TAMILNADU TO KERALA HIGHLIGHTS TOUR
Overview
Tamilnadu to Kerala Highlights Tour Package Itinerary : – Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Kanchipuram – Tiruvannamalai – Pondicherry – Chidambaram – Thanjavur – Trichy – Madurai – Munnar – Thrissur – Cheruthuruthy – Thrissur – Thattekkad – Cochin – Alleppey – Cochin
Experience “Jewel of South India“- Dravidian architecture to backwaters of Kerala. Take time to explore beauty and romance of the windswept SHORE TEMPLE, a World Heritage Site in Mahabalipuram. Visit Spiritual India – KANCHIPURAM, one of the seven sacred cities of India- with 124 remain temples.,also famous for its silks. Visit the charming town of French colonial influences- Pondicherry. Marvel of the construction Heritage-listed Brihadiswara Temple with its massive 80tons dome carved with single piece of granite, a superb example of 12th century Chola architecture. Visiting the most famous landmark Sri Meenakshi Temple -an example of Dravidian architecture . Some of the highlights of tour visiting CITY OF BACKWATERS – Kerala. Day begins with amongst green rolling hills of tea plantations, cardamon estates and reservoirs and visit of Tea Museum . Enjoy panoramic view Eravikulam N. Park- home to a Nilgiri Thar, to sunrise – sunset along the Thattekkad Sanctuary are spectacular views. Explore the canals, lagoons, and waterways of Kerala backwaters to observe traditional life on the water. This is Southern Highlights of Ancient India.
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01
ARRIVE CHENNAI- MAHABALIPURAM
On arrival in Chennai, the fourth largest city of India, Transfer to Mahabalipuram. - a coastal town located on hour drive from Chennai. On arrival check in hotel. Mahabalipuram- birth place of 5th century Vaishnav saint Bhuttattalavar, and famous highlights Shore Temple. Noon visit Crocodile breeding farm that was set to augment the Crocodile population of India’s wildlife sanctuaries. Evening visit beach of THE SHORE TEMPLE, stay for sunset. Overnight at hotel.
02
MAHABALIPURAM
Morning after breakfast visit famous highlights of Mahabalipuram THE SHORE TEMPLE, which is now a World Heritage Monument. Continue to visit FIVE RATHAS: Panch Rathas are rock cut monolith temples structures dedicated to Draupadi and 5 Pandeva’s from the epic Mahabharata. Evening free at beach of Shore temple. Overnight at hotel.
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MAHABALIPURAM – KANCHIPURAM – TIRUVANNAMALAI
Morning after breakfast drive to KANCHIPURAM, one of the seven sacred cities of India- this TEMPLE CITY originally boasted1000 temples of which 124 remain. Kanchipuram is also famous for its skills. It was capital of Chola and Pallava Kingdom. Visit magnificent temple of KAILASHNATHA TEMPLE, from Pallava times. The great Shiva Temple EKAMBARANATHAN, of Pallavas dynasty to appreciate these ancient architectural wonders. LUNCH at local Restaurant. After Lunch visit Vishnu temple of VARADARAJA, 16th century known for its workmanship and scared mango tree of 2000 years old. Post lunch drive to TIRUVANNAMALAI is home to the renewed Annamalaiyar Temple Overnight at hotel.
04
TIRUVANNAMALAI - PONDICHERRY
Morning after breakfast visit Sri SESHADRI SWAMIGAL ASHRAM & VIRUPAKSHA CAVES – It gives of view one of the majestic temples of India. Post visit we leave for Pondicherry was formerly a French colony settled early in the 18th century that still retains some charming and colourful examples of French colonial architecture. On arrival check in hotel. Evening at leisure to move around town of Pondicherry.
05
PONDICHERRY
Today morning our sightseeing tour takes in the Sri Aurobindo Ashram that teaches a synthesis of yoga and modern science, and Pondicherry Museum. Walk road to Auroville, an experimental township where people from all countries, races, castes, creeds and political ideologies can live together in peace and progressive harmony. Evening can make historic walk by the seaside to watch streets with French names. Overnight at hotel.
