Kerala Cultural Tour
Duration: 09 Nights / 10 Days
Places Covered: Chennai - Madurai - Periyar - Kumarakom - Cochin
- Goa - Mumbai
Day
01: Arrival Chennai
Meeting with our representative for assistance at the airport and transfer
to the hotel. Afternoon, sightseeing tour of Chennai city. Overnight at
the hotel.
Day 02: Chennai
Full day excursion to Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram. Overnight at the
hotel.
Day 03: Chennai - Madurai
Morning transfer to the airport in time for morning flight to Madurai.
Meeting and assistance at the airport. Sightseeing tour of Madurai. In
the evening visit the Meenakshi Temple to attend the "Aarti"
ceremony. Overnight at the hotel. Madurai is one of the oldest cities
of India, with a history dating all the way back to the Sangam period
of the pre Christian era. The glory of Madurai returned in a diminished
form in the earlier part of this millennium; it later on came under the
rule of the Vijayanagar kingdom after its ransack by the ravaging armies
of Delhi (Malik Kafur). During the 16th and 18th centuries, Madurai was
ruled by the Nayak Emperors, the foremost of whom was Tirumalai Nayakar.
The Sangam period poet Nakkeerar is associated with some of the Tiruvilayaadal
episodes of Sundareswarar - that are enacted as a part of temple festival
traditions even today.
Day 04: Madurai - Periyar
In the morning drive to Periyar and upon arrival, check in at the hotel.
Afternoon, sightseeing by boat over Lake Periyar to view the wild life.
Overnight at the hotel.
Periyar: One of the well known wildlife sanctuaries in the south, Periyar
sanctuary attracts a large number of nature lovers every year. Also called
the Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, this place is ideal for watching the
animals in their natural habitat. The forest here, slopes into the manmade
lake at the bottom of the hill. This lake serves as the waterhole for
the animals and they come here to drink or take a dip. Elephants, Gaur,
Sambhar and even tigers can be spotted here. There are boat services which
takes the visitor around the lake. The best season to visit the park is
between October and June. Spread over 777 sq.km of the Cardamom Hills
of Western Ghats, the Periyar sanctuary is located 137 km from Madurai.
Although an excursion on the splendid artificial lake is the standard
way to experience the sanctuary, you can also walk around with the local
guide in a small group. Wild Elephant herds come to the lake to frolic
in the water. Other attractions of the sanctuary are the Sambhar, Bison,
Spotted Deer, Tigers, Leopards, Malabar Flying Squirrels, Stripe necked
Mongooses, etc. There are over 260 species of birds here, including Nilgiri
Wood Pigeons, blue-winged Parakeets, White bellied Tree Pies, laughing
Thrushes and Fly Catchers.
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 free at leisure. Overnight
at the hotel. Kumarakom slumbers on the banks of the famous Vembanad Lake,
which is a part of Kuttanad ('granary' of Kerala). The Vembanad Lake with
its majestic canals, streams and distributaries along its banks weave
an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web. The gorgeous green of the
fringed palms ripple in the blue waters and blend into wavelets. The entire
state of Kerala is blessed with plenty of rivers and the resources of
many are still untapped. The waterways of Kerala which play a main role
in the economy of the state links remote villages and islands with the
main land. The water ways provide a cheap and economical mode of transport.
The water ways of Kuttanad is now a big attraction for tourist. It is
incredibly different experience to cruise in the backwaters in country
boats, absorbing the beauty of Kerala villages. The scenery flashes up
vivid contrasts of breath-taking greens and deep blues. Boat rides are
available for tourist and others at nominal rates.
Day 06: Kumarakom - Cochin
Morning, backwater cruise to Alleppey and back. Later drive to Cochin.
Upon arrival, check in at the hotel.
Cochin set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas, the port city
of Cochin (Kochi) (Queen of Arabia) reflects the eclecticism of Kerala
perfectly. With a rich past and a bustling present, it has been the business
hub of the region from the very early days after Alleppey (Alappuzha).
Cochin consists of mainland Ernakulam, the islands of Willington, Bolgatty
and Gundu in the harbour, Fort Cochin and Mattancherry on the southern
peninsula, and Vypeen Island north of Fort Cochin, all was linked by ferry
but now some islands have bridges. The influence of Chinese, Jews, Arabs
and Europeans is evident in Cochin and its people. The oldest church in
India, 500-year-old Portugese houses, old tiled houses built in the Chinese
pagoda style, the famous Chinese fishing nets, a Jewish community whose
roots go back to the Diaspora, synagogues and mosques all tell the fascinating
story of this harbour town. The harbour is still at the heart of the city
and pepper, sea food, rubber and coir mats and matting are exported from
here. Despite this, Cochin is an attractive city with serene creak &
lagoons overhung with feathery coconut palms and picturesque islands.
The older parts of Fort Cochin and Mattanchery are an unlikely blend of
medieval Portugal, Holland and an English country village grafted onto
the troppical Malabar coast. Cochin is one of India's largest ports and
a major naval base.
Day
07: Cochin - Goa
Morning sightseeing tour of Cochin. Later transfer to the airport in time
for afternoon flight to Goa. On arrival transfer to the hotel.
Day 08: Goa
Full day sightseeing tour of Goa. Overnight at the hotel.
Goa: Variously known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist
Paradise", the state of Goa is located on the western coast of India
in the coastal belt known as Konkan.Goa was liberated by the Indian Army
from Portuguese colonisation on December 19, 1961 and became an Union
Territory along with the enclaves of Daman and Diu. On May 30, 1987 Goa
was conferred statehood and became the 25th state of the Indian Republic.
All the communities have mutual respect towards one another and their
secular outlook has given Goa a long and an unbroken tradition of religious
harmony. The warm and tolerant nature of the Goans allows them to celebrate
and enjoy the festivals of various religions such as Ganesh Chaturthi,
Diwali, Christmas, Easter and Id with equal enthusiasm. Besides the natural
beauty, the fabulous beaches and sunshine, travelers to Goa love the laid-back,
peaceful, warm and friendly nature of the Goan people. After all, more
than anywhere else on planet earth, this is a place where people really
know how to relax.
Day 09: Goa
Day free for leisure activities. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Goa - Bombay
Morning free at leisure. Afternoon Transfer to the airport in time for afternoon
flight to Mimbai. On arrival transfer from domestic to the International
airport in time to connect flight for onward destination.
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