|
Day
01 Mumbai
Arrive Mumbai. Meet assist at airport and transfer to hotel.
Night stay in Mumbai.
Day
02 Mumbai - Goa
Morning after breakfast transfer to airport to board the flight
to Goa. Meet assist and transfer to the hotel. Night stay
in Goa.
Day 03 Goa
Morning proceed to visit the exquisite churches from the Portuguese
era with their remarkable architecture and mysterious history
make the city truly exhilarating. Follow this up by an afternoon
and evening on the silvery sands and serene waters. Goa's
splendid coastline extends over 100 kilometres, and some of
the world's most charming beaches are located here. If time
permits, Churches of astounding historical importance could
squeeze in. Night stay in Goa.
Day
04 Goa - Kochi
Morning fly to Kochi, at the south-west tip of Kerala state.
Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Spend the afternoon in city
sightseeing. Kochi (formerly Cochin) is the most beautiful
coastal city and one of the largest ports of India. It is
a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas. Here you can see
the oldest church in India, congested Portuguese-built colonies,
Chinese fishing nets, an ancient "white Jewish"
community which has survived for 1000 years, a fabulous 16th
century synagogue, a palace which contains the most beautiful
murals, and many other attractions. The Fort of Cochin is
the oldest European fort in India. The St Francis Church is
the oldest European church in India The Jewish Synagogue,
built in 1568, is the oldest in the Commonwealth. Night stay
in Kochi.
Day
05 Kochi - Allapuzha
Morning proceed for half-day tour to Gundu Island by boat
through the backwaters and see remarkable coir industries
on the way. In the afternoon, drive to Allapuzha, arrive and
transfer to hotel. Night stay in Allapuzha.
Day
06 Allapuzha - Kottayam - Periyar
Morning proceed for backwater cruise to Kottayam. Afternoon
drive to Periyar wildlife sanctuary. Kottayam is a pretty
town at the foothills of the Western Ghats. It is a commercial
centre noted for its trade in rubber, spices, tea, etc. It
is also the main centre of the Syrian Christians (75% of the
Kerala Christians). You can thus expect several charming churches
here. Night stay at the lodge.
Day
07 Periyar
Morning proceed for a day in the jungle, in Periyar, best
approached from Kottayam (80km). The 800 sq. km wildlife sanctuary
skirts the Periyar Lake at its centre. You can cruise on this
lake while taking in the pleasures of this habitat. You can
see tigers, deer, wild dogs, lion-tailed macaque, Malabar
squirrel and sloth bears. The lake attracts all kinds of water
birds. In the vicinity are lofty observation towers, and a
medieval palace. Night stay in Periyar.
Day
08 Periyar - Madurai
Proceed to Madurai, arrive and transfer to hotel. Later proceed
for sightseeing of Madurai. Explore island by boat through
the backwaters and see remarkable coir industries on the way.
Situated on the banks of the Vaigai River, Madurai is the
ancient capital of the Pandya Kings. Legend has it, that the
divine nectar falling from the locks of Lord Shiva gave the
town its ancient name, Madhurapuri—the land of nectar.
Today, it is an important business centre. The crowning glory
of Madurai is the Meenakshi Sundareshwara Temple Complex,
which is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, her consort Lord
Sundareshwara, and her celestial brother, Lord Vishnu. The
Meenakshi Temple has a thousand- pillared hall. Night stay
in Madurai.
Day
09 Madurai - Chennai - Departure
Morning proceed for half-day tour of Madurai at leisure. In
the afternoon, fly to Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu, earlier
known as Madras. Chennai is bestowed with a 4.5 kilometre
long stretch of shore, called Marina Beach, the second longest
beach in the world. A lighthouse here enables the visitor
to see the entire city—a breathtaking sight. 40km of
Chennai, it is a fascinating beach. Historically important
are an old Catholic Church and a famous Durgah. Later transfer
to airport for onward destination.
|