SOUTH INDIA CLASSIC

HIGHLIGHTS:

Take yourself away on a holiday with a laid back theme. This south part of India is a tropical paradise filled with Hindu temples, hill stations, pretty villages, lush green forests, and tranquil backwaters. Make friends with a rural family over a meal and learn about local cultural traditions. Get up close to the glorious elephants that the region is known for and return home relaxed after a houseboat cruise. Finally, enjoy the Indian Ocean’s beaches to end this unforgettable getaway in style.

PRICE INCLUDES:

• Sightseeing and local guides.

• All meals as per the itinerary. Hotels used are 3 and 4-star category mixture of boutique and heritage hotels.

• Transportation by coach & Houseboat

• Service of a Gay tour manager at all times.

• All the entrance fees to the monuments.

 

CULTURE ASPECTS:

Expect some culture shock. You'll be exposed to signs of poverty and access to services may be sporadic. The food will be quite different from home and English speakers harder to find. Respecting the local culture will make it easier to fit in and really experience the location.

 

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY:

Day 1 Saturday – Arrive Chennai

Arrive at Chennai International Airport. Meet and greet. Later drive to the hotel.

Overnight in Chennai. (No Meals included)

 

 

Day 2 Sunday – Chennai – Mahaballipuram (Drive)

Breakfast at the hotel. Then drive along the coastal road to Mahabalipuram. Upon Arrival at Mahabalipuram, we start our city tour of Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Sight. Later Check in at the Hotel, welcome drinks and later Lunch. After Lunch one is free to wander around the beach or discover the local shopping/flee market. Evening Dinner at the Hotel. 

(B, L, D)

 

Day 3 - Monday – Mahaballipuram – Pondicherry (Drive)

Breakfast at the hotel. Late morning departure for a short drive to Pondicherry. Check into the hotel. Lunch at restaurant. Afternoon sightseeing. Dinner at the hotel. (B, L, D)

 

Day 4 - Tuesday- Pondicherry - Tanjore

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure for a coach trip to Tanjore, stopping at the Nataraja Dancing Shiva Temple at Chidambaram. Lunch. Arrive Tanjore and check into the hotel. Dinner at the restaurant.

(B, L, D) 

 

Day 5 - Wednesday – Tanjore – Trichy - Tanjore (Drive)

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning city tour of Tanjore to see the great Brihadishwara Temple and Grand Anicut barrage on the Cauvery River. Lunch. Drive to of Trichy city for city tour covering Rock Fort Temple and to the largest temple in India at Sri Ramgan. Return to Tanjore for dinner 

(B, L, D)

 

 

Day 6 - Thursday – Tanjore – Madurai (Drive)

Breakfast at the hotel. Later drive to Madurai lunch enroute upon arrival rest and relax at the Hotel. Later in the evening walking tour and encounter the evening ceremony at Meenakshi Temple, later come over to the Hotel for Dinner.

(B, L, D)

 

Day 7 - Friday - Madurai

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visits the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering gopurams (rising high above the surrounding countryside). Later, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace - A gracious building in the Indo Saracenic style, famous for the Stucco work on its domes & arches. Also, visit the Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple. Afternoon free. Overnight Madurai.

(B, L, D)

 

Day 8 - Saturday – Madurai – Periyar/Thekkady (Drive)

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning drive towards Periyar a hill station known for its spice plantation and excellent weather. Upon arrival Lunch at the hotel. Evening free for leisure activities and later dinner at the hotel.

(B,L,D)

 

 

Day 9 - Sunday – Periyar/Thekkady

Breakfast at the hotel. Later tour to Tiger Reserve including boat trip. Lunch. Afternoon visit to a spice garden and free time. Dinner at the hotel.

(B, L, D)

 

 

Day 10 - Monday – Periyar – Allepey/Kumarakom

Have Early Breakfast. Later departure for a coach trip to Alappuzha/Kumarakom. Check onto luxury houseboat for an overnight cruise on backwaters. Lunch and dinner on board.

(B, L, D)

 

 

Day 11 - Tuesday – Allepey/Kumarakom – Kochi (Drive)

Breakfast on the houseboat. Return to the coach and drive a short distance to Kochi. Upon arrival at Kochi, we start our city tour of Fort Kochi area, Lunch in a nice restaurant whilst on city tour. Later check in at the hotel and dinner at the hotel.

(B,L,D) 

 

 

Day 12 - Wednesday - Cochin

Breakfast at the Hotel. Full day free time for individual sightseeing or walking tours (At personal expense), relaxing, swimming, massage, etc. Farewell dinner at the Hotel/or at a nice scenic location.
(B, D)

  

Day 13 - Thursday - Departure

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning free time for shopping etc. Transfer to Kochi International Airport. Departure. End of service.

(B)

 

This itinerary is correct at the time of issue and in good faith but is liable to change at any time or place for any reason.

 

 (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)