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.