06
PONDICHERRY – CHIDAMBRAM – THANJAVUR
After breakfast we drive to Thanjavur (Tanjore). Along the way we visit Gangakondacholapuram, a temple dedicated to the SHIVA. We continue our drive to Dharasuram to visit the Airatesvara Temple, a superb example of 12th century Chola architecture. On arrival at Thanjavur we visit the World Heritage Monument ‘The Brihadishwara Temple”,built In 1000 AD b Chola King. Visit Thanjavur Palace and the Art Gallery – paintings of Thanjauvr from Maratha rulers still survive in town. Evening free, overnight at hotel.
07
THANJAVUR – TRICHY - MADURAI
Today after breakfast we drive to Trichy also known as “TRICHIRAPALLI”. Trichy is situated on the banks of river Caveri in the central Tamilnadu. The most famous landmark of this Bustling town is Rock Fort Temple on the hill, over 1300 years old. Continue drive to Madurai a centre of learning and pilgrimage for 2500 years. On arrival check in to hotel. After lunch visit the Sri Meenakshi Temple, an example of Dravidian architecture with multi coloured demons and deities. After wards we can visit Tirumalai Nayak Palace. Evening free for shopping. Overnight at hotel.
08
MADURAI – MUNNAR
This morning we drive to Munnar, one of the most popular hill stations in South India. Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams. On arrival check in at hotel. After lunch walk through a cardamom plantation, followed by a visit to cardamom curing centre. Evening stay for sunset with spectacular view of breath taking scenery of hillsides, Overnight at hotel.
09
MUNNAR
Day will begin after breakfast drive amongst green rolling hills of tea plantations, cardamon estates and reservoirs and visit of Tea Museum. Later we enjoy panoramic views from Eravikulam National Park which is home to the Nilgiri Thar-an endangered mountain goat. Lunch at local restaurant or picnic with our packed lunch (according to weather will decide). Late noon back to hotel, drive through panoramic views over forests to the lofty peaks of Munnar hills. Overnight at hotel.
010
MUNNAR – THRISSUR - CHERUTHURUTHY
Morning after breakfast leave for Thrissur which is 3.5 hrs drive to reach Thrissur. Lunch on arrival, after late noon visit famous VADAKKUMNATHAN TEMPLE, one of the oldest temples in the state, which is a classic example of Kerala style of architecture. Evening visit Guruvayoor – Krishna Temple and its beach. Evening back to hotel, just stop at Porters village before heading to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
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THRISSUR – THATTEKKAD Bird Sanctuary
Morning after Breakfast visit the School of KERALA KALAMANDALAM, renowned the world for its KATHAKALI TRAINING CENTER. The music and dance academy were found by famous poet Vai Athoi Narayanana Menon. Noon after lunch leave for THATTEKKAD BIRD SANCTUARY by 1600 hrs will be in Sanctuary. After quick check in visit bird sanctuary viewing sunset from Periyar River. Thattekkad Sanctuary is the richest bird habitat in semi evergreen forests with more than 250 Bird Species. Take time to experience nature around you. Overnight at Birds Lagoon Resort
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THATTEKKAD - COCHIN
Skim the early morning mists on the Periyar river to view the dawn activities of Birds. Back to resort for breakfast. After breakfast drive to Cochin. Check in on arrival and lunch. Walk down in old Street of Cochin. Evening we attend a performance of the Kathakali Dance – a dramatic 400-year-old Keralan art that depicts sequences from Indian religious epics. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.
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COCHIN
This morning after having breakfast we make half day tour of KOCHI, where we visit the Pardesi Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace, St. Francis Church and Santa Cruz Basilica. Evening At leisure, take time to experience some of the local life, people, culture, street food. Dinner -Overnight at hotel.
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COCHIN - ALLEPPEY. (HOUSEBOAT)
Morning after breakfast we proceed to Alleppey, where we board a houseboat on pleasant Vembanand Lake Houseboats are converted kettuvallams or rice barges. We cruise silently through a network of lakes, lagoons and canals, past paddy fields and coconut palms to glimpse rural life on the backwaters. Overnight on full board on the houseboat.
015
ALLEPPEY – COCHIN AIRPORT
Morning after breakfast drop at Alleppey Jetty. Drive to Cochin free for shopping. After wards transfer to airport to board your onward journey flight. TOUR END.