South India Itinerary
Tour # South3
19 Days & 18 Nights Program
Brought to you by
Krishna Air Services
(tour operators in India)
Day 01 Arrive Madras. You will be met on arrival by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Remainder of day at leisure. Madras is the fourth largest city in India and gateway to the South. Day 02 Sight Seeing of Madras. Morning at leisure. This afternoon tour the city by car. Madras became the earliest British settlement in India when in 1639 the Raja of Chandragiri, gave Francis Day, the site which now forms the city of Madras. Fort St. George, built in the following year become the chief centre of activity of the East India Company. Within the Fort is St. Mary's church, the first Anglican church built in India. Also visit the National Art Gallery and Museum and the San Thome Cathedral. Day 03 Departure Madras. Today you will be transferred to the railway station to join the Vaigai Express for Madurai. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Day 04 Sight Seeing of Madurai. Madurai which has been a centre of learning and pilgrimage for many centuries. Life in this bustling pilgrimage city is centered around the great Meenakshi Temple. In the afternoon visit the 17th century shree Meenakshi Temple which dominates the old city. This great temple with its gopurams (pyramidal gateway towers) is covered with a profusion of multi coloured images of mystical figures, animals and Gods. From dawn until late at night the temple complex and colourful Bazaars teem with pilgrims. Also visit the temple at Thiruppa Rakundram. Return in the evening to the temple to witness the temple music. Day 05 Madurai/ Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Today drive upto Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Cadamom Hills on the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Periyar was established in 1934 and is one of the largest sanctuaries in India. It is one of the best sanctuaries in which to observe herds of elephants. The 21 males long Lake is artificial, built by the British in 1895 for irrigation purposes. The scenery, shapes and colours often remind people of the Scottish Highlands. Viewing is best by boat at sunrise and sunset - there is also a rich variety of birds life and animals that may be seen include Bison, wild boar, Sambar. Evening viewing by boat. Day 06 Periyar/Alleppy Rice Barge (House Boat). Early morning viewing by boat before leaving by car to join the Rice Barge. The house boats were originally built 40 years ago and are constructed from Anjili wood and coir. They are 55 feet in length and 15 feet in width (at its broadest point, and with a capacity of 35 tones they were used for transporting a variety of goods, but mainly rice. The rice barge is pushed through the water by two men using tall bamboo poles they cover a distance of approximately 20 kms a day. They are simply furnished and consist of a thatched covered lounge cum dinning area, a double bedroom (with mosquito net) and a bathroom with a WC and wash basin. In the evening the boat is lit by hurricane lamps. Thatched awnings on both sides of the boat allow the breeze and views to flow in. There is service area at the back where the cook prepares simple meals using as much fresh provisions as can be plucked, caught or bought in the back water. A guide also travels with the boat to make life as informative and interesting as you wish. Day 07 Through the narrow Canal of Backwater. Today your journey will take you in a southerly direction via Champakulam and Karmadi to Thottapally village. This is an unique opportunity to leisurely explore the beauty and tranquillity of the Kerala backwaters on your own private rice boat, which has been converted into a comfortable but simple house boat but whilst retaining the local style. The backwaters are network of lakes, coconut shaded canals and estuaries - tiled and thatched cottages bright with hibiscus dot the embankments. Witness local life with children swimming and playing in the water, woman attending to their daily chores and men fishing from their canoes. Day 08 Rice Barge/Cochin. This morning head back towards the cost to Thirikunnapuzha. After lunch rejoin your driver and proceed to Cochin the principal port and centre of the spice trade on the Malabar Coast. Cochin was the first European settlement in India and the port was founded by Vasco-da-Gama in 1502, Portuguese and British settlers have all left their culture on the colourful city. Day 09 Sight Seeing Cochin. This morning tour the city visiting the Mattancherry Palace the nearby merchant houses and a fine synagogue. Also visit Fort Cochin and St. Francis Church, the oldest European Church in India. In the afternoon take a motor launch cruise around the picturesque harbour to see Bolghatty palace and the Chinese fishing nets. Day 10 In Cochin. At leisure to explore the city by yourselves. Day 11 Cochin/Coonoor. Today drive to the hill station of Coonoor, just 13 kms from Ooty and offering a more relaxing alternative to bustling Ooty. Day 12 Coonoor/Ooty/Coonoor. At leisure to visit the botanical gardens in Ooty and sims part in Coonoor. In Coonoor also see the views from Lady Carnning's Seat, and the Law's falls and Kattery Falls. It may also be possible to ride the narrow gauge mountain railway down to Mettupalayam (this is subject to operation). Day 13 Coonoor/Mysore. This morning drive north to Mysore. This rural city is noted for it's palatial building, beautiful gardens and as a major centre for the manufacture of incense made from sandalwood, musk and jasmine. Mysore is also a centre for handicrafts specializing in wood carvings and silk. Day 14 Sight Seeing of Mysore. Today visit the colourful vegetable and flower market in Mysore. Drive out to Chamundi Hills to view the Chamundeswari Temple and famous Nandi Bull. Also visit Srirangapatanam to see the ruins of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan's capital from which they ruled much of southern India during the 18th century. Day 15 Sight Seeing of Mysore. A leisure with car driver at your disposal to visit the Sri Camundeswari Temple at Somnathpur built around 1260 AD by the Hoysala kings. The walls of this temple are covered with stone animal sculpture - it has been said that this is one of the most beautiful and interesting buildings in India. Day 16 Mysore/Madras. Transfer to the Railway Station to join the train for Madras. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Day 17 Madras/Mahbalipuram/Kanchipuram. Over the next day we will arrange a visit Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram by car. Mahabalipuram was named after the Pallava King Narasimhavaram who enjoyed the title Mamalla or great champion. He excavated many cave temples, the most remarkable being the seven monolithic temples, each carved from a single granite boulder standing on the sea shore. In the village you will see a huge frieze, known as Arjuna's penance, which is known as 'The Golden City of A Thousand Temples'. Visit the 7th century Kailasantha Temple dedicated to Shiva and the Vaikuntaperumal Temple dedicated to the Vishnu. Kanchipuram is noted for its cotton dyeing and silk weaving. Day 18 In Madras. This afternoon you will be transferred to the city hotel. Day 19 Departure Madras.
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Sri Krishna Holidays
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India.
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LAST UPDATED: September 10, 2011
