Kerala with Temples

Duration : 11 Nights / 12 Days
Destinations Covered : Cochin - Munnar - Thekkady - Alleppey - Madurai - Tanjore - Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram - Chennai Departure Enquire Now

DAY 01: ARRIVAL COCHIN

Welcome upon arrival (arrive in the morning) , our company executive will meet and assist you at the airport. Transfer to hotel and check in. After relaxation visit best preserved Synagogue, The Dutch Palace and the oldest European Church in India the St. Francis Church where Vasco Da Gama was originally buried. A leisurely walk through the Fort Cochin area which gives you a close look at the operation of the huge cantilevered Chinese fishing nets introduced by Chinese traders which is still used in Kerala backwaters as a traditional way of fishing.

In the evening enjoy the Kathak kali dance show. Kathakali is the ancient classical dance from of Kerala. It is based on the stories of the Indian epics acted out in this traditional show, where dancers tell stories to music using animated expressions. It is a stylized art form where dancer wears a painted face and mimes using animated hand gestures and facial expressions. Come back to hotel and overnight stay.

DAY 02: COCHIN - ALLEPPEY (BY SURFACE 58 KM)

After breakfast proceed to Alleppey. Check in to the houseboat at 12:00. Cruising in a House Boat through the back waters of Kerala is the fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters. Sit back and relax while the boat cruises through the narrow serene backwaters, rivers and canals. Lunch, Evening Tea/Coffee with snacks, dinner and breakfast will be served on board. All Meals will be served onboard. Overnight stay in the houseboat.

DAY 03: ALLEPPEY – THEKKADY (BY SURFACE 139KM)

After breakfast, drive towards Thekkady. Reach in the hotel and check in. explore the Wildlife Sanctuary by jeep or on foot - for the adventurous there is the opportunity to camp overnight in the jungle. Elephants and tigers are the most famous residents and the lucky few will possibly see these, but the smaller fauna is equally interesting and even a short forest walk near the town will likely bring you into contact with the beautiful Malabar Giant Squirrel - bigger than a domestic cat. Also enjoy Boat ride in Lake Periyar where one can have a unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attraction of Periyar, however are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake. Overnight stay.
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DAY 04: THEKKADY – MUNNAR (BY SURFACE 85KM)

Morning drive to Munnar, it is Surrounded by lush green tea estates and situated at the confluence of three mountain streams, this picturesque hill station boasts of exotic flora and fauna. enjoy beautiful streams small waterfalls like vallara and cheeyappara water falls, Rubber, Pepper cardamom and Tea plantations and thick forests, Reach in the hotel and check in. overnight stay.

DAY 05: MUNNAR

After breakfast, go for full day sightseeing trip of Munnar Perhaps one of the most romantic experiences you love to cherish in the album of your heart.Visit – Mattupetty Lake & Dam, Echo Point, Kundale Lake, Blossom Garden, Rajamalai, Eravikulam Wildlife sanctuary, famous for Nilagiri Tahr and Tea gardens & Tea Plantation. You never feel tired. The enchanting beauty of Munnar beats the sweat of your brow. Overnight stay.

DAY 06: MUNNAR – MADURAI (BY SURFACE 155KM)

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Madurai. Check in to hotel and visit Meenakshi Temple: The Temple is dedicated to Goddess Sri Meenakshi, the protectress of Madurai. Built in the 16th Century by Tirumalai Nayak, it is spread over 350 hectares. Enclosed by walls, each has a nine-storey gopuram which is adorned by thousands of intricately carved celestial and animal figures. Tiurmalai Nayak Palace : One of the grandest monuments in Madurai and a stunning piece of Indo-Saracenic architecture. It was built in the early 17th century by Tirumalai Nayak with the finest of craftsmen. Also visit Thirupparankundram Temple, Alagar Koil and GandhiMuseum. In the evening join the Puja Ceremony of Meenakshi temple. Come back to hotel and overnight stay.
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DAY 07: MADURAI EXCURSION RAMESHWARAM

After breakfast, take an excursion to Rameshwaram. Rameshwaram, is the most sacred temple town in India is actually an island. Legend has it that Lord Rama along with Sita offered prayer to Lord Shiva after defeating Ravana, by praying to a sand Lingam made by Sita on this island. And at this very spot is located the Ramanatha Swamy Temple. Come back to Madurai hotel and overnight stay.

