded by 52 acres of terraced land with ponds, fountains and lawns. We return to the hotel by evening. We have dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Hotel Sealord or similar. Monday 11 August 2008 Kochi 0700 Breakfast at the hotel 0900 Ferry tour of Fort Kochi We start our sightseeing with Mattanchery Palace, built by the Portuguese in 1557 as a gift for the Raja of Kochi in exchange for trading rights; it was largely rebuilt by the new occupants, the Dutch. Further we visit the Jew Town, now a fascinating mixture of shops (some selling antiques), warehouses and spice auction rooms. Later on drive to Fort Kochi beach area to visit St. Francis Church originally dedicated to Santo Antonio, the patron saint of Portugal. St. Francis Church is the first to reflect the new, European influenced
tradition. Vasco da Gama died on the site in 1524 and was originally buried in the cemetery. Fourteen years later his body was moved to Portugal. Our final visit will be to huge Chinese Fishing nets which line the entrance to the harbour mouth. Chinese traders are believed to have originally introduced them in the late 14th century although, today, parts of the nets are known by Portuguese names. 1300 Lunch at the hotel 1500 Visit the Veegaland, one of the finest Amusement and Water Park of Kochi. Overnight at Hotel Sealord or similar. Tuesday 12 August 2008 Guruvayoor 0830 Drive to Guruvayoor (about 5 hrs). 1300 Arrive Guruvayoor and check in. Guruvayoor is among India's most important pilgrimage centers. It is known as the Dwaraka of the South. The SreeKrishna Swamy Temple, which attracts thousands of pilgrims is said to date, prior to the 16th century. Tradition has it that the temple was created by the Guru - the Preceptor of the Devas and Vayu, the Lord of the Winds. The temple is dedicated to Krishna known here as Guruvayurappan or the Lord of Guruvayur, and the idol is said to have been worshipped by Lord Brahma himself at Dwaraka. 1500 Visit Guruvayoor Temple for Darshan and return to hotel. 1900 Dinner at hotel. Overnight at Bhasuri Inn or similar
Wednesday 13 August 2008 Tour Ends 0730 Breakfast at the hotel 0930 Departure to CIRS Cost per person: Rs 11500\- - Cost includes all arrangements for the itinerary except travel arrangements for the whole itinerary.