Day 01: Arrival Chennai
On your early morning arrival at Cochin airport you will be transferred to hotel.
Tradition and Historic temples town Chennai is endowed with the second longest beach in the world-the Marina Beach. The fourth largest city in the country, Chennai is a mix historic monuments and new high-rise buildings. A lush, green city famed for its temples and silk, music and dance, Chennai gives a sense of serenity and spaciousness, enhanced by one of the world’s largest and most beautiful beaches. Chennai also offers rejuvenating South India Ayurveda Tour- a perfect tour to relax and rejuvenate your senses.
Morning we take half day city tour of Chennai.
Proceed to Fort St. George containing the oldest Anglican Church in India, St. Mary’s Church, one of its benefactors being Elihu Yale, the English merchant after whom the University in Boston is named. The Fort Museum contains a fine collection of relics of that era. Drive along the Marina Beach past the Madras University, the Senate House and the Palace of the Nawabs of the Carnatic, to the San Thome Cathedral where the apostle is buried. Visit the ancients Kapaleeshwar Temple dedicated to Shiva, having a beautifully sculptured “Gopuram” (temple-tower) typical of South Indian temple architecture.
Day 02: In Chennai
Full day you will be on excursion to Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram.
Kanchipuram the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. Ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 temples that still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built in the 7th & 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanath, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its Silks.
Visiting sculptural marvels, in this ancient seaside town, shrines and huge sculptures cut-out of rocks more than 1200 years back during the reign of Pallava Kings in the region can be seen. The rock carvings depicting mythological episodes - of demons, Gods and animals in battle and others - are truly poems in stone.
Continue drive to Mamallapuram and on arrival check-in at the hotel.
Mahabalipuram - The little seaside town 7th century town is famous for its rock-hewn temples, sculptures and the world’s largest stone bas-relief. Mamallapuram is a sculptors’ delight and among the noteworthy sites in the vicinity of the town are Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna Mandapam, Varaha Mandapam, Nahishasurmardhini Caves, Five Rathas and Shore Temples.
Morning proceed for half day visit to Shore Temple.
The only shore temple that remains here is the spectacular two - spired shrine, unique because it houses both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in its sanctum sanctorum. Also visit the Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna Mandapam, Varaha Mandapam.
Later return to Chennai for overnight stay.
Day 03: Chennai - Madurai
Morning transfer to the airport in time for morning flight to Madurai and on arrival met and transfer to hotel.
The ancient city of Madurai, some 2600 years old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in the center. Madurai, once the seat of Tamil learning and still the place where the Tamil language is spoken in its purest form, is planned in the shape of a lotus. Modern Madurai is a burgeoning industrial center, even though the vast stretches of lush paddy fields, dusty roads and crowded bazaars make it seems almost like an overgrown village. Neon signs above shops selling designer wears with international labels light up the spires of the nearby century-old temples.
Full day temple visit to Madurai
Visiting famous Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the Consort of Lord Shiva, with its ten towering gopurams (temple towers) rising above the surroundings courtyards and the countryside of lush green fields of rice and coconut palms. See the “Hall of a Thousand Pillars”, built in 1560, a great work of structural engineering and art, with each pillar a picture book in stone depicting the whole range of human expression. Later visit the Tirumalai Nayak Palace --- a gracious building in the Indo-Saracenic style famous for the stuccowork on its domes and arches, also visit to King Tirumalai Nayak Palace, Great tank and Gandhi museum.
Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 04: Madurai - Periyar
In the morning drive to Periyar and upon arrival, check in at the hotel.
Afternoon proceed for city sightseeing by boat over Lake Periyar to view the wild life.
Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 05: Periyar - Kumarakom
Morning drive to boat landing point from where the hotel's courtesy boat will take passengers to Kumarakom. Rest of the day you will be free at leisure.
Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 06: Kumarakom – Cochin
Morning proceed for Cochin by surface and on arrival check-in into the hotel for overnight stay.
One of the finest natural harbors on the Arabian Sea coast, Kochi, earlier known as Cochin, has been a port of all for foreign traders from early times. The city of peninsulas and islands, today it is Kerala’s commercial hub .Chinese Fishing Nets at the entrance of Cochin harbor are a fascinating sight. Bolgatty Island houses Bolgatty Island built by the Dutch in 1774, which is former residence of the British Resident of Kochi. The Portuguese led by Vasco Da Gama arrived in 1502 and later the Dutch and the British. And descendants of the Jews who arrived in ancient days still live here.
Morning take half day tour Cochin.
Visiting Fort Cochin, proceed on a sight seeing tour to attractions such as the Dutch Palace,
Chinese Fishing Nets named after the country of their origin. Jewish Synagogue, in Mattancherry was built in 1568 and rebuilt in 1664 with Chinese willow-patterned tiles and gold crowns and has ancient scrolls, Mattancherry Palace, See St. Francis Church, the first European Church in India, where Vasco Da Gama was buried until his remains were taken back to Portugal, and Fort Cochin. Visit the Dutch Palace built by the Portuguese in 1510 and later taken over by the Dutch.
A boat cruise in the backwaters takes you in the midst of a lush green setting of shady lagoons, wooded islands and canals.
Relax in the afternoon and spend time at leisure.
Stay overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Cochin – Goa
Morning as per scheduled time you will be transferred to airport to board flight for Goa and on arrival transfer to hotel.
Rest of the day you will be free to explore local animated market.
The azure seas of the Goa yield a variety of the fresh, tasty seafood and fish. the cultural and historical heritage of Goa, demonstrates a symbiotic relationship between East and the West. The churches, temples and mosques in Goa set an example of religious harmony and secularism before other states in India. Goa remained under Portuguese command for about 450 years. In 1961, Goa became a union territory along with Daman and Diu in India. In 1987, Goa became the 25th state of India. And now it is immensely popular tourist destination.
Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 08: In Goa
Morning depart for the full day city tour of Goa
Visiting Se Cathedral, St. Catherine’s Church and Church of St. Francis Xavier In the former lies the uncorrupted body of St. Francis Xavier in a silver casket and the latter houses 14 magnificent altars and five bells of which one is the famous golden Bell, and famous Basilica of Bom Jesus and The tour continues with a drive to Dona Paula beach, later drive past Miramar Beach.
Later pick up and Return to your hotel.
Day 09: In Goa
Full day you are free for independent activities.
Laze on the beach, go for a swim, explore the shops for cashew nuts, buy holiday wear or take an optional tour visiting “Goa of the past” mockup village which portrays Goa what it was 100 years ago.
Day 10: Goa - Bombay
Morning you will be free at leisure.
Later as per scheduled you will be transferred to the airport to board flight to Mumbai. After reaching the airport of Mumbai take the connecting flight to your onward destination.
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