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Experience the Natural Beauty, Ancient Culture and Adventure of South
India. Start with a few days of total relaxation at the exclusive
Somaltheeram/Manaltheeram Ayurvedic Resort--situated at one of the
finest beaches of India, amidst coconut plantations, in the state of
Kerala. Next, sail the backwaters of Kerala on traditional rice boats.
After an overnight on the boat, enjoy cultural activities in the port
town of Cochin--well-known for their Kathakali Dance performances.
Wildlife viewing at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and exploring the "temple
towns" of Tamil Nadu.
Day 01: Arrival in Madras
Transfer to hotel Le Meridien (near the airport)
Click
Here for Tour Package Booking
Day 02: Madras - Trivandrum
Transfer to Somatheeram Ayurvedic Resort
Day 03: Ayurvedic Beach Resort
Relax and enjoy the facilities at the resort including private beach,
yoga, massage, nature walks, classical music and dance programs on
open-air stage, visits to local traditional village.
Day 04: "Backwaters of Kerala"
From the resort drive to the pier to board a private rice boat (70 kms/2
hrs drive) and then cruise through the narrow canals and wide lakes
enjoying the scenic natural beauty -- coconut trees, rice patties, small
villages.Meals and overnight on houseboats.
Day 05: Backwaters - Cochin
Morning relax on houseboat, after lunch drive to Cochin 65 Kms/ 1 1/12
hrs.), transfer to hotel. Taj Mallabar Hotel, overlooking the harbor,
sea facing rooms.
Day 06: Cochin
Full day sighseeing: palaces, museums. Enjoy a Kathakali dance
performance at Cochin Cultural Center, arriving by 5 pm to watch the
make-up. Dinner at traditional Kerala restaurant. Taj Mallabar Hotel
Day 07: Periyar
Periyar Wild life Sanctuary Home to bison, antelopes, sambars, wild
boars, monkeys, langurs, a wide variety of birds, and some 750
elephants. Game viewing by private motor-boat in the evening, (the best
time to see wild life). Hotel Taj Garden Retreat
Day 08: Periyar - Madurai
Relax at Periyar in the morning. In afternoon, drive to Madurai (135 kms./
4hrs. drive), "The Temple City of India." Evening relaxed overview of
the city, independent strolling. Hotel Taj Garden Retreat in Madurai,
cottages.
Day 09: Madurai
Full day sighseeing: Sri Meenakshi Temple, Tirumalai Nayak Palace,
Tiruparankundram (rock-cut)Temple, Alagarkoil Temple Evening fly
Madurai-Madras dep 19:40 arr 20:30 arr. OR 20:40 dep.-21:30 arr. Hotel
Taj Garden Retreat
Day 10: Madras
Full day sightseeing of Madras: Kapaleeshwarar Temple, San Thome
Cathedral, Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Fort St. George, the Marina. Hotel
Taj Coromandel, superior room
Day 11: Drive to Kanchipuram
Visit temples of Kanchipuram enroute to Mahabalipuram. Kailasanatha
Temple, Vaikunta Perumal Temple, Sri Ekambaranathar Temple, Kamakshi
Amman Temple, Devarajaswami Temple. On arrival in Mahabalipuram transfer
to Hotel FishermanÕs Cove.
Day 12: Mahabalipuram
Morning relax; afternoon sightseeing: Five Rathas, Shore Temple,
ArjunaÕs Penance, Mandapams, Krishna Mandapam. .
Day 13: Madras
Relax in the morning. Late afternoon drive back to Madras (80kms./2hrs.
drive). Transfer to international airport for flight home.
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India
will sideswipe you with its size, clamour and diversity but if you
enjoy delving in to convoluted cosmologies and thrive on sensual
overload, then it is one of the most intricate and rewarding dramas
unfolding on earth, and you'll quickly develop an abiding passion
for it.
"If
there is one place on the face of earth where all the dreams of
living men have found a home from the very earliest days when man
began the dream of existence,