DAY 08: MADURAI – TANJORE (BY SURFACE 331 KM)

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Tanjore. Enroute visit Palani Temple the temple is one among the six Padaiveedu’s of Lord Muruga. The 3rd Padaiveedu namely Arulmigu Thiruvaavinankudi temple is part and parts of this temple. Then continue drive and Enroute visit Trichy located on the banks of the River Kaveri. It is famous for the Ranganath temple at Srirangam. Also visit Rock Fort Temple, Srirangam and Jambukeshwar Temple.

Reach Tanjore and check in to hotel. overnight stay.

DAY 09: TANJORE – PONDICHERRY (BY SURFACE 167 KM)

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and visit Brihadeshwara Temple it is Built by the Chola King, Raja Raja I in the 10th century AD. The temple has a gigantic Mahalingam and the second largest monolithic Nandi in India. Tanjore Palace, Sangeetha Mahal.

Then continue drive to Pondicherry and enroute visit Swamimalai Temple It is situated about Eight kilometers(5 miles) west of Kumbakonam on the banks of a tributary of river Cauvery. Swamimalai, is fourth among the Six Sacred Shrines devoted to Lord Muruga. Here is the place where Lord Muruga, the Legend propounded the meaning of “Om”, the Sacred Pranava Mantra to His Father Lord Shiva, and thus assumed the title Swaminatha (“Lord of Lords”).

Then drive to Pondicherry and reach in the afternoon. Check in to hotel and visit Auroville and later you can enjoy boat ride (own cost). Also visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram This place was founded by Sri Aurobindo, who in the early ages was a revolutionist and then turned poet. His was jointly helped by The Mother, who was a Paris born painter. The Ashram is a centre for the practice of integral yoga, meditation, and of inner development. The Pondicherry Botanical Garden , The Church of Our Lady of Angels was built by French Missionaries in 1865. Come back to hotel and overnight stay.
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DAY 10: PONDICHERRY – MAHABALIPURAM (BY SURFACE 193KM)

After breakfast drive to Mahabalipuram and enroute visit Kancheepuram Temples. Check in to hotel and after few minutes cover sightseeing of Mahabalipuram visit Arjuna's Penance This sculptured marvel, is an enormous relief made on two huge boulders. One of the biggest open-air rock canvases in the world, this bas- relief is 31m long and 9m high. Shore Temple this is the ancient temple nestling on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, it consisting of two Siva temples and a carving of Anantasayana Vishnu. This historic monument built largely between the 7th and the 9th century has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Five Rathas are Dharmaraja Ratha, Bhima Ratha, Arjuna Ratha, Draupadi Ratha and Nakul Sahadev Ratha. These are monolithic temples, each created in a different style. Also visit the kanchipuram Silk Factory. Overnight stay.

DAY 11: MAHABALIPURAM – CHENNAI (BY SURFACE 58KM)

After breakfast, drive to Chennai and visit visiting Santhome Basilica - is located on the southern end of Marina Beach. A rare church, raised on the tomb of St. Thomas, an apostle of Christ, it has in its possession a small hand bone of Thomas and the head of a lance, which brought him down. St. Mary's Church- is the first Anglican Church in India. It was built in 1678-79 in Fort St. George. This was the first church built by the East India Company outside the Mediterranean. Fort George - The Fort St. George Museum was organised and opened to the public from 31st January 1948. The museum began with a small collection of objects of the British Raj donated by the then Madras Presidency Government, the St. Mary's Church authorities, the disbanded army units and others. Kapaleeshwar Temple this temple was constructed in the 13th century BC. This is a live example of the architectural skills of the Dravidians and National art Gallery: has a finest collection of old paintings. Later enjoy at Marina Beach. Come back to hotel and overnight stay.